Concordia has elevated longtime Christ College dean Steve Mueller ’86 to the new position of Vice President and Chief Mission Officer and given him the task of helping the University maintain a strong institutional mission and identity. In this new role, Mueller, who has served at Concordia for 27 years, also oversees campus ministry, church relations, and human resources.
“My job is to make sure we’re all moving in the same direction, and the mission of University remains strong and at the forefront of everything we do,” Mueller says. “The University’s mission is to prepare students for lives of learning, service, and leadership, guided by the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and the Lutheran confession.”
Concordia has long integrated its mission purposefully into every aspect of campus life. A faculty development program called Vision, Mission, and Vocation takes new faculty and senior staff through a year of readings, seminars, discussions, and mentorship centered around “what is unique about Concordia and what makes us tick,” says Mueller. “We discuss how we’re similar to other institutions and how we’re distinct. We explore with them their own callings and how they fit in with the University’s calling.”
Before a faculty member advances to a position of full professor, he or she goes through a two-year program to explore distinctive doctrines more deeply and examine how they relate to the work done at the University. It is critical, Mueller says, to keep a singular focus and shared mission among Concordia’s staff and faculty members.
“The more people on our campus are carrying out our mission dedicated to the Great Commission, the more Concordia will really shine,” he says.
Mueller interviews all new employees and plays a role in their onboarding and development. He also works with staff, campus ministry, and church relations, “helping empower them to carry out the front line spiritual ministry with students.”