Jonathan Puckett is a junior business major studying operations management at Southwestern Adventist University. Beyond his studies, Jonathan is a resident assistant and shares a peek into his experience as a Human of SWAU!

My journey to Southwestern Adventist University all started with a simple conversation I had with a neighbor, a Southwestern Adventist University alumnus. After I graduated from high school, I was looking for a smaller campus environment near my hometown of Waxahachie, Texas. My neighbor shared about his experience here and recommended that I check it out!  I did some research about the school and scheduled a tour. I remember after seeing the campus and meeting my future classmates and professors, I turned to my mom and said, “this is where I want to come to school.”

Fast forward three years, I am now a junior and a resident assistant in the men’s residence hall. In my role, not only am I earning money to pay for tuition, I am also connecting with young men who are following the same journey I am on here at Southwestern Adventist University.

Working for the Dean of Men, I have learned a lot about leadership and dorm management as well as teamwork and patience. I have had the opportunity to help plan and host dorm events, connect with individuals whom I might not otherwise have met, and mentor individuals who are learning to navigate the college experience. The smaller sized dorms provide me with personalized support from our deans and allow us to really feel like a dorm family no matter what our background is!

When I first came to the University, I was nervous and worried that people would judge me because I am not Adventist. However, it has been the complete opposite. People do not judge me because I have different beliefs, they genuinely care more about me as a person rather than what I believe in, and that’s something I believe I wouldn’t find anywhere else. Southwestern Adventist University is an inclusive community where our differences are trumped by our cohesion as a campus family and I am proud to call myself a Human of SWAU.