History
Founder & Visionary
Jenson "Fig" Newton, Founder and Head of Empigo Academy, launched the concept of a private Christian career tech and entrepreneurial educational model school in 2023. Inspired to provide a unique educational structure for high school students, the journey began. He was inspired to launch the school when he served as a de facto dean of students at a private Christian school that offered only a traditional education model. Seeing that students needed more educational options, he took the leap of faith. He and his wife, Shawnda, have been working in ministry in the Des Moines community since 2017. He has led an urban sports camp, where he directed the high school Leadership Development arm. They have led several community outreach initiatives and ministry start-ups and felt this was the next stage. Fig graduated from Simpson College with a bachelor's in business management and worked in corporate development and entrepreneurship. He is currently enrolled in Liberty University, pursuing his Master of Education, graduating in 2025. He will then continue to obtain his Ph.D. in Education. Fig lives by the teaching of Jesus: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all of his righteousness, and all things will be added to you " and is motivated to obey the Great Commission of "go therefore make disciples of all nations."