Mission Statement

We’re pioneering a new educational path for students to become mature, wise, productive adults who live purposeful, fulfilling lives.

Who We Are

At Excel College, we agree with St. Irenaeus' assertion that "the Glory of God is man fully alive." We believe that higher education, done rightly, will teach students to flourish - not just get a job. We believe students who flourish build families that flourish; families that flourish build communities that flourish; and communities that flourish build a world that flourishes.

But what does it mean to flourish, and how does one learn to flourish? Flourishing means being healthy and whole in body, soul, and spirit - not just thriving in the classroom, but in all areas of life. At Excel, students learn to thrive intellectually, spiritually, practically, professionally, and missionally.

Through dozens of years of experience in higher education and multiple iterations, we've learned that Jesus Himself set before us the most effective model of training in flourishing: life on life discipleship. So here, at Excel, discipleship and education come together to foster human flourishing and students learn how to build lives - not just make a living.

Meet Our Leadership

Our faculty and staff have devoted their lives to seeing students become wise, mature and productive adults who follow Jesus into a life of flourishing. We also host visiting scholars, teachers, pastors, and marketplace leaders throughout each academic year to engage with students in academic and/or practical learning opportunities. All of these efforts are supported by a group of volunteers too numerous to mention but without which we could not do what we do.

Lee Byberg

President

Davis Norment

Lead Core Faculty

Jean Norment

Mentor

Missy Norment

Admissions

Andrew Chambers

Head of Community Life

Nicole Ellison

Head of Women's Community Life

Shannon Howard

Practicum Coordinator

Linda Schmidt

Hospitality Manager

Andrew Haak

Camp Director & Core Faculty

Isaiah Schmidt

Recruiting Manager | Core Faculty

Brandon Ellison

Facilities & Maintenance

Rob Ames

Mentor | Athletics Coordinator

Jackson Juska

Mentor | Facilities

Nathaniel Schmidt

Mentor

Katie Schmidt

Mentor

Danielle Reddinger

Mentor

Thomas Pond

Mentor

Cassadie Solis

Community Captain | Marketing

Makana Evans

Community Captain

Matthew Stock

Community Captain | Classroom Faculty in Training

Zach Sedmak

Community Captain | Recruiting

Koehn Manthei

Community Captain | Creative Arts & Worship Leader

Jordan Schmidt

Community Captain

Natalie Kabazzi

Community Captain

Matthew Conlin

Outdoor Adventure Coordinator

Statement of Faith

What We Believe

Excel College is designed and centered on a Christian perspective. We believe the Bible is the Word of God and is authoritative for all matters of life and theology. While we are not affiliated with a particular denomination, our commitment to a spiritually-grounded faith in Christ is reflected in how we do community, our academic methodologies, and the practical integration of faith in the everyday lives of our staff and students. In the context of discipleship, our curriculum serves as an opportunity for our students to experience rich critical engagement with both sacred and secular authors within a Christian framework. Students accepted into our program have made a profession of faith in Christ, but are not required to reach the same conclusions in every matter as their faculty, Excel College, or its leadership. They are, however, expected to engage respectfully and thoughtfully with Excel College’s Christian approach and content matter, just as with any other student’s perspectives.

Excel College Statement of Faith

We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead; the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. And He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit; one holy church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting.

God the Father

We believe in One God, the Triune God, who exists simultaneously as three distinct persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe these three persons share equally and completely one divine nature. This Triune God is eternal, infinite and perfect and is the transcendent and sovereign Creator of the universe who remains intimately involved with His creation.

Jesus

We believe Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully human. He exists eternally and became man by means of a virgin birth. We believe in His sinless life, His attesting miracles and His mission to redeem all people and creation. We believe in His sacrificial death on the cross, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven and His place at the right hand of the Father where He serves as High Priest and Advocate. We believe in His return to judge all mankind.

Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, as divine and co-equal with the Father and the Son. We believe He came to glorify Christ and to provide comfort and counsel to the redeemed. He convicts mankind of sin, righteousness and judgement. He indwells and empowers us and imparts gifts to us for life and service.

The Word

We believe the Bible is the authoritative and inspired Word of God, without historical, moral or spiritual error. It is the blueprint for reality and should be recognized as the final authority in every aspect of life.

Salvation

We believe that salvation is by grace, a free gift of God apart from works. We believe salvation involves repentance (a changing of the mind) from one’s own way to God’s way. We believe salvation is through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. All who receive Christ are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become children of God and their new life will be manifested by a change from a self-serving life to a Christ-like serving life.

The Church

We believe that the church is the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of this church. The church finds her visible, yet imperfect expression through local congregations where God is loved and worshiped, where the Scriptures are taught, and where believers experience fellowship with one another. We believe in liberty in all nonessential doctrines and practices. We encourage each believer to a healthy exploration of biblical truths and release each individual to enjoy a life of increasing discovery and dependency on God as Savior, Counselor, Friend and Father.

Excel College is a dba of CreatEd Institute, Inc.

What Parents Are Saying

Testimonials

We are so grateful to the Lord and to the leadership for our daughter to have these opportunities for growth and development through Excel! In addition to completing her bachelor's degree, she has grown and blossomed in every area, and learned to face challenges that produce a type of growth that take most of us decades in our everyday lives, while being surrounded by people who care about and support her through the process. What an incredible catapult into a healthy and productive life ahead!

Darcy

S.

C6 Parent

As a parent of an Excel student, I can't speak highly enough about the school, which is unlike any other. Students grow in their thinking, maturity, and their love of Jesus and others, and benefit greatly from living in a community. Excel is a hidden gem in the beautiful mountains of Western NC. I highly recommend Excel to prospective students and their parents!

Todd

S.

C7 Parent

Lindsay

H.

C8 & C9 Parent

Excel College is a unique college every individual needs to experience. When you graduate from Excel, you have all the skills required to enter the professional arena; work experience and personal skills are embedded in the core of the education. Outstanding staff and facilitators are attentive to the individual's growth in mind, body, and spirit.

Jeffrey

B.

C8 Parent

My daughter was unsure about attending Excel... Now that she's attended and is beginning her practicum, she cannot imagine her life having not experienced it. What a parent can teach only goes so far. Excel takes things to the next level in a way that changes someone from the inside out but yet transforms each student into a beacon of light that touches everyone around them thereafter.