MISSION
Inspire Christian Learning provides faith-based, high-quality educational experiences that nurtures spiritual growth, academic excellence, and a love for lifelong learning.
Inspire Education Council
Our Inspire Education Council (IEC) consists of scholars and professionals in their field, all who share a passion for learning. The IEC is committed to providing high-quality content for Inspire experiences and work with camp leaders to ensure Inspire is one of the best learning opportunities around.
Click on an IEC member to learn more.
Dr. Sam Seefeld
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Seefeld has worked at all levels of education with experiences that include classroom teacher, special education coordinator, institutional researcher, adjunct professor, policy writer, secondary school dean of students, principal, and executive director. Dr. Seefeld has been involved with schools across the socioeconomic spectrum, including leadership at St. Marcus Lutheran School (Milwaukee) through the Center for Urban Teaching. He has presented research and led workshops at state and national conferences, including the NCAA Scholarly Symposium, Wisconsin Council of Independent and Religious Schools Leadership Conference, Best Practices in Ministry in Phoenix, AZ, and the LEA Administrators’ Conference. Dr. Seefeld focuses on building organizational culture and developing relationships rooted in the love of Jesus. He holds a bachelor’s degree in pre-seminary studies (Concordia University St. Paul), a master’s in education in curriculum and instruction (Concordia University Wisconsin), and a Ph.D. in educational leadership (University of Nevada Las Vegas). He is the winner of the 2020 Herb Kohl School Leadership Award and the 2025 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Elementary School Administrator Award.
John Schlueter
CEO, Keder Solutions
John is a dedicated entrepreneur with experience across multiple industries. As the owner and leader of several businesses, he has built a career in commercial real estate and manufacturing, always focusing on long-term growth and strong relationships. John was blessed to grow Karl’s Rental, his family equipment rental business, into a leading global manufacturer and lessor of temporary structures. He had the opportunity to work with well-known clients like Walt Disney World, the NFL/Super Bowl, and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. His journey in real estate began in 1996 with the purchase of his first building—one that is still leased by its original tenant. He values the strong partnerships he has built over the years. John currently owns and manages real estate, which leases nearly 1 million square feet of commercial buildings to 35 different tenants. Furthermore, he has three manufacturing companies that specialize in temporary structures, fabric ventilation and environmental textile products. In addition to his work, John is committed to giving back. He serves as Director and Chair Emeritus for FAST (Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics) and has been involved with the organization since 2015. A proud graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran High School, he remains actively engaged in the school’s campus planning and fundraising efforts. Above all, John is a devoted husband and father of five. He believes that family and a well-balanced life are key to both personal and professional success.
Dr. Aaron Armstrong
Inspire STEM Discovery
Aaron Armstrong, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Concordia University Wisconsin. Dr. Armstrong’s research and consulting activity focuses primarily on process improvement and product development with focuses on innovation and technology development, mass customization, value engineering, project management, entrepreneurship, and supply-chain coordination. In his twenty years of industrial experience prior to his fifteen years in academia, Dr. Armstrong worked for over a decade for John Deere as a supplier development engineer, supervisor, and manager. During this time, Aaron and his staff of engineers worked with hundreds of companies around the world in helping them become more flexible and cost effective. In addition, Aaron’s previous work experience includes setting up and running a second-tier automotive supplier, design engineering, light-metals fabrication, chemical research and development, and aerospace production. Aaron has a doctorate in Industrial Engineering and Master’s degrees in Business and in Manufacturing Systems Engineering as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, all from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He lives in Mequon, Wisconsin with his wife Marsha and their eight children.
Dr. Subha Kumpaty
Inspire STEM Discovery
Dr. Subha Kumpaty, currently Chair of Engineering at Concordia University Wisconsin, is an outstanding professor in the breadth and depth of engineering education with quality experience in assessment, a leading researcher with a sustained record of external funding, principal investigator of several National Science Foundation grants, and an administrator and leader in the profession at the local and national levels of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is a recipient of the 2011 Oscar A. Werwath Distinguished Teacher Award, 2011 Outstanding Mentor Award, 2006 Karl O. Werwath Engineering Research Award, from Milwaukee School of Engineering where he taught before he moved to CUW in August 2023. Dr. Kumpaty is also a licensed Professional Engineer, registered in the State of Wisconsin. Dr. Kumpaty has over three decades of experimental and computational experience with mechanical, biomedical, chemical and environmental systems with successful, deliberate emphasis on and integration of undergraduate research. He is passionate about establishing engineering programs at Concordia and training future engineers to serve God’s purposes for their lives.
Don Parker
Inspire Speech and Debate
Don Parker is an instructor in public policy for Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education (DCE), a teacher of public speaking and debate, a retired executive manager from the financial services industry, and a passionate advocate for reform of the public K-12 education system. Mr. Parker works with DCE undergraduate and graduate students pursuing government and international relations degrees. His students analyze contemporary, domestic, and international policy issues researching causal effects and making specific recommendations for policy solutions. Mr. Parker also teaches public speaking and debate to middle and high school students each summer. His curriculum focuses on character, critical thinking, reasoned arguments supported by rigorous evidence, and articulating a perspective in a compelling narrative. Parker is a leader in the reform of public primary and secondary education with a uniquely broad perspective. A long-time charter school board member, district superintendent/executive director, and adviser to three administrations of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Mr. Parker has published locally and nationally on education reform and lobbied at the national and state level. Professionally, Don was an accomplished executive in the financial services and technology industries with experience as a Chief Information Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Technology Officer.
