Back-to-School: Insights from Marty Lange and Nhaim Khoury
As a new academic year kicks off, classrooms and campuses buzz with energy, anticipation and possibility. At Cengage Group, the back-to-school season is one of the busiest times of the year when teams across the company come together to support millions of learners and educators ensuring they start strong and stay supported.
While the work is powered by hundreds of dedicated team members, Marty Lange, EVP and GM of Cengage School, and Nahim Khoury, EVP and GM of Cengage Higher Ed, help guide the strategy and momentum that make it all possible. The Q&A below offers a behind-the-scenes look as they share their reflections, insights and hopes for the year ahead.
What excites you most about the upcoming academic year?
Marty: I’ve always loved new beginnings. There’s something magical about that first day of school—whether it’s a kindergartner walking in with wide eyes and a backpack almost too big, a sixth grader starting to explore career pathways or a high schooler diving into subjects like biology, government or computer science for the first time. Each moment is filled with possibility.
Education is the pathway to opportunity, and every new school year brings millions of fresh starts. What excites me most is that we get to play a supporting role in all of these K–12 journeys—through the eyes of both learners and teachers. We help shape budding futures, spark curiosity, and support growth. That’s a privilege I never take for granted.
Nhaim: There is a palpable energy that comes with a new academic year. It’s a fresh opportunity to deliver on our mission to enable our users to build meaningful careers through personalized learning experiences. I’m especially excited about the innovations we’re bringing to market with Artificial Intelligence.
To date, our AI-powered Student Assistant has supported over one million higher ed students across more than 100 courses. This academic year, I am thrilled that we are continuing to thoughtfully scale AI across Cengage Group, from piloting an AI-powered Learning Assistant in Cengage Work’s career training programs to testing an AI content-leveling tool in K–12. It’s all part of our commitment to building an integrated, ethical AI ecosystem that supports learners and educators at every stage. I look forward to the continued momentum.
Back-to-school is one of the most demanding and fast-paced times of year at Cengage Group. As a leader, how do you keep your teams focused, motivated and energized through it?
Marty: At Cengage School, supporting educators and learners is in our cultural DNA—it’s what drives us. Back-to-school is an adrenaline rush, and our team rises to the challenge with passion and purpose. From new adoption opportunities, processing tens of thousands of purchase orders, rostering millions of students and delivering professional development, we stay focused by aligning our work to the impact we create in classrooms.
Nhaim: Back-to-school is when all our planning, collaboration and customer commitment come to life. I work hard to keep teams anchored in our mission: we are not just hitting deadlines; we are helping millions of users across the world start their journeys towards meaningful careers. Clear priorities, fast feedback loops and recognizing wins go a long way. I also remind our teams that our own learning never stops. Every challenge is a chance to get better.
What lesson from last year’s back-to-school season shaped your approach this year?
Marty: Start early, plan smart. Last year taught us the power of proactive collaboration, establishing a cross-functional team of experts, documenting critical workflows and prioritizing high-quality communication. In a complex business, challenges are inevitable. What matters is how we prioritize, escalate and resolve them—always with the customer at the center.
Nhaim: Last year reinforced the importance of cross-functional alignment. When Sales, Customer Success, Marketing, Portfolio, Product and Customer Support are moving in sync, we create a seamless experience for educators, researchers and students. We’re also being more proactive, anticipating customer needs on campus before they become tech support issues, and making sure our teams have the data, tools and support they need to respond quickly.
What’s the biggest shift you’ve seen in learner or educator needs over the past year and how are we responding?
Marty: We’ve seen a growing emphasis on career readiness and education for employment. Learners and educators are seeking pathways that connect classroom learning to real-world skills and future opportunities. In response, we’re aligning our solutions to support career exploration, skill development and high-impact instruction.
At the same time, the integration of AI tools in teaching and learning has accelerated. Educators are looking for ways to use AI to personalize instruction, streamline tasks and enhance engagement. We’re embedding AI thoughtfully into our products to support teachers and empower learners.
Nhaim: In the higher ed space, the biggest shift has been the growing expectation for flexibility and trusted information. Students want learning experiences that fit their lives, and educators need tools that are adaptable, intuitive and backed by data. We’re responding with platforms that offer personalization, AI-powered insights and more modular content. Education should be a launchpad, not a barrier.
What does “readiness” look like for students today and how is that different from even a few years ago?
Marty: Today, readiness means more than academic achievement—it’s about being prepared for life, work and continuous learning. Students now need critical thinking, digital fluency, adaptability and a clear sense of how their education connects to future careers. We’re supporting career-connected learning and integrating real-world skills into instruction.
Nhaim: Readiness today is broader than academics. It includes digital fluency, time management, mental health and career preparedness. Students are juggling more responsibilities and navigating a more complex world. We’re supporting them not just with content, but with tools and experiences that build confidence—like our AI-powered Student Assistants, which are available to support students 24/7.
What gives you hope about the direction of education in 2025 and beyond?
Marty: I’m inspired by how education is evolving to meet real-world needs and that Cengage Group is at the forefront of this movement. Today’s focus goes beyond academics; it’s about preparing every learner for life, work and a rapidly changing world. What gives me hope is this collective momentum: educators, institutions and innovators working together to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Nhaim: I’m encouraged by how much higher ed is leaning into innovation with purpose. We’re moving past the idea that there’s one right way to learn and instead embracing models that are personalized and anchored in careers. The future of education is not just about scaling knowledge but about unlocking human potential to build meaningful careers.
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Interested in hearing more insights from Marty and Nhaim throughout the year? Follow them on LinkedIn where they share their latest reflections, leadership perspectives and updates on how their teams are supporting learners and educators across the country.