This growing program helps fellow students—especially new ones—lead more spiritually fulfilling lives on campus.
What started in 2017 as a small program with just five students has grown into a robust student ministry with SIXTEEN “Faith Associates” now serving in CUW’s residence halls. These special students have been trained and equipped to minister to students (primarily new students) in matters of faith. This might mean helping them get started in various campus faith-based activities, helping them feel more comfortable on their new campus, or even talking with them one-on-one about questions they might have about Christ and His Church.
Rev. Steve Smith, CUW’s campus pastor, likens the role to that of an older sibling, someone who can guide new students “with challenges of faith or just being a college student.”
“Some years ago, a student survey revealed that students who have doubts or questions about faith often feel most comfortable talking about it with fellow students—at least initially,” Smith said. “So this program now does a great job of addressing that need for peer-to-peer ministry.”
Though their work is focused primarily in the residence halls, any student is welcome to approach a Faith Associate in matters of faith on campus. To help make them easy to recognize, let’s meet them now!
Nik Mueller (’25) | New Berlin, WI
- Major: Director of Church Ministries
- Bible Verse: Joshua 1:9
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Night swimming in Lake Michigan!”
- Find Me In: Wittenberg 119
Mikayla Dolan (’26) | Appleton, WI
- Major: Psychology and Social Work
- Bible Verse: Psalm 73:25
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Last year I had the opportunity to participate in a bible study called “Fully Loved.” That study allowed me to grow in my faith and to see the bible in a way I never had before.”
- Find Me In: Katharine 109
Lauren Humphrey (’26) | Fall River, WI
- Major: Director of Church Ministries
- Bible Verse: Psalm 144:1-2
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “The spring break mission trip to Fort Myers, Florida, last spring.”
- Find Me In: Wittenberg 070
Kaylee Frerking (’25) | Fort Wayne, IN
- Major: Occupational Therapy
- Bible Verse: Jonah 2:1-2
- Bucket List Destination: “I want to go scuba diving in the Philippines. My family traveled there when I was little and I would love to go back!”
- Find Me In: Chemnitz 522
Josh Barclay (’24) | Saint Peters, Missouri
- Major: Individualized Theater, with minors in Educational Studies, Theology, and Social Studies–and a Compassion Care Certificate
- Bible Verse: John 16:33
- Bucket List Destination: “Disney World: Every trip is magical in a new way!”
- Find Me In: Heidelberg 118
Kaylee Helchen (’25) | Menomonee Falls, WI
- Major: Rehabilitation Science and Spanish
- Bible Verse: Hebrews 4:16
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “No way I could pick, so many wonderful moments here!”
- Find Me In: Chemnitz 322
Jenna Mundt (’26) | Kansas City, MO
- Major: Nursing
- Bible Verse: Proverbs 19:21
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Taking night walks on the bluff and watching the moon/stars over the lake.”
- Find Me In: Chemnitz 422
Micah Cumming (’24) | Allen, TX
- Major: Philosophy
- Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Beating the other student team and the staff in our Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game!”
- Find Me In: Wittenberg 119
Rachel Lingsch (’25) | Naples, FL
- Major: Director of Church Ministries
- Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31
- Bucket List Destination: “London! I’ve always wanted to visit there because of the history, the sights, and the people!”
- Find Me In: Wittenberg 019
Connor Krauseneck (’24) | Saginaw, MI
- Major: Management, with a minor in Director of Church Ministries
- Bible Verse: 1 Peter 5:7
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “The baseball team winning the NACC North championship my freshman year.”
- Find Me In: Chemnitz 201
Maddie Tom (’25) | Fort Wayne, IN
- Major: Lutheran Early Childhood and Elementary Education
- Bible Verse: Romans 8:38-39
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Going on sunrise and midnight swims with friends. God’s presence is so clear in His creation, especially in the clarity of night and morning, surrounded by the incredible people He has given me here!”
- Find Me In: Augsburg 214
Micah Yurk (’26) | Grafton, WI
- Major: Psychology
- Bible Verse: Psalm 144:2
- Bucket List Destination: “Kenya, Africa. I want to go on safari and see a giraffe and a lion!”
- Find Me In: Wittenberg 118
Macee Goehmann (’24) | Ludington, MI
- Major: Secondary Education–Broad Field Social Studies
- Bible Verse: John 8:1-11
- Bucket List Destination: “Singapore! I would love to try the food markets and see the architecture. It’s a culture I would love to learn more about.”
- Find Me In: Wartburg 016
Allie Pingel (’25) | Janesville, WI
- Major: Accounting
- Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:13
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “Performing in my first CUW Theatre production, ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess!”
- Find Me In: Wartburg 111A
Noelle Dolan (’26) | Plymouth, MN
- Major: Interior Architecture & Design
- Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:11
- Favorite CUW Memory (so far): “When I went on tour with Kammerchor last spring! That week of collectively singing to the glory of God while also building relationships with truly incredible people is a memory I’ll always hold close.”
- Find Me In: Katharine 202
Constansa Hermann (’26) | Eureka (St. Louis) MO
- Major: Nursing
- Bible Verse: 1 Peter 5:8-9
- Bucket List Destination: “My number one area to visit would be Australia because I think the landscape is beautiful, the culture is really interesting, and the dangerous animals sound really cool!”
- Find Me In: Augsburg 255
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. For more information about student ministries on campus, click the link below.