Luther appoints Hilla Lahtinen as BA Program Coordinator

Martin Luther University College is pleased to welcome Hilla Lahtinen as the Program Coordinator of the university’s Bachelor of Arts: Christianity, Interfaith Dialogue and Community Engagement program. She assumed the role on Aug. 1, 2024. 
 
Lahtinen is a PhD candidate at Toronto School of Theology (Emmanuel College) working on a dissertation in eco-theology. Before her studies at TST, she completed a Master of Divinity degree at Martin Luther University College (2016) and a Bachelor of Music degree at Lakehead University (2008). Lahtinen is an ordained pastor within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.  
 
“I believe that my academic and professional experience connects well with my current role at Luther because it allows me to explore ways in which faith and spirituality interact with contemporary issues,” Lahtinen said.  
 
“Faith, and the theology that undergirds it, is not an isolated aspect of our lives that is removed from our daily lived experiences. Rather, faith and spirituality shape our relationship with others and remind us of the responsibility we have toward the well-being of our neighbours and all creation,” Lahtinen said.   
 
Lahtinen is looking forward to discovering what students are passionate about and creating opportunities that encourage mutual sharing and learning through conversation. 
 
“While such sharing requires us to be vulnerable, and can even be uncomfortable at times, it is also deeply generative as it allows us to discover something new about our own beliefs and values,” Lahtinen said. 
 
Students enrolled in the BA program will benefit from gaining a wide knowledge base and developing crucial skills for critical thinking, as well as discovering how their vocational calling intersects with the needs of the wider local and global community.  
 
“We live in an era marked by climate crisis, political instability, and rising tensions, and what I think is particularly exciting about the BA program is that it promotes responsible leadership and prepares students for a life and career advocating for a just society,” Lahtinen said.  
 
“The course offerings across the curriculum prepare students for their future careers by promoting experiential learning opportunities which are geared toward practical skill-building and service-learning projects,” Lahtinen said.    

“I am excited to join the Luther community and look forward to supporting students in the BA program. Please feel free to contact me at hlahtinen@luther.wlu.ca."