Dear CUAA students, parents, alumni, and stakeholders,
The season of Advent is a time of anticipation. Advent calls us to pause, reflect, and embrace the hope of what is to come. Just this past weekend, our graduates took their anticipated walk across the commencement stage and now look forward to new opportunities. With just days left until Christmas, we anticipate cherished moments spent with family and loved ones. Of course, the ultimate anticipation of Advent is Christ’s arrival with his gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. We look back in wonder to His coming at Bethlehem and look forward with expectation to his promised return.
As we prepare to welcome a new year, let us carry this spirit of anticipation and hope with us. The past year has brought its share of challenges. Although decisions made were, at times, painful, I am resolved that the actions taken were necessary and for the ultimate good of the university.
Over the past several weeks, Concordia’s governing and advisory boards, its LCMS partners, and the Executive Team (hereafter, “Concordia leaders”) have again held a series of important discussions to discern the best course forward for our university. I am writing today to share several key decisions that reflect our shared commitment to our mission and vision, giving us good things to anticipate in 2025 and beyond as we seek to:
Develop the North Campus as an anchor for our work moving forward.
Already, our North Building houses the most up-to-date classrooms, labs, and academic spaces in Ann Arbor, with renovations completed as recently as 2022. Beginning in the summer of 2025, we will migrate all existing Ann Arbor-based university operations to the campus located at 3475 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. Looking ahead, we envision developing this campus into a vibrant, state-of-the-art space to meet the needs of our students, faculty, and community. Planned explorations include:
- The construction of an additional classroom and community building that will support excellence in teaching and learning.
- The development of apartment-style student housing that will include a fitness center to promote community, health, and wellness.
- Wise stewardship of existing assets and resources.
Retain a vibrant Lutheran higher education presence in Ann Arbor.
Concordia leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a physical academic foothold in Ann Arbor. In the fall of 2025 and beyond, we will continue to offer a robust slate of healthcare programs and online education degrees in Ann Arbor. Soon, we will look to grow our academic offerings, starting with an innovative Liberal Arts bachelor’s degree that will serve as the foundation upon which we will build out church work training programs. These adjustments will allow us to right-size our programs to steward our resources for the future.
These decisions reflect our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional Christ-centered education and ensuring a bright future for our university community.
A new year offers fresh opportunities to grow, serve, and walk more closely with God. It invites us to fix our eyes on Jesus and to trust in His provision and goodness for the days ahead. In faith and unity, with anticipation, our university community continues to move forward.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Advent and a joyous Christmas.
Grace and peace,
Erik Ankerberg
Want in?
CUAA will continue to offer a variety of degrees in 2025-26 and beyond. Pursue a degree in healthcare at our North Building with its newly remodeled features and state-of-the-art simulation equipment. Or earn your master’s degree in education through one of our well-established online programs. In the near future, Concordia will look to reintroduce church work training opportunities in Ann Arbor by building a new vision and model for the undergraduate degree programs here