Higher Education, Higher Purpose

Faithful Innovation: The Story of Montreat College

When Dr. Paul Maurer became president of Montreat College in 2014, the institution was quietly drifting. Theological language had been softened, the statement of faith had been narrowed, and the school sat on the kind of financial cliff that has ended the story for many small Christian colleges. A decade later, Montreat is a different place: record enrollment, a nationally recognized cybersecurity program, a contract relationship with the National Security Agency, and a Christ-centered identity that is again written into every corner of the institution. In this conversation with host Keith Ramsdell, Maurer walks through how it happened. The throughline of the episode is conviction paired with rigor. Maurer makes the case that Christian higher education's most defensible competitive advantage is its willingness to name a moral compass out loud, and then to back that compass with serious academic programs that yield a genuine return on investment for families. He explains why Montreat doubled down on cybersecurity in 2015, why the NSA wanted a faith-based institution at the table, and why the liberal arts are not in tension with career preparation but the most durable foundation for it. The conversation closes on the personal and the providential. Maurer reflects on his sense of call, the role of an anonymous $6 million pledge that arrived by email just before he took office, and Sarah Zylstra's 2019 Gospel Coalition piece naming the turnaround "the Montreat Miracle." His charge to Christian educators is direct: stop chasing elite or wealthy, and start aspiring to be truly great. Key Takeaways ● Mission clarity is a strategy, not a slogan. Montreat's turnaround began with reclaiming a high view of Scripture and asking employees to affirm the statement of faith and a community life covenant. ● The new CCCU and NACCAP market research confirms what Montreat bet on a decade ago: families want both a biblical worldview and measurable academic outcomes. ● Cybersecurity became Montreat's signature program because faith-based institutions can speak fluently about ethics and character, the human factor that secular peers struggle to name. ● The liberal arts do not prepare students for a job, they prepare students for any job. Employers want graduates who can write, think, collaborate, and solve problems. ● Montreat's three-part promise to students is intellectual development, spiritual development, and preparation for calling and career, framed as one integrated formation. ● Greatness, not eliteness or wealth, is the right aspiration for Christian higher education, and stewarding a miracle is daily work. Connect ● Higher Ed, Higher Purpose Podcast: https://www.naccap.org ● NACCAP: https://www.naccap.org ● Keith Ramsdell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-ramsdell ● Montreat College: https://www.montreat.edu ● Dr. Paul Maurer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-maurer #NACCAP #ChristianHigherEd #FaithIntegration #HigherEdHigherPurpose #ChristianCollege #MontreatCollege #Cybersecurity #LiberalArts #ChristCenteredEducation #CollegePresident

Beyond the Transaction: The Real Value of a Faith-Integrated Education

Provost Dr. Christina Schnyders of Malone University joins host Keith Ramsdell for a conversation that pushes past the easy assumptions about faith integration. It is not, she argues, a verse stapled to a syllabus or a prayer offered before a lecture. Drawing on William Hasker's enduring definition, Christina describes faith integration as the integral relationships that already exist between Christian faith and every academic discipline, relationships faculty discover and steward rather than manufacture. From there, the conversation widens. Christina unpacks the "bilingual education" model where students grow academically and theologically in the same breath, the faculty formation seminars at Malone that train professors to find the natural integration points in their fields, and what shifts in a classroom when every student is treated as an image bearer of God. Keith and Christina trade perspectives as a parent of college-age kids and a longtime educator, landing on a shared conviction: spiritual and character formation is the unique value proposition of Christian higher education, not a bonus feature added to career readiness. The episode closes on real-world fruit. Internship supervisors and clinical placements tell Malone students they look "categorically different," even when those students cannot yet name why. Christina answers the bubble critique with the rhythm of Jesus's own life, solitude, community, and ministry, and reframes the Great Commission in its literal Greek: in your going, make disciples. For prospective families, current students, and anyone weighing what Christian higher education can actually do, this conversation makes the case with depth and warmth. Connect: ● NACCAP: https://www.naccap.org ● Keith Ramsdell, President, NACCAP: https://www.naccap.org ● Dr. Christina Schnyders, Malone University: https://www.malone.edu Hashtags: #NACCAP #ChristianHigherEd #FaithIntegration #HigherEdHigherPurpose #ChristianCollege #MaloneUniversity #FaithAndLearning #VocationalCalling #ChristianEducation #WholePersonFormation

A New Model for Christian Higher Ed: The Hope Forward Story

What if students could attend college without paying a cent upfront, and instead, give back after they graduate? In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast, we sit down with Nicole Dunteman, Director of the Hope Forward program at Hope College, to explore a bold new approach to college funding. Hope Forward flips the traditional tuition model on its head by offering students a fully funded education rooted in the values of generosity and community. In return, graduates commit to supporting the next generation of students, creating a sustainable cycle of giving. Nicole shares how this model is transforming student success, boosting engagement, and deepening students’ sense of purpose and belonging. What You Will Learn: * The Hope Forward model offers a fresh way to finance education, relieving students from upfront financial pressures. * This groundbreaking program highlights the power of community connection and relationships as key drivers of student success. * The Hope Forward program cultivates a culture of generosity, inviting graduates to give back and support future students after they’ve completed their education. * How Hope Forward has boosted student retention by fostering a strong commitment to both academic achievement and community engagement. * Hope College aims to cultivate a student community grounded in diversity and inclusivity, shaped by its Christian principles of service and connection. Resources: Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org [https://www.naccap.org/] Email us: Office@naccap.org [Office@naccap.org]

Mission First: Montreat College’s Bold Vision for Christ-Centered Education

In this episode, Dr. Paul Maurer shares the extraordinary transformation of Montreat College during his tenure as president. Once on the brink of closure, the college experienced a dramatic turnaround sparked by a timely and unexpected financial pledge—what Dr. Maurer describes as nothing short of divine intervention.  At the heart of Montreat’s revival has been a renewed, Christ-centered identity that brought clarity, unity, and purpose to its mission. Under Dr. Maurer’s leadership, the college has not only rebounded but flourished, achieving record enrollment and earning national recognition, especially in the field of cybersecurity.  Listen as we reflect on the power of resilience in higher education and how unwavering commitment to core values can breathe new life into an institution. What You Will Learn: * President of Montreat College, Dr. Paul Maurer, emphasizes a strong commitment to Christ-centered education and its implications for institutional identity. * Under Dr. Maurer's leadership, Montreat College has experienced record enrollment and significant academic program developments, particularly in cybersecurity. * The college's mission clarity has been pivotal in its recent growth, fostering a unique niche in the competitive landscape of higher education. * The story of Montreat College's turnaround includes miraculous financial support that facilitated its survival during a critical period. * The institution aims to combine rigorous academic standards with spiritual formation, preparing students for careers and meaningful lives. Resources: Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org [https://www.naccap.org/] Email us: Office@naccap.org [Office@naccap.org] Visit The NACCAP Annual Conference: https://naccapconference.org [https://naccapconference.org/]

Relentless Forward Progress at Malone University

In this episode of the Higher Education, Higher Purpose podcast host Phil Cook speaks with Dr. Greg Miller, President of Malone University. Dr. Miller shares how a Christian college offers not merely academic instruction but also a spiritual framework that significantly influences students' lives during formative years. He emphasizes the necessity for institutions like Malone to integrate faith into every aspect of their curriculum, fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and spiritually.  Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges within the realm of higher education, underscoring that the mission of nurturing future leaders in faith is both essential and urgent. What You Will Learn: * The significance of Christian higher education lies in its ability to profoundly influence the spiritual and moral development of students during their formative years. * Dr. Miller emphasizes that every course at Malone integrates faith, addressing ethical issues alongside academic disciplines to ensure a holistic educational experience. * The importance of cultural fit when selecting a Christian college cannot be overstated, as it shapes students' experiences and community engagement. * Malone University strives to meet students' diverse spiritual needs through various opportunities for spiritual formation beyond traditional chapel services. * The role of perseverance is vital, both in ultra running and in the challenges faced in Christian higher education, highlighting the necessity for relentless forward progress. Resources: Visit our website: https://www.naccap.org [https://www.naccap.org/] Email us: Office@naccap.org [Office@naccap.org] Visit The NACCAP Annual Conference: https://naccapconference.org [https://naccapconference.org/]