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
PainTastic
Experiencing pain is part of living. Some of the pain is physical, some intellectual, and some emotional/spiritual. Pain hurts, but it rarely does us in (unless we choose to be done in). Watching some folks I respect and love deal with pain, it seems they apply one or...
PresencePresent
The holiday season is in the air. Pretty hard to miss. Sitting in numerous business meetings and other human gatherings this week, I was reminded that our Presence is a gift. Though a gift of great value, it doesn't cost us much to share it. Giving the Present of...
GRAY-NIVERSE
Those who serve in leadership roles (e.g., parent, teacher, manager, coach, captain, CEO, ...) know full well that the world is not a black-n-white environment. Most of the decisions leaders make land squarely in the world of grayness. The higher up the leadership...
PainTastic
Experiencing pain is part of living. Some of the pain is physical, some intellectual, and some emotional/spiritual. Pain hurts, but it rarely does us in (unless we choose to be done in). Watching some folks I respect and love deal with pain, it seems they apply one or...
PresencePresent
The holiday season is in the air. Pretty hard to miss. Sitting in numerous business meetings and other human gatherings this week, I was reminded that our Presence is a gift. Though a gift of great value, it doesn't cost us much to share it. Giving the Present of...
GRAY-NIVERSE
Those who serve in leadership roles (e.g., parent, teacher, manager, coach, captain, CEO, ...) know full well that the world is not a black-n-white environment. Most of the decisions leaders make land squarely in the world of grayness. The higher up the leadership...
AnxiousGeneration
I recently read The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (2024). Dr. Dennis Wissing, the Dean of our college at LSU Shreveport, “baited” us to read this book. I am thankful. My top...
Thank You To Our
Biggest Supporters
CEN ANNUAL REPORT
Explore a year of CEN's impactful achievements and innovations in our 2023 Annual Report.
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