OUR HISTORY
The Center for Urban Education Ministries (CUEM) was founded from the vision of dedicated urban educators and philanthropists committed to strengthening urban ministry. Charles and Mary Gundelach, Les Bayer, Richard Engebrecht, and Mel Kieschnick were instrumental in establishing the Center at Concordia University in Bronxville, NY, in the fall of 1980. For over four decades, the Center equipped urban educators across the United States through workshops, training opportunities, and published resources.
In 2018, the Center for Urban Education Ministries was renewed with a clear mission and unwavering focus. CUEM now operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its mission is clear: to provide leadership in relentlessly strengthening America’s urban schools and contributing to the success of all students.
Its work centers on three transformational focus areas: Recruitment, Resources, and Recognition.
OUR CORE VALUES
CHRISTIAN
COLLABORATION
CELEBRATION
CREATIVITY
CEO
Dr. Steve Gerner is an educational strategist, author, and driven leader passionate about urban school success.
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Lifelong learning is essential to navigating the constant changes and challenges in education. Dr. Gerner holds Wisconsin teaching and administrator licenses and has taught learners from first grade through the doctoral level.
He has served as a school administrator, university department chair, executive director of an institute, and university dean. Dr. Gerner delivers monthly, research-based presentations on topics including student success, urban challenges, recruitment, funding, teacher quality, engagement, marketing, and innovation.
His book, Superhero Educator: How to Teach with Superior Skills and Success, has been widely embraced by educational leaders and practitioners. Through creativity and persistence, Dr. Gerner has championed urban education, mental health, and forward-thinking educational innovation. He has developed impactful training programs, continuous improvement models, success metrics, data dashboards, coaching systems, and measurable impact initiatives designed to strengthen urban schools and drive sustainable results.
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Director of Experiences
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Equity in Education has always been a part of Dr. Meineke’s vision and pedagogy. In 2020, she implemented virtual field work during and the pandemic which linked EDU students to K-12 emergent bilingual students. This experience served as a basis for a 2021 publication in the Journal of Education and Training Studies titled Virtually Uncharted Waters: How a Global Pandemic Has Taken Pre-Service Teachers out of Physical Classrooms and Perpetuated Pre-Identified Gaps in Preparedness for Working With Emergent Bilingual Students. Dr. Meineke’s mission is to serve the Lord through service to others using teaching and learning as a platform for promoting equity and embracing the doctrine of vocation. Her love for Lutheran education has strengthened Concordia’s relationship with Lutheran partners across the state and country. In the School of Ministry, Dr. Meineke has helped to create School of Ministry (SOM) time after chapel which brings ministry majors together in community and conversation. Students have described Dr. Meineke as having unmatched pedagogy, truly gifted in creating a Christ-centered and meaningful learning community.
Outside of the academic realm, Hannah, with her husband Zach, cares for her four children Eva (9), Jonah (7), Leo (5) and Nellie (4). Hannah is an active member at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin. Hannah and Zach also enjoy competing in distance running events and triathlons including an Ironman, and in the past two years Hannah has qualified for World Major marathons, along with achieving elite status for local races.