2024 was a year full of life, to say the least! Reminisce with us on some of our favorite things from this past year.

• Our Summer Leadership Camp doubled in size! We hosted four two-week sessions over the summer, and reached double the amount of young leaders who are hungry to grow in their faith.
  

• We graduated our C6 class out into the world to be wise, mature, and productive adults.
  

• C8 was our first class to get to go to Washington D.C. and get a firsthand experience of their Government module.

• We recruited our biggest class ever with the arrival of C9, and our student population hit 100 for the first time (a big deal for a microcollege)!
  

• Several select students had the opportunity to serve as ushers in Washington D.C. at the National Prayer Breakfast.
  

• We had guest speakers such as Art Lindsley (from Faith, Work, and Economics) and Os Guinness (author of The Call) visit and pour into our students.
  

• We developed our new Phase 2: Core Virtues curriculum, launching in January with C8 as they enter into their practicums.
  

• We constructed a new multi-purpose structure (affectionately called “the tent”) for our All Team Gatherings and Excel Academy.
  

• We were featured on multiple news sources, such as Fox News, and by a number of social influencers and podcasters regarding our disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Helene hit our region.

• We partnered with organizations like Operation Blessing, Mercury One, Adventures Relief, United Cajun Navy, and more to distribute over 2 million pounds of supplies all over Western North Carolina.
  

• We raised over $60,000 to buy gift cards from local businesses in the aftermath of Helene with our Helene Holiday Fund, distributing them to first responders and disaster workers to bless them during a holiday season that’s been harder than most.
  

• We formed a coalition with Operation Blessing, Adventures Relief, and World Vision to rebuild 200+ homes in the Swannanoa Valley (one of the regions that was hit hardest by the hurricane) over the next 2 years.
  

• Volunteers from Excel Academy and College, Adventures Relief, and Operation Blessing operated as personal shoppers for families and helped fill their bags with gifts while their kids were hosted by our Academy staff. Operation Blessing was even able to purchase hand blown glass ornaments from local artisans to give away - blessing both our local businesses and the families! We are so thankful to be able to make the Christmas season a little brighter for our local families.
  

• We developed an extension of the Core curriculum called the Core Virtues that will run through Phase 2 in conjunction with apprenticeships and internships, and help students cultivate the virtues necessary to become productive contributors to the marketplace.
  

• Our very own Andrew Haak preached at Harbor Light Community Chapel in Petoskey, MI on the importance of developing discernment, paving the way for our first ever Critical Thinking Workshop there in January.
  

• We kicked off our inaugural season of intramurals, with students competing in volleyball, pickleball, soccer, spike ball, flag football, and more.

It is by the generous support of you all that all of this is possible. We look forward to doing more in 2025! Click here if you’d like to support us on our journey into the new year.