DBU Alumnus Mitchell Cantwell Reflects on Faith, Mentorship, and Purpose in Business

An alumnus of Dallas Baptist University, Mitchell (Mitch) Cantwell has loved serving those around him through his work in the business world. Graduating in 2021 with an MBA in Finance, the Carter School of Business and its faculty have helped guide him to where he is today.

Raised in a Christian home in New Mexico, Mitch shares how he "never knew a life without faith." In eighth grade, he accepted Christ into his life and began to live a faith that was truly his own. From that moment on, he has continued to grow in his walk with the Lord.

When Mitch moved to Texas and began his freshman year of college, he describes how this was a pivotal moment in his life, one with challenges that pointed out how much he needed Christ to be at the center of everything. Through this journey, Mitch was surrounded by friends and mentors who encouraged and sharpened him, which he says continues to shape his testimony today.

With his brother already attending DBU, Mitch was familiar with the university and often visited campus. In 2016, he decided to transfer for his sophomore year, drawn by DBU's genuine commitment to its Christ-centered mission. He quickly realized that this mission was not just a slogan, it was something lived out daily across campus. From University leadership to the student body, Mitch saw a shared dedication to developing Christ-centered servant leaders.

During his time at DBU, Mitch immersed himself in campus life, forming close friendships and participating in a variety of activities. From serving as a student worker to standing in as Patriot Man for the Cheer Team's National Cheer Association (NCA) Competition in Daytona Beach, FL, Mitch recalls how, "there are so many small moments woven in throughout my time on University Hill that, combined, made for an unforgettable five years."

Mitch graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, and later earned his MBA in Finance in 2021. During his time in the Carter School of Business, Mitch highlights how his professors have deeply influenced his professional and spiritual growth, especially Dr. Sandra Reid, who serves as Professor of Business Management in the CSB.

This mentorship and friendship with Dr. Reid helped guide Mitch through his undergraduate, graduate, and professional journey. "It is because of people like her that my time at DBU was so special," Mitch shares. Dr. Reid even helped connect him with others in the business world, including the Texas Business Hall of Fame, which has been a big influence in his professional career and personal development.

After graduating, Mitch pursued additional real estate courses that have deepened his understanding of the business world. With a passion for learning, he acknowledges how he hopes to keep learning and growing in his field, realizing there is always more to learn. Mitch has even returned to campus to share his own knowledge with those at DBU in Dr. Reid's MBA classes, which he states has been a "true joy to be on the other side of the learning experience."

Mitch began his career with a regional firm in commercial real estate before moving into his current role as Vice President at CBRE in Dallas, where he works with colleagues and clients across the DFW area. He says the most fulfilling part of his work is "getting to work with incredible people." Reflecting on his time at DBU, Mitch credits the University's servant leadership mindset for shaping how he leads, builds relationships, and cares for others in his profession. Grateful for the mentors who have guided him along the way, he recognizes how God has been at work through every step of his journey, using each experience to prepare him for where he is today and for what lies ahead.

Mitch is grateful for DBU and the CSB helping to cultivate the servant leadership mindset in him, as well as every other student on campus. He shares how the professors at DBU do "a great job teaching the soft skills and giving students a great foundation to launch into their career," which has helped him and many other DBU students in their professional journey today.

Mitch encourages current and future students to follow a piece of advice he received while at DBU, "Ora et Labora", which means, "work and pray." Mitch shares, that everyone should work and pray as if everything depended on God, because ultimately, it does. For him, having this active mindset has helped to further integrate hard work and faith in his own professional and spiritual life.