“So that we (faculty, staff, and administrators), too, may flourish.”
Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 10-12, 2023
The 2023 Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference for the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) will convene at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, July 10-12.
Each year, members of Lutheran colleges and universities gather to explore the distinctive roles we play in higher education.The theme of the 2023 conference is “So that we (faculty, staff, and administrators), too, may flourish.” The theme takes its name from Rooted and Open, where NECU institutions commit to serving students who are “called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.” In a time of staff and faculty burnout, resignations, and uneven degrees of belonging, we will consider how we educators, too, may flourish in mind, body and spirit.
Highlights include a keynote address by Jonathan Malesic, author of The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives; plenary sessions led by Deanna Thompson, Rev. Lamont Wells (NECU Executive Director), Krista Hughes, Monica Smith, Marc Jerry, and Jeremy Myers; small group conversations and workshops on the flourishing of faculty, administrators and staff; and guided VOCARE spiritual practices, led by Rev. Dr. Charlene Rachuy Cox.
The conference is open to all persons from ELCA colleges and universities, but persons should attend who have a campus responsibility for or interest in the mission of their institution and its place within the Lutheran intellectual tradition in higher education. Each college or university is urged to send a campus delegation, composed of a mix of administrators, staff, and faculty.
A preliminary schedule may be found on the attached conference program. A more detailed schedule and information about presenters will be posted on this site soon. Contact Melinda Valverde at melinda.valverde@elca.org for more information about the conference or if your college or university has questions.
Register for the 2023 VOLHE Conference
ELCA colleges and universities are invited to send delegations of up to five persons at a subsidized rate of $150 per person.
Note: Those who need any disability-related accommodation to fully participate in this event are encouraged to contact University Events at events@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1104. Remember to have the name, date, and time of the event with you when contacting their office. Please allow for sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
Contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu for more information about registration. Please register by June 12.
The Vocation of a Lutheran Higher Education Conference is supported by the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities.