From the President
At Berea College, we don’t just speak our ideals—we live them. Every day, in our classrooms, offices, and across campus, we bring our vision to life: a vision grounded in the values of impartial love, human dignity, and peace with justice. Inspired by our founder, John G. Fee, and anchored by our motto—“God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth” (Acts 17:26)—we work together to build a community of deep belonging, bold transformation, and enduring purpose.
Our eight Great Commitments express the moral framework that guides Berea forward, helping us remain true to the founding mission that made us the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. You can read more about these commitments here: https://www.berea.edu/the-great-commitments.
That mission continues to guide us today: Berea serves students of great promise—many of whom are the first in their families to attend college—by offering a world-class education without the burden of tuition. Our no-tuition model is a radical commitment to educational equity. We believe in funding dreams, not debt.
Our model is distinct. Every student contributes to the life of the College through our Labor Program, an integral part of the learning experience that builds leadership, responsibility, and connection. We believe that learning, labor, and service go hand in hand—and that every student should graduate prepared not only for a career, but for a life of meaning.
In the classroom, our students are supported by outstanding faculty who bring both passion and academic excellence to their teaching. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, we offer the kind of close mentorship and intellectual partnership that transforms lives. Our academic programs span the liberal arts and professional disciplines, with opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration, study abroad, internships, and hands-on learning.
Our General Studies program weaves together Berea’s shared learning goals—challenging students to think across disciplines, act with moral purpose, embrace diversity, and pursue both independence and collaboration. This work is carried forward by you—our dedicated faculty—and by our staff partners across the College who foster learning through labor, leadership, and student life.
As you prepare for the year ahead, I invite you to view your classroom not only as a space of intellectual discovery, but also as a cornerstone of our caring, inclusive community. Continue to spark curiosity. Encourage dialogue. Inspire creativity. Support one another as colleagues and collaborators in the transformative work of education.
At Berea, our students are always part of our learning community—on campus and long after they graduate. And you are at the heart of that community. Thank you for your leadership, your insight, and your belief in what we can achieve together.
With deep appreciation,
Cheryl L. Nixon
President