Van Lunen Fellows

The Van Lunen Center Fellows Program is an executive management training program for heads of schools based on the historic Christian faith. It is designed for those who have been in their leadership positions for at least one year and report directly to the governing board of their schools. Fellows lead schools large and small, rural and urban, and in wealthy and underserved communities. They come from the U.S., Canada, and abroad.

In Their Words

Hear testimonials from a few of our Van Lunen Fellows.

2010-2011 Fellow Elisa Carlson

"They are committed to you as a leader and an individual. There is something about being cared for as a leader."

2008-2009 Fellow Joel Landskroener

"Join the Van Lunen family. It's quite an extensive network and you'll never regret it."

2021-2022 Fellow Jon De Groot

"I go back to my school board and they say, wow, whatever they're doing over there, we want you to go and get more of it."

Program Dates and Locations

Each year, a cohort of 20–24 Fellows begins the year-long executive management training program. Three of the weeks are spent in residence.

The first and third sessions are focused on executive management curriculum and are held in July at the host school, Calvin University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The second session is in winter at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its purpose is to examine and strengthen “leadership from within” so Christian schools can lead their staff and community well. All sessions are led by faculty who are experienced heads of Christian schools with proven executive management skills. They represent the diversity of schools within the Christian school movement.

Session I: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Sunday, July 13 – Friday, July 18, 2025

Session II: Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ
Sunday, January 18 - Thursday, January 22, 2026

Session III: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday, July 14 - Friday, July 17, 2026

Curriculum

The curriculum includes strategic planning, change management, advancement, fundraising and development, marketing and enrollment, board governance, and occasional specialized subjects.

An applied project must be completed during the management training program that benefits each Fellow’s school. Drawn from new skills and information received in Van Lunen sessions and guided by faculty experts, the applied project culminates each Fellow’s Van Lunen Center experience. At the final July session, Fellows present their project that reflects its impact on their schools.

Program Pillars

The program pillars for the resident sessions include daily worship with liturgy from various Christian traditions, group instruction by faculty, and other experts who lead sessions on marketing and enrollment, development and fundraising, and facilities. The program is excellent in all program dimensions, emphasizing executive management rather than general leadership skills.

An applied project is required during the year-long management training program that benefits each Fellow’s school. Drawn from new skills and information received in their Van Lunen sessions and guided by the support of faculty experts, the applied project is the culmination of each Fellow’s Van Lunen Center experience. At the final July session, Fellows present their project and its impact on their schools. Fellow’s projects include new school construction, updated strategic plans, major fund-raising programs, enhanced marketing and enrollment strategies, and new approaches for working with a school’s governing board.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellows Program will be accepted through February 28, 2025.

Apply to Van Lunen Fellows

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