Master of marriage and family therapy and family life education program director Kathleen von Kampen ’10 delights in serving at alma mater

Kathleen von Kampen ‘10 serves as Concordia University, Nebraska’s program director for master of arts in marriage and family therapy and master of science in family life education.  

“With two programs, my responsibilities are varied from day to day!” she said. “This is one of the things I enjoy, as I get to explore many different roles such as teaching courses, administrative duties such as finding adjunct professors and reviewing course development, and recruiting for the program, which also at times includes speaking engagements and mental health presentations; meeting with potential students; and perhaps the most important job, building relationships with and supporting our current students as they work through the programs.” 

She graduated from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2010 with a bachelor of arts degree in theology and a DCE certification. 

“I did an 18-month internship in Riga, Latvia, for my DCE internship and still call many of the people I met there and worked with my friends,” she said. “I served as a DCE in two congregations before transitioning to my marriage and family therapist role upon graduating from Azusa Pacific University in 2015 with a master’s degree in in clinical psychology: marriage and family therapy.” 

I am thrilled to teach and get to know our graduate students and see how God is also going to use them to help and impact the lives of many others, witnessing their passion for coming alongside families, strengthening relationships and making a difference so those who are hurting may know the love of Jesus that shines through our students.

 She served at Concordia Nebraska as director of counseling services on campus from 2019 to 2023, then transitioned into her current role in 2023. 

“I recently received the university’s five years of service award, an accomplishment I am most thankful for as it reflects both the commitment and excitement I have for Concordia Nebraska and for how God will use these programs to serve the students of Concordia, as well as the broader church and world through our program graduates,” she said. “I am grateful for how God has woven both my life and work experience together into my current role, creating an opportunity to offer a marriage and family therapy program focused on treating people through a Christian lens that I pray will reach far and wide to serve those in need, in both our churches and communities. I am thrilled to teach and get to know our graduate students and see how God is also going to use them to help and impact the lives of many others, witnessing their passion for coming alongside families, strengthening relationships, and making a difference so those who are hurting may know the love of Jesus that shines through our students.” 

She and her husband, Paul von Kampen ‘11 have two sons. Paul serves as director of choral activities at Concordia St. Paul in Minnesota.  

“We continue to enjoy getting to know our community and the larger Twin Cities area since we moved here in 2023,” she said. “We feel incredibly grateful for the community we have found in our church and school since moving here.” 

Kathleen said she has greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside some of her long-time mentors and professors who had a great impact on her during her time as a student at the Concordia Nebraska. 

“Working in a place where we can proclaim our faith boldly while applying it to many diverse academic and educational fields is an honor,” she said. “I feel supported and strengthened in our shared mission, and it’s a blessing to work in a place where we can pray, serve, worship, and have fun together as colleagues. My work continues to develop my faith through Bible studies, prayer with students, faculty and staff, and the intentional pursuit of applying a biblical perspective to our courses, weaving psychology and theology together in a way that recognizes the influence of Christ’s Word and creation within the field of psychology.” 

When you get a master’s degree from Concordia Nebraska, you join a community of believers that supports and values you as a whole individual—academically, emotionally, and spiritually. With a variety of program offerings, flexible online classes and rolling start dates, Concordia Nebraska’s master’s degrees equip students to make a difference in their chosen profession.