CEC is a collaborative community partnership dedicated to aligning the Columbus, Indiana region’s learning ecosystem with economic growth and a high quality of life. The Community Education Coalition advances equity across all its initiatives, with particular attention to racial and income disparities, to ensure every person can thrive educationally, financially, and civically.

Rooted in passionate civic engagement, the Community Education Coalition (CEC) has grown into a 25-year partnership among education, business, and community leaders. Together, they work to integrate and strengthen the region’s community learning system in support of economic vitality and improved quality of life.

CEC stands out as an unexpected yet powerful example of private business stepping forward to champion improvements in public education. Its impact is visible in major facilities, national recognition, and long-term initiatives that elevate educational attainment across the small, largely rural communities of southeastern Indiana. The community’s built environment reflects this commitment, shaped in part by business leaders who played a significant role in CEC’s founding and continue to influence its innovative approaches today.