Dr. Michael Kohlhagen, President and CEO, Center for Educational Innovation

Our mission is to drive innovation in education through evidence-based programs, resources and partnerships that ignite the potential of students, educators and communities.

Our success lies in a combination of proven strategies, deep experience and enduring relationships built over more than three decades. For 34 years, CEI has delivered research-based best practices in school transformation—supporting hundreds of schools, turning around dozens, and creating new ones grounded in innovation and equity, particularly in historically disinvested communities.

We serve as both a clearinghouse and a convener, connecting educators to share what works and accelerating the spread of effective ideas. Our team includes current and former education leaders—chancellors, superintendents and principals—who understand both the realities of the classroom and the complexity of leading change. The Center for Educational Innovation strengthens leadership teams, provides targeted professional development and maintains lasting relationships across traditional public and public charter schools. This network and on-the-ground expertise make our work effective, sustainable and scalable.

CEI is entering a new chapter with CEI NEXT—the next evolution of our 34-year commitment to transforming public education. CEI NEXT builds on our proven foundation while expanding our focus on innovation, equity and future-ready learning for both adults and students.

CEI NEXT focuses on two interconnected areas: Adults and Students. Together, these efforts create a full-circle approach to educational transformation—developing the educators of tomorrow while preparing the next generation of learners.

We invest in adult learning as the cornerstone of school and community transformation. Our two pathways—NEXT Teachers and NEXT Leaders—prepare a skilled, community-connected educator workforce ready to shape the future of teaching and learning. CEI supports both current and aspiring educators through coaching, professional development, and leadership training, ensuring that every adult in the system has the tools, confidence, and support needed to help students thrive.

CEI’s student programs bridge innovation, creativity, and opportunity—ensuring all young people have access to high-quality learning that connects to real-world skills and future careers. Through initiatives such as NEXTgen Tech, Creative Futures, Innovation Labs, and STEAM Centers, CEI equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and experiences needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

NEXTgen Tech offers future-ready technology programs in coding, robotics, esports, AI and READ TO LEAD, helping bridge the digital divide. Students gain hands-on experience in emerging fields, while educators, families and communities build digital literacy and workforce readiness. Creative Futures provides arts education for the whole child, strengthening creativity, cognitive development, and community engagement through music, theater, visual arts and digital media.

Our Innovation Labs offer in-school and afterschool enrichment that integrates robotics, storytelling, civic engagement and social-emotional learning. These safe, supportive spaces connect students, families and mentors, fostering curiosity, confidence and a sense of belonging.

And, as the lead community partner of the Bronx STEAM Center, CEI is expanding this model to Queens. These dynamic hubs integrate science, technology, engineering, arts and math with career pathways, mental health supports, family engagement and professional learning, preparing students for long-term academic, personal and career success.

CEI stands out for its deep, hands-on work in historically disinvested communities—partnering directly with the adults and students who live there. At the heart of our success is the trust we’ve built with schools and system leaders. CEI is a trusted partner, relied upon by school leaders and educators to provide steady, expert support. Partnership is one of our core strengths—schools depend on us to help navigate challenges, strengthen leadership and create lasting conditions for success.

CEI also empowers students to be active participants in their learning, giving them the tools, confidence, and voice to shape their futures. Through this approach, young people gain both academic and life skills that extend beyond the classroom—often returning as mentors and leaders who continue to invest in their communities.

A powerful example of this is the Bronx Innovation Center, where students helped design the space itself—a living model of collaboration and creativity. The center has since become a blueprint for replication across New York City, demonstrating that when students are empowered to lead, they don’t just prepare for the future—they create it.

CEI is at an exciting inflection point—a moment of evolution and renewal—marked by the launch of CEI NEXT, the next chapter in our 34-year history of transforming public education.

We’re growing by attracting forward-thinking board members and cultivating partnerships with corporate and philanthropic leaders who recognize the opportunity—and the responsibility—to invest in education. At the same time, CEI is developing strong pipelines of motivated, capable young talent—students who are often overlooked by traditional recruiting channels but bring creativity, resilience and real-world skills to the workforce.

This next chapter, CEI NEXT, reflects both growth and purpose: advancing educational innovation while staying grounded in the trust, equity and community partnerships that have always defined our work.

As a clearinghouse for best practice, CEI attracts partners by demonstrating the value of the human capital we cultivate—students and educators equipped with real-world skills, adaptability, and purpose. We tailor our training and programming to align with industry and community needs, ensuring that every partnership delivers shared value and measurable impact. Working in collaboration with community colleges, CEI helps design earlier and clearer career pathways so students graduate high school ready for both college-level coursework and professional opportunities.

Our flexible Career Academy model adapts to each community’s economic landscape—whether that means a Hospitality Academy, a Healthcare Center, or, in Queens, a future Aviation Academy preparing students for careers in drone technology, aircraft maintenance and emerging fields.

Together, these partnerships create a powerful space where education, workforce development and community advancement intersect—ensuring a more equitable, innovative and opportunity-rich.