May 2025 Board Highlights: Strategic Progress, Stewardship & Transition at LSTC
The May 2025 Board of Directors meeting of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, held May 19-20 in the LSTC Chapel, marked a decisive moment of governance and transition. Framed by institutional change and a commitment to long-term sustainability, the meeting highlighted LSTC’s enduring mission, ongoing innovation, and collective resolve amid sector-wide challenges in theological education.
Guided by Vision: Reflections from the Interim President
The board opened its sessions with gratitude for the service of Interim President Michael Cooper-White, who provided a comprehensive report on the evolving landscape of theological education, LSTC’s financial realities, and the state of the ELCA. Drawing on decades of leadership, Cooper-White commended the seminary’s progress and acknowledged the difficult but necessary decisions made to ensure LSTC’s financial future. He concluded his report with reflections on LSTC’s mission in this broader context of transformation.
Fiscal Stewardship: Balanced Budget and Long-Term Strategy
The Board adopted a cash neutral (balanced) FY26 budget, a milestone made possible through extensive work by the executive cabinet, the advancement team, and all departments with budgetary oversight. These efforts reflect years of strategic groundwork by prior and current leadership. The Finance and Operations Committee and the Finance Office were especially commended for their role in achieving this progress.
Despite these heroic efforts, the Board determined that further action was necessary to balance the budget. As part of ongoing efforts to align expenses with revenue, the Board approved an increase of the endowment draw and approved redistributing of employee medical coverage costs. While details are forthcoming, staff will be notified prior to the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2025. This decision, while difficult, is in line with broader trends across theological education—more than half of ATS-accredited schools have operated under deficit spending in recent years and have made similar moves to ensure the long-term sustainability of institutional operations.
Addressing Housing Needs with Care
In response to student housing needs and financial constraints, the Board advanced its review of campus housing options and authorized LSTC to right-size housing options to ensure that student housing needs are met while optimizing our position in the currently strong housing market. Additional steps were taken to evaluate the best pathway for supporting student housing through the work of the Apartment Asset Evaluation Task Force. Any forthcoming developments involving communication to residents or potential buyers will be managed in coordination with the President’s Office.
Strategic Planning and Innovation
Director of Strategic Initiatives Aaron Copley-Spivey shared an update on the 2024–2029 Strategic Plan. Key progress includes operational restructuring and a leaner staffing model, alongside growth opportunities through digital platforms. Project Starling, launching June 16, 2025, exemplifies this momentum, expanding LSTC’s reach through asynchronous formation for TEEM, SAM, and independent learners.
Vice President for Enterprise Innovation Keisha Dyson reported on Starling’s donor-backed growth, faculty engagement, and potential for new multilingual offerings. Dyson also emphasized upcoming work to measure learner outcomes and strengthen synod relationships.
Academic and Enrollment Landscape
Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Thomas, alongside Interim Director of Admissions Cindy Sisson, addressed the institution’s recruitment trajectory. While new student confirmations for Fall 2025 remain below target, collaborative efforts across departments, new digital engagement strategies, and long-term curriculum innovation are expected to strengthen recruitment in future cycles. A soft launch of the new Public Church curriculum, rooted in theological leadership and intersectionality, is also set to begin in the fall.
Advancement and Mission Support
Vice President for Advancement Sandra Nelson reported steady progress toward the capital campaign’s May 2026 completion. Cross-functional collaborations and a newly formed Resource Development Task Force are focused on six- and seven-figure gifts, while alumni and synod engagement remains a key strategy. The team remains committed to the continued management and development of scholarship funds. New systems, such as the implementation of Blackbaud’s award management program, will support donor stewardship and transparency.
DEIJ Work Continues at LSTC
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice at LSTC Vima Couvertier-Cruz and Director of a Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice Sara Trumm led a meaningful Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) orientation for board members, equipping participants with tools for self-reflection and growth in intercultural competence—key to shaping a truly inclusive theological community.
Additionally, Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Linda Thomas provided a powerful update on LSTC’s ongoing reparations work, offering theological framing, contextual analysis, and next steps in the seminary’s commitment to repair and restorative justice. Her discussion included a discussion of a new clearing house (modeled on the National Clearing House for Civil Rights Litigation) for LSTC reparations work and new grant applications completed by the Pero Center for website development, maintenance and programming related to reparations. Her presentation underscored the importance of collective discernment and courageous leadership in confronting historic harm.
Executive Sessions, Promotions, and Leadership Transitions
A significant portion of the May meeting was held in executive session to address personnel matters, budget decisions, and the presidential election process. The A&C Committee of the Board affirmed the promotion of Dr. Brooke Petersen to the rank of Associate Professor and recommended that Dr. Karri Alldredge be reappointed for a second 3-year term as Assistant Professor of New Testament. The Board also celebrated outgoing members Bishop Susan Candea and Pastor Kelly Chatman and thanked them for their service.
The Governance Committee approved the revised Governance Committee Charter, the Finance and Operations Committee Charter and the revised Academics and Community Committee Charter. Mercy Ndosi-Shoo was appointed Treasurer and Paul Erbes was appointed Secretary.
At the conclusion of this meeting, the board took final steps in selecting LSTC’s next president.
Looking Ahead: Resilience Through Transition
This Board meeting represents one more step in a broader journey toward institutional sustainability. While not yet complete, the groundwork laid across administrative, academic, and financial areas positions LSTC for a more adaptive future. With Project Starling on the horizon, a balanced budget in view, and presidential transition underway, LSTC remains committed to its mission of forming leaders for the Church and world in a time of profound change.