Faith. Knowledge. Leadership.

Transformative Education at Concordia University Chicago


The Center for Christian Education at Concordia University Chicago is dedicated to disseminating educational knowledge, programming and resources to enrich the lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the wider community. Esteemed for its commitment to nurturing a holistic understanding of truth, freedom and vocation, the Center will integrate faith-based pedagogy, character development initiatives, leadership cultivation and innovative learning frameworks to forge an unparalleled educational experience.

Mission

The mission of the Center for Christian Education is to serve as a catalyst for the exploration, cultivation and expansion of educational initiatives imbued with faith-based principles founded in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

Vision

Our vision is to be a leading force in faith-based educational opportunities, significantly impacting and driving innovation in the field, setting new standards and expanding the limits of faith-based education aligned with the mission, vision and values of Concordia-Chicago.

Goals

The Center will serve to embody Concordia-Chicago's overarching mission of fostering academic excellence and preparing students for their vocational pursuits, all while upholding steadfast alignment to the doctrinal tenets of the LCMS.

In addition, the Center will provide innovative opportunities to integrate faith and scholarship while fostering robust partnerships to enrich the lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community.


Center Leadership

Dr. Anne Thies is the Director of the Center for Christian Education and an Associate Professor in the College of Education. She obtained her teaching license from Northwestern University and her Master’s and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis. With more than two decades of experience in education, Dr. Thies has held roles as an elementary classroom teacher, math specialist and school administrator. She started serving at Concordia University Chicago in 2016 and is an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL.