Rural 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 35,000+ students in 44 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
Far West Texas Leaders Gather to Prepare for the Region’s Growing Digital Workforce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EPIC convening brings education, industry, workforce and community leaders together to turn emerging technology investment into local opportunity FORT STOCKTON, Texas — August 2026 — As data centers, artificial intelligence and other...
Rural Empowerment Conference Brings Rural Leaders Together to Take Opportunity to the “Next Level”
Collegiate Edu-Nation’s annual conference connects education, workforce, industry and community leaders committed to building stronger futures for rural communities Rural leaders from across Texas and beyond came together this summer for Collegiate Edu-Nation’s (CEN)...
ModelDemand
"If we can't model it, we can't demand it." That is one of my most strongly held beliefs about leadership. Perhaps it should be my next tattoo. What should we model? Caring. Humility. Voracious learning. World class listening. Conversations galore, up and down the...
Far West Texas Leaders Gather to Prepare for the Region’s Growing Digital Workforce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EPIC convening brings education, industry, workforce and community leaders together to turn emerging technology investment into local opportunity FORT STOCKTON, Texas — August 2026 — As data centers, artificial intelligence and other...
Rural Empowerment Conference Brings Rural Leaders Together to Take Opportunity to the “Next Level”
Collegiate Edu-Nation’s annual conference connects education, workforce, industry and community leaders committed to building stronger futures for rural communities Rural leaders from across Texas and beyond came together this summer for Collegiate Edu-Nation’s (CEN)...
ModelDemand
"If we can't model it, we can't demand it." That is one of my most strongly held beliefs about leadership. Perhaps it should be my next tattoo. What should we model? Caring. Humility. Voracious learning. World class listening. Conversations galore, up and down the...
ArrogantHubris
Yes, that's a redundant title. The manifestation of arrogance and/or hubris from those pretending to be our leaders is just as annoying as.... the use of redundant words, back-to-back, in the same sentence/title. Annoying, and devaluing, and destructive. *If you'd...
CEN ANNUAL REPORT
Explore a year of CEN's impactful achievements and innovations in our 2025 Annual Report.
WHITE PAPER: PLACE BASED EDUCATION
Check out our most recent White Paper: Fostering Rural Potential in Texas - A Place Based Approach to Education, Workforce Development and Community-Centered Growth
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