Bethany College Awarded NetVUE Grant to Advance Student Exploration of Vocation and Purpose
Bethany launches campus-wide initiative to integrate vocation-focused learning, innovative curriculum design, and community engagement over the next two years
LINDSBORG, Kan. April 27, 2026 - Bethany College has been awarded a prestigious NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) Program Development Grant to transform how students explore questions of vocation and purpose across the institution.
This comprehensive initiative addresses a critical need on campus by fostering sustained, campus-wide conversations about calling and purpose. Through this grant, Bethany College will develop innovative tools and resources designed to engage students, faculty, staff, and student-athletes in meaningful reflection on vocation.
Over the next two years, the College will redesign its sophomore and junior core curriculum courses to center on vocational exploration and community-engaged learning, with the goal of increasing student engagement and deepening academic connections to purpose.
Key components of the initiative include:
- Development of a digital repository of teaching materials to support vocation-centered learning across disciplines
- Implementation of structured vocational discussion sessions that bring together students, faculty, staff, and athletics
- Creation of a “Vocation Passport” to help students track and reflect on their engagement with vocational activities
- Introduction of microgrants to support faculty-designed student service-learning projects
- Expanded professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
- Use of Qualtrics software to implement new assessment tools that measure students’ growth over time
- Faculty support and compensation for the redesign of core courses
By bringing together faculty from a variety of disciplines, the initiative will foster collaboration and innovation in curriculum design while strengthening Bethany College’s commitment to preparing students for lives of faith, learning, and service.
“This grant represents an exciting opportunity to more intentionally integrate vocational exploration into the Bethany experience,” said Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. “By engaging our entire campus community, we are equipping students to better understand their purpose and make meaningful contributions in their careers and communities.”
The NetVUE Program Development Grant underscores Bethany College’s continued dedication to academic excellence, student engagement, and holistic education.
About Bethany College
Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
CONTACT:
Christie Denniston, APR
Vice President of Strategic Engagement
303-827-5164
Bethany College
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
