Pastoral Leadership
Rev. Amanda Highben
Called to serve as the Duke Lutherans Campus Pastor in June 2020, Pastor Amanda was ordained in 2016 after twelve years in youth and family ministry. She's served diverse congregations in a variety of settings, including downtown Minneapolis, MN, inner-city Columbus, OH, and the college town of East Lansing, MI. During her three years at University Lutheran Church on the campus of Michigan State University, Pastor Amanda developed a graduate student and young adult ministry and was an active member of the undergraduate campus ministry team.
Since moving to Durham with her family in 2019, she's presided in worship at Duke Chapel and taught a course in Lutheran studies at Duke Divinity School. Pastor Amanda’s husband Zeb is the Director of Chapel Music at Duke and associate professor of the practice of church music at Duke Divinity School. Their energetic, music-loving daughter Cecilia (Ceci) is also an honorary Duke Lutheran.
Pastor Amanda loves to read, hike, knit, swim, watch college basketball (GO BLUE DEVILS!), visit her favorite Durham coffee shops (especially Cocoa Cinnamon) and practice yoga. She cares deeply about ecumenical and interfaith ministry, lifelong learning, and helping students to claim and embrace their identities as beloved children of God.
One of her favorite quotes is from Frederick Buechner: "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you."
Pastor Amanda is always happy to meet with students for any reason. If you need someone to talk to or help of any kind, or would just like to chat over coffee, please don't hesitate to reach out. God cares for our whole selves: body, mind, and spirit, and no one who faces stress, anxiety, depression, or any kind of mental health struggle should be made to feel ashamed. Remember, you are never alone.
Pastor Amanda would love to hear from you at amanda.highben@duke.edu.
'24-'25 Student Leadership Team
Outreach & Neighborliness
Sarah Ruiz
I am a sixth year PhD student studying x-ray imaging. I am a Duke Lutheran because it is a wonderful place to learn and grow in faith as well as to form community both at Duke and in Durham.
Fun Fact About Sarah
I have visited over half of the 41 NC state parks and hope to make it to them all before I graduate.
Peer Ministry & Communications Co-Chair
Camryn Johnson
I am a senior undergraduate from Maryland who is studying biology and I am on the pre-med track. I am a Duke Lutheran because I love how our faith brings us together and strengthens our incredible community.
Fun Fact About Camryn
I have been playing soccer my whole life and I am a part of the Duke Women's Club Soccer team.
Peer Ministry & Communications Co-Chair
Kristina Urberg
I am a senior undergraduate from Indiana studying French and pursuing a Markets and Management Studies certificate. I am a Duke Lutheran because I wanted to be part of a tight knit, welcoming faith community that would help me build my relationships with God, Duke students, and the greater Durham community.
Fun Fact About Kristina
I spent the past summer selling cars in Indiana and working in the South of France.
Worship & Prayer
Joel Beaudry
I am a Master of Environmental Management student with concentrations in Environmental Economics & Policy and Coastal & Marine Systems. I am a Duke Lutheran because I love learning and growing with the amazing people in our ministry.
Fun Fact About Joel
I have designed 8 different custom escape rooms.
Ministry with Partner Churches
Cara Shield
I am a second year undergraduate studying environmental science. I'm a Duke Lutheran because it allows me to go through my spiritual journey alongside a safe and caring community of peers.
Fun Fact About Cara
I like composing and making peanut soup.
Undergraduate Engagement
Evan Brown
I am a second year undergraduate studying political science and economics with plans to go to law school. I'm a Duke Lutheran because the community gives me a space to be vulnerable and explore my ever-evolving faith without fear of judgement.
Fun Fact About Evan
I can fall asleep in quite literally any place and any situation.
'24-'25 Duke Lutherans Committee Members
Cindy Snyder, Chair
Amanda Anderson, Development
Joel Beaudry, Grad Student Rep
Claire Cooney, Development
Sara Craig, Alumni Rep
Bill Elkin, Treasurer
Dr. Geoff Heintzelman, Partner Churches
Ellen Lavery, Partner Churches
John Kolba, Partner Churches
Carol Ostrowski, Partner Churches
Emily Pauline, Partner Churches
Rev. Rich Sanders, Alumni Rep
Kristina Urberg, Undergrad Rep