DISCOVER SEU
Updated August 2024
We equip students to discover and develop their divine design to serve Christ and the world through Spirit-empowered life, learning, and leadership.
OUR CULTURE
More than education. This is family.
The heart of our community extends beyond the boundaries of a single location.
Whether you’re on our Lakeland campus, at a partner site, taking online classes, studying abroad, or serving in missions — all of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni experience God’s presence from chapel to the classroom, and everywhere in between. We know that higher education is most valuable when it encompasses all aspects of life. That’s why, since 1935, SEU has emphasized lifelong learning and discipleship. We develop the whole person by fostering personal and spiritual growth, sharpening problem-solving skills, and developing meaningful relationships.
Welcome to SEU. Welcome to the Fire family.
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”
Acts 17:28
No matter where you look, Christ is intricately woven into every part and corner of our university.
We are driven by the revelation that following Christ in all aspects of our lives, and leading others to Him, is the ultimate goal.
Whether on campus or across the globe, our identity as individuals
and as a community is rooted in Him. Christ defines who we are and
what we stand for.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
Colossians 3:10
Every day we bring our best for our students. We exist for their success.
As a university, we hold more value than simply preparing our students for careers. We equip them to thrive and succeed in their
unique callings.
These years are transformative. As a community, we go beyond the classroom through experiential learning, where our students can nurture their talents and passions while discovering how they can make a positive impact in the world.
We know that students flourish when they receive support in all areas of life, including their spiritual, educational, mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This holistic approach to development equips students to pursue their callings confidently and mandates our university’s initiatives and decisions.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5
Our identity is not just who we are, but Whose we are.
Our Divine Design is rooted in our identity in Christ, and our uniqueness is developed by being in community with each other.
We willfully embrace that each of us are uniquely made by God, and we settle for nothing less than His individual design for our lives.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17
We are discoverers and developers who go out of our way to collaborate because we know that we are better together.
Our community focuses on finding solutions, so we deeply value diversity and hold the belief that assuming the best in others is crucial. We wholeheartedly embrace a collaborative approach to problem-solving as the most effective path to personal and collective growth. This is why, particularly in our interactions with students, we adopt a mindset of servant leadership and provide unparalleled support.
We firmly believe that exceptional ideas can originate from anyone within our university family. By fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute solutions, we yield the best outcomes and empower individuals to make decisions based on expertise in their respective fields. This approach not only transforms perspective, but also enables us to recognize the potential of every individual to become a bold example of Christ.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Every problem is solvable, and we are the solution. We place our trust in God, and in each other — approaching every situation with the collective belief that it only takes one God-given idea to effect change.
We are innovators by nature. Energized by challenges, we don’t fear failure. It’s how we learn, grow, change, develop, and innovate.
Our decision to be agents of change comes from the understanding that as a Christ-centered university, we are called to provide solutions to the world’s problems.
We invite you to actively share SEU’s cultural values with your teams! Regularly discussing these values can help us all stay aligned and inspired. You can easily access the presentation through the link below. Let’s continue to build our vibrant culture together!
