The Community Life Fellows are six students dedicated to serving our community. This year’s team consists of:

• Natalie Wussler, a senior M.Div. student (residential) who has been working with us for three years
• Alyssa Saleem, a middler M.Div. student (residential) and international student from Pakistan who has been working with us for two years
• Jacob Summerville, a senior M.A. student (residential) who will graduate this spring
• Ruth Ibrahim, a TH.M. student (residential) and international student from Ethiopia who has been working with us for one year
• Nadia Robb-Kern, a junior M.Div. student (residential) who has been working with us for one year
• Yvonne Brianne Roesel, a middler M.Div. student from Nevada (distributed learner) who has been working with us for one year

We are honored to be part of this team and are committed to serving our community in the best possible way.

What do the Community Life Fellows do?

Our team is responsible for organizing a variety of events and programs for Luther Seminary, including fellowship events and orientation and commencement support.

We fellows play an active role in planning, facilitating, advocating for, and educating the community about these events.

We also assist students in their weekly grocery shopping through the grocery assistance program, which enables them to buy groceries for under $25. This program has been particularly beneficial for international students who may not have easy access to grocery stores. We are proud of the success of this initiative and remain committed to supporting it.

We take pride in organizing engaging events that involve the entire student body, faculty, and staff. We hold weekly community life fellow meetings to discuss event planning and other relevant information.

Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone at the seminary. Our team operates under the supervision of Sarah Luedtke-Jones, Director of Student Affairs, and we also work closely with Chenar Howard, Director of International Student and Scholar Affairs.

What have you been working on this year?

Our goal this year is to plan and execute a range of events that bring together members of the community and that create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

By providing a platform where people can come together, share ideas, and connect, we can foster a stronger sense of community and promote a culture of respect and empathy. Our comprehensive plan of events this year includes social gatherings, fitness sessions, and musical events.

We are also inviting professors to speak on topics related to student health and are preparing resources for new international students in collaboration with the International Student and Scholar Office.

In creating environments where students can interact with each other and learn from one another, we hope they will develop meaningful relationships that will last beyond their time at Luther.

Our events are carefully designed to cater to the diverse needs and interests of our students so that everyone benefits.

What do you enjoy most about the job?

This job brings me immense satisfaction and joy. It allows me to explore my creative side through event planning and designing canvas posters. I take great pride in seeing my ideas come to fruition on those posters. But what makes my job truly special is the work I do on the grocery assistance program. Sorting food and assembling bags for delivery to students in need is challenging, but knowing that I am making a difference in someone’s life is incredibly fulfilling. Apart from the grocery assistance program, I have also grown in my professional skills through the job. I am grateful to the Student Affairs team for allowing me to work in this role and be a part of the Luther community.

—Alyssa Saleem