Winkelman, Grove take top posts at international schools

Elementary School students present to their class after learning about the importance of clean drinking water. (Concordia International School Shanghai)

Winkelman

By Megan Mertz

Two of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) three international schools will welcome new heads of school on July 1. Steven Winkelman will take the helm at Concordia International School Shanghai, and Dr. Doug Grove will lead Concordia International School Hanoi.

Both men are well versed in the opportunities and challenges facing the Synod’s international schools in Asia. Winkelman is currently serving at Concordia, Hanoi, and Grove at Concordia, Shanghai, so when they assume their new roles in July, they will, in effect, be trading places.

Winkelman came to Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2009 — two years before the school opened. Under his leadership as founding head of school, Concordia, Hanoi, has grown from 42 students meeting in rented facilities to a student body of 500 with a permanent home on a 6.5-acre site in northern Hanoi. Winkelman also has experience as a teacher, principal and senior administrator at the elementary, middle school and secondary levels.

“We have been very blessed to accomplish a significant amount of growth and development during our tenure in Hanoi,” Winkelman told Reporter. “When the head of school position became open in Shanghai, my wife and I felt that we were being led to take on new challenges and opportunities. We both enjoy living and working in Asia, especially in LCMS international schools, so we were excited that God led us to continue our ministry in Shanghai.”

Grove, too, is looking forward to a new challenge. He has served the school in Shanghai, China, since 2018 — first as senior director of business development and later as interim head of school after the departure of Dr. Mary Scott.

Grove

“Steve Winkelman has done an amazing job in leading Concordia, Hanoi, to where it is today. I look forward to building on the work that has been done,” noted Grove. He said his primary focus upon taking the reins at Concordia, Hanoi, will be to refine the strategic plan for the next three to five years, as he works “with the community to envision where the Lord is leading the school in all aspects of the educational and missional operations.”

To the position, Grove brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in both K-12 public and private school settings, as well as higher education. Prior to moving to Shanghai, he was assistant provost and vice-president of Enrollment at Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, Calif.

“Once again, God has blessed the LCMS with called, willing servants who are eminently prepared to lead two of the Synod’s finest educational institutions while navigating the formidable challenges of the Asia mission field in the 21st century,” commented the Rev. Kevin Robson, LCMS chief mission officer. “Our prayerful expectation is that our Concordia International Schools will continue to bless the students, families and communities served with highly engaged care, love and support, firmly rooted in the Gospel.”

Posted May 18, 2021