Luther College Receives Grant to Support Four-Year Pathway to Meaningful Work and Life for Students

Without local news, all we have are rumors. Keep facts alive — give now. DECORAH — Luther College has received a two-year, $94,802 grant from the Council of Independent Colleges through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) to support a new advising initiative focused on helping students connect their education with purpose and career goals. The grant will support a holistic advising model that integrates vocational reflection throughout students' undergraduate experience. "Over the long term, the NetVUE grant will help further embed vocational exploration into the fabric of a Luther education, ensuring that students graduate with both a strong sense of purpose and the skills needed to navigate an evolving world," Dean of Student Success Kate Elliott said. Luther's Career Center and Advising Center will work with faculty and staff to incorporate vocational touchpoints throughout students' academic careers. According to the college, the funding will strengthen the implementation of vocational reflection, a higher education practice that helps students connect what they are learning with their career aspirations and personal values. "Luther applied for this grant because we believe vocational reflection is most powerful when it is woven throughout the student experience," Elliott said. "These initiatives give faculty and staff the opportunity to thoughtfully design experiences that help students connect their learning, values and future aspirations, supporting our commitment to preparing graduates for meaningful careers and lives of purpose." Grant-funded activities will include summer workshops, professional development led by experts in vocation and career education, and mini-grants for faculty and staff to develop and share vocation-related learning experiences. "Luther is approaching this work with both heart and rigor," Elliott said. "While vocational reflection has long been part of our mission, we are intentionally using data to evaluate student success, career readiness and return on investment, while paying close attention to equity measures so that every student can benefit from a meaningful and transformative college experience." According to Elliott, the project also will help the college measure and share the impact of vocational reflection through student stories and assessment data. NetVUE, a program of the Council of Independent Colleges, is a national network of colleges and universities that supports vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students. The program is funded through membership dues and support from Lilly Endowment Inc. Luther has received multiple NetVUE grants in recent years. In 2025, the college received a NetVUE Grant for Fostering Leadership for Communities of Faith to support its "Called Outward: Exploring Skills for Faith-Based Leadership" pilot program, which provides students with experiential learning opportunities in local congregations. Be in the know, always! The free newsletter delivers local news, features, and tips directly to you—perfect for busy readers.