Concordia Nebraska names first student cohort in new Paul Scholars work education program

Paul Scholars is Concordia Nebraska’s work education program, which launched this fall with its first cohort of students. Students accepted into the program earn full tuition covered through a combination of institutional aid, Paul Scholar scholarship and work income while gaining experience in their chosen career field. 

This year, 10 students were admitted into the new program:  

Malia Schleusener, Mansfield, Ohio  
Anna Pennekamp, Fort Wayne, Ind.  
Lauren Gilmore, Rockford, Ill.  
Nathaniel Sizer, Bellevue, Neb.  
Hannah Federwitz, Columbia, Mo.  
Isaac Herrington, Omaha, Neb.  
Heidi Blank, Las Vegas, Nev.  
Kaylee Schoen, Adams, Neb.  
Brianna Burns, Denham Springs, La.  
Rachel Amey, Wichita, Kan. 

Paul Scholars is named for the Apostle Paul, who often supported his missionary service by working as a tentmaker. The new work education offering is the first of its kind at the university and one of only a handful of such programs in the world. The program will be partially funded by generous donors and partially funded by work placement partners in the community. 

Paul Scholars is an academic community that transforms work into wisdom, education into experience and faith into action free of tuition debt.

“Paul Scholars is an academic community that transforms work into wisdom, education into experience and faith into action free of tuition debt,” said Concordia Nebraska Director of Paul Scholars Paul Berggren. “Students work 15 hours per week in a work placement each semester, blended with their chosen major. They also earn a minor in vocational leadership, with courses designed to apply leadership habits of mind and heart on the job. In return, tuition for students in our program is fully covered for up to four years of full-time study. Paul Scholars graduate with a technical degree, practical people skills and real-world experience. They’ll be equipped to start a few steps higher than a typical college grad.”  

Paul Scholars offers students a community that combines academic excellence with real-world work experience to seamlessly integrate classroom learning with practical job skills, fostering a holistic approach to higher education that promotes servant leadership in the church and world. Ideal Paul Scholars candidates are servant leaders that are hard-working and driven and want to make a difference through their careers while leading their future teams, mentoring others and reflecting Christ’s light in the workplace, no matter their future vocations.  

All students who have been admitted to Concordia Nebraska are invited to apply to be a part of Paul Scholars. An application, two letters of recommendation from teachers and, if selected, an interview are part of the application process. To be considered for the Paul Scholar program, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and will be required to participate in development and leadership activities determined by the Paul Scholars director. Students may not receive sports or performance scholarships while in the program. The program is open to a wide range of majors and includes an exclusive Paul Scholar minor focused on developing character and competence to learn, serve and lead in the workplace, community, church and world.  

Paul Scholars applications are currently being accepted for the 2025-2026 school year.