Dr. Jennifer Janousek recognized for 25 years of service to Concordia Nebraska.

Concordia University, Nebraska Professor of Health and Human Performance and Master of Public Health Program Director Dr. Jennifer Janousek has served as a commissioned minister in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for 25 years and at the university for almost 25 years. Prior to her service at Concordia Nebraska, she served as assistant to the director of the Weary Center and adjunct professor of health and human performance at Nebraska Wesleyan University.  

“What I love most about my work is walking alongside students as they discover how their gifts can be used to serve others,” she said. “Whether through service-learning in our local community, mission trips to Guatemala or experiences in the classroom, I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire future public health leaders to serve communities with Christ-like compassion.”  

Janousek has a bachelor of science degree in exercise science and psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a master of science in health education from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and a doctorate in public health with specialization in community health from Walden University in Baltimore, Maryland.  

“What I love most about my work is walking alongside students as they discover how their gifts can be used to serve others.”

Janousek is a Certified Health Education Specialist and an active member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN) and Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE). Her dissertation research focused on HPV vaccine acceptance among college women, and she continues to advocate for preventative health education locally and globally. 

She recently contributed to Faith at Work (Concordia Publishing House, 2024) with her chapter “Serving God in Public Health Professions.” In 2025, she was installed as a Commissioned Minister of Religion in the LCMS, reflecting her commitment to integrating faith and vocation in all areas of life and teaching. She was named SHAPE Nebraska’s health teacher of the year in 2017. 

Janousek will be taking a sabbatical in Belize in spring 2026. 

“I am excited to collaborate with local healthcare and public health leaders to provide training, support capacity-building efforts, and deepen partnerships that reflect Concordia Nebraska’s commitment to service and global engagement,” she said. 

On Monday, January 26, 2026 Concordia University, Nebraska recognized milestones of faithful service for faculty and staff, as well as commissioned and ordained ministers of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) at a special anniversary service. Those being honored were also recognized during the daily chapel service in the Weller Chapel Auditorium on Concordia’s campus. Faculty and staff members are recognized for calendar-year service in multiples of five-year increments.