Mitchell Giovannettone has always been drawn to leadership—but not just any kind. The 2019 graduate of Martin Luther College (MLC) sought a form of leadership grounded in Christ, shaped by service, and focused on people.
At graduation Mitch was assigned to St. Paul in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, where he was a candidate in the Principal Training Program. Wanting to augment his experience with formal training, he set his sights on a master’s degree in educational administration.
Mitch knew immediately that MLC was the clear choice for his graduate studies. “MLC knew me, my strengths, and areas to grow. They could help me build upon those strengths while also refining areas that needed improvement.”
When he took a call to Cross of Christ in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, he continued his graduate studies. He was excited about the potential to make a wide-ranging impact—not only on his classroom but on his whole school community.
“The idea of having a school-wide impact on climate, culture, performance, and problem solving was intriguing to me,” he says. “I also enjoy connecting with individuals and felt that this would be a wonderful way to engage all stakeholders in a ministry setting.”
Mitch went into MLC’s program ready to learn a full range of new skills, but he also had some very specific goals:
“I was hoping to learn technical aspects of the principalship, such as budgeting, marketing, and the hiring process,” he says. “I also wanted to dive deeply into instructional leadership—coaching teachers, Ministry Development Plan work, curriculum development.”
MLC’s program had just what he wanted. “It was both rigorous and applicable,” Mitch says. “The program prepared me well in the areas of leadership, curriculum, and technical duties.”
In a refrain we hear repeatedly from MLC graduate students, Mitch deeply appreciated the practicality, the “learn-today-and-apply-tomorrow” aspect of MLC courses. The program “provided me with newly developed skills that translated right into ministry,” he says. “Rather than posing hypotheticals, the classes focused on looking at my current ministry and ways that I could enhance it immediately.”
One class in particular shaped his perspective: School Business Administration with Dr. Jeff Lemke. “This class forced me to look at my ministry closely,” he recalls. He appreciated the emphases on two areas that are imperative to a school’s success but are often overlooked: stewarding resources through proper budgeting and connecting with the community through tested marketing strategies. The course taught him the basics in budgeting and marketing—went much further, cautioning him about some common pitfalls and inviting him to challenge some commonly accepted norms.
Mitch also appreciated the Principal Training Program he began in his first year at Lake Mills, because it allowed him to gain hands-on administrative experience while continuing to serve in ministry and complete his coursework. His final project was a yearlong internship under an experienced principal. Through real-time administrative work, a reflection journal to log activities, and weekly check-ins with his principal, he could observe his own growth in leadership skills.
And it was the kind of leadership he was striving for: not just practical and informed, but grounded in Christ.
“Finally,” Mitch says, “MLC is unique in the fact that it emphasizes Christian leadership throughout secular courses. This is something one wouldn’t get at other higher education programs.”
Now with “MS-Educational Administration” as part of his CV, Mitch has an advanced degree, a larger toolbox of skills and strategies, and a new cohort of colleagues.
“I feel confident with the education I received,” he says, “and I’ve built a network of other ministry colleagues who I can go to for advice and guidance.”
Mitch enthusiastically encourages others to walk this path too. “Consider what MLC is intended to do,” he says. “MLC serves you through excellent instruction intended to help you carry out the Great Commission. No other collegiate program will equip you to be confident in Christ Crucified and train you to share your Savior while also providing excellent pedagogical instruction.”
After enrolling at MLC, he tells prospective graduate students, you won’t ever ask “What if . . .?” You’ll know you got a degree aligned with your ministry—a degree that will truly help you be the Christ-centered leader you want to be.
Meet Mitchell Giovannettone
Family: I’ve been happily married to my wife, Marissa, for six years. Marissa and I both share a joy for teaching and have had the privilege in serving together at two ministry locations. Together, we’ve been blessed with two children: Eleanor and Callan.
Ministries: St. Paul-Lake Mills WI (2019-2023) and Cross of Christ-Coon Rapids MN (2023-Present).
Hobbies: Playing card and board games (specifically strategy games); playing and watching sports; and camping and attending festivals and sporting events as a family.
Who knew? I’ve been fascinated by weather since I was young. I’d prefer to spend endless hours on my phone watching the radar instead of scrolling through social media.
