Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund awards grant to facilitate health department community building

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund recently awarded Professor of Health and Human Performance (HHP) Jen Janousek $600 to support Scholé Together gatherings in the HHP department, bringing faculty and students together outside of class time for intentional conversation, relationship building and community. 

Janousek explained that the intention behind this new initiative is to facilitate stronger relationships between faculty and students. 

"Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom. Scholé Together creates intentional space for faculty and students to slow down, connect, build relationships and reflect together on how our faith shapes the way we learn, serve and live out our vocations."

“Some of the most meaningful learning happens outside the classroom,” said Janousek. “Scholé Together creates intentional space for faculty and students to slow down, connect, build relationships and reflect together on how our faith shapes the way we learn, serve and live out our vocations.” 

 Concordia University, Nebraska’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund was created in 2024 to encourage and celebrate faculty and student scholarship, placing particular focus on the intersection of faith and specific disciplines as well as critical issues in the family, church and world. The grants provide funds to support scholarship, providing resources to guide scholarly efforts. The fund was developed as part of the university’s SALT and LIGHT strategic plan.