February Board Report: From Silos to Synergy

The February 2026 meeting of the Board of Directors was held online on February 19, 2026. The meeting brought board members, senior leaders, and committee chairs into conversation about academic leadership, institutional alignment, and the shared commitments that continue to guide LSTC through a period of change and renewal.

Welcoming New Academic Leadership

Upon convening, the Board formally recognized Rev. Robert O. Smith, PhD, as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. One crucial component of Dr. Smith’s portfolio will be leading the institution’s efforts towards integrating Authentic Diversity initiatives into curricula, research, and programming. Dr. Smith has worked at many levels of church-related and academic leadership, serving in campus ministry, rural ministry, synodical, and churchwide roles. In addition to his extensive international experience, he is a noted expert on the dynamic relationship between religion and politics (including Christian Zionism and white Christian nationalism) and the historical development of critical race theory. 

Dr. Smith’s leadership comes at a time when seminaries across the country are navigating shifting expectations, financial strain, and new political realities. Dr. Smith will play a central role in helping LSTC strengthen its academic programs, support faculty, and ensure that students are formed for ministry in a changing church and world. His combination of ecclesial and academic leadership squares well with LSTC’s needs for the present and the future.

The President’s Report: Authentic Diversity and One LSTC

President Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan began her report discussing Authentic Diversity, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to moving forward together in service of justice. “We have work to do to show that authentic diversity remains a core value of LSTC even as our reputation as a place committed to authentic diversity has declined with certain people,” Dr. Hannan noted. “Many relationships will need restoring and rebuilding and we are working on that.”

Dr. Hannan then highlighted the institutional commitment to:

• supporting faculty research and classes dedicated to authentic diversity
• increasing support for the Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies and A Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement
• operationalizing the recently acquired Lilly Grant, which will be used to build relationships between LSTC and African-descent, Latiné, and LGBTQIA+ communities
• reinvigorating the Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ArTT) at LSTC

Dr. Hannan also discussed “One LSTC: From Silos to Synergy,” the pathway for LSTC to support increased strategic visioning, enrollment management, and aligning academic offerings, student support, and institutional messaging. 

Enrollment Management Consultant Derek Brinkley contributed to Dr. Hannan’s report, noting that LSTC has eight new students enrolled for Spring semester 2026 and a fall enrollment funnel that includes 44 applicants, 18 admits, and 6 confirmed new students. Current enrollment sits at 124, with 109 continuing students, a marked improvement from enrollment numbers in recent years.

Following Derek Brinkley’s report, President Hannan also provided updates on several operational priorities, including the Housing Task Force, improvements in external communications, and the modernization of software systems that support day-to-day work and increase efficiencies across the institution. She offered an update on labor cost reduction efforts, situating these decisions within LSTC’s long-term commitment to a cash-neutral budget and overall responsible stewardship.

Committee Reports and Institutional Stewardship

Committee reports offered a broad view of the work happening across the seminary. The Board heard updates from the following committees: Academics and Community (Greg Kaufmann), Finance and Operations (Larry Tietjen), Governance (Joseph Falese), and Marketing and Fundraising (Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer).

One notable update came from the Marketing and Fundraising Committee presentation, during which Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer shared that the LSTC Advancement team plans to increase the Phase II goal of the A Time To campaign—from $6 million to $9 million—to be raised through 2027.

Academic Innovation, Justice Commitments, and Strategic Planning

Vice President for Enterprise Innovation Keisha Dyson provided a detailed update on Project Starling, LSTC’s asynchronous learning initiative. Now in Wave III of Stage One, the program is serving 32 learners from six ELCA regions and continues to expand access to theological education for those who need flexible, mission-driven pathways. 

Dyson also shared updates on efforts to broaden programming, strengthen access pathways, and clarify internal workflows as the initiative grows. Project Starling is preparing to begin implementation of a Lilly Endowment grant in the second quarter of this year and is in active conversation with the Lutheran Deaconess Association, which is revising its curriculum and exploring a potential partnership with the ELCA Deaconess Association. If realized, this collaboration would represent a first-of-its-kind partnership. User testing for Project Starling is expected to conclude in Fall 2026.

Final Updates

The Board also received an update on the Pero Center and LSTC’s reparations work from Marvis Hardy who affirmed the development of a Reparations Clearing House Website, which remains in process. Hardy was followed by Aaron Copley-Spivey, who reported on recent advancements in LSTC’s Strategic Plan, “On the Way….” An updated version of the plan, which may shift institutional priorities, will be brought to the Board as a proposal at the May 2026 meeting.

In closing, the Board affirmed their commitment to establishing a cash-neutral budget and maintaining responsible stewardship in the months ahead.