Category: Blog

  • Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) Announces Key Leadership Appointments to Enhance Curriculum and Instructional Support

    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 SmithMichelle 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

    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!

  • ExcellenceTough

    Individual excellence is tough. 

    It requires skill + intense work + highly focused effort + ongoing learning + commitment to continuous improvement + getting up one more time than we get knocked down. 

    Organizational excellence is even tougher. 

    It requires skill + intense work + highly focused effort + ongoing learning + commitment to continuous improvement + getting up one more time than we get knocked down + constant CULTURE crafting.

    Constant CULTURE crafting is a fundamental responsibility of leaders. Perhaps the toughest part of our very tough work.

    What fabulous outcomes occur when we manage to get it right!

    *If you’d like to read more of nc’s blatherings, go to nc’s Recursive Learning. 

  • HopeGenesis

    HOPE is not a strategy. Hope is only the genesis of strategy development. Hope is the mindset that can ignite within us purpose and action.

    The best leaders I know use HOPE as the starting point to pull folks into meaningful conversations about…

    1) Vision – clarity about that better future we envision

    2) Mission – the actions required of us to make that Vision reality

    Both Vision and Mission require investment, commitment, and work.

    When we stop at HOPE, we’re doing nothing but dreaming. When those in leadership stop at HOPE, they’re doing nothing but pandering.

    *If you’d like to read more of nc’s blatherings, go to nc’s Recursive Learning. 

  • City of Abilene Partners with Collegiate Edu-Nation to Champion Adult Education and Workforce Development through National League of Cities and CAEL Initiative

    Collegiate Edu-Nation

     

    [ABILENE, TX, April 11, 2024] – The City of Abilene, in a significant move to bridge the educational and career achievement gaps within its adult population, announces a pioneering partnership with Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) to lead the expansion of the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and introduce the Edu-REACH initiative (Rural Education Achievement for Community Hope).

    The Municipal Action Cohort is part of a new peer-learning initiative led by the National League of Cities (NLC) and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), designed to fast-track the efforts of municipalities in developing robust systems to connect adults to postsecondary educational opportunities leading to rewarding careers.

    “Every American deserves the chance to secure a good job,” stated Clarence Anthony, NLC CEO & Executive Director. “Our collaboration with forward-thinking cities, their postsecondary partners, employers, and intermediaries, like CEN, is fundamental in building support networks for adult students. These networks will guide them towards completing their credentials and accessing high-quality jobs.”

    Mayor Weldon Hurt of Abilene expressed gratitude for the initiative: “This collaborative effort, significantly led by Collegiate Edu-Nation, marks a transformative phase for our city. It not only addresses the immediate educational and workforce development needs but also establishes a sustainable model for economic and social progress. Our active engagement in this initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging education as a cornerstone for development and equality.”

    Earl Buford, President of CAEL, highlighted the importance of such partnerships: “Collaboration across the education-employment spectrum is crucial. By joining forces with organizations like CEN and municipalities like Abilene, we aim to create seamless pathways for adults into careers that offer not just earnings but also satisfaction and growth.”

    Abilene’s mission, championed by CEN, is to overhaul adult education and workforce readiness. The city, leveraging the support from NLC and CAEL and guided by CEN’s leadership, is embarking on comprehensive strategies. These include the development of consortia for continuous dialogue, research to identify educational barriers, and the roll-out of tailored action plans to enhance postsecondary participation, completion rates, and employment in critical industries. Central to these efforts is the establishment of a supportive ecosystem for learners, addressing pivotal needs such as childcare and transportation, and introducing programs aligned with the local labor market needs.

    By instituting clear success metrics and sharing insights, Abilene, under the stewardship of CEN and in collaboration with local leaders, educational bodies, and the business community, aims to significantly raise the number of adults obtaining postsecondary credentials. This endeavor not only targets bridging the skills gap but also positions Abilene as a national model in adult education and workforce integration.

    Abilene, alongside four other cities participating in the Municipal Action Cohort: Connecting Adults to Postsecondary and Workforce Success, embarks on this journey through 2025, envisioning a future where education and employment are accessible and equitable for all adults.

    For more information about the Municipal Action Cohort, please visit https://loom.ly/5DX3RQI.
    For more information about Collegiate Edu-Nation and its initiatives, please visit https://dev.edu-nation.org/.
    For more information about The City of Abilene, please visit https://abilenetx.gov/.

    # # #

    About Collegiate Edu-Nation:

    CEN is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation based in Roscoe in West Texas that has member school districts located throughout rural Texas. CEN plans to spread strategically across every region in Texas and work with students in rural West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

    Collegiate Edu Nation – edu-nation.org – is a proven strategy founded because of the belief in the potential of every single young person to achieve a life of choice and impact. The core philosophy is “All means all.” Every student in each CEN district will have the same opportunity to match top opportunities for educational attainment and community development with the students’ high aspirations.

    Media Contacts:

    Collegiate Edu-Nation
    Brittany Williams, Chief Partnerships Officer
    bwilliams@edu-nation.org

    National League of Cities
    media@nlc.org

  • OnPrinciple

    It is immensely comforting to work for/with people (especially leaders) who operate On Principle.

    They speak, move, act, react, make decisions that are grounded solidly on principles of rightness, fairness, trust, and honesty. Minute-by-minute, day in and day out.

    Such folks (especially leaders) give the rest of us room to work, to speak, to move, to act, to react, and to make decisions with a high level of confidence (and safety).

    Knowing they will consistently stand solidly on noble Principles gives us the safety to do the same.

    *If you’d like to read more of nc’s blatherings, go to nc’s Recursive Learning. 

  • Empowering Rural Futures: CEN’s P-20 Rural Network Addresses Wind Energy Workforce Needs in West Texas

    Empowering Rural Futures: CEN’s P-20 Rural Network Addresses Wind Energy Workforce Needs in West Texas

    A recent article on wind energy has underscored the potential for workforce development in West Texas in this critical industry, alongside certain challenges for employers. Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is eager to showcase how multiple rural West Texas districts within the P-20 Rural Network are proactively addressing these workforce demands.

    CEN is proud to recognize the positive strides made in renewable energy education through our Texas Regional Pathway Network (TRPN) initiative, in addition to other developments happening within our educational network. CEN’s TRPN schools, including Floydada Collegiate ISD, Hamlin Collegiate ISD, Roscoe Collegiate ISD, and Colorado ISD, are actively promoting renewable energy education and providing hands-on learning experiences for students. Our recent Wind Activity Day at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) showcased the commitment of all participating schools for the second consecutive year.

    Our teachers from Floydada Collegiate ISD and others have undergone workshops hosted by Texas Tech University and facilitated by KidWind. These workshops equipped educators with the skills necessary to teach renewable energy generation using solar arrays and wind turbines. The knowledge gained is being applied in coaching students for regional KidWind Challenges, which are gaining traction across the state.

    In our recent participation in the 2nd Annual Big Country TSTC KidWind Challenge, schools within CEN’s TRPN demonstrated their dedication to renewable energy exploration. In particular, Floydada Collegiate ISD and Colorado ISD excelled, with multiple teams advancing to the World KidWind Challenge – a testament to the effectiveness of our initiatives.

    We are proud to have industry partners such as Enel, RWE, Texas State Technical College (TSTC), KidWind, and MCNA Dental supporting our efforts. Through collaborations with industry and higher education, CEN remains steadfast in preparing students for rewarding careers in the flourishing field of renewable energy. While challenges persist, our commitment to innovation and partnership ensures that we continue to make meaningful strides in renewable energy education.

     

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  • Collegiate Edu-Nation Continues Organizational Evolution with Strategic C-Level Restructuring

    [ROSCOE, TX – APRIL 4, 2024] – Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN), a trailblazing force in rural educational advancement, announces a restructuring of its C-level staff to further align with its strategic vision and accommodate the organization’s national growth.

    “We are excited to announce appointments within Collegiate Edu-Nation, which mark a significant step forward in our mission to redefine rural education,” shared Rachael McClain, President of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “Brittany Williams, Kendall Guynes, and Susan Ruiz-Grove bring expertise and vision to their new roles, strengthening our leadership team and underscoring our commitment to fostering excellence and empowering communities.“ 

    The following key changes have been affirmed by the CEN Board of Directors:

    Brittany Williams
    Brittany Williams- CPO

    Brittany Williams, formerly the Director of Strategic Partnerships, has been appointed as the Chief Partnerships Officer. In this pivotal role, Williams will lead the charge in fostering strategic alliances and collaborations that drive positive outcomes for CEN and its stakeholders.

    Kendall Guynes
    Kendall Guynes- CFO

    Kendall Guynes, previously serving as the Director of Finance, has assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer. Guynes brings a wealth of school financial expertise and leadership to this role, where she will oversee all aspects of financial management and planning to ensure CEN’s continued fiscal health and sustainability.

    Susan Ruiz-Grove
    Susan Ruiz-Grove- CDO

    Susan Ruiz-Grove, formerly the Business Development Director, has been elevated to the role of Chief Development Officer. In her new capacity, Ruiz-Grove will spearhead CEN’s development efforts, focusing on cultivating relationships, securing funding, and driving initiatives that support the organization’s growth and impact.

     

    These strategic appointments underscore CEN’s commitment to optimizing its leadership structure to effectively navigate the complexities of the rural education landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities. By aligning top talent with strategic priorities, CEN aims to enhance its capacity to drive innovation, collaboration, and positive change in education.

    “We are excited to announce these strategic appointments, which reflect our unwavering dedication to advancing educational excellence and empowerment in rural districts,” said Dr. Kim Alexander, Founder and CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “With these talented individuals leading our organization, we are well-positioned to create transformative opportunities for rural communities nationwide.”

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

     

  • Who?

    Who?

    Who do I know that needs to hear from me today?

    Who needs my ear and mind today?

    Who will enter my sphere of influence today, and why, and am I prepared to engage?

    Who do I need to meet today?

    Who do I need to seek out for advice and counsel today?

    WHO needs me today? WHO do I need today?

    More importantly, will I be “present” enough to notice?

    *If you’d like to read more of nc’s blatherings, go to nc’s Recursive Learning.

  • Ten Community-Based Collaboratives Recognized as Exemplars in Education with Grants from Carnegie Corporation of New York

  • West Texas A&M University earns Carnegie Grant for Rural Education Initiative program