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://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
