KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Rebekah Peitz, Neodesha Promise Administrator and Valon Jones, USD 461 College and Career Advisor will join education and community leaders from across the country at PromiseNet 2025, the premier national gathering of the tuition-free college movement. The conference takes place Nov. 9–11, 2025, in Kalamazoo, Michigan— the birthplace of the Kalamazoo Promise.
This year marks a milestone: 20 years since the Kalamazoo Promise sparked a nationwide movement. The conference theme, “Celebrating 20 Years of Impact, Innovation, and Inclusion,” honors two decades of progress and looks ahead to the future of place-based scholarship programs that are transforming lives and communities.
From a single bold idea in 2005 to hundreds of Promise programs now operating across the U.S., the movement has reshaped local economies, boosted educational attainment, and inspired a new vision of opportunity. Here in Neodesha, Kansas the Neodesha Promise Program has helped 184 students to attend college. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that those with a postsecondary degree are more likely to earn a higher wage and less likely to be unemployed than those with only a high school diploma.
PromiseNet 2025’s 12th national convening will feature interactive workshops, policy deep-dives, and sessions on student success, workforce development, and community revitalization. Attendees will connect with pioneering leaders and explore the next chapter of Promise innovation.
The conference will culminate in a 20th Anniversary Gala celebrating the Kalamazoo Promise and the community that started it all.
“PromiseNet brings together some of the nation’s most innovative leaders in education, community development, and philanthropy,” said Rebekah Peitz. “and we are proud to be part of it.”
About the Neodesha Promise The Neodesha Promise offers eligible graduates the opportunity to attend any pell grant approved institution with tuition and mandatory fee scholarships. It’s more than just financial aid—it’s an investment in our students and our community. By removing the barrier of cost, the Promise opens doors for students to pursue their dreams, develop careerready skills, and return to strengthen the local workforce. The Neodesha Promise gives every student a reason to believe that their future starts here— in Neodesha.
