William Blocker, President, College of Biblical Studies

In an interview with Invest:, William Blocker, president of the College of Biblical Studies, discussed faith-based education, affordability, workforce preparation, and the institution’s role in supporting first-generation students. “We serve a niche where we are trying to reach all tribes, all tongues, and all nations,” Blocker said.

How would you describe the outlook for the College of Biblical Studies, and what have been the biggest changes affecting the institution over the past year?

The outlook is bright. We are in the education sector, but we serve a niche where we are trying to reach all tribes, all tongues, and all nations. Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and that makes it the right place for our work.

We aim to bring students in and help them understand the core of what allows an individual to prosper and flourish. We use moral values and biblical training to equip them so they can go out and specialize in whatever field they choose. The foundation is helping students become whole individuals who are positioned to flourish.

We are also developing courses in various languages. We were one of the first colleges to develop a fully developed bachelor’s program in Spanish. Students can earn an entire degree without speaking English. We have launched that program online, and given the growth of Houston’s Hispanic population, that creates a significant opportunity for us. The future for the College of Biblical Studies is bright because the world has come to us.

How have student and family expectations around career outcomes and return on investment changed, and how is the college responding?

There is a huge need when it comes to investing in families. In many cases, a student becomes educated and then returns to that neighborhood and pours back into the family. That family then pours back into the community. When one student breaks a mold, whether socioeconomic or financial, it opens the door for the entire family to follow. Many of our students are first-time college attendees. They often arrive without the necessary tools, and while we specialize in the Bible, we also specialize in cognitive awareness.

We take students one-on-one, place them in cohorts, and provide accountability partners. We also connect the community around them. We ask about their church and make sure their church and family understand they are beginning a new educational journey.

Within the first year, the light bulbs go off. Students realize there is a whole different world available through education. By the second year, they are already paying it forward. They arrive unsure of what higher education looks like, and then they become hungry for more.

We do not spend heavily on marketing. Our biggest marketing effort is our students. They learn, they grow, and then they tell others. Our claim to fame is the students we train. When we pay it forward, they pay it forward, and that one student impacts a family, which then impacts a community.

How are you working with partners, employers, and the business community to prepare students for workforce needs?

You cannot be in a city and not connect and partner with others. That is one of the strengths of Houston. It is collaborative in many ways. One example is our partnership with Targa. We asked whether, if we trained our graduates, they would be willing to provide internships and eventually hire them. We tried it with one student, and it worked exceptionally well. We do not train students specifically for the oil industry, but we do provide employers with graduates who have integrity, strong moral values, and a strong work ethic.

We also partner with organizations such as Christian Brothers Automotive, which is interested in helping some of our students gain certifications and enter that industry. Many of our graduates are connected with organizations such as Star of Hope, and the director of the Carol Vance prison system is a CBS graduate.

Our goal is to help Houston’s industries gain employees who possess character, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

Why does faith-based higher education remain relevant in today’s workforce and business environment?

K-12 education helps students learn to make good decisions. Higher education helps them make great decisions. Faith-based education goes a step further by helping people understand where they are in relation to God, themselves, and others.

This is not simply about climbing a corporate ladder. It is about recognizing the needs of others and finding ways to use your gifts to meet those needs. We train students to identify needs in their communities and understand how their talents can help address them.

I believe there is nothing that transforms the mind and heart like faith-based institutions. People can achieve financial success and still feel empty. When they discover that their gifts align with a need in society, they know they are in the right place.

How do you see AI impacting higher education, and how are you helping students, faculty, and graduates prepare for a changing world?

I approach AI through a biblical worldview. Throughout history, new technologies have often been viewed with skepticism. The printing press, radio, and the internet all generated concerns when they first appeared.

AI is no different. It is a tool, and how people use that tool will determine the outcome. Some people will use it poorly, while others will use it to help and empower others.

In higher education, AI can help educators better understand how students learn. A professor may have a dozen or more students in a classroom and cannot always tailor instruction to every learning style. AI has the potential to help deliver learning in ways that maximize a student’s strengths and improve outcomes.

We are only beginning to see what AI can do in higher education, but I believe it can become a valuable tool when used responsibly.

How are economic pressures affecting students, and what can colleges do to make education more accessible?

Affordability is one of the biggest concerns in higher education today. Regardless of tuition levels, the key question is how much a student or parent can actually afford to pay.

At the College of Biblical Studies, our bylaws state that we will always remain affordable. Our tuition is lower than many institutions, and we raise roughly 65% to 70% of the funds necessary for students to receive an education. Students can also access federal grants and loans.

However, students also need responsibility and skin in the game. We want to provide a hand up, not a handout. We require students to take a financial responsibility course so they understand how to manage resources and make informed decisions.

We also help students understand what they are contributing, what the institution is contributing, and what support may come from churches or the broader community. As education costs continue to rise, higher education will need new models. The burden cannot fall solely on students, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. We try to take the hassle out of the tassel and make it easier for students to focus on learning.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth, and what are your top priorities for the next three to five years?

The greatest opportunity for growth in higher education is investing in the next generation. We invest in many things as a society, but the greatest investment we can make is in people.

The more students become educationally prepared, cognitively aware, and career-oriented, the more communities will flourish. We also have to recognize that people learn differently and that different communities require different approaches.

One example is a CBS alumnus named Elmo Johnson. After studying organizational leadership, he became an entrepreneur and helped transform Houston’s Fourth Ward by developing housing for residents who could not otherwise afford it, including housing for elderly individuals.

That is the impact education can have. When you invest in one person, that person can go on to affect hundreds or even thousands of others. That is where our difference lies: investing in people.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Education is one of the greatest tools for shaping minds and hearts. It has to be accessible, affordable, and achievable. Without those three elements, many students will never have the opportunity to succeed.

This is especially important in inner-city communities, where economic challenges can create barriers to education. We have to make sure students can access opportunities and complete their education.

At the College of Biblical Studies, we believe in investing in people. We go beyond the curriculum. Many of our professors hold doctorate degrees and could teach elsewhere, but they choose to come to CBS because they want to see lives transformed. That is what we do best.