Roger Haenke San Diego | How Education Shaped a Life of Leadership, Service, and Transformation
Education does more than prepare someone for a career — it shapes how a person understands the world, relates to others, and discovers their purpose. The professional and personal evolution of Roger Haenke San Diego is a remarkable example of how learning, in all its forms, can guide someone through multiple callings. From business administration to divinity studies, from nursing to advanced leadership education, Roger’s life reflects the profound impact of education on resilience, identity, and meaningful contribution. His journey demonstrates that the most powerful careers are not linear but formed by curiosity, service, and a deep desire to understand humanity.
Early Educational Experiences: Foundations Built on Curiosity and Compassion
Growing up in Minnesota and North Dakota, Roger Haenke San Diego was shaped by values that emphasized community, service, and learning. These values became the cornerstone of his academic pursuits. His first formal step into higher education took him to Moorhead State University, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in health care. Even at this early stage, Roger showed a blend of analytical thinking and service-oriented conviction.
This duality would become a recurring theme in his life. He saw business not only as a framework for efficiency and planning but also as a tool for strengthening organizations that help people. While many students entered business programs with profit as their destination, Roger viewed it as preparation for larger social impact.
He later earned a Certificate in Health Care Administration from Concordia College, further strengthening his understanding of systems, processes, and the structures required to deliver effective care.
The Turning Point: A Calling Toward Ministry and Meaning
Education is often a journey toward clarity. For Roger Haenke San Diego, clarity came through a powerful sense of vocation. Feeling called to deepen his work in service and spiritual guidance, he enrolled in the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas, where he completed a Master of Divinity.
Here, Roger learned not only theology and pastoral leadership but also how to walk with people through their joys and sorrows. He studied scripture, ethics, liturgy, counseling, and community formation. These studies strengthened his understanding of human behavior, resilience, and healing — knowledge that would later inform his work as a nurse, educator, and organizational leader.
After completing his divinity studies, Roger was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. His early years in ministry, across multiple churches in North Dakota, allowed him to apply his education in real and intimate ways. He celebrated sacraments, led congregations, counseled families, and developed programs that strengthened faith communities.
His education taught him that leadership is not about authority; it is about accompaniment.
Professional Lessons Learned: Discernment, Adaptation, and the Courage to Evolve
Education is not only about acquiring knowledge — it’s also about learning to adapt. Over time, Roger Haenke San Diego felt called toward a new direction, one that integrated his desire to serve with a deepening interest in healthcare. This transition required discernment, humility, and courage.
He chose to pursue a second bachelor’s degree — this time in Nursing at the University of Minnesota. Immersed in clinical sciences, patient care, and public health, Roger learned a new language of service: one rooted in evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and compassionate bedside interaction.
Entering the field of nursing brought new lessons:
Healing requires teamwork, not just individual expertise
Listening is as essential as diagnosing
Systems matter — the way clinics and hospitals function directly affects patient outcomes
His experiences as a pediatric nurse and later as a manager and director in complex clinical settings refined his leadership style. He began applying principles from his business education, his pastoral background, and his nursing training to improve workflow, strengthen communication, and support both patients and staff.
Higher Education and Advanced Study: The Next Evolution of Leadership
As his career progressed, Roger Haenke San Diego recognized the need for deeper specialization. He pursued a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Leadership at San Diego State University. This advanced degree gave him the framework to elevate his leadership from operational management to strategic influence.
His studies included:
Healthcare finance and budgeting
Transformational leadership theories
Organizational behavior
Change management
Quality improvement strategies
Evidence-based administrative decision-making
This layer of education fueled his ability to oversee entire departments — including neonatal intensive care, perinatal services, senior-care nursing programs, and community health clinics. It also strengthened his teaching philosophy when he later joined the faculty at San Diego State University.
Roger believes that leaders are educators and educators are leaders. Both roles require clarity, empathy, structure, and the willingness to grow.
Community Involvement and Service Rooted in Education
Throughout his journey, Roger Haenke San Diego consistently returned to service as the thread that connects all forms of education. When he moved to San Diego in 2008, he dove into healthcare leadership roles while also reconnecting with ministry — eventually becoming an Episcopal priest after formal preparation and discernment.
His pastoral education, combined with practical experience, enabled him to lead communities with insight and humility. He served in several Episcopal congregations, including:
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chula Vista (Rector)
Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Carlsbad (Interim Vicar and Curate)
St. Andrew’s in Encinitas (Summer Associate)
He also has been engaged in diocesan leadership, emphasizing formation, teaching, pastoral care, and community building.
Roger’s involvement in education extended beyond ministry and nursing practice. As a lecturer and clinical instructor at San Diego State University, he taught courses in financial management, leadership, fundamentals of nursing, and community health. His classroom became a place where students connected theory with real-world practice — where education empowered confidence and compassion.
Professional Expertise: A Standalone Profile of Roger Haenke San Diego
Today, Roger Haenke San Diego is recognized as a multifaceted leader whose expertise spans healthcare administration, nursing practice, ministry, and academic instruction. His professional identity includes:
Registered Nurse & Nursing Leader: Expertise in pediatric, perinatal, senior-care, and community health programs
Healthcare Administrator: Oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets, major clinical operations, systems redesign, EMR implementation, and strategic performance improvement
Educator: Lecturer, clinical instructor, and mentor at San Diego State University
Episcopal Priest: A spiritual leader dedicated to pastoral care, formation, and community development
Lean Six Sigma Practitioner: Skilled in process improvement, workflow design, and organizational efficiency
His career is a testament to lifelong learning and the idea that education remains relevant across every chapter of life.
Challenges That Became Lessons
Every educational journey includes moments of uncertainty, transition, and challenge. For Roger Haenke San Diego, these challenges became teachers in their own right.
Transitioning from ministry to nursing required redefining identity and embracing vulnerability.
Managing large healthcare teams taught him the complexities of communication and the importance of clarity.
Implementing organization-wide systems reinforced the need for patience, persistence, and adaptability.
Balancing roles in healthcare and ministry required discipline, boundaries, and a commitment to self-care.
Teaching at the university level demanded continuous learning and a willingness to update methods to fit evolving student needs.
These challenges became catalysts for growth, reflecting the core belief that education is dynamic and lifelong.
Vision for the Future: A Life Guided by Learning
Looking ahead, Roger Haenke San Diego envisions a future rooted in service, mentorship, and community impact. With decades of experience across healthcare, ministry, and education, his next chapter is shaped by a desire to support emerging leaders — helping them navigate complexity with confidence, compassion, and curiosity.
His story reminds us that education is not a destination but a path. It leads us through unexpected transitions, helps us uncover new callings, and equips us to make meaningful contributions in every season of life.
Conclusion
The professional evolution of Roger Haenke San Diego shows the extraordinary power of education to transform not only a career but a life. His journey across ministries, hospitals, classrooms, and communities reflects a commitment to learning that is both personal and deeply impactful. For readers of Where Education Leads, his story stands as a reminder that the most meaningful careers emerge from listening, questioning, adapting, and embracing every opportunity to grow.
More About Roger Haenke San Diego
To learn more or get in touch, check out Roger Haenke San Diego websites, social media profiles, blogs, and press articles below:
Roger Haenke San Diego Soundcloud
Roger Haenke San Diego Pinterest
Roger Haenke San Diego Cake.me