Experienced education and nonprofit leader to advance CEN’s mission of transforming rural education and workforce systems.
Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Coxon as President, ushering in a new era of leadership focused on expanding opportunity for rural students, strengthening workforce pathways, and helping communities thrive through innovative education-to-career systems.
Coxon brings more than three decades of leadership spanning education, philanthropy, public policy, nonprofit management, and systems transformation. Most recently, he served for nearly 18 years as Managing Director of Educate Texas at Communities Foundation of Texas, where he helped lead more than $500 million in public-private investments supporting school districts, colleges, universities, workforce partners, and community organizations across Texas. Throughout his career, Coxon has built statewide partnerships, influenced education policy, and championed scalable models that improve student outcomes and strengthen educator and workforce pipelines.
“Chris is a nationally respected leader with an extraordinary ability to bring people together around a shared vision,” said Dr. Kim Alexander, Founder and CEO of Collegiate Edu-Nation. “His passion for rural communities, strategic leadership, and commitment to building sustainable systems make him uniquely qualified to lead Collegiate Edu-Nation into its next chapter.”
Coxon’s connection to Collegiate Edu-Nation began long before accepting the role. He first visited Roscoe Collegiate ISD in 2008 and witnessed firsthand how a small rural district was redefining what was possible for students through innovation, community partnerships, and intentional educational design.
“I am most excited by the chance to help rural communities turn hope into a system,” Coxon said. “For years, I have watched CEN prove that when rural virtues are coupled with world-class opportunity, the trajectory of entire towns can bend toward progress and success. As President, I have the privilege of helping scale that story so rural students and adults can live, work, and thrive close to home.”
As President, Coxon will oversee the continued growth of Collegiate Edu-Nation’s comprehensive P-20 education and workforce model, expanding partnerships among PK-12 schools, higher education institutions, employers, workforce boards, and community organizations to create stronger education-to-career pathways across rural Texas and beyond.
His vision includes expanding CEN’s network of rural communities, strengthening regional education and workforce ecosystems, and positioning the organization as the leading intermediary and national voice for rural education-to-workforce systems.
“Over the next several years, I envision Collegiate Edu-Nation evolving from a network of innovators into a fully integrated rural systems architect,” Coxon said. “When schools, employers, colleges, workforce organizations, and community leaders work from a shared vision, rural communities don’t simply adapt—they lead.”
Collegiate Edu-Nation has become nationally recognized for helping rural communities build sustainable systems that improve educational attainment, increase workforce readiness, and create opportunities that allow students and adult learners to remain and prosper in the communities they call home.
“Collegiate Edu-Nation exists to build systems—not isolated programs—that connect education and workforce from early childhood through meaningful careers,” Coxon said. “Our work demonstrates that rural communities can intentionally create world-class opportunities while preserving the unique strengths and values that define them.”
Coxon emphasized that lasting transformation is only possible through strong partnerships and shared commitment.
“Rural communities are not places that need saving—they are places with extraordinary potential,” he said. “Together with our school districts, higher education partners, employers, workforce boards, philanthropies, and community leaders, we have an opportunity to build regional talent ecosystems where students and adult learners can remain, return, and thrive.”
A graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education, Coxon has served in executive leadership roles ranging from Deputy Superintendent of Boston Public Schools to principal, teacher, consultant, and statewide education strategist. His career has been defined by collaborative leadership, data-informed decision making, and a steadfast belief that every community deserves access to exceptional educational opportunities.
Looking ahead, Coxon believes the future of rural America is brighter than ever.
“If people remember one thing, I hope it’s this: rural is not behind—it is next. The future of rural education and workforce development should allow young people to live, work, and flourish close to home. That’s the future we are building together.”
About Collegiate Edu-Nation
Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN) is a Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming rural education through innovative school models, college and career pathways, and community-driven partnerships. CEN works alongside school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and community stakeholders to increase postsecondary attainment, strengthen workforce readiness, and expand economic opportunity for students and communities across rural Texas.
