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Van Lunen Ascending Leaders

The Ascending Leaders program is designed and directed by Christian school leaders who have management experience, expertise, and a longstanding association with the Center’s Fellows program. Ascending Leaders will learn from currently practicing heads of school, in both program sessions and in-school settings. Each participant of the Ascending Leaders will be paired with a graduate of the Van Lunen Fellows program for a one-on-one mentoring experience.

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Topics during the three in-person sessions will include knowledge and skill preparation in the following main areas of Christian school leadership:

  • Mission and vision
  • Spiritual leadership
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Principals of leadership
  • Board governance

Additional topics essential to preparing leaders to step into their first head of school role will also be incorporated into the program. Ascending Leaders also participate in a mentor-mentee relationship with a Van Lunen Fellow during the year-long program.Ìý

Eligibility

You can apply if you currently serve in a Christian school and will likely be serving as a head of school in the next 1-5 years. Your current head of school will need to sign a form indicating they support your participation in the program. To learn more about cost and additional details, contact us at info@vanlunencenter.org.

Built on the successful Van Lunen Center Fellows program for heads of Christian schools, the Ascending Leaders Program is designed to equip aspiring leaders with executive management education in preparation for new leadership roles, particularly for those beginning the head of school role within the next 1–5 years of their career.

Applications will be accepted beginning November 1

Program Dates and Locations

  • Session I: Prince Conference Center, »Æ´óÏɸßÊÖÂÛ̳, Grand Rapids, MI
    Sunday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 16, 2025
  • Session II: Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ
    Tuesday, January 20 - Friday, January 23, 2026
  • Session III: Prince Conference Center, »Æ´óÏɸßÊÖÂÛ̳, Grand Rapids, MI
    Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18, 2026

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The group of Ascending Leaders participants stands for a group photo in a green field, wearing their gray polo shirts.

2023–2024 Ascending Leaders

Matthew Annett

Matthew Annett
Hebron Christian Academy
Dacula, GA

Ashley Ashcraft

Ashley Ashcraft
Prince of Peace Chr. School
Carrolton, TX

Andy Bradshaw

Andy Bradshaw
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood, TX

Miles Colago

Miles Colago
Holland Chr. High School
Holland, MI

Tandy Hicks

Tandy Hicks
Grace Community School
Tyler, TX

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Andrew Kaley

Andrew Kaley
Redeemer Chr. School
Ocala, FL

Matthew Ketterling

Matthew Ketterling
Maranatha High School
Pasadena, CA

John Khouri

John Khouri
Village Christian School
Sun Valley, CA

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Micah Lorenzen

Micah Lorenzen
Lutheran Westland
Westland, MI

Katherine Leupke-Eyster

Katherine Leupke-Eyster
St. Paul's Lutheran School
Des Peres, MO

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Dana Mikels

Dana Mikels
Village Christian School
Sun Valley, CA
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Ben Porter

Ben Porter
Ben Lippen School
Columbia, SC

Colin Ravenhill

Colin Ravenhill
Covenant Christian School
St. Louis, MO

Amanda Schouweiler

Amanda Schouweiler
Park Christian School
Moorhead, MN

Tara Tobaben

Kara Tobaben
Prince of Peace Chr. School
Carrolton, TX

Matthew Tschudy

Matthew Tschudy
Lutheran High Northwest
Rochester Hills, MI

Joe Venema

Joe Venema
Ripon Christian Schools
Ripon, CA

Joshua Webb

Joshua Webb
Grace Community School
Tyler, TX

Suzan Winkelman

Suzan Winkelman
Zion Lutheran School
Georgetown, TX

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