VBJ March 18 online

THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
10 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com
March 2018
EXECUTIVE PROFILE | Drake Levasheff
Empowering people to pursue their calling is one of my greatest
joys in life, so when offered the opportunity to lead Azusa
Pacific’s Murrieta Regional Campus last year, I jumped at the
chance. During my time in the area, I have been delighted to
see so much good. Murrieta and the surrounding region deeply
impress me—this is such a welcoming community blessed
with outstanding community leaders in government, education,
business, and non-profit! I meet countless Azusa Pacific alumni
who are making a difference in their spheres of influence. Our
dedicated students who come to us to get the training they need
to pursue vocation in education, business, criminal justice, leadership,
and psychology inspire me.
Perhaps the most energizing part of my long career in higher
education is seeing students overcome serious obstacles to
pursue their divinely-inspired calling. My wife and I are not
strangers to challenges–– we lost our two-and-a-half-year-old
son Judson to a rare disease 10 years ago. Yet, somehow, by the
grace of God, I was able to complete my doctoral degree that
was only half-finished when we lost Judson. Now, when I see
students achieve their educational goals against long odds, I am
moved—what better gift can education offer to our community
than people who endured the brokenness of our world and emerge
with purpose and compassion!
AFFILIATIONS
Shortly after our son’s passing, my wife and I founded Judson’s
Legacy, a ministry of faith and hope in suffering. Through this
nonprofit, we serve families of terminally-ill children, walking
with them through their heartache and beyond. We also speak
to groups about issues of faith, suffering, and grief. I serve on
a few boards, including the Institute for Community Impact in
Orange County and as an elder at our home church.
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHIES
An organization is only as strong as its adherence to its mission
and core values. At its heart, Azusa Pacific University puts God
first. So, we seek to honor Him by doing everything with excellence.
We value people because He created them in His image.
We engage and serve our community in Southwest Riverside
County because God loves it. (How can he not?!) We don’t just
educate students, we cultivate difference makers who will bless
our local community and transform our world.
One of the most important things I can do as a leader is keep our
team focused on our mission and core values. I am constantly
reminding them of these things. We celebrate when we tangibly
live out our values. And I try to help the team see what it means
to our community when we do.
FAVORITE SPORT
I am a big fan of basketball and of the Lakers, who have been
dreadful the last few years. I enjoy walking and do so daily.
MENTORS
My doctoral advisor at UCLA Scott Bartchy modeled excellence
as a professor and scholar and helped me see God’s
compassion for the poor and marginalized.
FAVORITE READING
I’ve always been partial to J.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings.
It speaks to our situation—that we are made for adventure in
a world that is both broken and blessed.
GOALS
I want to be faithful to God’s calling on my life. And I want to
savor what he has given me: my wife and 11-year-old daughter,
family and close friends, and meaningful work.
RESUME
I completed my bachelor’s degree and met my wife at Biola
University. After beginning a career in higher education there,
I returned to school full-time for my master’s degree at Talbot
School of Theology and later completed my Ph.D. in Early
Christian History. After serving at other private institutions, I
started at Azusa Pacific University at Director of their Orange
County Regional Campus four year ago.
I now serve as Senior Director of Azusa
Pacific’s Orange County and Murrieta
Regional Campuses and adjunct faculty
at Azusa Pacific Seminary.
BIRTHPLACE
I’m a native Californian, born in Westminster.