Photo Contributed by Reverend Colleen Windham-Hughes

“In my first year, I got to travel to Berkeley in the spring of 2011 to meet… all the religion faculty, traveled to meet the seminary faculty, and to find out, well how much do we have in common You know, like, do we recognize each other’s work, and do we see a future in working together? And we did,” Reverend Colleen Windham-Hughes

The Rev. Colleen Windham-Hughes said her journey to becoming rector of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is reflected in the biblical story of 1 Samuel 3:1-19, which tells a story about a young prophet named Samuel and his encounter with God. 

In the story, Samuel hears a voice calling out to him throughout the night and continually responds to this voice thinking it is his mentor, Eli. Eventually, he finds out that it had been the voice of God calling him all along to start him on his path as a prophet.  Windham-Hughes said the story of Samuel and Eli is similar to what she experienced before deciding to become rector of PLTS. 

“I had that sort of middle of the night experience and clarity where I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I think I’m called to lead the seminary,’” Windham-Hughes said. 

Windham-Hughes was appointed by California Lutheran University President John Nunes, according to an announcement from PLTS News on July 31. She became rector of PLTS after the previous rector, Raymond Pickett, retired. 

According to the PLTS website,“The Dean and Rector provide overall leadership of PLTS and in its many collaborative relationships, both within and beyond the seminary.” 

Before her appointment, Windham-Hughes spent 15 years at Cal Lutheran, serving as an assistant professor of religion and department chair. Most recently, she was named associate vice president for the Office of Mission and Identity in 2024, according to Cal Lutheran News.

“I had a very strong sense of calling, or vocation, to come and lead the seminary,” Windham-Hughes said. 

According to Windham-Hughes, PLTS merged with California Lutheran University in 2014 and offers graduate training in theology. The seminary “provides theological education for the training of clergy and lay leaders through ordination, non-ordination, and research level degrees and certificates,” according to the PLTS website. 

Windham-Hughes said she has known about the seminary since 2011 and had been interested in its programs during her time as a professor at Cal Lutheran. She said that she was part of the team that assessed whether or not merging with PLTS would be a good idea for both institutions.

“In my first year, I got to travel to Berkeley in the spring of 2011… all the religion faculty, traveled to meet the seminary faculty, and to find out, well how much do we have in common, [asking], ‘Do we recognize each other’s work?’ and ‘Do we see a future in working together?’ and, we did,” Windham-Hughes said. 

Michael Hillis, dean and professor of the Graduate School of Education at Cal Lutheran, is the interim dean for PLTS. Hillis said that he and Windham-Hughes have been working together to change seminary education toward a more practical and everyday approach. 

“We’re trying to really make sure that we’re paying attention to what the actual churches are requesting in terms of continuing education,” Hillis said.

Windham-Hughes said there has been a shift in why students attain higher education in seminary or theological studies. More people are seeking theological education to use their studies outside the church, instead of becoming part of a church’s staff.

Hillis said that currently the seminary offers certificates in climate justice and faith as well as one in racial justice and faith. In addition, PLTS has a program called TEIL, which stands for Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders. 

Windham-Hughes and Hillis said they hope to continue expanding course selection in a similar direction. 

“There are really wonderful things going on in the seminary that I think have a potential to be a really good crossflow and conversation with what’s happening in Thousand Oaks at the wider university,” Windham-Hughes said.

In response to her new position, Windham-Hughes said she, her husband and her son all had to move with her from Thousand Oaks to Berkeley.

“We moved really fast, so, you know, that can be challenging on a person and a family,” Windham-Hughes said. 

Although they moved quickly, Windham-Hughes said her family has been able to adjust well to the new city environment and she especially appreciates how the seminary is right across from the city hall.

“The seminary is right across from City Hall in Berkeley, which I think is a really powerful symbol,” Windham-Hughes said. “Part of my calling is really, how do we live out our faith in daily life?”

In an email interview, Hillis said that he and Windham-Hughes will be moving forward with two new certifications: Church Leadership for Congregational Leaders and Ministry Skills for a New Day. 

Hillis said that working alongside Windham-Hughes has been enjoyable, and he looks forward to their work meetings. 

“I think PLTS made a good decision in hiring her,” Hillis said.