Invest in Your Faith with an M.A. in Theology and Leadership

Andrew Lee works in HR for a cybersecurity company. While his career has been filled with steady professional growth, he recently realized his personal and spiritual development had taken a backseat and felt a strong calling to deepen his faith. Below, he shares how Gonzaga’s online M.A. in Theology and Leadership (MATL) helped him answer that call.

What do you do for work as HR for a cybersecurity company? 

My work is focused on how we thoughtfully evolve HR, especially in the age of AI. That's obviously a huge topic right now. What interests me most is figuring out how we can embrace AI to make work better while still protecting what's most important: our humanity and the people behind the work. Sometimes those goals can feel like they're in tension with one another, but I actually enjoy wrestling with those kinds of challenges.

Why did you decide to return to school for a master's degree? 

The funny thing is, I had no plans to go back to graduate school. I was in my late 40s, had been working in my field for over twenty years, and wasn't looking to change careers. On paper, it didn't make much sense.
 

But God had different plans.
 

I felt like something was missing. I realized that while I had spent years investing in my professional growth, I hadn't invested nearly as intentionally in understanding my faith. I didn't have the words for it at the time, but what I was really longing for was what St. Anselm called faith seeking understanding. Once I recognized that, it naturally led me to theology programs.

Why did you choose the Master's in Theology & Leadership program? Why Gonzaga? 

I'm a spreadsheet person, so I literally built a spreadsheet of theology programs across the country.
 

I narrowed it down to hybrid programs because I work full-time and needed flexibility, but I also wanted meaningful face-to-face learning. The immersion model immediately stood out. It felt like the best of both worlds: academic learning combined with something that also felt like a retreat.
 

The other thing that attracted me was the Leadership component. I didn't just want to learn theology for the sake of knowledge. I wanted to think about how I could apply what I was learning in my career, in ministry at my parish, and in everyday life.

How did the flexibility of the program allow you to balance work, life, and school? 

Honestly, it was exactly what I needed. The asynchronous coursework let me study around a full-time job and family life, while the optional Zoom sessions gave me opportunities to engage more deeply when I could. Then the immersions gave me dedicated time to step away from daily life, build relationships with students and faculty, and focus on learning in person.

In the MATL program we say, "all faiths welcome." How was your experience? 

That was honestly one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises.
 

Our cohort included Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, Protestants, members of the LDS faith, and others. I'm Catholic, but I really appreciated learning alongside people from different Christian traditions.

What was your immersion experience like? 

Without question, it was the highlight of the program.
 

It felt like attending an academic seminar and a spiritual retreat at the same time.
 

I absolutely love my cohort (Love you, Cohort J!). In some ways, I had deeper conversations with them than with people I've known for years. I think that's because everyone showed up with a genuine desire to seek God, ask meaningful questions, and grow together.
 

The format made a huge difference. We'd spend months interacting online, then reconnect during the immersions, and those relationships just kept deepening. Even now, we still stay connected through WhatsApp.
 

I also really appreciated the speakers, the discussions, praying together, and the opportunity to attend Mass at St. Aloysius. Those experiences made the program feel much more than just earning a degree.

What would you say to anyone considering Gonzaga's Master's in Theology and Leadership? 

I'd say first, find the program that's the right fit for you.
 

For me, Gonzaga checked all the boxes. The hybrid format fit my life, the immersions created a real sense of community, and the Leadership component challenged me to think about how theology actually shapes the way we live and lead.
 

If you're looking for a program that's practical but also allows you to engage more personally with faculty and students, I would absolutely encourage you to consider Gonzaga's MATL program.

We often hear that the program helped people deepen their faith. Did you have a similar experience? 

Absolutely.
 

Going in, I expected intellectual growth. I assumed I'd learn more theology, Scripture, Church history, and that certainly happened.
 

What surprised me was how much I experienced spiritual growth as well.
 

That didn't come only from the coursework. In many ways, it came even more from the people. It was truly wonderful to walk alongside an incredible cohort—people from different backgrounds, different careers, and different faith traditions—all of whom shared a sincere desire to seek God, seek truth, and seek love.

I graduated with more knowledge than I expected, but I also graduated with a deeper relationship with God and meaningful friendships that continue today.