Meet Assistant Professor of Psychology Jennifer Vineyard ‘03

Jennifer Vineyard ‘03 serves Concordia University, Nebraska as assistant professor of psychology. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and behavioral science from the university as well as a master’s degree in counseling from Doane University. She began her service to the university this year. 

“I love getting to know my students—their interests, the challenges they are navigating and the ways God is shaping them,” she said. “The caring community makes Concordia Nebraska a special place to work. People are warm and encouraging. Even better, we are a community rooted in the love of Jesus. Getting to be a part of that is life-giving.”  

When she’s not in class, you’ll find Vineyard biking, reading on her porch swing, listening to live music and exploring God’s creation with her family through hiking and camping trips. She and her husband Ben have three boys: Jude, Jesse and Levi. Ben serves as a pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lincoln. 

“I love getting to know my students—their interests, the challenges they are navigating and the ways God is shaping them.”

Vineyard said her work at the university has strengthened and developed her faith, and she is continually reminded that God is with her. 

“He is my strength. This message is spoken daily in chapel, it surrounds me in faith-filled art everywhere I turn on campus, and it is shared among colleagues and students,” she said. “From this place of knowing I am secure in God's love, I can engage the challenging work in front of me each day with joy. ‘But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' (2 Corinthians 12:9). And this is the message I get to speak to my students. In spite of our weakness, even because of our weakness, we can boast in Jesus our Lord and Savior. There is such a life-giving freedom in knowing the depth of God's love and care for us. And, together, we get to practice sharing that message of love here on campus and then take it with us as we engage the world around us in all the unique ways God calls us to do that.” 

When students pursue a degree in psychology from Concordia University, Nebraska, they study the human experience by exploring the many areas of the psychology discipline such as mental disorders, social interactions, memory, learning and human development. With these skills, students can pursue a career in counseling, human and social sciences, corrections and research.