Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 129

2026 Convention Workbook
94 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
D. Health Professions
Overall, our various healthcare studies programs play a primary 
role at both campuses and remain a strength of the university. These 
programs include nursing, athletic training, physician assistant 
studies (in Ann Arbor), occupational therapy, and physical therapy. 
They attract highly qualified students and strengthen the academic 
reputation and financial position of our university. 
E. Core Revisions
The faculty is in the process of revising the core curriculum to 
provide a unified, coherent educational foundation for all under -
graduate students and to be more transfer friendly.
F. Artificial Intelligence
The faculty has developed undergraduate and graduate pro-
grams that prioritize professional and ethical applications of artifi-
cial intelligence. A faculty task force is also developing policies and 
practices to guide the implementation and management of artificial 
intelligence across the domains of teaching and learning.
G. Campus Master Plan
The Synod’s Board of Directors has approved a new campus 
master plan for the university. The first phase of the plan covers the 
next five years and includes these projects at the Mequon campus: 
a revitalization and expansion of the nursing facilities, a revitaliza-
tion and expansion of fine arts space, development of new space 
and place for engineering, the transformation of the library into a 
learning commons, and the renovation of the chapel to include a 
baptistry, an expanded narthex/gathering space, and a bell tower. 
The next projects envisioned for the Ann Arbor campus include the 
development of the Maier Center and a fitness center.
H. Strategic Plan
For the past two years, the university has followed its strategic 
plan, Wholeheartedly, We Will, with these four strategic pillars:
1. Live our mission.
2. Create transformational student experiences.
3. Secure resources for mission.
4. Enhance the CUWAA
 strategic model.
At the time of the writing of this report, the majority of plan 
initiatives are completed or nearing completion. The university in-
tends to begin the next iteration of strategic planning in 2026.
I. Conclusion
While the university continues to face the same disruptions and 
challenges as any other university in the nation, it is financially 
stable, strong in its missional commitments, and, most importantly, 
faithful to the truths of Holy Scripture. In fact, during the 2025 
formal Concordia University System visit to assess the universi-
ty’s ability to address the Synod’s Lutheran Identity and Mission 
Outcome Standards (based on 2023 Res.7-04B), the team identified 
no major concerns. CUWAA, as a Lutheran university community, 
will continue to prioritize the Christian tradition, foster a culture of 
thoughtful innovation, and prepare students—grounded in Christ—
for lives of faithful service in their vocations, serving the Church 
and loving their neighbor in the world.
Erik P. Ankerberg, President
jors and programs, 19 graduate/master’s degrees and programs, 9 
doctoral/professional programs, 2 associate degrees, and 43 certifi-
cate programs. The university’s largest programs include business, 
education, computer science, nursing, and rehabilitation science 
programs. CUWAA is strongly committed to preparing profession-
al church workers as described in section C. 
B. Changes at Ann Arbor Campus
In 2013, Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), out of a 
sense of generosity and support for the work of the Church, ac-
quired Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA). Because of that 
acquisition, CUAA ceased to exist legally as an independent entity, 
and instead served as a branch campus of CUW. In 2023, CUW’s 
internal financial review determined that the university had, over 
the past decade, experienced $4–5 million (M) (~16.5 percent) in 
annual operating losses at the Ann Arbor campus. The review also 
documented that from 2013–23, CUW invested more than $90M in 
the Ann Arbor campus. An external evaluation of the finances of the 
Ann Arbor campus in 2023 determined that the financial model for 
the Ann Arbor campus was unsustainable and recommended that 
the campus should be reduced or closed. The board of regents, after 
exploring numerous options, voted in 2025 to reduce operations 
and move all remaining programming to the North Building, which 
is approximately 1.5 miles from the Geddes Road campus. The uni-
versity is actively fulfilling these four commitments:
1.
 Continuing physical presence in Michigan
2. 
 Delivering academic 
programs that align fully with the mis-
sion of the university
3. Delivering high-quality academic programs
4. 
 Achieving a 
financially sustainable model for the Ann Arbor 
campus
In addition to the online Lutheran Ed program, the university 
will continue to pursue the reintroduction of face-to-face church 
work programs in Ann Arbor if the university is able to achieve the 
fourth commitment. At the time of the writing of this report, the 
university has not finalized any plans for the sale or development of 
the Geddes Road campus. The university has determined to retain 
the property the Michigan District office occupies and maintain its 
lease with the Michigan District.
C. Church Work
CUWAA remains deeply committed to preparing professional 
church workers for service in the Synod. The university’s church 
work programs include Pre-Seminary, Lutheran Teacher Diploma, 
Parish Music, and the Synod’s only Director of Christian Ministry 
(DCM) program.
As of the fall 2025 census, the university serves 235 church 
work students in those programs as follows: 47 pre-seminary, 122 
Lutheran teacher, 34 DCM, and 4 parish music. As these numbers 
indicate, CUWAA continues to promote and prioritize its church 
work programs. 
In the 2025–26 academic year, the average church work student 
paid $0 out of pocket for tuition. In order to support the students 
enrolled in those programs, the university is continually evaluat -
ing and enhancing its commitment to its church work scholarship 
program and seeking new ways to partner with the church broadly.