An Appalachian Historian
Alex Hall is an Appalachian historian, esports historian, educator, author, and digital storyteller from the Cumberland Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. He serves as Administrative Assistant and esports coach at Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, where he supports academic leadership while building student-centered programs rooted in competition, community, mentorship, and opportunity.
Alex earned a B.A. in Pre-Law from Alice Lloyd College and an MBA from the University of the Cumberlands. He is currently pursuing graduate study in education, history, and cybersecurity, reflecting his broader interest in how learning, technology, leadership, and regional knowledge can strengthen Appalachian communities. In 2026, he was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky, a recognition connected to service, character, and civic contribution.
Through AppalachianHistorian.org, Alex publishes research-driven stories on regional history, memory, folklore, and culture, pairing archival work with clear narrative storytelling. His work focuses especially on the people, places, conflicts, legends, and overlooked stories of Appalachia, while also making room for guest contributors and community voices from across the mountains.
Alex is also a multi-genre author. His books include Paperhearts: A Breakup Collection of Poems, which reached #1 in Kindle Contemporary Poetry, along with Blue Sunflower, Amber Jar July, and contributions to Abandoned: Cumberland Mountains Authors’ Guild Anthology. He has also published I Hate Religion: 10 Counts Against Performance Christianity, which reached #1 in Kindle Religious Leadership and #1 in Kindle Christian Leadership.
Beyond the page, Alex has delivered remarks for campus partnership events and supported public-facing history work, including an on-camera interview for KET’s Kentucky Life connected to the Verna Mae Slone segment. When he is not writing or researching, he is coaching collegiate esports, chasing speedrun world records, preserving Appalachian stories, or tending to his bees in the hills of Eastern Kentucky.
