“My job with the Congregational Assistant Program was similar to the job I have now, only on a smaller scale,” she says. “We had between 100 and 200 students, and continuing ed and graduate studies has about 920.”

In just her first two weeks here, Val’s already connected with many of you, whether you realized it or not. “The day I started was the day after summer semester enrollment was opened,” she says. “So I learned a lot of things rather quickly. I’ve processed course registrations, sent out invoices, paid instructors for teaching courses, worked with people hosting satellite courses, and processed applications for the graduate studies program.”

Val comes to us with other experience as well. Before her service at MLC, she leveraged her bachelor’s degree in mass communications/graphic design into graphic design positions at three different agencies. Those skills will come in handy as she updates the GSCE website.

As she takes on her new duties, she says she’s excited. “I’m looking forward to getting to know our GSCE students and helping them in any way I can to make sure their experience at MLC is a positive one. I’ve met some pretty terrific people over the years working with CAP and staff ministry. I have been blessed by those friendships, and I look forward to making some new ones.”

Val (nee Gerasch) has been married to Kevin Fischer for 26 years. They have two boys, Alec (22) and Jordan (15). Alec is studying business administration at Rasmussen Business College, and Jordan is a freshman at his mom’s alma mater, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School.

Val’s parents also hail from New Ulm. She lost her dad to colon cancer in 2012, and her mom (by the grace of God) is a breast cancer survivor as of three months ago!

Val likes to hike, bike, scrapbook, rubber stamp, and watch her boys play basketball and baseball. She also loves to take pictures. “I’m always amazed at how beautifully God created this world and the people in it,” she says. “I love trying to capture that beauty in my camera. I enjoy taking someone’s senior pictures and hearing their family tell me that I captured their personality.”

Her favorite Bible passage is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Life doesn’t always make sense to me,” she says. “I find a lot of comfort in knowing that God has a plan.”

And we at MLC are so glad God’s plans included Val’s service first in the MLC CAP/Staff Ministry Office and now in the Grad Studies/Continuing Ed Office. Welcome, Val!

Special thanks to Lois Bode, who came out of retirement to work in the GSCE office for the last three months. Lois used her prodigious skills in data management and organization to keep the wheels turning and to train Val when she joined the team. Thanks, Lois!