Rev. Jess Short: Lessons from Campus

While college students are busy learning, they're also busy teaching us.

Rev. Jess Short this week shares with us all that she has learned from her students while working in campus ministry.  Everything from relationships, to inclusivity, to remaining resilient through this difficult time - these students show us what it means to wrestle with our faith and then go live it out in the world.

Rev. Jess is known for her progressive stance and her courageous faith. One of her students put it this way: "Time after time, Pastor Jessica stands up for folks who might not have a strong voice especially on a catholic campus. She wears her pride attire unapologetically, will not be silenced because of her gender and never backs down from a difficult conversation."

We get a clear glimpse of that courage and wisdom today. Pastor Jess (or PJ) as her students call her, offers us a peak into the world of campus ministry. She shares some of the challenges they're facing, and some of the big faith and life questions they are wrestling with.

One of the clearest things that came through in this episode is that while college students are busy learning, they're also busy teaching us. This interview with Pastor Jess and hearing about her work with her students and all that they have taught her left me feeling hopeful and renewed, and I know it will for you, too.
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Rev. Jessica Short is a native of St. Charles, IL, a Chicago suburb.  She went to the University of Iowa where she received an undergraduate degree in History and Spanish. In college, she interned at Disney World (where she decided to go to seminary) and spent time abroad in Venezuela. Following college, she attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary where she earned a Masters of Divinity and met her spouse, Matt. After serving in Fargo, North Dakota, the two moved to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin in 2008.  They have 2 lovely teenagers: Charissa (16) and Lucas (13). Together they love to travel, camping, and all things Harry Potter. Rev. Jessica currently serves the Lutherans at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, even though Marquette chose to end this relationship on June 18th, 2020.