Nonprofit Buckner International and Andrews University announced the launch of a collaboration to provide Andrews’ students with opportunities to better serve their community and learn about ministry and service in the context of Buckner’s mission-driven outreach to vulnerable children, families and seniors. The collaboration will also offer professional development and graduate study and degree options for Buckner staff.

Hands-on opportunities for both students and leaders

Launching in September 2023, the collaboration will provide Andrews University students with experiential learning opportunities through Buckner volunteer and humanitarian aid projects. These opportunities may include advertising employment opportunities with Buckner, creating credit and non-credit opportunities for students, mission trips and involvement with Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls®.
 
The collaboration will also help develop growing leaders within Buckner. The leadership program will be based on Buckner’s “Servant-Hearted Leadership” model and the unique philosophy of the Andrews University’s School of Leadership, which is biographically anchored, service-driven, individualized, competency based, and provides a diverse community of learners the opportunity to reflect on their practices from a Christian perspective.

Buckner and Andrews University are inspired by similar missions

The program has a strong emphasis on lifelong learning and biblical ethics, with an unwavering commitment to service to God and the community. It is anchored on the latest scholarship and prepares leaders to make research-based decisions and helps to develop them from inside out, as they seek knowledge, affirm faith and change the world.
 
Bordes Henry Saturné, chair of the School of Leadership, noted the start of this new collaboration coincides with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Andrews University Leadership program, which has a number of prominent alumni, serving with distinction around the world, in faith-based organizations, health care industry, school districts, universities, nonprofit, government offices, and various private businesses. Prolific authors, distinguished scholars and influential practitioners give credit to the Andrews University Leadership program for their professional success.
 
The collaboration was formalized in May 2023, and was signed by Christon Arthur, provost, and Alayne Thorpe, dean of the College of Education & International Services (which houses the School of Leadership), and Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner International.
 
Reyes, an alumnus of the program, earned his PhD in Leadership in 2009 at Andrews University.
 
“This initiative allows both organizations to excel at what we do best,” Reyes said. “Buckner will support Andrews University with opportunities for its students to follow the example of Jesus through service to others, while Andrews will offer Buckner employees the chance to grow their leadership skills through an exceptional program. Our Buckner leaders are definitely ready for this. Andrews is uniquely poised to help Buckner develop its talent and build leadership capacity for the future.”