Spring 2026 News & Updates for the CCC Institutions
05/23/25
Posted by: Michael
Asbury University continues its remarkable legacy of preparing students for real-world impact by sending a new cohort to work behind the scenes at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Since 1984, more than 800 Asbury students have served at 17 Olympic Games, gaining hands-on experience in professional broadcast and media operations. This distinctive opportunity allows students to apply classroom learning in a global, high-stakes environment while building confidence, industry connections, and career-ready skills. The program reflects Asbury’s commitment to experiential learning and vocational calling, equipping students to step into meaningful work with both excellence and purpose.
In January 2026, Bethel University announced that it had received a nearly $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch a new Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE) program at Bethel Seminary. Funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, the grant will support the development of a more flexible, affordable model of seminary education that allows students to earn degrees by demonstrating mastery of key ministry competencies rather than completing a traditional set number of credit hours. The program will be designed in partnership with local church leaders, including those from African and Hmong American congregations, to better serve diverse ministry contexts and expand access to theological education for future pastors and lay leaders.
George Fox University was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having the top-ranked Christian college engineering program in the West in its 2026 rankings. The distinction highlights the university’s strong undergraduate engineering offerings, hands-on learning environment, and commitment to integrating faith with technical education. George Fox’s engineering program is known for its project-based curriculum, close faculty mentorship, and emphasis on preparing graduates for innovative, service-oriented careers in a variety of engineering fields.
Gordon College has announced the launch of its first doctoral program, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in the Science of Learning, through its Herschend School of Education. Rooted in the College’s Christian mission and commitment to human flourishing, the program is designed to address the national literacy crisis while preparing scholar-practitioners to serve students and communities with excellence and compassion. With coursework spanning literacy, language development, neuroscience, and education policy, the three-year program equips graduates to lead meaningful change in classrooms, institutions, and educational systems. The inaugural cohort is scheduled to begin in Summer 2026.
Greenville University has appointed Ben Wayman as provost, entrusting him with leadership of the university’s academic programs and faculty. A longtime professor and theology leader on campus, Wayman steps into the role during a season of strategic renewal through the Greenville Rising initiative. His leadership will focus on strengthening the integration of faith and learning, expanding hands-on and career-focused experiences, and cultivating a Christ-centered academic community that prepares students for lives of purpose and service.
Houghton University’s 2025 One Day Giving Challenge became a historic expression of Christian community and generosity, raising $2.2 million in just 24 hours from more than 2,100 alumni, students, employees, families, and friends. The record-setting day reflected the deep commitment of the Houghton family to Christ-centered higher education, with gifts supporting student scholarships, endowment growth, campus improvements, and transformative academic and co-curricular experiences. Fueled by major challenge gifts and broad participation, the event demonstrated how a shared faith and mission can unite a community to invest in the next generation of servant leaders. University leaders celebrated the outcome as a powerful testimony to God’s provision and the enduring strength of the Houghton community.
Malone University has been named a 2026 Best College by College Raptor, earning a place among the Top 25 Most Affordable Great Colleges for B Students nationwide. The recognition highlights Malone’s strong combination of academic quality, graduation outcomes, campus diversity, and affordability, based on national data from the National Center for Education Statistics. University leaders emphasized that the honor reflects Malone’s Christ-centered mission to provide both academic rigor and personal support, ensuring students from a wide range of backgrounds can thrive. With 100% of students receiving scholarships and a focus on faith-integrated learning, Malone continues to equip graduates to become well-rounded citizens and Christian leaders prepared for lives of service and purpose.
Messiah University has introduced NEXT Steps, a new two-year, fully residential certificate program designed to provide students with intellectual disabilities a Christ-centered college experience that integrates academics, community life, and career preparation. Through a blend of inclusive undergraduate courses, specialized life-skills classes, and on-campus living, the program equips students to grow in independence, vocation, and faith while fully participating in the Messiah community. Graduates will earn a Certificate in Career and Personal Development with a concentration area, reflecting the university’s commitment to expanding access to transformative, Christ-centered education for all learners.
Seattle Pacific University was again named a “Best National University” in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings, marking the tenth consecutive year SPU has earned this national distinction. The recognition reflects the university’s strong academic programs, commitment to student success, and emphasis on social mobility, along with high-performing undergraduate engineering and nursing programs. Additional honors from Niche, The Princeton Review, and The Wall Street Journal underscore SPU’s continued reputation as a leading Christian university preparing students for lives of service, scholarship, and faithful leadership.
Taylor University has once again been recognized for the strength of its Christ-centered academic experience, earning the #1 ranking in the Midwest for Undergraduate Teaching from U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year. The honor reflects the university’s deep commitment to faculty-student mentorship, rigorous academics, and spiritual formation, with academic leaders across the region citing Taylor’s outstanding dedication to undergraduate education. University officials noted that professors view teaching as a calling, investing personally in students’ intellectual growth, character, and faith so graduates are prepared to lead lives of purpose and service. The recognition highlights Taylor’s strong outcomes across programs, innovative new majors, and its mission to equip servant-leaders for impact in a complex and changing world.
Westmont College has begun construction on a new $7 million Martin Institute Center that will serve as a dedicated hub for Christian spiritual formation, scholarship, and community engagement. The 3,700-square-foot facility, funded by private donors and expected to open after a 15-month construction period, will provide gathering spaces, research areas, and outdoor meeting areas designed to foster collaboration and reflection. The center will support programs such as prayer retreats, visiting lectures, faculty research, and student formation initiatives, reflecting Westmont’s ongoing commitment to integrating faith, learning, and leadership development across campus.
Wheaton College has launched Faithfully Forward, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history, with a $275 million goal to expand scholarships, enhance campus facilities, and strengthen Christ-centered leadership development. Building on record-breaking generosity and strong enrollment, the campaign aims to increase endowed scholarships, renovate key spaces such as the library and athletics facilities, and invest in programs that prepare students to serve Christ in every sphere of society. College leaders emphasize that the initiative reflects God’s faithfulness to Wheaton’s mission and will equip future generations of graduates to share the gospel, meet human needs, and address the world’s greatest challenges.