October 29, 2024 – Keene, TX 

The Southwestern Adventist University Department of Business is proud to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Inspire and Elevate Summit, which took place on October 17, 2024. The summit brought together an exceptional group of industry leaders and professionals, providing our students with unique insights into the ever-evolving fields of leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development.

Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to engage directly with leading experts across various sectors. The summit was designed to inspire and challenge students to think critically about their career paths and to equip them with practical tools for success. A key highlight of the afternoon was the "Meet the Mentor" sessions. Mentors included industry professionals such as Andrew Yoo (Codesm), Lacey Robles (Burleson Audiology), Tony Seery (Edward Jones), and Cassie Mattheson (Kettering Health). This personalized mentorship opportunity was highly valued by students, with one commenting, "It was my favorite part of the day."

Aubri Dancek (Kettering Health), Rich Raz (Founder, Taco  Oasis), Allan Cardozo (Pavlov), Cassie Mattheson, Lacey Robles, Dr. Michael Kinnen (Professor, Concordia University), and Russ Weaver (AdventHealth) were among the outstanding guest speakers who shared their wealth of knowledge and experiences. A special recognition goes to our keynote speaker, Andrew Yoo, whose thought-provoking address encouraged students to reflect deeply on their personal and professional goals. His message on understanding the "why" behind their ambitions resonated with attendees and added a powerful dimension to the summit.

"We are immensely proud of this event's impact on our students," said Dr. Moses, Chair of the Department of Business. "The Inspire and Elevate Summit exemplifies our commitment to providing opportunities that prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow, and we look forward to continuing this important work."

The success of this summit marks the beginning of what Southwestern hopes will be an annual tradition of connecting students with leaders from across industries to foster collaboration, growth, and continued learning.

About Southwestern Adventist University: Southwestern Adventist University, located in Keene, Texas, provides a high-quality, Christ-centered education that fosters academic excellence and spiritual growth. Our Department of Business is committed to preparing students for meaningful careers in a rapidly changing global marketplace. For more information, visit swau.edu.