A college degree remains one of the smartest investments a person can make. Research shows that, over a lifetime, bachelor's degree holders can earn approximately $1.4 million more than those with only a high school diploma. Yet for many students and families, the question isn't whether higher education is worth it; it's whether they can realistically afford it without compromising on the quality of the experience. That's the dilemma shaping higher education today. Universities with strong reputations often come with a price tag that feels out of reach, while more affordable options can sometimes feel impersonal, leaving students to navigate everything on their own. As institutions expand and rely more heavily on systems and processes, that sense of individual attention has quietly begun to disappear. Cumberland University (CU), a private liberal arts institution in Lebanon, Tennessee, is proving that a private university doesn't have to be expensive to be exceptional. Offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, the university leverages institutional scholarships and Tennessee's state-funded programs to make a private education accessible, with many undergraduate students paying less than $3,000 annually out of pocket for tuition. But what truly sets CU apart isn't simply what students pay—it's what they experience. "Students and families appreciate that there's a very human element to the experience," says Reggie Blair, vice president of enrollment. "That philosophy comes to life through a highly personalized admissions process, responsive support, and a campus culture where students and their families always know there's someone ready to help."
Charter Schools
Every child deserves to walk into a school where they feel seen, supported and capable of succeeding. When a young boy arrived at Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School (CMCCS) struggling to cope with life after being separated from his father. Most days, he spent more time in the hallway than in the classroom. Instead of seeing a discipline problem, the school's de-escalation counselor saw a child who simply missed his dad. With his mother's permission, the counselor arranged for his father to visit the school and encouraged him to stay involved in his son's education, which was the push that he needed. With the school’s support, the little boy who once struggled to sit through class went on to graduated alongside his peers. This is how CMCCS operates. Instead of asking, “How do we manage this child?” they asked, “What's happening in this child's life?” That shift is the school's competitive advantage. CMCCS was founded with a commitment to serving students from diverse backgrounds, including children in foster care, those receiving preventive services and families navigating difficult circumstances. However, for Dr. Mary Anne DeVivio, principal of CMCCS, labels don't define the child. Every student deserves to feel safe, supported and capable of succeeding..
Pre-Schools
At the block table, a child builds. Nearby, another role-plays a parent in the dramatic play center, while the third expresses an idea through art. Their teacher watches, listens and occasionally kneels to ask a question. She does not rush them because at North Branch Reformed Church Preschool, learning unfolds at a child’s own pace, through play, curiosity and discovery. That unhurried classroom reflects the Christian belief at the heart of NBRC Preschool’s 70-year journey: every child is created perfectly by God and has unique gifts to recognize. Since children learn and communicate differently, those ages 2½ to 5 follow their interests, explore materials and learn through developmentally appropriate experiences. Across its seven classrooms, generous space and gross motor areas, children grow physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. NBRC Preschool’s long-serving teachers give its play-based model purpose, knowing when to guide and when to let curiosity wander. Individual attention runs through the day as they model social behavior, nurture friendships and involve children in co-creating classroom norms. Literacy, phonetics, mathematics and science develop alongside movement and creativity, with families encouraged to value open-ended learning before academics are pressed too soon.
Tutoring and College Coaching
After graduating from Yale in 2016 with a degree in economics, Mark Wilson followed a well-worn path into finance. But it didn’t take long for him to realize the work didn’t reflect what truly motivated him. He soon saw he wasn’t alone. Quietly, many of his peers were beginning to question whether the careers they had spent years preparing for were truly aligned with their aspirations. That realization planted the seed for Brains and Brawn, a college coaching and tutoring company designed to help students gain clarity before they commit to a path that may not be right for them. With over 2000 four-year colleges in the U.S., the admissions process can easily overwhelm students and families. Many get caught up in rankings, legacy reputations or perceived prestige, often at the expense of fit. Brains and Brawn turns that process inside out. It starts with the student understanding where they excel, what excites them, and which environments will allow them to grow. From there, the company builds a strategy that aligns academic performance, extracurricular pursuits and college choices with each student’s unique profile. Identifying the right fit for the students is only the beginning; knowing how to pursue it is the next step. By staying in regular contact with admissions officers at the country’s most selective institutions, Brains and Brawn aligns its guidance with what colleges are actually looking for. That insight helps students craft standout essays, prepare for interviews and tailor every part of their application to reflect their strengths and authentic selves. The result? College applications that feel authentic, purposeful and primed to stand out. “We’re with our students from the very beginning, helping them uncover what truly drives them, and guiding them all the way to a college that aligns with their purpose. It’s not just about getting in but about getting in with confidence, clarity and a sense of direction,” says Wilson, director of college consulting. Every student is paired with a dedicated coach who works alongside them, not just in choosing the right college, but in staying on track every step of the way. Students don’t have to chase down separate tutors or scramble last-minute before a test like the SATs.
Higher Education Consulting
Swim Digital Group helps colleges and universities solve the deeper problems that hold students back. Declines in enrollment, retention, or course completion are rarely the root issue. They are often the result of communication breakdowns, misaligned processes, or institutional obstacles. Swim works alongside institutions to identify these challenges and implement targeted, sustainable solutions that improve how students enter, move through, and complete their educational journeys. The firm begins each engagement by listening. Through a structured, three-layer discovery process, Swim gathers insights from across the institution. The first step involves deep-dive conversations with frontline staff—the individuals closest to students—who provide a detailed view of daily operations and where inefficiencies or confusion may exist. Next, the team meets with department leaders to capture a broader understanding of institutional goals and uncover potential disconnects between strategic vision and everyday execution. To elevate the student perspective, Swim introduces “secret students” who go through the application and enrollment process just as a real student would. These students represent both current and aspirational demographics, offering firsthand observations about gaps in communication, responsiveness, and user experience. Their insights are complemented by stakeholder surveys that include current students, applicants, withdrawn students, staff, and others, offering a well-rounded picture of the student experience. Artificial intelligence tools are used to analyze this information and highlight patterns that might not be immediately visible. The result is a comprehensive, evidence-based set of recommendations tailored to the institution’s goals, needs, and operational readiness. Swim is technology-agnostic and works with institutions to adopt or refine tools that support greater efficiency while keeping the student experience at the center. Beyond diagnostics, Swim supports implementation. This includes guiding teams through change management, helping align updates across departments, and offering strategies that support staff buy-in and student impact. Each engagement is structured to promote long-term improvement through practical steps, ongoing collaboration, and measurable outcomes. “We meet our clients where they are, bridging the gap between their current state and where they need to be to successfully enroll, retain, and graduate their students,” says Trimeka Benjamin, president and CEO.
Community Colleges
Innovative Strategies for Global Education and Assessment
Dr. Eric A. Canny, Assistant Teaching Professor of Education, University of Southern California
Pre-Schools
The Progressive Integration of Technology in Education
Eva Harvell, Director of Technology, Pascagoula-Gautier School District
Career Colleges
Faith Based Counseling Supporting Holistic Student Growth
Raina Foote, Director of Counseling, Rejoice Christian Schools
STEM Schools
A People-First Playbook for K-12 Leadership
Timothy Sies, Superintendent, Three Rivers Local School District
STEM Schools
The Culture That Carries Students Forward
Melanie Yerk, EdD, Dean of Academic and Student Services, South College
IN MY OPINION
STEM Schools
Beyond Achievement, Toward Excellence
Dr. Shamarlas Allens, School Principal, Gwinnett County Public Schools
LAST WORD
Christian Colleges
The New Era of Educational Needs
David Stender, Deputy Director - Institute for Homeland Security, Sam Houston State University
IN FOCUS
Community Charter Schools: Building Sustainable Education Models through Local Value
Community charter schools blend public accountability with operational flexibility, focusing on enrollment, governance, financial management, and community partnerships for sustainability.
Cultivating Excellence: How Private Liberal Arts Universities Thrive in a Competitive Environment
Private liberal arts universities achieve growth through academic quality, financial discipline, strategic partnerships, and student-centered innovation.
EDITORIAL
Education Built Around People
Our cover story recognizes Cumberland University as the Top Private Liberal Arts University 2026. The university illustrates the possibility of the combination of both accessibility and a hands-on education. It is achieved through such measures as personalizing admission and registration procedures, providing personal finance advice, offering students opportunities for leadership and practical experience along with academic help.
Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School, named the Top Community Charter School 2026, represents the role community-focused schools play in developing meaningful instructional experiences. North Branch Reformed Church Preschool, recognized as the Top Church Preschool 2026, has been involved in promoting early childhood learning for more than seven decades through an education process based on the method of learning through playing. Family participation and the feeling of belonging continue to be fundamental principles in the method of education.
Our contributors extend valuable perspectives on navigating change. Jana Remy, Ph.D., Director of Educational Technology Services and Co-Director of the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Chapman University, shares lessons from leading a rapid move to online learning, underscoring teamwork, trusted faculty partnerships, authentic communication and a clear feeling of purpose. Eva Harvell, Director of Information System at Pascagoula-Gautier School District, examines technology integration through the lens of the whole child, digital citizenship and responsible AI use.
These stories show that real progress in education needs both new ideas and careful planning. We invite you to read this edition and think about how schools can help every student feel seen, supported, and ready for the future.
