Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 127

2026 Convention Workbook
92 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
•	 In January 2027, CSP plans to launch a physician assistant 
program, pending accreditor’s approval.
C.2. Increase Persistence to Graduation
Concordia University, St. Paul, staff and faculty work diligently 
to ensure students can continue their studies until they complete 
their chosen degrees. We celebrate the increase in the total number 
of graduates from 1,910 in the 2022–23 academic year to 2,242 
in the 2024–25 academic year. We will continue to work hard to 
remove barriers and increase retention among new freshmen and 
transfer students. The primary obstacles to persistence are financial 
challenges, followed by a mismatch between the academic program 
and individual needs. Our retention of LCMS new freshmen and 
transfer students remains strong.
C.3. Maintain a Quality, Relevant Curriculum to 
Strengthen Transition to a Job or Graduate School
As we continue to track the data on the success of our graduates, 
we celebrate their accomplishments in launching the next phase of 
their careers or education. Our most recent data is from the class of 
2024, where 98 percent of graduates reported successful transitions 
to career or graduate school. We also see similar success with our 
church work population, where we have a 100 percent placement 
rate for geographically mobile graduates as well as a growing num-
ber of students matriculating to seminary following graduation. 
CSP consistently ranks in the top two of Minnesota institutions at 
promoting social mobility of its graduates, measuring our success 
at helping students advance their socioeconomic status.
C.4. Financial Sustainability
From FY2022 to the end of FY2025, Concordia University, St. 
Paul’s net assets increased from ~$140 million (M) to ~$170M, 
or by 18 percent. Growth was achieved through positive operating 
results, a reduction in long-term debt, an increase in the value of 
invested assets and property, and growth in philanthropy.
CSP publicly announced the seven-year, $55M Elevate the 
Promise campaign in March 2024, a comprehensive campaign in-
tended to ensure student success with a focus on unrestricted gifts, 
scholarships, and endowment growth. All gifts between July 1, 
2020, and June 30, 2027, are counted as part of this campaign. The 
initial $55M goal was reached as of December 31, 2025. CSP’s en-
dowment has grown from $55M in fall 2023 to $76M in fall 2025.
C.5. A Christ-Centered, Lutheran University
Accomplishments during the triennium to promote and enhance 
CSP’s Lutheran identity include the following:
•	 Receiving a $10M gift from the Rev. Jim and Karen Laatsch 
to endow the Department of Theology and Ministry, includ-
ing two endowed faculty chairs in Old and New Testament.
•	 Expanding the Church Work Tuition Guarantee so that, be-
ginning in fall 2026, all students in church work programs 
pay $0 in tuition. Congregational, district, Synod, or other 
outside financial aid can be applied toward room and board 
costs.
•	 Offering the Solus Christus Fellows program for undergrad-
uate students, which fosters reflection on the connections 
between the Christian faith, academic learning, and life to-
gether.
•	 Cultivating an understanding of Christian vocation and mis-
sion amongst CSP students through the CUS-wide Beautiful 
B. Goals
CSP is guided by a comprehensive strategic plan titled Vision 
2030. This plan contains the following elements:
Mission: The mission of Concordia University, St. Paul, a uni-
versity of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, is to prepare 
students for thoughtful and informed living, for dedicated service 
to God and humanity, and for enlightened care of God’s creation, 
all within the context of the Christian Gospel.
Vision: The vision of Concordia University, St. Paul, is to be a 
Christ-centered, nationally prominent Lutheran university known 
for excellence and innovation that fosters success for all students.
Promise to students: Concordia University, St. Paul, empow-
ers you to discover and engage your purpose for life, career, and 
service in a dynamic and multicultural environment where Christ is 
honored, all are welcome, and Lutheran convictions inform intel -
lectual inquiry and academic pursuits.
Strategic Goals:
1. Grow enrollment to 10,000 students.
2. Increase persistence to graduation.
3. Deliver career-connected curriculum.
Concordia University, St. Paul, includes in Vision 2030 a focus 
on financial sustainability to ensure its strategic goals can be met 
and the university can remain vibrant into the future.
At the center of the strategic plan is the fact that CSP is a 
Christ-centered, Lutheran university. May we remain faithful to 
God’s Word as we serve all students who choose Concordia St. Paul 
as their higher education institution.
C. Performance Analysis
C.1. Grow Enrollment to 10,000 Students
Over the last triennium, Concordia University, St. Paul, has 
continued to grow enrollment. As many of our peer institutions 
struggle with changing demographics, the economy, international 
student enrollment, and other challenges, we have seen a tremen -
dous response to our efforts to provide a Lutheran, Christ-centered, 
high-quality, and career-focused higher education.
•	 Total student enrollment during the 2024–25 academic year 
was 7,614 students.
•	 Fall semester enrollment decreased slightly from 5,819 in 
fall 2023 to 5,797 in fall 2025, driven primarily by a decline 
in international student enrollment (due to fewer visas). Still, 
it was the third largest in the university’s history.
•	 Traditional undergraduate enrollment increased from 1,725 
students in the fall of 2023 to 2,102 students in the fall of 
2025, marking the largest traditional undergraduate enroll -
ment ever.
•	 Doctoral enrollment increased from 393 students in fall 2023 
to 520 students in fall 2025.
•	 Traditional church work enrollment increased from 82 in the 
fall of 2023 to 92 in the fall of 2025.
•	 In 2025, CSP acquired Platt College, a for-profit nursing 
school in Denver, Colo., and now serves over 100 students 
at that location.