AUSTIN, TX, November 12, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Art Serna, an executive leader and founder of Cosmos Renewed, is leading a new movement to reshape education across the Midwest. Known for his work in systems innovation and human development, Serna is turning his focus toward learning. He is exploring how the Acton Academy model from Austin, Texas, can be reimagined for the region's unique character and values. Through this effort, he aims to create schools that empower young learners while strengthening local communities.

Serna's vision, developed through Cosmos Renewed, aims to adapt Acton Academy's globally recognized learner-driven framework to align with the Midwest's culture of resilience, creativity, and collaboration. The global Acton network includes more than 300 schools across 30 countries and 42 U.S. states. Each school operates on the belief that students learn best when they guide their own learning journey. Cosmos Renewed's Midwest initiative will take this model further by connecting education to regional industries, civic life, and practical creativity.

"Our goal is to make learning a regenerative force in people's lives," Serna said. "The Midwest has always been a place of builders, makers, and problem solvers. We want to cultivate schools that reflect that spirit. Learning should feel alive, purposeful, and deeply connected to community."

The Learner Legacy Letter: A Platform for Regenerative Learning
To introduce this vision and invite collaboration, Serna recently launched The Learner Legacy Letter. It is a newsletter that explores ideas at the intersection of education, leadership, and renewal. Its first article, "The Fuel That Turns Learners into Legends," sets the tone for the initiative. It calls for an approach to learning that moves beyond test scores and career readiness. Instead, it focuses on curiosity, purpose, and the courage to create.

The newsletter is both a storytelling platform and a space for dialogue. It invites educators, parents, and local leaders to consider how learning environments can nurture the whole human being. Serna describes this as an effort to help individuals think critically, act ethically, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Serna views the newsletter as the beginning of a growing network of allies. "We are not just sharing content," he explained. "We are building a community of partners who believe that learning can heal and renew. The Learner Legacy Letter is where ideas become action."

Reimagining Education Through a Midwest Lens
The Acton Academy model is built around three main ideas: self-directed learning, meaningful work, and moral character. Students set their own goals, pursue projects tied to real-world challenges, and measure success through mastery rather than comparison. Cosmos Renewed's version will stay true to these ideas while tailoring them to the Midwest's strengths and traditions.

This Midwest approach will emphasize collaboration, craftsmanship, and civic responsibility. By weaving local culture and context into the Acton philosophy, Serna aims to create a learning environment that feels authentic and rooted in community life. Partnerships with regional creators, farmers, and entrepreneurs will help students connect what they learn to the people and places around them.

This project is more than an attempt to open new schools. It represents a comprehensive reevaluation of how learning can foster the social and emotional well-being of communities. Serna refers to this as "regenerative learning." It encourages curiosity and a sense of belonging while preparing students to meet uncertainty with confidence and compassion.

Building Momentum Through Collaboration
Interest in the project is already growing through the Learner Legacy Letter. Future editions will explore topics such as the future of education, the role of mentorship, and the connection between learning and purpose. They will also share updates on pilot programs, local partnerships, and feedback from parents and educators across the region.

"Education should not be something done to learners but something done with them," Serna said. "When people experience learning as a creative process rather than a prescribed path, it changes everything. It transforms how they see themselves and how they contribute to the world around them."

By combining foresight, design, and community collaboration, Serna hopes to position the Midwest as a center for educational renewal. His approach challenges the idea that innovation must come from coastal centers or technology hubs. It celebrates the creativity and determination that already define the region's communities.

Invitation to Join the Journey
As Cosmos Renewed continues to develop its model and prepare for the first Midwest-based Acton pilot, Serna is inviting families, educators, investors, and community leaders to join the conversation through The Learner Legacy Letter. Subscribers will receive updates on project milestones, opportunities to collaborate, and insights into the growing movement.

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