LSTC Board of Directors Meeting Summary – August 2026

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Board of Directors met online on August 20, 2026. Guided by the theme One LSTC, Many Pathways, the Board focused on enrollment growth, learner-centered innovation, responsible stewardship, stronger institutional systems, and partnership with the wider church as LSTC prepares for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Highlights

• President’s Report. President Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan outlined six priorities for the year ahead: financial vitality; enrollment growth and learner success; leadership and governance excellence; mission, community, and authentic diversity; innovation and strategic collaborations; and church and synod partnerships. She invited LSTC to imagine theological education as both preparation for ministry and lifelong accompaniment throughout a person’s vocation. She also shared updates on Lilly Endowment- and In Trust-funded work around Reparations and Board development. Finally, she welcomed Patricia Cornelius Woods as the Board representative to the Foundation Board of Trustees.
• Strategic Plan. All pillars of LSTC’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan remain on track. Staffing and institutional systems continue to develop, including Peak Neuroperformance training; the addition of two faculty members, new staff supporting the Lilly Endowment-funded initiative; two ongoing searches tied to enrollment, student experience, and marketing and communications; and substantial revisions to employee policies and handbooks. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice remain central to implementation.
• Housing. While LSTC has the option to continue our lease through May 2028, the Housing Task Force recommended ending LSTC’s lease at the Yellow Building when it expires in May 2028, based on enrollment, residency patterns, student needs, and financial considerations. The group will continue developing options to assist students with housing after the lease concludes.
• Project Starling. Project Starling is moving from platform development toward an integrated ecosystem of educational pathways. During FY26, the initiative grew to seven courses, six workshops, and 84 learning modules, engaging learners from all nine ELCA synods. Three of four evaluation waves have been completed with the ELCA Innovation Lab. Findings affirm the value of flexible, theologically substantive asynchronous learning while identifying opportunities to strengthen onboarding, technical reliability, pacing, human connection, and the relationship between price and experience. A full report is expected in October 2026 and will be made available through the Office of Enterprise Innovation. The Synod Authorized Minister Development Training Program served 27 learners across five synods; next-phase work will connect learning experiences, strengthen marketing, and explore licensing and other sustainable revenue models.
• Academics and Community. A new relationship with the Graduate Theological Union’s TRELIS program will expand digital research access for students and faculty. The Committee also reported on work toward a revised curriculum. 
• Enrollment and Student Experience. Fall recruitment and registration showed continued momentum. As of August 17, LSTC had received 74 applications, admitted 45 students, confirmed 22 new students, and registered 20 new and 51 continuing students. Including degree programs, TEEM, Synod Authorized Minister formation, and cross-registration, the projected fall learning community is 133 students and learners. The enrollment profile continues to underscore demand for flexible delivery, with one new student and fifteen registered continuing students planning on being residential. Regarding Slate, our CMS platform, implementation remains on track for Fall 2026, and LSTC is expanding wellness and academic support through TimelyCare and planned Writing Center and Student Success Counselor services.
• Financial Sustainability. LSTC did not need to borrow during FY26. Net assets increased by approximately $11.5 million, reflecting the housing sale and investment performance, while expenses before depreciation were approximately $8.8 million – about $214,000 below budget. The Board continues to align long-range strategy with careful cash management and to monitor revenue, philanthropy, investment draws, student aid, housing obligations, and expenses. Basic bookkeeping and accounting will transition to Miller Management.
• Advancement and Communications. FY26 fundraising finished ahead of institutional program goals and above the previous year’s progress, with total reported revenue of $6,221,547. The second phase of the From Promise to Impact campaign continues toward its $9 million goal by December 31, 2027. Fall communications priorities include high-impact website updates, ten faculty videos, a new admissions viewbook, stronger editorial planning, and revised policies that clarify ownership, approvals, timelines, and collaboration across a coordinated One LSTC communications ecosystem.
• Governance and Leadership. Revisions to the Board of Directors Manual are underway, with recommendations expected in November. The Governance Committee noted that LSTC was awarded a $10,000 In Trust Board Development Grant, which will support outside consultation on governance roles, policies, crisis preparedness, orientation, and continuing education. The Board expressed gratitude to departing members and representatives Morgan Gates, Greg Kauffman, Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer, Ginni Young, Cheryl Hoth, and Marvin Wickware. Greg Lewis will conclude his tenure as Board Chair and continue on with the Academics and Community Committee; Teresa Cintron will now serve as Treasurer; Tony Johnson will become Governance Committee Chair, Joe Falese will serve as the Academics and Community Committee Chair, and Larry Tietjen will continue as Finance and Operations Committee Chair. Carl Hughes and Michael Markwell will join the Board October 1, 2026.

Resolutions Approved

• Minutes of the May 2026 Board meeting
• Election of Teresa Cintron as Treasurer
• Dr. Christian Scharen’s sabbatical proposal for Spring 2027
• Election of Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer to the Foundation Board of Trustees

The Board will next meet in person November 12-14, 2026.