RICH Learning Global (RLG) is honored to partner with RICH Learning International (RLI), a Minnesota 501(c)(3) dedicated to bringing “access to excellence” in education to children around the world. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Wm. C. Nelsen and Dr. Rich Melheim, the non-profit has facilitated projects in Minnesota, India, Ethiopia, Egypt and South Carolina.
As funding partners with our sister non-profit, RLG is helping RLI set the stage for major projects to enrich and significantly alter the educational trajectories of children across the world. The goal is to provide virtual tutors, high speed internet access, and 3D metaverse equipment to give children:
Access to quality education
International collaboration
Cohorts of friendship and creativity on a global scale through a blending of neurology, tech and the arts.
Meet the board
Tony Simmons · Executive Director, High School of Recording Arts, founder Another Level Records, board member at Edvisions and Reaching At Promise School Reform.
Dr. Wm. C. Nelsen · Cofounder & Chair, RICH Learning International (See full vita below)
Will Oeschler · SVP of ODB, former CMO Furniture Row, President Ethnographic Media, EVP Zondervan, President/Chief Strategic Officer Hanon Mckendry
Jeff Buelow · CFO, InHarvest, Inc., founder Twelve Oaks Financial, original board member of Preschool Incubators Project (predecessor board of RLI)
Dr. Jackie Vergne · Philanthropist, Founder & Visionary at Vergne Advisory, spanning Global Insurance, InsurTech, artificial intelligence, software, and diverse industrial segments
Dr. Charisse Oland · EdD, FACHE, MHA, RD, EDAC· Founder, Oland Consulting
Michael P Johnson · VP for Development, Wartburg Theological Seminary
Dr. Rich Melheim · Cofounder, RICH Learning International, Founder RICH Learning Global
Bill Dukes (Emeritus) · Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, founder Honor Flights SC, Commissioner of SCDOT, founder Longhorn Steak House
THREE WAYS TO FURTHER THE MISSION
OF “ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE”
Bring joy in learning to deserving young people who can’t afford an onramp to rich Web 3.0 learning worlds by making a charitable contribution to RICH Learning International, a 501(c)(3).
Use the QR code below
If you prefer to contribute by check, please make it payable to RICH Learning International, 201 Burlington St. E, Stillwater, MN, 55082
If you prefer Zelle, use the phone number 651-491-4342
MEET OUR CHAIR
As a young man, Dr. Bill became a star athlete, a Fullbright Scholar, and an organizer helping with the implementation of the 1965 Voting Rights March from Selma to Montgomery. That experience changed the direction of his life. A PhD in Political Science, an Academic Dean position, and a University President appointment followed. It was there that Dr. Bill’s talents became a calling that propelled him onto a national and international stage as;
· CEO · Scholarship America ($5.4B in awards to 3.1M students - the largest private scholarship fund in US History)
· Founder · Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund of Scholarship America ($187M in awards to 3,800+ children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the 9-11 attacks.
· Co-Founder/Former Chair · Wintley Phipps’ US Dream Academy (Mentoring children with parents experiencing incarceration)
· Early Member · The Registry for College and University Presidents
· Vice President and Academic Dean · St. Olaf College
· President · Augustana University
· Co-Founder/Chair · RICH Learning International
In Retirement: Ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Dr. Bill served as President of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA led the process of a successful affiliation agreement with Union Theological Seminary in NYC.
Dr. Bill’s latest book, Embracing Diversity, cowritten with Darrell Jodock, was recently published by Fortress Press.
“A great teacher is the curator of the Museum of the Mind.”