By Ricky Peterson
Accreditation Application Accepted
The Neohumanist College of Asheville has had its application for accreditation accepted by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), which is a Nationally recognized accreditor. This major milestone advances us on our year-long journey to be recognized in the US as an avocational professional and personal development college. Many have contributed to creating new processes, writing new policies, creating new financial reporting and updating our website to meet the quality standards required of us. By August 29th, 2025, we will complete our internal self-assessment as compared with educational standards provided by ACCET. Then we will have onsite visitors and hope to receive our green light of accreditation by April of 2026.
Quality of Programs and Financial Viability
One of the benefits of having a highly engaged Finance Committee of the NHCA Board is that we are now able to produce insightful reports that look at our positive trends as well as our growing edges. The graphs look at the uptick of enrollment for our programs across the first few quarters of the new fiscal year. Additionally, Q3 was a great quarter for the year as it was the first quarter where our net revenue was positive.
Attracting Talented Leadership
We also attracted some amazingly talented people to join the operations and governance arms of NHCA. Karl Andersson (Ac. Unmantrananda Avt), accepted the role of Facilities Manager and Chief Development Officer. In addition, he has successfully led the adoption of globally recognized safeguarding policies that put NHCA at the forefront of similar organizations in our commitment to positive workplace culture, high standards of behavior and personal accountability. Alberta Pedroja, who initially joined the team as an organizational development consultant, has expanded her long-term commitment to the success of NHCA and transitioned from Interim Board Chair to full Board Chair with a three-year term. Her compassion, organizational acumen, and vision for the future for NHCA are just a few notable examples of how her expanded leadership role will keep our organization focused on quality of programs and financial viability.
Grant Application with Dharma Endowment Fund
In March, NHCA submitted a 25+ page $50,000 grant application to infuse momentum in the enrollment of our programs, expanding our marketing reach and fiscal accountability, paying more of our instructors who are now predominantly volunteers. Should the college be successful we can expect to receive the funds as early as the third quarter of 2025.
Trademark Application Submitted
NHCA also formally submitted its Trademark application for the name Neohumanist College of Asheville, to further upgrade our professional standing in the communities we serve and preserve the brand image that has been developing since the college first offered courses in 2021.
Expanded Reach of Book Publications
Over 280 books have been sold in the Neohumanist College of Asheville Press, with Didi Ananda Uttama’s book, Tantric Mothering, leading the way in sales, and the book In the Spirit of the river coming in close second. Revenue from books published by NHCA supports the expansion of our educational offerings and helps to expand our reach to families around the world. With the publication of three new books this year, our total catalog of NHCA books is up to seven. The latest three published books, by author and Chief Publications Officer, Nancy “Niiti” Gannon, are It’s a Yoga Party, The Hearts Language, and Far and Near Love – all of which can be purchased on Amazon. (See new books section in this issue of Gurukula Network.) To help get the word out and enhance our presence online, the author is sponsoring 30 books as gifts to our Neohumanist Network – in exchange we ask those interested to purchase the book on Amazon, leave a positive review and if you wish, email for a PayPal reimbursement for the fees you paid to purchase the book.
Course Offerings
Please visit our website in August to see the full year long calendar of courses for the 2025-2026 academic school year at http://nhca.gurukul.edu. Now that we’ve built capacity and infrastructure, we are offering many of the same popular courses every year. Courses still yet to launch are:
YIS 104: Yoga Practices & Wellness: Kaoshikii Yoga Dance Course
This will be the college’s first asynchronous course that allows you to take it self-paced while still benefiting from the live mentorship and experience of the instructors. Didi Ananda Sainjaina, MJ Glassman, Kathy Zimmerman 5/18/2025 – 7/16/2025
YIS 201: Philosophy of Yoga Course
Ramesh Bjonnes 5/20/2025 – 6/8/2025 Tuesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm
YIS 101: Yoga Teacher Training Course
Dr. Steven Landau 6/14/2025 – 10/25/2025 Saturdays 8:30pm-10pm
LHA 102: The Promise of Memory: Writing Memoir
And Douglas 3/20/2025 – 5/81/2025 Thursday’s at 6:30 PM
LHA 107: Philosophy of Technology and Transhumanism
Jesus Vila 9/4/2025 – 10/23/2025 Friday’s 6pm-7:30pm
TSS 102: Leadership for Social Change – Teams
Satya Tanner and Iulia Halangescu 2/28/2025 – 6/21/2025 Saturdays.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of the Neohumanist College of Asheville (NHCA)
As the overall number of our students continues to grow, 72% are on scholarships or receive tuition waivers. You can join us in supporting these students. From November 15 to December 31, we invite you to support NHCA’s Annual Giving Campaign. Together, we can empower students to achieve their dreams, strengthen academic programs, and enhance campus resources. Your generosity makes all the difference, ensuring a transformative educational experience for current and future generations. Whether it’s $50, $5,000, or $500,000, every contribution counts and brings us closer to our mission. Let’s make this season of giving truly impactful—because when we unite as a community, we create lasting change.
Building Bridges with WNC Non-Profit Leaders
NHCA President/CEO Ricky Peterson joined 20 other Western North Carolina leaders in April, sharing laughter and tears and forming deep bonds of kinship with one another! Coming together over two days to share stories and dreams was thoroughly fulfilling and uplifting. Over the next six months this dynamic cohort of the Pathways for Nonprofit Leadership Development Program, are investing time in personal/professional development so we can show up more fully for our teams, our organizations and our communities.