Dana Langley seeks the Lord’s ways in all she does. She has always had a passion for building connections with people, engaging in fellowship, and drawing close to God by getting to know others well. As the procurement specialist in Azusa Pacific University’s Business Office, Langley pursues her calling for collaboration at a place that aligns with her values.
Originally from La Puente, Calif., Langley attended Mt. San Antonio College, striving to enter the social work field. “I love meeting people, working with them, and having rich conversations,” she said. While she favored the people aspect, Langley felt like social work was a heavy space to enter, so she decided to implement her skills in different ways. For many years, she worked as a corporate trainer for one hour photo labs with Longs Drugs Store.
Langley’s first child, Lauren, was born in 2004. As Langley traveled the country training employees to use photo lab machines, she sought a different lifestyle for her family. “I wanted to find a place for my daughter where the Word of God was spoken, and the people who took care of her would pour out God’s love,” Langley said. “I started wondering, ‘why don’t I want that for myself as well?’”
For the past two decades, APU has been that place for Langley. She connected with a former coworker at Longs who had begun working at APU, which led Langley to the business office in 2005. As the procurement specialist, Langley works with her director and teammates to ensure that policies and procedures of the university are supporting the mission of APU. Langley onboards suppliers, collaborating with different departments across campus to manage purchases. From the first phone call with an outside vendor, to the final contract, Langley helps business processes flow smoothly.
Langley attributes a large amount of her spiritual, professional, and personal growth
to APU’s community. “I’ve truly been able to fulfill my calling at a place where the
Lord allows me to use my gifts to help others,” she said. Her love for meeting with
people shines through her warm smile and joyful energy. Getting to complete tasks
so university business needs operate effectively is a fulfilling role for Langley.
Being a part of furthering APU’s mission to equip students for their higher calling means even more to Langley as she’s watched her daughter transform as a student in the acting for the stage and screen and honors humanities majors. “After 20 years of witnessing APU’s growth, now seeing it impact my daughter spiritually and academically is incredible,” she said.
When she’s not working, Langley loves being involved in her church, and diving into volunteer opportunities. Langley enjoys gardening, which draws her closer to God through creativity and appreciating His handiwork in nature, and spending time with her husband, Rob.
Langley often encourages others to find solace in Psalm 46:5 (“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day.”), a verse that she frequently returns to. “I have faith that the Lord will continue carrying me. He has always led me where I’m meant to be,” she said. The past two decades are a testament to God’s direction in Langley’s life, as she is grateful to live out her calling in a beautiful community.