Seta Javor, ‘Mom of Woodbury’, recognized for contributions

Behind every university president stands a woman who makes it easier for everyone else to succeed. In the case of Woodbury University, Seta Javor has been that woman through the administrations of three of the institution’s presidents.

This kind of service hasn’t escaped notice, and now, Seta, Senior Executive Assistant, Office of the President, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees-- affectionately known as “the mom of Woodbury University” and a beloved figure in the local Armenian community – has been honored as part of Business Life Magazine’s 24th Annual Women Achievers Business & Healthcare Expo.

“Seta is a hugely deserving ‘Women Achiever Honoree,’” said Business Life publisher and program organizer Greg Krikorian. “She routinely goes beyond the call of duty, for Woodbury students and staff, and for the Burbank/Glendale community. Through her work and her example, she exemplifies ‘achievement.’” Of the several hundred women nominated for “Women Achiever” status this year, 27 were selected for recognition. Seta was nominated by a number of local residents, none connected with Woodbury University.

“Seta possesses the same dedication, spirit and passion that moved Clara Woodbury to fight to include women in Woodbury’s first class, in 1884,” said Luis Maria R. Calingo, Ph.D, Woodbury University president, at the event. “It’s a measure of Seta’s character and energy that her dedication to the university is matched only by her commitment to the community, where her spirit of engagement touches everyone she encounters.”

Seta Javor was born in Beirut and immigrated with her family to the United States in 1978. Due to the civil war that began in 1975, she had to give up her college education to start working at age 18, to support her family during the war. As the eldest of three siblings, she also felt responsible for the family in the early stages of their move to America and had a full-time job the third week after her arrival in Los Angeles.

In November 1990, Seta was hired at Woodbury University as the President's Executive Assistant and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, and she continued her education at Woodbury by attending classes on weekends. In 1995, she formed the Armenian Student Association at Woodbury with 35 Armenian students. Today, the ASA numbers somewhere between 300 and 350.

Consistent with her status as “Woodbury Mom,” Seta always makes time for students to come to her even if just for a hug. When asked how many children she has, she answers not one or two, but 1,500. Seta is an alumna of Leadership Burbank Class of 1999 and has served as Vice Chair of the Alumni Board. She is a member of Burbank Noon Kiwanis, PEO Chapter EO, and recently joined American Business Women's Association (ABWA) Verdugo Glen chapter, which recognized her with the “Business Woman of the Year” Award in 2005.

Business Life Magazine has recognized local women achievers in Los Angeles County for the past 23 years. Chairing this year’s event were Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and his wife Christine, and State Senator Carol Liu. The program also included workshops on entrepreneurial leadership and personal empowerment.