Presidential Search
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, we are pleased to announce the next stage in our search for a new president. As we move toward this exciting milestone, we ask for your help in identifying and referring qualified candidates who can lead LSTC into its next chapter. The priority application deadline is December 1, 2024.
We are seeking a leader who reflects the values and aspirations shared across our stakeholder community. Through extensive conversations with faculty, alumni, students, and staff, several key themes have emerged, guiding our vision for the next president:
- Engagement and Approachability: Stakeholders value a president who is engaged, visible, approachable, and regularly interacts with the campus community.
- Commitment to Global Engagement and Diversity: The next president must continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, support global engagement, and be dedicated to anti-racism efforts.
- Visionary Leadership: The president should continue LSTC’s tradition of being forward-looking by being innovative, growth-focused, and capable of reimagining the institution’s future while respecting its core values.
- Financial Acumen and Sustainability: Stakeholders understand the need for a president with strong financial skills who can ensure long-term financial sustainability and make difficult decisions when needed.
- Intentional and Relational Leadership: As a new president, the next leader will need to build strong relationships, foster collaboration, delegate effectively, administer efficiently, and support a culture where all voices are heard
- Connection with the Broader Community: The president must be a strong representative of the institution, an envoy building external relationships (with the church, other seminaries) to increase visibility, support, and growth.
We are immensely grateful to our consultant, Matt Trainum, and LSTC’s executive leadership for their guidance in shaping the framework for this search. Their strategic direction has been invaluable as we enter this critical phase.
Now, we invite you to help us spread the word. Whether you’re considering the position yourself or know of someone in your network who would be a strong fit, we encourage you to review and share the Position Description and Institutional Profile (below).
This is a pivotal moment for LSTC, and we are confident that with your help, we will identify a leader who embodies the qualities needed to guide our community toward an exciting and dynamic future.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Sincerely,
Kristi Ferguson, Chair, Search Committee
On behalf of the LSTC Board of Directors