Bringing Education EQUITY & economic development
to rural communities all across America GiveBring to Your DistrictRural schools educate 20% of America’s students, but the vast majority of education resources and innovation are focused in urban areas.
We start with schools, but we don’t stop there
Collegiate Edu-Nation is a non-profit organization engaging whole communities to reinvigorate education, revitalize local economies, and reimagine what’s possible for rural America. We’re preparing rural communities to connect and thrive in a fast-moving future.
CEN currently serves 21,000 students in 21 independent school districts and growing nationwide.
We plan to expand to 60 districts by 2026.
the CEN student experience…
%
will complete an associate degree by grade 12
%
will complete a bachelor's degree
%
will complete a postgraduate degree or certification
Supporting students, families, districts & communities
to end education and income inequality

Students & Families
college & career focus
Young people deserve real choices when it comes to where they live and how they work. We prepare students for college and career success, increasing their earning potential and expanding their options.

Superintendents & teachers
educator development
Small-town educators are passionate about improving outcomes for their students. We help districts access and navigate resources for dual credit programs, work & project-based learning, 1:1 student support, and more.

Businesses & Communities
educational attainment
We connect talented young people to local industries through place-based research and work-based learning, strengthening the bond between communities and schools and creating new pathways for rural economic growth.
Our Method
P-20 Model for 21st Century School Transformation
CEN promotes the P-20 Model for 21st Century School Transformation which focuses on heightened college and 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.
In the News
Compassion
Lao Tzu provides powerful guidance to us: "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures." In our busy lives of commitments, deadlines, supervision, data inundation, cluttered calendars, it is easy "drop"...
DifferentlyAlike
Just take a look. When you're at a ballgame or in the grocery store or at your house of faith. Observe how different the noses are on each of the faces. Or, the differences in the shape of the ears. Or, the varying heights of the folks in attendance. The differences...
MatterMost
High functioning organizational teams are the result of many variables. Here are some of the important elements that go into that complex melting pot: Purpose Clarity of Vision Autonomy in work deployment Alignment of skills to assignment Fair compensation Trust...
Compassion
Lao Tzu provides powerful guidance to us: "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures." In our busy lives of commitments, deadlines, supervision, data inundation, cluttered calendars, it is easy "drop"...
DifferentlyAlike
Just take a look. When you're at a ballgame or in the grocery store or at your house of faith. Observe how different the noses are on each of the faces. Or, the differences in the shape of the ears. Or, the varying heights of the folks in attendance. The differences...
MatterMost
High functioning organizational teams are the result of many variables. Here are some of the important elements that go into that complex melting pot: Purpose Clarity of Vision Autonomy in work deployment Alignment of skills to assignment Fair compensation Trust...
ChallengeTest
The people I admire most live in a constant state of challenge. They challenge themselves daily to get better at both the things they already do well and those areas where they still "need a little work." These folks make a habit of getting better, every day, on...
Thank You To Our
Biggest Supporters
CEN ANNUAL REPORT
Explore a year of CEN's impactful achievements and innovations in our 2024 Annual Report.
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