Concordia Nebraska announces new director of Micah Pre-Health Scholars learning community
Seward, NE (07/28/2026) — Concordia University, Nebraska today announced that Cara Rathke '17 has been named director of the university's Micah Pre-Health Scholars learning community. Rathke will also serve the university as assistant professor of science.
Rathke has a bachelor of science degree in biology from Concordia Nebraska and a master of science degree in pathologists' assistant studies from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois.
Micah Pre-Health Scholars is designed to support students interested in healthcare careers through hands-on experiences working in healthcare, close relationships with professors, practicing health professionals and peers who share their interests and graduate or professional school preparation. Rooted in Lutheran Christian values and ethics, Micah Scholars encourages a service-minded approach to healthcare vocations. The university admits new students to Micah Scholars each year.
"I wear many hats, the largest of which includes recruitment of new students interested in pre-health fields, visiting high schools and pre-health clubs to educate about the Micah Scholars program, fostering connections with health-care leaders in our community and curating activities, events and projects for those in the scholarship program, which may include but are not limited to book clubs educating on the ethics and humanity of healthcare from a Christian lens, devotional and Bible study times, advocating for certification in the healthcare field, organizing volunteer and shadowing opportunities, implementing service events and organizing field or service trips," she said.
As a pathologists' assistant, Rathke was highly trained in both anatomic and autopsy pathology. She intends to continue this work on a per diem basis as a travel pathologists' assistant for local and national hospitals during breaks in the academic school year.
Micah Scholars meet throughout the academic year to exercise the gifts the Lord has given them as they prepare for service in the healthcare vocations. This includes participation in on- and off-campus experiences including volunteering together in healthcare vocations, rigorous study halls to promote success in the most challenging pre-health courses, guest presentations and lectures focused on the health sciences and healthcare facility tours.
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
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Amy Crawford, 402-643-7387, newsdesk@cune.eduShare this Story
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