Concordia University, Nebraska Director of Global Opportunities Julie Hermann leads second training trip for university study abroad and mission trip leaders

Concordia University, Nebraska Director of Global Opportunities Julie Hermann is passionate about campus-based mission and study trips. Earlier this year, Concordia University, Nebraska’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund awarded Hermann a grant to form a campus-based mission and study trip leader training series for select university faculty and staff, as well as practical experiences for these interested members to prepare to lead, advocate for or plan a travel opportunity. In June, Hermann led a group trip to Belize, an experience that included work with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Office of International Mission, serving at a Lutheran preschool in story time and class time with students, a service project at a library and cultural exploration including Mayan ruins and a cooking experience.  

In October, she led a similar training experience for interested faculty and staff through a trip to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., which was coordinated through one of the university’s study abroad partners, Living & Learning International, a Christian study abroad entity.  

“Dr. Vicki Anderson, Debbie Brutlag, Dr. Nolan Harms, Dr. Anne Hobbs and I were able to travel to Baltimore October 16-20 to participate in a weekend Leadership Training Plunge hosted and led by Living and Learning International, a Christian study abroad provider who incorporates faith and community in all their programming, explained Hermann. “Concordia students have participated in study abroad experiences in Ecuador and we hope now will be able to ‘study away’ in Baltimore in health, social justice, ministry and other high impact focus areas that the East Coast program can provide.” 

 This training was the second trip funded by the Innovative Grant program. 

“I am inspired by how intentional Living and Learning was in placing students in internships and providing meaningful debriefing of their experiences,” said Hobbs, who serves the university as a professor of human and social sciences. “They wove in fun and relevant experiences for visiting the East Coast. I also appreciated the genuine and seamless way Christianity was incorporated into every aspect of the program.” 

“This weekend was a tremendous opportunity for us as faculty and staff to learn about and reflect on the impact of the ways that we set up and capitalize on hands-on student learning experiences, and to make goals for how we can "up our game" in the future with our students.”

Anderson teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the TESOL and ESL endorsement programs at Concordia University, Nebraska, as well as general education courses.  

“We all know that students who take the opportunity to learn outside the classroom in hands-on contexts benefit tremendously, especially when those experiences involve cross-cultural engagement,” said Anderson. But the work that the professor does before, during, and after the experiences are what really maximize those benefits. This weekend was a tremendous opportunity for us as faculty and staff to learn about and reflect on the impact of the ways that we set up and capitalize on hands-on student learning experiences, and to make goals for how we can "up our game" in the future with our students.” 

Harms teaches courses in exercise science and fitness studies, as well as advising health and human performance majors, mentoring HHP Club and serving on various university committees. Harms is also the chair of the Health and Human Performance Department.  

“Experiential learning is a vital component of a student's education,” he said. “The Faculty-Led Experiences Abroad Training in Baltimore provided insight into incredible opportunities that await Faculty and students if we are willing to explore new cultures and places.” 

Hermann oversees the university’s GO! Center, which provides students with connections, information and resources to study, intern, take a mission trip or tour abroad. She has served at the university since 2001, and her previous service on campus includes focuses on student life and teaching leadership classes. She has directed the Global Opportunities Center since 2008.  

Concordia University, Nebraska offers a variety of mission trip and study abroad programs for students. Learn more at cune.edu/go.