Meet Educational Administration Master’s Program Director Dr. Kenneth Sankey ‘80

With 32 years of experience in Lutheran elementary schools and 14 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Kenneth Sankey ’80 currently serves Concordia University, Nebraska as the part-time director of the university’s educational administration master’s degree program and also serves as a liaison to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod School Leadership Education Program. He has been with the university since 2016 and retired from full-time service this summer. 

Prior to his work at the university, Sankey served in Lutheran elementary school as a teacher and principal for 31 years. He entered higher education in 2012, serving as a professor and program director of graduate programs. 

Sankey found his way to Concordia Nebraska as an undergraduate student in 1979 through Camp Lutherhaven summer camp director Gene Burger, who convinced Sankey to attend the university. 

“He even called the university to have the admissions department expedite my application!” laughed Sankey. 

Sankey has a bachelor of science degree in education and Lutheran Teacher Diploma from the university, a master’s degree in education from Ball State University and a doctor of education degree in organizational leadership with emphasis in Christian ministry from Grand Canyon University. 

“I am thankful to my professors for being Christian role models in the classroom. I was blessed to have professors who were passionate about their course content and at the same time showed Christian concern for students,” he said. “My student experience emphasized that preparation was important for success in the classroom. I found this to be true throughout my years of teaching.” 

He said his time at the university as an undergraduate student was formative and prepared him for a decades-long career in the classroom that eventually led him back to serve his alma mater. Sankey said his Concordia experience one of many steps in faith formation through Lutheran schools. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Lutheran High School and said his teachers in grade school and high school were instrumental in teaching him the Bible and Lutheran doctrine. At Concordia, his professors helped him to apply that knowledge and faith in the classroom and taught him how to teach the faith in his own classroom.  

Sankey met his wife, Dr. Lorinda (Schomacker) Sankey ’80 when they were both undergraduate students at the university. Lorinda currently serves Concordia Nebraska as dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and head of teacher education. 

Following graduation from Concordia, Ken and Lorinda received calls to teach at Grace Lutheran School in Key West, Florida. Lorinda taught third grade, and Ken taught fifth and sixth grade. They then moved to Aurora, Indiana, where Ken served as principal and taught grades three through five and then six through eight at St. John Lutheran School. He earned his master’s degree during this time. The Sankeys then moved to Wilton, Iowa, where he served as principal and teacher of grades four and five at Zion Lutheran School. They then moved to Newhall, Iowa, where Ken was athletic director and teacher of grades seven and eight – while Lorinda taught second grade and then grades five and six. The Sankeys then moved to Collinsville, Illinois, where Ken taught seventh and then eighth grade and Lorinda taught sixth and seventh grades at Holy Cross Lutheran School. Their next move took them to Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto, Illinois, where Ken taught eighth grade and Lorinda taught second and then sixth grade. Lorinda then accepted an assistant dean position at Concordia University Chicago, so Ken found a position at St. Andrew's Lutheran School in Park Ridge, Illinois, as the technology coordinator and then teacher of grade six. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Concordia Chicago and was eventually called to be an assistant professor in the College of Education at Concordia Chicago. In 2016, Lorinda accepted a call to serve as dean at Concordia Nebraska and Ken was hired into his current role. 

“My student experience emphasized that preparation was important for success in the classroom. I found this to be true throughout my years of teaching.”

“I was hired ten years ago to be the part-time educational administration program director,” he explained. “My status changed to full-time when the position of program director for the Concordia Portland teach-out was added to my workload. After the teach-out ended, the program director positions for the master’s program in school counseling and master of education in curriculum and instruction were added to my workload. When I retired, I was the program director for both the curriculum and instruction program and the educational administration program. In retirement, I am back to part-time work as the program director of the master of education in educational administration program.” 

As program director, his responsibilities include hiring instructors, overseeing instruction in online courses, working with the dean on program concerns, interacting with students and keeping the program in compliance with the rules and expectations of the accreditors including the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  

“Since our graduate programs are online, I spend most of my workday online. I answer student, instructor and staff emails, grade program assessments, document student field experiences and work on course and program improvements,” he explained. “Directing a program that prepares individuals to be leaders in schools, especially in Lutheran schools, is very fulfilling. My favorite part of the job is to solve problems so students can be successful in their coursework and finish their programs.”  

Ken said the people at the university – faculty, staff and students – are what make it exceptional. 

“I work with a dedicated group of program directors that strive to provide high-quality education programs within a Christian online environment. Our advisors provide individualized support for every student, so their online experience is positive and enjoyable. Across the university in every department are exceptional people carrying out their tasks to forward the mission and ministry of Concordia. The students are always a joy to work with,” he said. “In my work, I am surrounded by faith-filled colleagues and friends of the university. We are in ministry together with the focus on providing a strong Christian education for all our students. Daily chapel, starting meetings with devotions and prayers and having an intentional university-wide emphasis on faith formation and Lutheran identity have helped to strength my faith in the workplace.” 

Ken and Lorinda have three children, all of whom are alumni of the university and are married to alumni of the university. Their oldest grandchild will graduate from Concordia Nebraska in 2027. When he’s not working, you’ll find Ken taking a walk, visiting his children and grandchildren or fishing.  

Looking back on his decades of experience in Lutheran Schools, Ken said he’s thankful for the opportunities he has been given and the chance to continue to serve his alma mater in semi-retirement. 

“I am thankful to God for the many opportunities throughout the years to serve in Lutheran schools!” he said.  

Students in Concordia University, Nebraska’s educational administration master’s program gain the skills needed to positively impact the lives of young children and are equipped to organize, manage and lead a primary or secondary school as well as supervise instruction, develop teachers, manage financial needs, oversee school law matters and more.