Cal Lutheran Cares Day 2023

GREATEST NEED

You can help us shape the future of education by providing essential support for our innovative programs, collaborative community initiatives, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

By making your gift to the Graduate School of Education you can support any of the following key areas: the school’s area of Greatest Need, STRIVE Scholars, and the RISE Scholarship.

Your choice to support the Graduate School of Education initiatives on Cal Lutheran Cares Day is appreciated. Thank you! 

STRIVE Scholars

Department of Counselor Education

The Strive Scholars program was established by the Department of Counselor Education in 2017 to support first-generation graduate students in their academic and leadership development. Emphasizing students’ community cultural wealth, participants attend multiple workshops during the academic year focused on resiliency, a sense of belonging, and personal and academic success at the graduate level. 

After their first year in the program, students in the Strive Scholars program then become peer mentors to incoming first-year students in the program and often present at professional conferences. 

Your financial support to the Strive Scholars program will help us support the ongoing curriculum and programmatic needs for students to be able to participate in this program, ensuring continued success for our Strive Scholars as they progress through their graduate program. 

RISE Scholarship, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program

A vision of four 2016 doctoral alumni, Dr. Liz Adams, Dr. Jayme Johnson, Dr. Cathy Lasure and Dr. Trina Moore-Southall, this scholarship helps alleviate financial costs of doctoral candidates who are also parents. Faculty from the Graduate School of Education will select the recipient of this scholarship in accordance with approved university policies and procedures. 

Karen Theobald Scholarship for Student Teachers

GSOE students who are in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need and commitment to teaching in an elementary school are eligible for the Karen Theobald Scholarship for Student Teachers. This scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Karen Theobald, an exceptional educator who deeply cared about education and her students. Karen Theobald was an elementary school teacher who treated her students like her own children. Over forty years, she ensured that her children knew they were loved and believed in. Even after she retired from the classroom in 2009, she continued to teach and serve as a mentor for student teachers at Cal Lutheran University until 2022. Karen considered it her "give-back" job, dedicating her passion and time to support the success of her student-teachers.