Trinity Announces New President
Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, Ill.) announced Oct. 9 that its board of trustees has confirmed Dr. Aaron Kuecker as the college’s ninth president. Kuecker has served as interim president since April 2022.
“Over the past year, Kuecker has shown clear direction and vision for the mission and future of Trinity Christian College. We are excited for this new phase in his leadership and the momentum he has created to carry forward,” stated Cal Tameling, chair of the board.
Previously Kuecker served as the College’s provost since July 2016. He also served as associate professor of theology and as director of general education at Trinity from 2008-2013 before joining LeTourneau University in Longview, Tex., where he held several roles – including dean of the School of Theology and Vocation, professor of theology, and director of the Honors College – till 2016.
Kuecker’s academic work has primarily focused on identity formation in the early Christian church, with an emphasis on New Testament studies and biblical theology. He earned a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, a master of divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary, and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Central College in Pella, Iowa. Before earning his Ph.D., Kuecker served as associate pastor and youth pastor at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, Mich.
Kuecker’s confirmation as president of Trinity comes during an exciting time for the college. In the past year Trinity launched a set of strategies aimed at radically reducing student-loan debt while creating innovative approaches to student well-being and vocational formation. The Well-being Wednesdays, Earn, Network, and Learn, and Tuition Transparency and Access initiatives have launched a revised economic model that opens the door of access to students desiring Christian higher education.
“Each of the initiatives we set in motion this past year is rooted in the Christian vision of how God made the world to be filled with abundance and gifting that should inspire deep generosity and connection,” said Kuecker. “We are committed to continually asking ourselves, ‘What if a college structured itself with the belief that we were made for cooperation and not competition? What if we dare to believe that there is enough time for students to be well and partnerships to thrive?’ Those Christian convictions were the soil in which each of these initiatives took root. I am excited and honored to lead this community forward toward this vision.”
“It has taken the work of the entire campus to move Trinity in these exciting, mission-driven directions,” Kuecker continued. “The transformation and progress we have seen over the past year is a testament to the expert and dedicated faculty, staff, board of trustees, and community we have supporting the mission.”
Tameling added, “Trinity is blessed with extraordinary leaders like Kuecker and other executive team members who are well equipped with strong leadership skills, passion, and a faithful commitment to lead. We look forward to Kuecker’s leadership in the areas of our current core priorities and the ongoing implementation of board-endorsed resolutions for diversity and belonging at Trinity.”
