About


The Catalyst Summit, hosted by Hope College and Malcolm Gladwell, is the first of its kind: a day for innovators, thought leaders and change-makers to explore the possibilities of a future where higher education is built on an entirely new funding model and college education is affordable and accessible to all.

The summit will feature opportunities for networking and collaboration, and attendees will engage with individuals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, including our own Hope College experts.

Select events throughout the day will be live-streamed and recorded. The Thursday evening keynote event is open to the public and promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking capstone experience.

About Hope Forward

Hope Forward is a new way of thinking about how to fund higher education. Based entirely on generosity and giving, the innovative business model seeks to provide fully-funded tuition for every student at Hope College. 

Not only will this change the lives of our students for generations to come, we believe that Hope Forward has the power to inspire change across the entire landscape of higher education in America. Instead of charging tuition before students receive their Hope education, our “pay it forward” approach will ask students to give back to the college after they graduate — providing the same opportunity for future students. And because they will graduate free from the burden of debt, our students will be better positioned to pursue lives of impact.

About Hope College

Hope College is a rigorous four-year liberal arts college located in Holland, Michigan, where academic excellence and our vibrant Christian faith drive all we do. Since our founding in 1862, Hope College has been a leader in educating students for lives of leadership and service in a global society. With over 3,200 students, we are known for our brilliant faculty, collaborative undergraduate research, first-class academic facilities and championship NCAA Division III athletics.