Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson, Campus Pastor at Concordia University Ann Arbor, was recently named to the prestigious Thrivent Fellows Program, a rigorous 12-month executive fellowship to develop the leadership capacity of the colleges and universities of the Lutheran Church.
Sponsored by the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America, the Concordia University System of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Congregational and Synodical Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the purpose of the Fellows Program is to identify, encourage, develop, and equip high capacity individuals for leadership roles in Lutheran colleges and universities.
“It is a humbling honor to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Peterson. “The Thrivent Fellows Program has strong reputation for developing leaders, and I am eager to grow and to learn alongside other leaders in the year ahead.”
Candidates were selected based on their dedication to the mission and distinctiveness of Lutheran colleges, seminaries and universities, a strong record of service, a clear potential for top-level leadership, and their vocational calls to lead these important institutions.
Through intensive retreats, seminars, and executive coaching, Fellows gain increased knowledge and understanding of Lutheran traditions and values, stronger awareness of their own leadership capacities, thorough knowledge of key management and financial issues, discernment of personal and professional goals that will equip them to fulfill their callings, a plan for professional growth, and an expanded network of relationships with other Lutheran higher education leaders.
— Rachel Thoms served on Concordia University's Strategic Communications team from 2015-2022. Any inquiries about this story can be sent to news@cuaa.edu.
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