Meet Studia Vitae instructor Dr. Lorinda Sankey

Dr. Lorinda Sankey ‘80 serves Concordia University, Nebraska as Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and Head of Teacher Education, in addition to teaching one course, Teaching the Christian Faith, for those who are preparing to serve in Lutheran schools and congregations. In July, Sankey will also serve as an instructor for Concordia University, Nebraska’s Studia Vitae non-credit continuing education and lifelong learning program called Studia Vitae, teaching a course titled “Retaining Our Educators - A Place Where Teachers Want to Stay.” Studia Vitae offers Christ-centered continuing education opportunities in a variety of focused areas through an online scheduled and self-paced learning platform.   

Sankey earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Concordia Nebraska, a master of science degree in education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Ph.D. in education studies from Saint Louis University. Before becoming a faculty member at Concordia, Sankey taught elementary and middle level students for 20 years in Lutheran schools in Florida, Iowa and Illinois. Sankey loves spending time with her husband, Dr. Ken Sankey, their six children and children-in-law, all of whom are Concordia Nebraska alumni and nine grandchildren. 

Sankey will present Retaining Our Educators - A Place Where Teachers Want to Stay on Tuesdays from July 6 to August 14, 2026 at 2 p.m. CT. 

In Sankey’s course, participants will learn the components of an educator retention plan that will help teachers choose to stay at their school. Participants will analyze their school’s current retention efforts and review recent research about what helps educators love their schools and want to remain employed at them. This analysis and review will guide participants in developing an educator retention plan for their schools.  

Registration is now open for this course and additional offerings in Concordia University, Nebraska’s Studia Vitae program. Each CEU course is $150 and is delivered in six one-hour sessions. Exclusive pricing is available for program participants who are members of preferred partner organizations. The short, focused sessions are available as scheduled webinars that will also be recorded for future viewing. Enrollment is flexible and open to anyone with no prerequisites required, and no commitment is needed to take additional classes.  

Registration is available at ceu.cune.edu.  

For more information about Studia Vitae, please visit cune.edu/ceu.  

For more information about preferred partnerships, please visit cune.edu/partners.