Sometimes, you’ve got to step out of your comfort zone to learn and improve.

After graduating college, I wanted to push myself by trying to live outside of Western culture. So, I took a job teaching English in Taiwan for a couple years.

I don’t think I appreciated what was in store for me. Communicating was difficult. Navigating the environment was challenging. Standing out a lot was uncomfortable.

Despite the language barrier, my young students were very sweet, and my colleagues were helpful. I was fortunate to return five years ago and spend some time with my old boss and two former colleagues.

I taught at the American Language Center (ALC), a buxiban, or private, after-school tutoring center. Most of my students would attend public school during the day and study English, and then their parents would bring them for extra practice from a native English speaker. I was impressed by how much the parents and the students sacrificed and how hard they worked to improve.

I like to think that I took that lesson to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. I believe in lifelong learning, and my staff and I believe in continuous improvement.

When I took office, that spirit of continual improvement is what led us to overhaul our Bright Start and Bright Directions 529 college savings programs. We hired a new investment manager and cut fees in half, saving families more than $100 million to date. We transformed a program that was generally regarded as one of the worst in the country into one that is now considered one of the best by national outlets including Time, Business Insider and Forbes.

As proud as I am of all the work we have done, the families we have helped and awards we have received, we never stop trying to improve. This year, with our current 529 management contract coming to a close, we decided to push to do even better.

I am happy to say that I think we have done that. Last week, we brought on a new Bright Start program manager. TIAA is one of the largest and most widely recognized program managers of 529 college savings plans. With this change, total fees will decrease by an additional 13%. The Bright Start investment lineup, already receiving high marks from account holders and recognized by Morningstar as “well constructed,” will be enhanced and improved. And for the first time, your college savings accounts will be available on a mobile app.

Just as the parents of my students in Taiwan wanted a brighter future with more options for their children, I know parents in Illinois want the same for their children. One way of doing that is by investing in their children’s education.

As the chief investment officer of the State of Illinois, I can tell you that no investment pays greater dividends and better returns than an investment in the education of our children. If you don’t believe me, check out this study.

I write this not just as the program administrator, but as a customer and owner of accounts for my three children.

I am looking forward to these changes myself!