In 1998, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) began developing what is now the Appalachian Higher Education (AHE) Network. The AHE Network, currently composed of eight centers, has the mission of increasing the college-going rate in Appalachia, the numbers of students who continue their education directly after graduating high school. This paper discusses why a postsecondary education is so critical and the need for the AHE Network in the region. It then describes the history and effectiveness of the AHE Network model and presents preliminary data on the impact and success of individual AHE Network centers. The paper concludes with a discussion of future directions for the Network and the need for research on the long-term impact of these and similar programs on individual students.