Concordia-Chicago appoints new vice president of academic affairs, chief academic officer

Concordia University Chicago announced today that Dr. Robert "Rob" Balza has been named vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer. Dr. Balza, who brings extensive experience in academic leadership and program development to Concordia-Chicago, will assume his new role on January 12, 2026.

"We sought a candidate who unites strategic vision with operational excellence, communicates with integrity, and upholds the values that advance our calling as a Christ-centered institution," said Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk, vice president for strategic operations, chief of staff, and chair of the search committee. "We firmly believe that Dr. Robert Balza embodies these qualities, and we give thanks to God for His provision. We look forward to partnering with Dr. Balza as we continue to faithfully serve students and the Church."

As vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Balza will provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the University's academic programs. He will oversee all academic colleges, offices, and resources, ensuring alignment with CUC's mission, Lutheran identity, and strategic plan. His responsibilities include guiding faculty recruitment and development; maintaining institutional and programmatic accreditation; and advancing priorities such as enrollment growth, student retention, program innovation, and faculty excellence. Dr. Balza will also serve on the president's Executive Cabinet, contributing to strategic decisions and institutional leadership.

"It's difficult to exaggerate the importance of the chief academic officer position and the difficulty of finding someone with the right confluence of gifts," said University President Dr. Russell Dawn. "Our CAO must be faithful and scholarly, energetic and disciplined for targeted innovation, committed to the liberal arts, and an interpersonal fit. Rob is the right man, and I could not be more pleased."

Dr. Balza comes to CUC from Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, where he served as associate vice president of academics for teaching, learning, and academic innovation. In this role, he led academic assessment for the university and directed the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. He also chaired the university's taskforce on artificial intelligence and led the campus-wide transition from Blackboard to the Canvas learning management system. Prior to that, Dr. Balza served as dean of Health Sciences at Wisconsin Lutheran College, where he built strategic clinical and professional partnerships and launched many successful academic programs in the health sciences.

A lifelong Lutheran, Dr. Balza is committed to mission alignment and the integration of faith and learning. He and his wife, Nicole, have three children: Julia, James, and Jude-and he said they look forward to joining the CUC family.

"Now more than ever, Chicago needs courageously Christ-centered higher education," Dr. Balza said. "Anchored in our Lutheran Confessions, we will innovate boldly and hold fast to the values on which CUC was built."

This appointment marks a significant step in positioning CUC for a thriving future. Under Dr. Balza's leadership, CUC will continue to strengthen its academic programs, expand innovative offerings, and work toward its vision of a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good.