PBA President Among 25 Women in South Florida to be Honored
West Palm Beach, Fla. (February 21, 2024) — Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn has been named among South Florida Business Journal’s 2024 Influential Women in Business. The award, which is in its fourth year, honors women in leadership in the region who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in their fields and made significant contributions to their communities.
Dr. Schwinn, who joined PBA in 2020, is among 25 distinguished honorees selected for this recognition. This 2024 Influential Woman in Business award highlights how Dr. Schwinn and her fellow honorees have steered their organizations to success through various areas such as sales or revenue growth, marketing reach, and enhanced community engagement. They will be honored at an awards ceremony on March 15, 2024, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Dr. Schwinn. “It highlights our collective mission at PBA to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. Our commitment to blending academic excellence with our dedication to merging rigorous academic pursuits with foundational Christian principles is essential in cultivating values-based leaders who can positively impact the ethical and moral landscape of our organizations and communities.”
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Schwinn, PBA has achieved remarkable success in enrollment growth. In fall 2023, the institution celebrated the largest incoming class in its 55-year history, marking its second consecutive year of growth. Dr. Schwinn has also expanded PBA’s programs, introducing new bachelor’s and graduate degrees, including the Master of Medical Science Physician Associate program, which will begin in fall 2024.
In November 2022, the university launched the God-Sized Dreams campaign, which has to date raised $48 million to fund the first of four major projects, The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, for which ground was broken in January. The God-Sized Dreams campaign outlines a bold vision for Christian education and support for the growth of the local business community. Other construction projects include a cutting-edge health science complex, a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and an alumni and student welcome center.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend sincere congratulations to Dr. Schwinn on being honored as a 2024 Influential Woman in Business,” said Tom McCaffrey, Chair of PBA’s Board of Trustees. “We are privileged to have her as a leader. Dr. Schwinn has demonstrated commitment to PBA’s growth and the execution of a strategic vision that transforms our campus, expands our curriculum, and contributes to the flourishing of our local business community.”
To learn more about PBA, visit, www.pba.edu.
