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.<\/span><\/p>\n Each year, members of Lutheran colleges and universities gather to explore the distinctive roles we play in higher education.<\/span>The theme of the 2023 conference is <\/span>“So that we (faculty, staff, and administrators), too, may flourish.” <\/b>The theme takes its name from <\/span>Rooted and Open<\/span><\/i><\/a>, where NECU institutions commit to serving students who are \u201ccalled and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Highlights include a keynote address by Jonathan Malesic, author of <\/span>The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives<\/span><\/i><\/a>; <\/span><\/i>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A preliminary schedule may be found on the attached <\/span>conference program<\/span><\/a>. A more detailed schedule and information about presenters will be posted on this site soon. <\/span>Contact Melinda Valverde at <\/span>melinda.valverde@elca.org<\/span><\/a> for more information about the conference or if your college or university has questions.<\/span><\/p>\n Register for the 2023 VOLHE Conference<\/a><\/p>\n ELCA colleges and universities are invited to send delegations of up to five persons at a subsidized rate of $150 per person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Note: Those who need any disability-related accommodation to fully participate in this event are encouraged to contact University Events at <\/span>events@augsburg.edu<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n