Senior education major Elizabeth Ascher says Concordia Nebraska helps teach students how they can serve God in any career

Senior Elizabeth Ascher of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in English language arts. During her time at Concordia University, Nebraska, she has been involved with a variety of different groups on campus. She has acted in plays, worked as a resident assistant (RA) and served as a member of CASE, which is a leadership group for education students. She has also worked in the education office as the field experience assistant since her sophomore year.  

Ascher said the decision to attend Concordia Nebraska was an easy one. 

“I attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School, and I loved the close Christian community I got to experience there,” she said. “When I was looking for colleges, I noticed that nearly all of my favorite teachers were Concordia Nebraska grads. I thought about looking at some other Concordias as well, but after my tour at Concordia Nebraska, I knew this was the place for me. Concordia Nebraska’s excellent education program, small class sizes and Christ-centered community convinced me that this is where God was leading me.”  

She said Concordia’s supportive community of professors and peers are just one of the many things that have made her time at the university outstanding. 

“Concordia Nebraska encourages me to incorporate faith into every area of my life. Jesus is incorporated in classes, chapel and extra curriculars, so it’s a constant reminder of how much He loves me every day. I’m also very blessed to have faithful Christian friends that pray for me and encourage me to grow in my relationship with God.”

“I can’t imagine attending a school where the professor doesn’t know my name,” she said. “The professors here invest in each of their students and want to watch them grow and succeed. I’ve had professors invite me over for dinner and help me move a couch! Because the community here is centered on Christ, people really invest in their relationships and are there for you.” 

She said that the best part about Concordia Nebraska is the people.  

“I’ve met some of my best friends here, and I know there’s so many people I will stay connected with after college,” she said. “Serving as an RA was a highlight of my college experience because I got to support my peers and meet so many people I might not have met otherwise.” 

Ascher said her time at Concordia Nebraska has helped to grow her faith in Jesus Christ. 
“Concordia Nebraska encourages me to incorporate faith into every area of my life,” she said.  
“Jesus is incorporated in classes, chapel and extra curriculars, so it’s a constant reminder of how much He loves me every day. I’m also very blessed to have faithful Christian friends that pray for me and encourage me to grow in my relationship with God. “ 

Ascher’s father is a pastor and theology teacher, so he instilled in her the value of Lutheran education from an early age. She said she got her love of reading from her mom who took her to the library and let her bring home as many books as she could carry. Ascher’s brother, Daniel, is a freshman at Concordia Nebraska and is also studying education. Her other brother Luke is a senior in high school and her sister Becca is in eighth grade. Next summer, she will marry Micah Henschen, who is also a student at the university. 

Following graduation, she hopes to teach English language arts in a Lutheran high school, but she is also open to teaching middle school, if that is where God leads her.  

“Concordia is great at helping students discover how they can serve God in any career. In my education classes, we’re always talking about how we will impact our students and encourage them to grow in their faith,” she said. “I don’t think there’s a better place to prepare me for a career in Lutheran education than Concordia Nebraska. I’ve taken a mix of education, English and theology classes, but they all prompt me to consider how my faith aligns with each discipline. I’ve also had a couple of classroom placements that have been helpful to get an understanding of what teaching looks like on a daily basis.” 

The secondary education program at Concordia Nebraska provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical application needed to be a successful high school teacher. Students are equipped to serve as advocates for student excellence and teach the next generation of servant leaders for the church and world.