Institute for Leadership and Service

The summer is off to another week, and we have a new blog post up! CAPS 2026 cohort member Angel Johnson reflects on how she has realized that small interactions, as simple as they may seem, can have a big impact on people’s lives, along with being surprised by how much she has evolved and grown in such a short time. It seems this has been just the beginning of a journey of significant professional and personal growth for Angel, who also shares that she has reflected deeply on her calling and purpose since she began her internship with the By The Hand Club for Kids. We’re so proud!

Click this link to read the full post: https://blogs.valpo.edu/caps/?p=3628&preview=true ✨

A new blog post is live! Check out cohort Armelle S. Ndemanou Dongmo’s reflections on her journey of learning to capture the moments that matter during her internship with Jacob’s Ladder.

Read the full post at this link: http://blogs.valpo.edu/caps/2026/06/08/capture-the-moments-that-matter/ ✨

2026 CAPS internships are already in full swing, and our Fellows are ready to share about the start of their journeys! Check out the first blog post from our cohort member Matthew Landom, who is interning at the Compass International Family Center in Northwest Indiana, in which he reflects on how his mission in this placement relates to Matthew 25:35. How inspiring!

Click the link to read the full post: http://blogs.valpo.edu/caps/2026/06/02/embracing-a-meaningful-mission/ ✨

It is with great joy and pleasure that we introduce the CAPS 2026 Fellows! Following a successful application and interview process, these outstanding students are now ready to begin their internships at nonprofit organizations in Northwest Indiana, Chicago, and Washington State.

Throughout the summer, each of them will share their experiences working at their placement on the CAPS blog. Stay tuned!

Check out this post on the CAPS blog using this link: http://blogs.valpo.edu/caps/meet-the-2026-fellows/

As we wrap up the semester, here are some highlights from the our most recent Pathways to Purpose event!

As we finish the semester, take a moment to read Deaconess Kristin Lewis' and Dr. Anna Stewart's devotionals from the last two Calling and Spiritual Life Newsletters! Both links in our bio

Episode 8 of Season 3 of the Listening for Purpose podcast is now live! Valpo student Cam Haggett interviews students, faculty, and staff from our campus. We hear stories from those who are sojourning alongside us while we discern our purpose and write our collective story.

In the eighth and final episode of Season 3, we spoke with Hope Johnson, senior Theology and Spanish major at Valparaiso University. Hope discussed Professor Jones, a theology professor who she’s been inspired by. Join us for more of Our Campus, Our Stories!

Subscribe to Listening for Purpose on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to be notified every time a new episode drops! Find S3 E8 at the link in our bio!

On April 30, the ILAS-led Spring Break Service Trip participants will be sharing about their experience at SORCE. The presentations will take place at the 11:20 AM session in the Brown and Gold Room in the Harre Union. The titles of the presentations are: Engaging “Service” in the Region: Environmental Justice and Conservation and Engaging “Service” in the Region: Safeguarding Vulnerable Communities.

Trip participants were: Ethan Mason, Hailey Morse, Eleanor Sun, Jack Hull, Megan Goff, Nathalia Lenz Prochnow, Nick Greiner, Lauren Wroza, Esai Hernandez, and Ali Klinner

A 2025 CAPS Fellow, Esai Hernandez, will also be presenting about his summer at Holden Village at the same session.

We invite you to come hear the students reflections, and to ask questions you might have about the programs!

Interested in working for ILAS? Check out the Linktree in our bio to learn more and for the application!

Learn more about the Fulbright US Student Program, and why you should consider applying to spend a year abroad teaching English, conducting research, or working toward a graduate degree!

Click to watch! --> https://youtu.be/6BDtHIFtIS0