Category: Media & Press

Transformative legislative changes in Texas—namely, House Bill 3 (HB3) and House Bill 8 (HB8)—have introduced both exciting opportunities and real challenges for rural school districts. These bills aim to transform how education systems align with workforce needs, creating incentives for outcomes-driven success. For rural communities, navigating these changes requires thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and increased capacity.

Understanding HB3 and HB8 in Rural Contexts

HB3 introduced College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Outcome Bonuses that reward school districts for preparing students to succeed after high school, whether through college enrollment, earning industry-recognized credentials, or military enlistment. Many rural districts are using these funds to build meaningful post-12th-grade pathways, including Year 13/14 coaching and the expansion of workforce-aligned programs.

HB8 transformed how Texas funds community colleges, shifting from enrollment-based formulas to an outcomes-based system that rewards credentials of value in high-demand fields. This model creates a significant opportunity for rural regions, where partnerships between K–12 schools, colleges, and employers can lead to strong postsecondary outcomes.

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) represent one of the most impactful ways rural communities can meet the goals of both HB3 and HB8. CEN sponsors RAPs in teaching, nursing, and trades as a strategy to help students earn industry-recognized credentials, transition into meaningful careers, and strengthen local economies.

Through RAPs, rural learners gain access to high-demand training opportunities in pre-apprenticeships while districts earn CCMR bonuses under HB3. At the same time, community college partners benefit from outcomes-based HB8 funding tied to completions in high-value fields.

In this way, RAPs help rural regions turn legislative goals into real, measurable outcomes for students, schools, and local employers alike.

The Capacity Gap in Rural Districts

While HB3 and HB8 offer a framework for progress, rural districts face key barriers in turning these policies into practice:

• Limited internal capacity, including, lack of grant writers, regional CTE alignment challenges, to design K–12 and postsecondary programs that align with the new funding models
• Lack of infrastructure or awareness around new initiatives like P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools) and R-PEP (Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships)
• Geographic and logistical challenges in coordinating across sectors, especially in sparsely populated regions where access to higher education or industry partners is limited

CEN’s Response: Systems Alignment for Rural Success

To address these challenges, Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) has developed a comprehensive systems alignment strategy designed to support rural leaders and unlock the full potential of HB3 and HB8. This includes:

• Employing Edu-REACH Coaches to support implementation of P-TECH and RAP models across rural campuses, with tremendous support from ECMC, Trellis, Greater Texas Foundation. Edu-REACH coaches are helping connect policy to practice—not just implementing, but translating systems-level changes into real student support.
• Helping districts access and optimize HB3/HB8 funding through technical assistance, planning support, and data coaching
• Building cross-sector leadership capacity to manage workforce partnerships, student services, and data systems effectively

The Power of R-PEP and Rural Collaboration

One of the most promising models to emerge under these reforms is the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP). This model enables rural school districts to collaborate in offering shared postsecondary pathways that would be difficult to launch alone.

CEN is exploring R-PEP partnerships with rural districts such as Cumby ISD in collaboration with Texas Tech University to pilot shared postsecondary pathways. This model increases access, strengthens alignment with local workforce needs, and best utilizes limited resources.

Looking Ahead

As HB3 and HB8 continue to guide the way Texas funds and measures postsecondary readiness, rural communities are shifting from initial implementation to strategic scaling. These policies have laid the foundation—but the next chapter depends on how effectively rural regions align their systems, partnerships, and talent pipelines to maximize impact.

At the same time, emerging legislation like House Bill 2 (HB2) and House Bill 120 (HB120) brings new momentum. HB2 aims to expand equitable access to dual credit and dual enrollment, a core component of CEN’s P-TECH 13/14 model and Edu-REACH coaching strategy. HB120 supports the development of regional career and technical education centers, providing the policy and funding infrastructure needed to scale EPIC adult learning industry hubs and multi-district collaboration models like R-PEP.

Together, these legislative frameworks offer rural Texas a rare opportunity: to build cohesive pathways from high school to high-wage careers, rooted in local partnerships and designed for real outcomes. CEN remains committed to supporting rural leaders through this transition—offering the capacity, tools, and coaching needed to turn policy into place-based transformation.

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Greater Texas Foundation Awards More Than $1.1 Million to Collegiate Edu-Nation to Expand Postsecondary Pathways in Rural Texas

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Collegiate Edu-Nation Hosts Practitioner and Stakeholder Panel at TASA Midwinter, Launches “The North Star Venture” Fundraising Campaign

[ROSCOE, TX – January 23, 2025] – Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is thrilled to announce its Practitioner and Stakeholder Panel Discussion, to be held during the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Midwinter Conference at the Austin Marriott Downtown on January 28, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the Waterloo Ballroom. This dynamic session will feature voices from education, policy, and workforce development, all working together to shape the future of rural education.

Two Panels, One Mission:

Practitioner Panel: Highlighting personal stories and district strategies, the panel will feature:

• Shelly Slaughter, Superintendent, Cumby CISD
• Shelby Saragosa, Student, Cumby CISD
• Madison Carson, Student, Cumby CISD

Stakeholder Panel: Offering insights into rural workforce development, policy, and capacity building, the panel will include:

• Rick Rhodes, Chair, Texas Workforce Investment Council
• Dustin Breithaupt, Superintendent, Lytle ISD
• Chandra Eggermeyer, Texas Economic Development & Tourism, Office of the Governor
• Ryan Fitzgerald, Dean of Enrollment Management, South Plains College

The discussion will be moderated by Robin Berkley, Director of Education at the George W. Bush Institute, whose extensive experience will guide the conversation toward actionable strategies for empowering rural communities.

Dr. Kim Alexander, CEN Founder & CEO, emphasized the significance of this event: “These discussions bring together diverse perspectives to address the unique challenges and opportunities in rural education. By amplifying rural voices and fostering collaboration, we’re creating a brighter future for our students and communities.”

“The Practitioner and Stakeholder Panels are a testament to what’s possible when educators, policymakers, and workforce leaders come together,” stated Dr. Rachael McClain, CEN President, highlighting the collaborative nature of this work. “These conversations are vital to driving empowerment and innovation in rural education, ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed.”

This event is made possible in part by the generous support of West Texas A&M University, Shiffler, and AVID, whose commitment to education is vital to advancing rural opportunities.
Rural Empowerment Banquet & North Star Campaign Launch

Later that evening, CEN will host the Rural Empowerment Banquet (invitation-only), a celebration of the organization’s transformative work across its three pillars:

• Pillar 1: PK-12 Education, fostering high-quality learning environments for rural students.
• Pillar 2: Adult Education, Workforce Development, and Community Engagement, creating pathways to sustainable careers and community growth.
• Pillar 3: Rural Empowerment, driving advocacy, capacity building, and economic development in rural areas.

“The successes we’ve seen across our three pillars in CEN districts and communities are a testament to the power of collaboration and commitment,” added Dr. Rachael McClain. “From PK-12 education to workforce development and rural advocacy, these efforts are transforming lives and creating brighter futures for rural Texas.”

The banquet will also serve as the official launch of “The North Star Venture,” a fundraising campaign designed to expand PK-12 program development, enhance postsecondary outcomes, and strengthen rural capacity-building efforts.

“The North Star Venture is more than a fundraising campaign—it’s a commitment to rural empowerment,” shared Dr. Susan Ruiz-Grove, CEN’s Chief Development Officer. “By investing in education, workforce development, and advocacy, we’re providing a roadmap for rural communities to thrive.”

For more information about Collegiate Edu-Nation and its initiatives, please visit https://dev.edu-nation.org/.

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About Collegiate Edu-Nation

Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is dedicated to transforming rural education through innovative programs and strategic partnerships. By focusing on holistic education, workforce development, and policy advocacy, CEN aims to provide high-quality educational experiences and opportunities for all students in rural communities.

Contact:
Dr. Rachael McClain
770-287-5156
rmcclain@edu-nation.org

Collegiate Edu-Nation Advances Rural Empowerment, Advocacy and Thought-Leadership with Strategic Growth Initiative

[ROSCOE, TX – December 15, 2024] – Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is proud to highlight its continued focus on transforming rural education and community development through its rural empowerment, advocacy and thought-leadership initiatives. As the foundation of CEN’s mission, this effort ensures the long-term sustainability and capacity-building needed to support its ambitious plans for the future of rural communities. This long-term planning has taken place throughout 2024 and positions the organization to announce a funding campaign, NorthStar Venture, in early 2025.

“The addition and implementation of pillar three throughout this year emphasized our organization’s ability to have a profound rural voice from real rural people who are ingrained in many rural communities throughout the state,” said Dr. Rachael McClain, President of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “We are committed to delivering high-quality education to students and adults and advancing profound economic and social impacts throughout rural communities. This includes not only our communities in our network but rural communities everywhere. This pilar enables us to increase our bandwidth and maximize our programming efforts in a sustainable way.”

Strategically, Pillar 1 focuses on launching CEN’s innovative PK-12 programs in 10-11 new rural school districts annually, to reach 30 new districts by the end of this campaign and 60 districts by 2030. Pillar 2 focuses on the adult learner and works to increase the percentage of high school graduates earning postsecondary degrees or certifications to at least 60% while establishing adult education programs in each community.

Pillar 3 underpins these efforts by providing the advocacy, resources, and organizational support necessary to sustain and scale this transformative work. While many initiatives are rooted in CEN districts, these efforts often extend to benefit communities across broader rural regions. This pillar will focus on the following key areas:

• Rural Economic Development: Exploring the economic benefits of workforce initiatives and educational programs that uplift rural regions. Including housing and workforce challenges.
• Best Practices and Capacity Building: Identifying and disseminating best practices in rural education and providing support to build local capacities.
• Program Impact Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness of educational programs to ensure they align with the unique needs of rural students and communities.
• Policy and Advocacy Leadership: Influencing rural education policies to ensure schools receive equitable support and resources.
• Rural Funding Expansions: Advocating for increased investments in rural education to sustain and grow impactful programs. Some of these partnerships include leveraging resources from the land-grant institution Texas A&M and many workforce partners.
• National Collaboration and Innovation: Expanding the Summer National Training into a premier conference for rural innovation, creating partnerships with educators, policymakers, and industry experts.
• Supporting Rural Communities: Addressing essential challenges like housing, economic development, and workforce gaps to complement educational advancements.

“Pillar 3 embodies the philosophy of ‘Rural Voices for Rural People,’ ensuring that rural communities can build vibrant futures,” said Dr. Kim Alexander, Founder and CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “By strengthening and expanding the foundations of our work, we ensure that the vision of rural empowerment continues to flourish for generations.”

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. This year, 30 AmeriCorps members will begin their service terms on August 1st, working in 11 school districts across Texas.

The participating school districts include: Colorado City, Cumby, Floydada, Hamlin, Hico, Iraan-Sheffield, Lytle, Post, Roscoe, Throckmorton, and Venus. We are thrilled to welcome back 15 returning AmeriCorps members and to introduce 15 new members to our program.

Katie Daugherty, CEN AmeriCorps Program Coordinator said, “We are excited to welcome our new and returning AmeriCorps members. Their dedication to providing instructional support, communications support, and network resource coordination is invaluable to our school districts and the communities they serve.”

AmeriCorps members will engage in a variety of services, including instructional support, communications support, and network resource coordination for their assigned school districts. Their work will significantly contribute to enhancing educational outcomes and community development in rural areas.

“Congratulations to our 24-25 Cohort of AmeriCorps Members and our host districts. With every cohort, we have the opportunity to produce educators passionate about rural students!” said Dr. Rachael McClain, CEN President. “Through this partnership, strong mentor teachers can be replicated as we continue the commitment to growing our own educators through the Teach Where It Matters initiative for rural communities across the state.”

Revolutionizing Rural Education: The Teach Where It Matters Initiative

CEN is excited to highlight the “Teach Where It Matters” initiative, a collaborative effort with West Texas A&M, strategically addressing the acute teacher shortage in rural Texas. This initiative focuses on growing local talent by recruiting a diverse pool of participants and offering benefits and thorough training for teacher certification.

Funded by CEN’s AmeriCorps grant, the initiative supports various components like work-based learning internships, mentor-teacher training, college and career advising, alongside CEN’s Registered Apprenticeship P-20 Teacher Program. This provides a flexible, supportive path to certification and shapes a sustainable future for rural P-20 education in Texas.

“Revolutionizing rural education through strategic initiatives like ‘Teach Where It Matters’ allows us to address teacher shortages head-on and build a strong foundation for the future of rural education,” stated Dr. Rachael McClain.

Katie Daugherty added, “By growing our own educators and providing them with the necessary support and training, we are ensuring that rural students receive the high-quality education they deserve thanks to the help of AmeriCorps.”

CEN’s 2024-2025 AmeriCorps Cohort Members are:

Colorado ISD

• Freda Wesley
• Ashley Hernandez
• Cammie Oliver

Cumby ISD

• Madison Carson
• Shelby Saragosa
• Lane McCraw

Floydada CISD

• Claudia Barrera
• Laura Paz
• Izaih Alvarado
• Victoria Cervera
• Saul Reyes

Hamlin CISD

• Imajen Andrade
• Lyberti Brannan
• Vanessa Gonzalez
• Cutter Martin
• Klaire Jeffrey

Hico ISD

• Lacie Sublett
• Ashley Bingham
• Jessica Rosas

Iraan-Sheffield ISD

• Natashia Gonzalez
• Nora Martinez
• Brittany Contreras
• Stephanie Smart

Lytle ISD

• Jada Vega

Post ISD

• Addisen Rodriguez

Roscoe CISD

• Mariana Luna

Throckmorton ISD

• Gay Hibbitts

Venus ISD

• Anna Taylor

Collegiate Edu-Nation

• Samantha Taylor

For more information about AmeriCorps, visit https://americorps.gov/about and https://onestarfoundation.org/americorps-texas/. 

To learn more about the Teach Where It Matters initiative, visit https://dev.edu-nation.org/edu-reach-13-14-twim-rural-healthcare-hub/#teachwhereitmatters.

For more information about Collegiate Edu-Nation and its initiatives, please visit https://dev.edu-nation.org/.

# # #

About Collegiate Edu-Nation

Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is dedicated to transforming rural education through innovative programs and strategic partnerships. By focusing on holistic education, workforce development, and policy advocacy, CEN aims to provide high-quality educational experiences and opportunities for all students in rural communities.

Job Type: Contract (Mid-June to August)* *short term contract position*

Overview of Collegiate Edu-Nation

Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is a statewide network that promotes the P-20 Model for 21st Century School Transformation which focuses on heightenedcollegeand career aspirations through continuous educational attainment and industry-related certifications. We believe a mindset of high aspirations and high expectations on those fronts leads naturally to lifetimes of happiness, productivity, and success. We take a comprehensive approach to education, engaging whole communities in an effort that continues from the first day of Pre-K to the launch of a meaningful career.

Overview of Position
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated FAFSA Drive Coach to lead and manage our FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) drive in rural communities. The coach will be responsible for organizing and executing two events aimed at encouraging high school students and their families to complete the FAFSA application. The goal is to achieve a minimum of 50 FAFSA submissions and 40 completions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Event Planning and Coordination:
  • Organize two FAFSA drive events in designated rural communities.
  • Collaborate with local schools, community centers, and organizations to secure venues and resources.
  • Develop a detailed event plan, including timelines, materials, and staffing needs.
  • Promote the events through various channels, including social media, local media, and community outreach.

• Outreach and Engagement:
  • Engage with students, parents, and guardians to raise awareness about the importance of FAFSA.
  • Provide clear and accurate information about the FAFSA process, deadlines, and requirements.
  • Distribute promotional materials and provide ongoing support leading up to the events.

• Event Execution:
  • Facilitate the events, ensuring all logistical aspects are managed smoothly.
  • Provide hands-on assistance to students and families during the FAFSA application process.
  • Coordinate with volunteers and support staff to ensure efficient event operations.

• Tracking and Reporting:
  • Monitor the number of FAFSA submissions and completions.
  • Maintain accurate records of participants and their progress.
  • Report on the outcomes of the events, including the number of submissions and completions, and provide recommendations for future initiatives. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience in event planning, community outreach, or educational initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of the FAFSA process and requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Experience working with rural communities and understanding their unique challenges is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to engage and motivate students and families.
• Proficient in using digital tools for promotion and communication.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Willingness to travel to rural locations for event execution.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary.
• Travel and event-related expenses covered.

Application Process:

• Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter outlining their experience and motivation for the role, and two professional references to Kelly Springfield at kspringfield@edu-nation.org
• Deadline: Applications will be accepted until June 15.

PDF Description: FASFACoach_joblisting

Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN), a leading educational network dedicated to empowering rural communities, announces the appointment of two distinguished educators to its leadership team. Michelle Smith and Katy Cade will be joining CEN as the Chief of Schools and School Action Director, respectively, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Smith and Katy Cade to the CEN team,” stated Kim Alexander, Founder and CEO. “Their extensive experience and unwavering commitment to rural educational excellence will be invaluable as we continue to expand our curriculum and instructional support initiatives.”

Michelle Carroll Smith brings more than three decades of experience in education, characterized by her visionary leadership and dedication to innovation. As the Superintendent of Lytle Independent School District for the past 23 years, Michelle has led transformative initiatives that have significantly enhanced the academic and professional prospects of students. Her notable achievements include the implementation of the P-TECH program and the adoption of a comprehensive P20 model. Michelle’s strategic initiatives have positioned Lytle ISD as a beacon of rural educational excellence, and we are honored to have her join CEN as Chief of Schools.

Katy Cade, a native of rural Texas, has dedicated her career to serving students and educators in various capacities, with a strong foundation in both academic and administrative spheres. Her extensive experience includes teaching math and science for grades 6-8 and serving as a campus principal and assistant principal in districts of varying sizes. Katy’s passion for supporting the needs of students and teachers in rural communities aligns perfectly with CEN’s mission, and we are delighted to welcome her to the team.

“Michelle and Katy bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will strengthen our efforts to empower rural communities through education,” expressed Rachael McClain, President of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “We look forward to their leadership in advancing our mission.”

Katy Cade will officially join CEN as the School Action Director on July 1, 2024, while Michelle Smith will assume the role of Chief of Schools on August 1, 2024.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle and Katy to the Collegiate Edu-Nation team!