Our Staff

Dr. Anna Stewart has been a part of the Valpo community since 2012. Prior to that, she earned her doctorate in English from the University of Texas at Austin, where her work was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Albert Greenfield Foundation Fellowship in African American History.  She came to Valpo as a Lilly Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities and English and continued on at Christ College (the honors college) as an adjunct assistant professor and community education program coordinator. Prior to joining the Institute for Leadership and Service (ILAS) in the Division of Calling and Spiritual Life, she served for eight years as Assistant Dean, first in the College of Arts & Sciences and then in Christ College. 

ILAS is dedicated to preparing students and our campus community members for lives shaped by a sense of calling–equipped for thoughtful reflection, engaged in the larger world, and responsive to its deepest challenges.  Dr. Stewart is excited to bring her experience, passion, collaborative spirit, and love of students to the Institute as we seek to further our mission on this campus.

Katherine (Kat) Peters, ’06, holds degrees in Spanish and International Service from Valparaiso University, and Master’s in Education and Rural Development. Prior to returning to Valpo, Kat was the Assistant Director for the Institute for Central American Development Studies in Costa Rica, and taught Spanish and managed a local farmers market in Northwest Indiana. She received the Founder’s Day Teaching Award as a member of the Modern Languages Department at Indiana University Northwest, and has published and presented on cultural humility and critical literacy in experiential education, as well as on peasant perspectives on globalized agriculture. She is happy to be at Valpo supporting the campus and alumni community on questions of vocational discernment.

Deaconess Kristin Lewis is excited to be back at Valpo with the opportunity to work with students through the Christian Formation and Leadership program with the Institute for Leadership and Service. Deaconess Kristin (DK) was consecrated through the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) in 2010.  She served Valpo as the Interim Campus Minister from July 2018 – December 2020. Other roles have been as an adjunct professor in the Theology Department at Valparaiso University and Wartburg Seminary, Co-Director of Education and Formation with the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA), serving as a parish deaconess, working in schools, community organizing and outreach, and founding a ministry to serve women who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.     She has a Masters in Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a BA in Government and Communications from Augustana University in Sioux Fall, SD. Kristin also enjoys opportunities to provide pulpit supply, lead retreats, and speaking opportunities. One of her primary roles is the chaos coordinator for her family. She and her husband have 3 children and two crazy dogs. Kristin’s family brings joy, grace, laughter, and plenty of chaos into daily life.  The chaos of life reminds her daily of the importance of spiritual practices, of respectful and compassionate connections with other human beings, and the gift of a delightful cup of coffee.