Nominee biography

Tia Marie Esser

Concordia University St. Paul Board of Regents

This reader is built from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees. It is provided as a source-navigation and reading aid. Verify all elections, candidate eligibility, convention procedures, and official ballots against official LCMS convention materials.

Official nominee source text from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.

Official nominee source text

Photo of Tia Marie Esser from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees.
Section
Concordia University St. Paul Board of Regents
Office/position
Concordia University St. Paul Board of Regents
Candidate category
layperson
Source page
p. 71
Election line
Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained, 1 minister of religion—commissioned, 2 laypersons (3-year term)

Formatted from official nominee source text for readability.

Additional official source text

Tia Marie Esser, Sioux Falls, SD;

Our Redeemer, Sioux Falls SD (SD);

LCMS 64; Exec. Dir. O: Exec. Dir. Luth. School 16, Vice-Chm. BOD ALSS 3, Exec. Dir. Assoc. of Luth.

Secondary Schools 1, Org. Ldrshp.

17.

My interest in serving on the Concordia University, St. Paul, Board of Regents grows from my vocation as a commissioned minister and long-standing leadership in Lutheran education.

I bring a commitment to mission-centered governance, fiduciary responsibility, and long-term sustainability grounded in our shared confession. I see both challenge and opportunity in guiding Lutheran higher education through generational and demographic change while maintaining academic excellence and Lutheran identity. Iwould serve as a listener and steward, supporting the president and university leadership in partnership with congregations and the Synod for the sake of Christ and His church.

d. Concordia University, St. Paul (Minn.) Board of Regents

Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained, 1 minister of religion—commissioned, 2 laypersons (3-year term)

MINISTERS OF RELIGION—ORDAINED

Elect 1 minister of religion—ordained (3-year term)

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