Wartburg College was awarded a $10,000 NetVUE Professional Development Award from the Council of Independent Colleges to fund reading groups, workshops and a two-day retreat. The one-year initiative will better equip faculty and staff to help students intentionally explore their vocation.

“Though vocation is deeply rooted within our institution’s mission and heritage, reflecting on the ways we help students discover and claim their callings is crucial,” said TJ Warren, the Pathways Center associate for vocation and mentoring. “Vocation and vocational exploration are areas we must continue to visit as we carry out our mission.”

Chris Johnson, an author, consultant and expert educator on vocational discernment, will visit campus to meet with staff in Admissions, Marketing & Communication, the Pathways Center, Student Life, Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry and the Center for Community Engagement. The conversations will focus on overall knowledge and understanding of vocation, calling and discernment; activities, programs, events and services offered related to vocational exploration; the challenges that interfere with these experiences; and opportunities for improvement. “Students, now more than ever, are asking themselves, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’ It is important that all higher education professionals be well-versed in helping students explore their these significant questions,” Warren said. NetVUE Professional Development Awards are intended to deepen the intellectual and theological exploration of vocation by supporting the professional development of institutional leaders. These awards are made possible by a grant to CIC from Lilly Endowment Inc.