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Van Lunen Ascending Leaders

The Ascending Leaders program is designed and directed by Christian school leaders who have management experience, expertise, and a longstanding association with the Center’s Fellows program. Ascending Leaders will learn from currently practicing heads of school, in both program sessions and in-school settings. Each participant of the Ascending Leaders will be paired with a graduate of the Van Lunen Fellows program for a one-on-one mentoring experience.

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Topics during the three in-person sessions will include knowledge and skill preparation in the following main areas of Christian school leadership:

  • Mission and vision
  • Spiritual leadership
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Principals of leadership
  • Marketing and enrollment
  • Effective communication

Additional topics essential to preparing leaders to step into their first head of school role will also be incorporated into the program. Ascending Leaders also participate in a mentor-mentee relationship with a Van Lunen Fellow during the year-long program. 

Eligibility

You can apply if you currently serve in a Christian school and will likely be serving as a head of school in the next 1-5 years. Your current head of school will need to sign a form indicating they support your participation in the program. To learn more about cost and additional details, contact us at info@vanlunencenter.org.

Built on the successful Van Lunen Center Fellows program for heads of Christian schools, the Ascending Leaders Program is designed to equip aspiring leaders with executive management education in preparation for new leadership roles, particularly for those beginning the head of school role within the next 1–5 years of their career.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Ascending Leaders Program will be accepted through March 31, 2025.

Program Dates and Locations

  • Session I: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
    Sunday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 16, 2025
  • Session II: Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ
    Tuesday, January 20 - Friday, January 23, 2026
  • Session III: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
    Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18, 2026

Ascending Leaders Share Their Feedback

2024-2025 Ascending Leaders

DeLuna

Joel De Luna

Elementary Principal
North Valley Christian Academy
Phoenix, AZ

Dyer

Blake Dyer

Principal
Cornerstone Christian Academy
McKinney, TX

Eaves

Fred Eaves

Assistant Head of School
Battle Ground Academy
Franklin, TN

Gillespie

Shannon Gillespie

Middle School Principal
Nanaimo Christian School
Nanaimo, BC

Haynes

David Haynes

High School Principal
Trinity Lutheran School
Bend, OR

Hope

Nathanael Hope

PreK-12 Principal
Manhattan Christian School
Manhattan, MT

Jeffes

Jennifer Jeffes

Grammar School Principal
Seven Rivers Christian School
Lecanto, FL

Kleyn

Andrew Kleyn

Director of Learning
Holland Christian Schools
Holland, MI

Kloostra

Ryan Kloostra

Junior High Principal
Capistrano Valley Christian Schools
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Knight

Becky Knight

Lower School Principal
Mount Pisgah Christian School
Johns Creek, GA

Kraai

Suzanne Kraai

Director of Enrollment
Eastern Christian School
North Haledon, NJ

Kremler

Gabe Kremler

Assistant Principal-Secondary Campus
Pacific Christian School
Victoria, BC

laing

Angela Laing

Principal
Richmond Christian School
Richmond, BC

Newell

Kristen Newell

K-5th Principal & STEM Director
Sioux Falls Lutheran
Sioux Falls, SD

Newkirk

Dan Newkirk

Principal
Maranatha High School
Pasadena, CA

Nikkel

Cory Nikkel

Head of High School
Des Moines Christian
Urbandale, IA

Nyberg

Matt Nyberg

Head of Lower School
Rockford Christian Schools
Rockford, IL

Reid

Alex Reid

Middle School Assistant Principal
Hebron Christian Academy
Dacula, GA

Remer

Monica Remer

Assistant Head of School of Academics
Ben Lippen School
Columbia, SC

Rozema

Katy Rozema

Director of Teaching & Learning
Zeeland Christian School
Zeeland, MI

Tapp

Wade Tapp

Academic Dean
Westminster Academy
Fort Lauderdale, FL

VanNiewwen

Jeremy Van Nieuwenhuyzen

High School Principal
Sioux Falls Christian School
Sioux Falls, SD

Veenstra

Lauralee Veenstra

Elementary Principal
Denver Christian School
Lakewood, CO

Wernet

Jamie Wernet

Director of Learning
Lansing Christian School
Lansing, MI