Victoria Christman named director of Center for Global Learning at Luther College

Victoria Christman has been named the new director of the Center for Global Learning (CGL) at Luther College.

“I feel honored to be asked to serve as the new director of the CGL. I have worked closely with the center during my entire career at Luther, and especially over the past 10 years, as I’ve taught in and directed the international studies program,” said Christman.

Christman has been a professor at Luther since 2005. She teaches courses in history and international studies, and her research focuses on the Reformation and religious persecution in the early modern Low Countries. She is currently working on a project involving forced migration and refugee education. She has led numerous study abroad trips including travel to Europe and Honduras. Christman is also currently the director of the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement at Luther but will be stepping away from this role in order to lead the CGL.

The CGL is the supporting center behind Luther’s impressive study abroad program. Each year, 400-500 students participate in international study, ranking Luther among the top colleges in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad.

“I hope to be able to build on this institutional strength. The pandemic has taught us many things, including how interconnected we are as a global community. I am excited to help students find their place in the larger world,” said Christman. “One of the greatest joys of my sixteen years at Luther has been the opportunity to take students abroad to learn in a new environment. I have seen how truly life-changing those experiences can be, and look forward to helping the Luther community dream up new ways of enriching and extending the opportunities we offer.”

Among the many opportunities to study abroad are year-long and semester-long programs run by the college in Nottingham, England; Munster, Germany; Coldigioco, Italy; and Silema, Malta. During a typical January term, approximately 350-400 students set off across the globe on one of 23-26 international and domestic courses led by Luther faculty. In addition, the CGL facilitates study opportunities through partner programs and consortia in all corners of the world.

Christman succeeds Jon Lund as the director of the CGL, a title Lund held for 10 years. “Jon Lund created a flagship program in the CGL and I am both excited and humbled to step into that work. I couldn’t ask for a firmer foundation on which to build,” said Christman.

Moving forward, Lund will continue to work as the director of international admissions.

Christman begins her new role in January 2022.

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.