About - Larry Epling

Larry Epling

Born and raised in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky we didn’t have a lot growing up but my dad worked hard to provide and that left a burning passion in myself to work as hard as I could to make my community a better place, to show those outside of East Kentucky the real look of Appalachia.

I was the first in my family to go to college like many Eastern Kentuckians, where I learned the skills trade for electronics, computers and later marketing and business management so I strive to combine all those skills I’ve learned along the way into how I work every day.

I am a graduate of the inaugural classes of the Patton Leadership Institute, BRIGHT by Leadership Kentucky and the Appalachian College Association Rural Leadership programs.

My work has been published in numerous travel and tourism magazines in Kentucky. I have multiple magazine covers and features in the Bi-annually published UPIKE magazine and several CASE awards.

In 2023 I was named Best Photographer at the Appalachian Arts and Entertainment awards that featured nominees from all 13 Appalachian mountain states.

Personal Statement

Growing up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, I learned early that a person’s worth is defined by the calluses on their hands and the integrity of their word. My father worked tirelessly to provide for our family, and his work ethic ignited a burning passion within me to serve my community with that same level of grit. However, I realized over time that while the people of Appalachia are some of the hardest working in the country, our story is often told by those who have never stepped foot in the mountains. This realization has defined my academic journey and professional mission: to master the tools of communication, so I can show the world the authentic face of the region I call home.

My path to this Communication Capstone has been anything but linear. As a first-generation college student, I initially sought stability through the skilled trades, studying electronics and computer technology. While these fields may seem distant from marketing, they provided me with a builder’s mindset. I learned how to troubleshoot complex systems and understand the wiring of an organization. When I pivoted to business management and marketing, I didn’t leave those technical skills behind; instead, I integrated them. I began to see communication not just as a series of messages, but as a strategic system designed to connect, persuade, and build community.

This system-based approach has fueled my eighteen year career at the University of Pikeville. For the past eight years, I have served in the Marketing and Communications office, where I have moved beyond the theoretical to the practical. My photography work has been featured in numerous travel and tourism publications, and I have been honored with several CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) awards for my contributions to the university’s narrative. Through my photography, including multiple magazine covers and features, I have attempted to capture the dignity of rural life. Every shutter click is an opportunity to dismantle a stereotype and replace it with the reality of Appalachian resilience.

Beyond my creative work, my growth has been shaped by the Patton Leadership Institute, the Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT program, and the Appalachian College Association’s Rural Leadership class. These experiences taught me that effective communication is the cornerstone of leadership. They challenged me to look at the socioeconomic hurdles of our region and ask how strategic messaging can drive economic development and social change.

Despite my professional success, I knew that to reach the next level of advocacy for my region, I needed to solidify my academic foundation. Returning to complete my Bachelor’s degree has been a process of refining my why. My goal is to transition immediately into a Master’s program in Strategic Communication. I want to move from telling the story of one institution to shaping the communication strategies that will define the future of the Appalachian workforce and its culture.

I am not just a student of communication; I am a practitioner who has spent nearly two decades in the field. This degree is the bridge between the hard working mountains of my youth and the professional influence I seek to wield. I am ready to use my voice, my lens, and my education to ensure that the story of Eastern Kentucky is told with the truth, complexity, and honor it deserves.

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Work Philosophy

I treat organizational communication as a complex system that requires the same technical precision and troubleshooting logic used in the skilled trades.

I prioritize integrity and the weight of one's word as the primary metrics of professional value, ensuring that every project is backed by the same grit and work ethic found in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

I utilize the lens of a practitioner-advocate to dismantle stereotypes, ensuring that regional and institutional narratives are told with the authenticity, dignity, and complexity they deserve.

I bridge the gap between technical infrastructure and creative storytelling by integrating electronics, business management, and strategic marketing into a singular, cohesive communication strategy.

View communication as a catalyst for socioeconomic change, leverage strategic messaging to drive economic development and empower the local workforce.

Champion the "Real Appalachia" by using professional influence to amplify the voices and resilience of rural communities to a global audience.

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Career Goals

Short-Term Goals:

Earn Masters degree to expand knowledge of strategic communication practices.

Expand Athletics Marketing at the University of Pikeville

Improve game-day workflow of Athletic event coverage for visual media

Long-Term Goals:

Transition into a leadership role in a Marketing or Communications department

Teach photography and/or Communication classes

Search for Doctorate Programs to match future goals.

Develop an internship, mentorship and student design program for Marketing and Communication department