Southwestern Adventist University welcomed Ana Patterson as its 26th President in July 2021. “What a privilege to serve as a leader on a campus that values the mission of inspiring knowledge, faith, and service through Christ-centered education. Together with dedicated administrators, faculty, and staff, we strive to provide a distinct educational experience that prepares students to thrive wherever God leads them.”

Patterson graduated from Southwestern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in long-term healthcare in 1999 and a Master of Business Administration in 2012. She is the university’s first female and first Hispanic president. Patterson most recently worked as the special assistant to the president for the university, has nearly a decade of teaching experience as a business professor at the university, and was named Educator of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year. She has been an active member of the community surrounding the university for the past two decades, serving in various roles on boards for several organizations. Patterson is married to her academy sweetheart, Greg, and they have three children. Together they enjoy gardening, traveling, and volunteering.

M.B.A Management & Leadership, Southwestern Adventist University, 2012
B.B.A Long Term Health Care Administration, Southwestern Adventist University, 1999
Sam Walton Fellow, 2013-present
Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society

Southwestern Educator of the Year, 2017
Keene Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, 2016
Highest GPA Award, MBA, SWAU, 2010 & 2011
Life Care Centers of America Scholar, 1999
HACER McDonald’s National Hispanic Scholar, 1996