Staff Mentoring Seminar
The Wild Hope Staff Mentoring Seminar is a paid professional development opportunity that invites PLU staff to deepen their capacity for reflection, explore the meaning of vocation within the context of the university’s mission, and strengthen their role as mentors who support students in discerning purpose and direction. In a time shaped by the lingering effects of a global pandemic, ongoing racial injustice, and environmental challenges, the seminar offers a supportive, cross-campus learning community where participants engage in meaningful dialogue, personal growth, and shared commitment to student (and their own) thriving. Meeting eight times during the academic year, the seminar offers a $500 stipend for full participation and requires supervisor approval for release time. Staff members may apply directly or be nominated by supervisors. The call for applications will be sent via email at the end of August each year.
Participants 2025-2026
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
Something I’ve learned about vocation: I’ve learned that vocation can be thought of as existing at the intersection of what one feels most called to do and what the world – or one’s community – most needs to have done.
Bio
Nick graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. He began his career at PLU as Gift Processing Coordinator in March 2021 and transitioned to the role of Prospect Information Manager in 2023. In his spare time, Nick enjoys playing video games, gathering with friends, and spending time with his cat, Luna.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
I learned that vocation is plural! You can have multiple vocations, and they change frequently. Vocation is a journey, and it’s YOUR journey to figure out. It’s difficult and frustrating, but it’s also beautiful and fulfilling.
Bio
My name is Stephanie, and I am a CSS advisor! I love my job because I can work with students to help them navigate their unique college experiences. Outside of PLU, I love crocheting, watching horror movies (always looking for recommendations), and doom scrolling on TikTok (I know it’s horrible!). Joining the WHSS seminar has been a blast so far, and I am so excited to continue learning about Vocation as a whole, as well as my own purpose and vocations 🙂
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
I have learned that vocation is a lifelong pursuit of one’s calling that is rooted in self-exploration and community.
Bio
I am a PNW transplant who loves working in higher education, experiencing new things and discovering all the beauty that this big blue marble has to offer.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
I’ve learned that vocation is a journey and that it is not static. It changes as our lives change. Also, I’ve learned that vocation isn’t just individual – it’s a community effort.
Bio
I’m a former elementary school teacher who enjoys working with students of all ages. I love to read, crochet, listen to true crime podcasts, and solve puzzles. Also, I’m a History nerd and a member of JASNA, the Jane Austen Society of North America. I’ve been married to my husband, Frank, for 27 years and we have two adult sons and 2 rescue dogs. We live in what I call SpanaGraham – in Graham, but with a Spanaway mailing address.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
Vocation isn’t a luxury, but the process of discerning and fulfilling vocation can have inequitable barriers.
Bio
My interests change often, but I consistently love learning new things. Some of my core values include interdependency, transparency, autonomy, and joy. I believe in a past, present, and future that goes beyond binaries, without carceral systems and practices, that centers indigenous ways of knowing and being, and recognizes sex workers as full human beings. I currently enjoy rock-climbing, pottery, and Siberian tigers.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
I’ve learned that vocation can be found in many places and may not always be called vocation! How the concept of vocation manifests differently among individuals, belief systems, and communities but is rooted in a similar goal of finding how one can be in community and support of others.
Bio
Dream started working for PLU in the summer of 2022 and has enjoyed the community she has found here ever since. Through PLU Dream has been able to develop connections with students, staff, and faculty and take on opportunities that have positively impacted her own lifelong learning. She is committed to providing support for historically and currently marginalized communities. With an equity-centered approach, Dream does her best to support learners in achieving their goals. Growing up a military child, she has called many places home but considers herself from Southern California. However, she fell in love with the PNW summer after moving to Washington. Dream enjoys water sports, such as paddle boarding and white water rafting, reading, and spending time with her dog, Dyno. If you see her on campus feel free to chat about the best place to put a tattoo, food justice, astrology, and what it’s like growing up mixed race.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
Vocation is a delicate balance of both your inner-self and the outer world’s need of who you are called to be and how you meaningfully show up in this world. You will hold multiple vocations throughout your life – it’s not one and done!
Bio
Mara is from good ol’ Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes (just ask her to say “bag” and you’ll never unhear it…)! Coming from a Lutheran background and being surrounded by her dad’s work in the Center for Vocational Reflection at Gustavus Adolphus College, Vocation has been a core part of learning to understand her place in this world. She came out to Tacoma for college with her twin brother who just so happened to also end up in the PNW too and attend PLU. PLU has been like a second home for her these past years and considers herself an honorary Lute by association. During her time at the University of Puget Sound she studied African American Studies, Religion and Latin American Studies. When Mara isn’t jamming out to a new playlist they’ve made, or exploring new food finds in the area, they’re bound to be catching up on the latest episode of a horrible reality show, being painfully mediocre at team trivia, or simply trying to catch some quality Zzzz’s.
Mara appreciates PLU’s value in vocation, asking big and difficult questions, and for being a caring community that encourages everyone to succeed and grow. They are drawn to the University’s commitment to justice, equity, and accessible higher education.
What’s something you’ve learned about vocation?
I’ve learned that one’s vocation can be stunted by their environment if given the chance, so it’s important to recognize and uplift those around us to make sure that while we are fulfilling our vocations, we don’t diminish other’s ability to self-actualize.
Bio
Hey y’all, I’m Natasha and I am so excited to be a part of this experience this year. I’ve been looking for ways to nurture my passions while trying to build in ways to provide myself some clarity and grace along the way. What does that mean? It means I’m steadily trying to improve and discover alternative ways of being, whether it be in the way that I supervise students, advise those who need it through the Title IX process, researching what’s the best way to build something for my house (hey she-shed!), or what kind of example I’m setting for my daughter. Part of that discovery has been in making sure that I’m also doing things that have a positive impact on my community, like in the recruitment work I do locally. It’s pretty amazing to be a part of a place that wants to do that too. Ayyeee, Go Lutes!
Past Participants 2024-2025
Bio
Karmen grew up in Seattle and lived there most of her adult life, but now lives in Graham with her husband and infant son. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, road trips, spending time with family and friends, walking her bulldog Missy, and reading a good book or watching a movie.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
I have learned that we are all called to love our neighbor, and we can simply do that by being curious.
Bio
I am a Washingtonian who loves the outdoors, being active, and cooking.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
I have learned you cannot discern vocation in isolation and am grateful to have the opportunity to do so with the cohort through the seminar!
Bio
I’ve lived in Puyallup all my life and am grateful to live in such a scenic, eventful place. Outside work, I enjoy being at home with family, going on walks, writing, being at the YMCA, dining out, shopping, and attending musicals. I cherish scrapbooking and preserving memories collected over time. My sweet dog, Charlie (a Havanese Yorkie), brings me endless joy!
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
The reiteration of how important it is to take time to have deep moments of reflection, in order to get a better grasp of what is truly important to us and what we are aiming for in life.
Bio
I am a dog-lover with a variety of nifty crafting skills under my belt. Outside of work I like to engage in pottery, embroidery, garment construction, weaving, and miniature painting.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
Vocation should not only benefit other people, but also yourself.
Bio
I’m passionate about fostering meaningful connections and following my creative curiosities. I enjoy staying active, exploring new places, acting in and crafting stories, and gaming with friends.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
I’ve learned that vocation is relational in nature. We cannot discover our vocation alone—we need others to help us come to an understanding of ourselves.
Bio
Katie was born and raised in San Diego, California and moved to Tacoma in 2019 to pursue her bachelor’s degree in economics and Spanish. Outside of work, she likes to do arts and crafts, play video games, and curl up with a good book next to her cat, Luna.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
In this seminar, I have learned that one’s calling can come from many different places and can exist in many different forms.
Bio
In her role as Sr Administrative Assistant with the College of Liberal Studies, Teri is dedicated to supporting her colleagues, faculty, and students. Outside of PLU she deeply cherishes time with her family, and is committed to social justice advocacy for marginalized communities, whether human, animal, or environmental.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
One thing that I have already felt from our single seminar meeting (so far) is the glimmer of hope that it might not be too late for me to reclaim my purpose.
Bio
I have an appreciation for art/creativity/DIYs. I also have projects in automotive customization (including a 150cc scooter) and keep multiple aquariums.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from the seminar?
One thing I’ve already learned from the seminar is the diversity of others’ experiences in their walks of life.
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