Neohumanist College of Asheville, USA

by Ricky Peterson

Message from the NHCA President/CEO, Ricky Peterson

As we move into the final months of the year, I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary spirit flourishing across the Neohumanist College of Asheville. As the flagship program of Gurukul, NHCA continues to model what neohumanist education can be in action. This fall was our most expansive academic term yet, with seven new courses launched and more than one hundred total enrollments, alongside the completion of over 150 pages of documentation submitted in pursuit of national and international accreditation. We also held our first faculty in service day, strengthened our synchronous and asynchronous learning pathways, and deepened the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence to support our growing global classroom.

Our community has grown in remarkable ways. We welcomed new board advisors, volunteers, staff members, and teaching assistants, each adding new talent and energy to the College. Our recent fundraising campaign was a tremendous success, fully supporting our accreditation efforts and affirming the trust our community places in our mission. Beyond academics, this season also saw the publication of new books authored by faculty and friends of NHCA, celebrated with inspiring book signing events that expanded the reach of neohumanist ideas into new circles.

We have also continued investing in the physical home of NHCA — upgrading technology, strengthening our branding, expanding parking, and improving campus signage — creating a more welcoming and functional space for all who study and serve with us. Everywhere I look, I see people stepping forward with compassion, creativity, and a deep sense of service. The path ahead is bright, and I look forward to walking it with you as we nurture the next generation of educators and leaders who will carry this legacy into the future.

Welcoming 60 Students from 15 Countries: Our 2025-2027 Cohort Begins

This summer has been alive with energy as interest in our Neohumanist Education courses continues to surge. On September 2, we opened our largest class ever, 60 students from 15 countries, a milestone we’re thrilled to celebrate as our alumni community rapidly expands. To meet this exponential growth, alumni and friends have stepped up in inspiring ways: serving as Assistant Teachers, Classroom Assistants, Translators, and Study Group Facilitators. The momentum is building, and the future of the Neohumanist movement looks brighter than ever!

After Hours Social at NHCA

The Madison County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club joined staff, volunteers, and friends of the Neohumanist College of Asheville for an evening of music, stories, and community. One of the founders, Ellen Landau, shared how a vision for education rooted in compassion and service grew from the soil of a Madison County mountaintop. The Office Party band filled the evening with warmth and joy, turning the gathering into a true celebration of friendship and shared purpose. President Ricky Peterson highlighted the college’s growth to over 400 enrollments from 20 countries and invited guests to help shape its next chapter. The night closed in song and connection, celebrating the shared belief that education and community vitality rise together.

Neohumanist Friends & Allies Gathering

Alberta Pedroja,Ph.D, NHCA Board Chair

NHCA hosted a Gathering of Friends and Allies of the College. The inspiration for the Gathering was the integration of the various parts of the organization—Faculty, Board, Administration, Gurukul, and key committees—to chart a course for our future. The role of the Board is twofold: to ensure the quality of the program and to safeguard financial viability. We came together around these two guiding responsibilities.

It is widely said that organizations should avoid convening groups larger than seven when consensus is needed. They clearly do not know that you must make an exception for Neohumanists! Our ability to listen deeply to one another, honor differences of opinion, and still move the mission forward was truly remarkable.

After reviewing our progress over the last year on Thursday afternoon, we delved into the business before us.
Accreditation: On Friday, we spent most of the day addressing the weaknesses identified in our self-evaluation in order to meet the November 7 deadline. The accrediting organization places great emphasis on self-evaluation, which aligns perfectly with our Neohumanist philosophy. By the end of the day—5pm exactly—we had addressed all concerns raised by Sid Jordan, Ricky Peterson, and Alberta Pedroja. As of this writing, we have submitted the self-evaluation. We await their visit in January/February 2026.

Artificial Intelligence: What is the role of AI in our future? AI may well be a game changer—an area we need to understand clearly—so on Saturday morning, Aaron Frank presented on AI and facilitated a discussion to sharpen our sense of what we can and cannot expect. (Rest assured: AI will not be taking over the world any time soon.) The conversation was rich, and we could have gone on all day. Very important work.

Financial Management: On Saturday afternoon, Ac. Unmantrananda Avt. offered a presentation on fundraising. As Neohumanists, we know we are in this together. The financial viability of the College is essential to our shared future. Dada Unmantrananda walked us through current plans and opportunities, giving us a deeper understanding of our collective responsibility. The Annual Campaign will be in your inbox in a few short weeks—you will certainly be hearing from us!

Long Range Planning: Sunday morning opened with a lively and insightful long-range planning session. Financial sustainability emerged as a universal priority for the long term, and we were fortunate to have Polina Crotty with us, bringing her expertise in wealth management. She offered a nuanced perspective on our role as fundraisers and stewards of the College’s legacy.

The tagline for the Gathering was “Everyone is beautiful. Together we are a masterpiece.” This was certainly borne out. We all left feeling that, working together, we will build a College that produces Neohumanists across the planet—each carrying the legacy forward.

Creative Storytelling for Parents & Educators (New Course Launch)
Feb 23 – Mar 30, 2026 | 6 Weeks | Live Online | Mondays| 12:30–2:00 PM (UTC)
Instructor: Rutger Tamminga (Rudramohan)

The online Meetup series, sponsored by the Global Association of Neohumanist Educators and the Neohumanist College of Asheville, provides an opportunity to hear a guest speaker, connect with other educators, and share practical information. It recently featured Exploring Three Layers of Curriculum Design with Andjela Vekic. (See article in this newsletter)

UPCOMING MEETUP: SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH – 12:30–2:00 PM (UTC) – 7:30AM (ET)
RUTGER TAMMINGA – STORYTELLING
(This Meetup will also offer a preview of his course starting on February 23rd)

You can sign up for upcoming programs and watch the replay of past events by visiting the NHCA website: https://www.nhca-gurukul.org/meetups
The gatherings are FREE and open to all, though donations are welcome.
Live Captions in Your Language of Choice. Breakout rooms in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Portuguese.