New Ventures
Design Lab

As the landscape of lifelong learning changes, we are increasingly asked to operate entrepreneurially within our institutions. When a grant ends, or when a department is asked to generate its own revenue, how do we build online or hybrid programs that actually thrive?

The New Ventures Lab is a strategic, four-week accelerator designed specifically to help you bridge the gap between traditional academic models and modern, revenue-generating online education.
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PROVIDED BY THE PATHWAYS FOR TOMORROW COORDINATION PROGRAM THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.

Program Dates

The design lab begins Monday, November 9, 2026 and ends on Friday, December 11, 2026. (The week of November 23-27th off.)

Structure

A four-week design lab that combines asynchronous training with hands-on synchronous weekly "sprints." 

"Sprint" Sessions

Live working sessions or "sprints" will occur each Thursday from 11-12:30pm EST. 

Cost

For eligible ATS member schools with active Pathways for Tomorrow grants, the cost of this Academy is fully provided.

Who should enroll?

  • Academic Deans
  • Associate Deans of Digital Learning
  • Associate Deans of Lifelong Learning
  • Provosts
  • Directors of Distance Education

General

This design lab is for those tasked with creating non-credit or micro-credentialing online learning programs. This is a strategic "how-to" on infrastructure, program development, and marketability.

Ideal

The ideal participants are Academic Deans, Associate Deans of Digital Learning, Provosts, and Directors of Distance Education, specifically, those institutional leaders tasked with non-credit or micro-credentialing online learning programs.
Theological education is evolving to meet a new generation of leaders who seek specialized, flexible, and stackable formation. The New Ventures Design Lab empowers institutions to bridge the gap between deep academic tradition and the immediate, practical needs of the communities they serve.

The New Ventures Lab is a strategic, four-week accelerator designed specifically to help you bridge the gap between traditional academic models and modern, revenue-generating online education. It is specifically designed for theological schools that need to launch agile, revenue-generating learning ventures without overwhelming their existing academic infrastructure or IT departments.

This program is intentionally designed using adult learning principles. We know you are busy, and your future students are, too.
  • No long lectures: We replace traditional one-hour presentations with concise, 8-minute weekly briefings.
  • No abstract theory: You will spend your time building a real, tangible project for your home institution.
  • Immediate application: Every tool you learn is designed to be put into practice the very next day.
Meet the consultant

Rev. Dr. Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock

Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock (she, her, hers) is co-founder and managing director of Tumbuh Global. She also serves as the president and principal consultant for The School of Global Citizenry, a program of Tumbuh.

Lindsay is a senior instructional designer, e-learning developer, LXD consultant, ordained clergy person, international immersion guide, small business owner, and published author with more than 24 years of nonprofit and B Corp-spirited for-profit experience.
Patrick Jones - Course author