Jennifer Wojciechowski ’19 Ph.D. went to seminary by accident. Or, at least, that’s how the story starts.
After converting to Christianity in her 20s, Jennifer Wojciechowski had questions and decided the best way to answer them was to take a class on the New Testament. Before she knew it, she had accepted a scholarship and was attending seminary.
After obtaining her M.A. at Bethel Seminary, Wojciechowski was at a bachelorette party when she heard Luther Seminary was reopening its Church History program. Having considered a doctorate for a few years, she took this encouragement from friends as a sign to finally pursue it. Now, Wojciechowski is an associate professor of church history.
While Wojciechowski found her faith and career path in her 20s, her love for learning began as a childhood dream of becoming a history professor.
“I hope my passion for the subject comes through,” Wojciechowski said. “I love history. I love teaching people about history, and I think maybe my excitement rubs off on [my students].”
In the classroom
Wojciechowski started teaching at Luther in 2019. Her classes include History 1, History of Christian Mysticism, Women’s History, and Augustine of Hippo. No matter the class or the format, she creates a welcoming sense of community.
Professor Mark Granquist said that students know that Wojciechowski cares for them and wants to help develop their vocational identities.
“Students love her energy, enthusiasm, and her ways of making history come alive,” Granquist said.
Wojciechowski’s latest way of making history come alive was leading a study abroad course to Germany this January. The Luther Studies class was made up of 25 students who all convened
in Berlin. From there, they traveled to Wittenberg, staying across the street from the church where Martin Luther preached. Finally, they visited Erfurt, which Wojciechowski describes as feeling like a “classic medieval city” an hour from Wartburg Castle. Between the sights and snow, Wojciechowski describes one Erfurt day as feeling “like a fairytale.”
While history has always been a favorite for Wojciechowski, she knows that students don’t always share the same passion.
“History has such a bad rap in academia, and folks think it is not going to matter for their ministry at all,” Wojciechowski said. “It ends up mattering.”
Wojciechowski credits her colleagues and the classes they teach for helping to build energy in the history department.
Out of the classroom
Her enjoyment of writing, alongside her passion for learning, has led Wojciechowski to publish two books. She wrote “Women and the Christian Story: A Global History” (2022) after realizing there wasn’t a general up-to-date text on the role of women in Christianity.
Her second book, “Tending the Garden: A History of Christian Mysticism” (2025), was written alongside the creation of her course on mysticism, with the title inspired by Teresa of Avila’s writings on growing in her prayer life.
When not actively leading class, Wojciechowski stays busy with a range of hobbies, including exercising, writing, and playing guitar. She also spends a lot of her free time with family. While her work as a historian keeps her in touch with the past, her kids—ages 15 and 11—give her hope for the future in the ways they express curiosity and connect with those around them.
“They seem to be doing okay,” Wojciechowski said. “I really do see hope there.”