Few people know Christopher Columbus High School as intimately as David Pugh. Nearly three decades ago, he joined the school as a counselor and coach after earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Barry University and spending six years there as a career counselor. His journey, from guidance in athletic fields to dean of students and ultimately the school’s first lay principal, deepened his understanding of the students, families and traditions that define Columbus today. As an all-boys Catholic Marist school, Christopher Columbus High School is guided by a mission of brotherhood, faith and scholarship rooted in St. Marcellin Champagnat’s belief that educating young people begins with loving them equally. For Pugh, this philosophy remains the foundation of every decision made in support of students. Preserving a Legacy of Growth and Formation Becoming the school’s first lay principal was not simply a leadership transition. I inherited a tradition shaped by generations of Marist Brothers with the responsibility of carrying it forward for a new generation. Every year, more than 1,700 students arrive from 118 feeder schools, bringing different experiences and perspectives. We embrace and celebrate our diversity by uniting these young men around a shared sense of brotherhood where the work of developing faith, character, service and integrity begins. Building that community requires presence. I believe a principal should be visible in classrooms, hallways, school activities and everyday conversations with students, teachers and families. Our distinct leadership model makes that possible. Working alongside a president, CFO, assistant principals and deans gives me the freedom to stay connected to the daily life of the school rather than overseeing administrative demands. Most of our administrative team members have served Columbus for more than two decades, bringing together collaboration, mutual trust and a shared vision with a clear un
Education and Admission Consulting
Every admissions season brings familiar questions. Which university should a student target? Which activities will strengthen an application? How can students prepare for the future beyond admission? Families often spend months searching for answers, only to find themselves navigating conflicting advice and unrealistic promises. That focus on admissions can leave students chasing credentials before they have the chance to understand the future they want to build. BEEC takes a different approach. Rather than treating college admissions as the ultimate goal, it begins with career planning, develops a thorough understanding of each student and gives students meaningful opportunities to explore their interests through internships, research and other real-world experiences. Those guided experiences help students make informed decisions about their majors, extracurricular activities and university applications. As a result, admissions become one milestone within a broader mentoring journey that equips students with the clarity, confidence and direction needed for long-term career success.
Charter Schools
When students discover where their strengths lie, larger futures begin to feel possible. Renaissance Charter School at Chickasaw Trail creates those opportunities through two connected strengths: a recognized performing arts culture and structured college- and career-readiness pathways. Together, they help students build confidence and view college as attainable. Many families balance demanding work schedules. Renaissance treats them as partners, building support around each student rather than leaving families to navigate alone. “We’re really trying to promote students wanting to go to college and feeling like they have the ability to go to college,” says Dr. Jamie Menchaca, principal.
Tech Universities and Colleges
Mid-State Technical College prepares students for high-demand careers through hands-on learning, employer partnerships and flexible career pathways that strengthen Wisconsin's workforce. By collaborating with employers, manufacturers, health care systems and community leaders, students gain hands-on experience while receiving academic, financial and career support that helps them succeed in college and beyond. At Mid-State, academic programs are shaped by employer demand and informed by academic advisory committees comprising more than 370 employers and employees from 275 organizations. Community leaders help identify regional priorities and emerging opportunities. Extending its impact beyond degree programs, the college’s workforce and economic development division works directly with employers to deliver customized training, upskilling opportunities, apprenticeship support and technical certifications. These partnerships help ensure students graduate with the skills employers need today while allowing the college to respond quickly to changing workforce demands. Mid-State’s Economic Impact Study shows it contributed $180 million in regional economic impact in FY 2023–24 and supported 2,585 jobs across the district.
Christian High Schools
The Lost Value of College Developing Autonomy and Independence
Lindsey Freed, Director of Regional Recruitment and Admission, University of Dayton
Business and Management Schools
Personal Finance Curriculum Needs to Change
Dana Jensen, Founder, The Wise Builder
Charter Schools
Transforming Schools with Purpose, Not Hype
Evan OBranovic, Executive Director of Technology & Media Services, Traverse City Area Public Schools
Christian Colleges
What AI Made Visible About Workforce Education
Graceful Beam, Director of Online Learning and Development, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Catholic Schools
Centering Relationships in the Digital Classroom
Sonia Howell, Director, Office of Digital Learning, University of Notre Dame
Charter Schools
Preparing Students for a Workforce That Never Stops Changing
Dannie Lacks, Director, Career Development Center, Worcester State University
Charter Schools
Scaling Experiential Learning for Learners through Immersive Education
Kevin Corcoran, Assistant Vice Provost of the Center for Distributed Learning and Wendy Howard, Director, Pegasus Innovation Lab, University of Central Florida
IN MY OPINION
Charter Schools
The First Semester Is the Course We Never Teach
David Jerome Babb, Director, MTSU Online Learning, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
LAST WORD
Boarding Schools
Building a Culture of Evidence-Based Improvement
Melissa Harris, Associate Director of Data Management, Assessment and Accreditation, Montclair State University
IN FOCUS
Public Charter Schools and the Growing Focus on Individualized Education
Individualized education combines flexible learning, strong student support, family involvement and personalized opportunities to develop academic success, confidence, creativity and lifelong skills.
Empowering the Next Generation: Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Technical College
Technical college nurtures innovation through hands-on learning, mentorship, startup support and industry collaboration, preparing students for entrepreneurial and real-world success.
EDITORIAL
Education Built Around Purpose and Progress
At the heart of the issue is David Pugh, Principal of Christopher Columbus High School, honored as School Principal of the Year in Florida 2026. After nearly three decades at the school, Pugh brings a deep understanding of its students, families and Marist tradition to his leadership. His approach centers on being present, listening and working closely with the school community. Faith, character, service and academic excellence remain central while students are encouraged to take an active role in their growth.
The edition also features BEEC, named Top Admission Consulting Service Provider 2026, for helping students explore careers through internships, research and professional experiences before navigating college admissions. Mid-State Technical College, the Top Technical College 2026, connects education with workforce needs through employer partnerships, hands-on training and flexible pathways. Renaissance Charter School at Chickasaw Trail, the Top Public Charter School 2026, combines personalized learning, AVID, performing arts and family engagement to help students build confidence and take ownership of their progress.
The issue also brings perspectives from Lindsey Freed, Director of Regional Recruitment and Admission at the University of Dayton, who emphasizes that college value extends beyond job placement and student debt to include autonomy, communication, leadership and problem-solving. Evan OBranovic, Executive Director of Technology & Media Services at Traverse City Area Public Schools, stresses the importance of listening to educators and families and ensuring technology supports learning and equity.
Together, these stories show how purposeful leadership and student-centered decisions can shape stronger educational outcomes. We invite readers to explore this edition and the ideas shaping the future of learning.
