From a first-place finish at the Enactus USA Expo to a semifinalist slot at TCU's international competition, SWAU's emerging entrepreneurs are proving that world-class leadership begins right here on campus.

Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing innovative, purpose-driven leaders through the outstanding achievements of its students in national and international entrepreneurial competitions, coming home with results that inspire our entire university community.

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at SWAU was built with a simple but powerful vision: to build leaders and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across every academic program on campus. The university environment is uniquely suited to launching ventures that matter.

Licci Zemleduch, Enactus Academic Advisor and Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, plays a key role in guiding this vision. Through her leadership, SWAU is intentionally building a culture where innovation thrives across campus, and students are empowered to lead. As she emphasizes, “The best time to start your business is when you are in college, when you have less risk and more energy.”

A first-place finish on the national stage

At the recent Enactus USA Expo in Denver, Colorado, SWAU's student-led social venture Color Palette earned 1st Place in the Social Venture Challenge (SVC). The co-founding team — Keila Cabrera and Cassandra Brumm — began their journey together in an entrepreneurship course as freshmen. What began as a project in an entrepreneurship course during their freshman year has evolved into a thriving social venture with real-world momentum. Color Palette, born of Keila’s personal story, is an organization that hosts art workshops and sells art kits with an emphasis on therapy to help those in colleges, hospitals, and nursing homes.

The impact of their presentation was unmistakable. As Elizabeth Abitanto, Director of Programs at The Resolution Project, noted, “When the judges voted for the teams that were passing to the finals, it was a unanimous vote for Color Palette, and that rarely happens.” This rare recognition highlights the strength, clarity, and purpose behind the students’ work.

The scale of the Enactus Expo underscores the significance of this achievement. This year’s event brought together 32 universities, 251 students, and 49 projects from across the nation. Over the past four years, SWAU’s Enactus team has consistently ranked among the top eight teams in the country in the Early-Stage competition—an impressive record that speaks to the strength of the university’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Major Milestone at TCU Values and Ventures

Student success extends beyond Enactus. Recently, Jose Cendejas, Alvin Kimanga, and Caleb Thomson represented SWAU as semifinalists at the prestigious TCU Values and Ventures Competition with their startup, Campus Cycle. Out of more than 250 global applicants, only 120 teams advanced to compete, and just 40 were selected as semifinalists — a historic first for SWAU. Their advancement marks a major milestone for both the students and the university.

Campus Cycle is a .edu verified platform built specifically for college campuses, where students can safely buy, sell, and trade within a trusted community. Beyond the digital platform Campus Cycle also hosts popup events where students can bring items to sell, trade, or buy.

What students are taking away

Trophies and placements tell just part of the story. The reflections our students share reveal the deeper transformation happening within them.

Reflecting on their journey, Cassandra Brumm shared, “The energy of the Enactus event was invigorating as always, but winning the SVC first place transformed that energy into momentum—expanding the future of Color Palette and the paths ahead of us.”

Alvin Kimanga emphasized the deeper value of participation: “While wanting to win is great, it shouldn’t be the only goal. There are amazing opportunities to meet people and build connections that could last a lifetime… seeing it firsthand has built a real desire in me to keep improving myself and our business.”

Similarly, Caleb Thomson noted, “Being part of both TCU and the Enactus Expo was definitely a good learning experience… participating in both experiences benefits my future as a professional.” Keila Cabrera added, “Sharing Color Palette at Enactus has been such a blessing; now that we won first place, it feels like one step closer to our dream of starting our own business!”

Adventist Entrepreneurs Network: Another Podium Finish

The momentum did not stop there. At Hyve, the Adventist Entrepreneurs Network collegiate competition — held among Adventist higher education institutions such as Andrews, Southern, and Walla Walla — another group of SWAU students competed and earned 2nd Place. Representing SWAU alongside eight other peer institutions and finishing on the podium reinforces the depth of entrepreneurial talent developing on SWAU’s campus.

Building: What Comes Next

These accomplishments are especially meaningful as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at SWAU continues to grow and develop. Even in its early stages, the center is already producing tangible results by equipping students with real-world experience, mentorship, and opportunities to compete at high levels.

Under Zemleduch’s direction, the center is focused on building leaders and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that extends beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged not only to develop business ideas, but to take action, test concepts, and grow through experience.

This momentum reinforces the importance of continuing to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship across all academic programs at SWAU. By doing so, the university is equipping students with the mindset, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Most importantly, these experiences have a lasting impact. SWAU students who engage in competitions like Enactus, TCU Values and Ventures, HSI Battle of the Brains, and Hyve consistently graduate with stronger resumes, broader networks, and a clearer sense of purpose—often securing better job opportunities and advancing more quickly in their careers.

Southwestern Adventist University is proud of how its students represent the institution on national and international stages. As the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center continues to grow, the university looks forward to building this success and shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

We are actively seeking mentors and sponsors who are passionate about investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs. By partnering with us, mentors and sponsors play a vital role in helping our students build, launch, and scale their startups—turning ideas into impactful ventures that make a difference.