Biography

Gwen Garner is the Director Business Development for the American University of Integrative Sciences. She is in charge of all aspects of US and international business development including admissions and marketing the medical university. She has also developed a high school program for students to learn more about medical careers. Gwen has engaged in public speaking on behalf of the American Cancer Society Annual Breast Cancer breakfasts and at Motivational Conferences within churches. She has over 30 years of experience presenting public information programs to high schools and community colleges. These programs focus on career selection and educational preparation for careers. She has been the Director of Scholarship programs for the American Women's Business Association (ABWA), Executive Womens International (EWI), and participated in scholarship committees for WalMart and Sam's Clubs. One of her big focuses right now is her Non-Profit AUSUM. AUSUM is coined to be a combination of autistic and awesome. The goal of this organization is to find employment for adults with high-functioning autism. She said she was inspired to do this because two of her grandchildren are on the autism spectrum. Both grandsons are remarkably intelligent and focused; however, social interactions can be a challenge. The proposed launch of the non-profit is fall, 2016. Gwen attributes much of her success to the foundation her parents created for her and her brothers. Her parents grew up during the Depression and did not have the privilege of completing high school. However, they encouraged their children to excel in school. She fondly recalls that her father bought a set of encyclopedias for them to read. He also read encyclopedias like other men read newspapers. During her first year of college both of her parents returned to school and earned their GED's. This accomplishment fueled her desire to continue life-long learning and to educate adults who did not complete their educations while they were young. Gwen has experience owning a private security and polygraph company where she had contracts with local, county and state law enforcement agencies and private businesses. She has conducted counseling with abused women and children. Gwen received her Master of Science in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University and her BSBA in Education from Louisiana State University of Shreveport. Outside of her own organization, Gwen is a strong supporter of activities dealing with autism, breast cancer, and Alzheimer's. Each passion is fueled by her love of family and friends who deal with these challenges. Gwen has no plans for retiring. Every day is an adventure to be lived to the fullest. She continues to manage, train, and motivate on a daily basis.