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Striving for student and employee happiness

Mindset

Summa wants to actively contribute to the happiness of students and staff. Happiness contributes to learning, working, and growing. This includes pursuing a program that aligns with your talents and interests, where you feel happy. Or working in a pleasant environment, offering challenge and purpose. We take happiness very seriously. What sets Summa apart from other organizations is the bold decision to choose "happiness" as our ultimate goal. In everything we do, the question is whether and how it contributes to the happiness of students and staff. This page provides more information about how we strive for optimal happiness: we call this strategic pillar Mindset.

Based on Summa's core values, we contribute to the happiness of students, trainees, and staff. We do this through the interplay of relational work (I belong), personal leadership (I am free), and a talent climate (I can do it). This creates a meeting place and safe learning environment where everyone can develop.

– Talent Climate (Competencies, I can do it)
– Personal leadership (Autonomy, I am free)
– Practorate Relational Work (Relationships, I belong – see also this page)

An important strategic pillar
To realize our future dreams and to reach our higher and bolder goal, it is important that we bring focus to our activities. In our strategic ambitions We've formulated five pillars. Mindset is a key priority for us. You can read how we're putting this into practice in the various articles below.

Happiness as the ultimate goal

Winners of MBO Crafted Awards showcase the versatility of MBO.
Winners of MBO Crafted Awards showcase the versatility of MBO.
June 18, 2026
During the MBO Crafted Awards 2026, students from Summa were honored for their final graduation projects. The awards went to projects in the fields of sustainability, social impact, collaboration, and innovation.
events
education
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Fontys and Summa renew collaboration for laboratory education in the Brainport region
Fontys and Summa renew collaboration for laboratory education in the Brainport region
June 09, 2026
Fontys and Summa are renewing their collaboration for laboratory education in the Brainport region. This ensures that MBO and HBO students continue to learn in modern labs and that the transition between MBO and HBO increases.
laboratory
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Ergon and Summa create unique pilot
Ergon and Summa create unique pilot
June 03, 2026
Ergon and Summa have been working together for years to guide people with support needs towards suitable employment. Through work-learning programs, training, and guidance, they create opportunities for sustainable jobs and build an inclusive labor market together in the Brainport region.
sustainability
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The added value of quiet spaces
The added value of quiet spaces
July 04, 2025
Away from all the hustle and bustle and stimulation, regain your focus or take a moment to say your daily prayers. Students are increasingly looking for their own space within the school building, where they can retreat. At Summa Healthcare & Wellbeing, students and teachers are thrilled with the arrival of a quiet room.
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Chaos! So many stimuli, it's frustrating.
Chaos! So many stimuli, it's frustrating.
14 December 2021
Karin Broeders took part in the autism experience circuit.
care & welfare
the story of…
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Students ask for attention for diversity: “You must be able to be yourself, always
Students ask for attention for diversity: “You must be able to be yourself, always
June 23, 2025
Is diversity fully embraced everywhere? Then it would no longer be necessary to draw attention to it. Unfortunately, we're not there yet. Many schools in the Netherlands have active GSAs: groups that believe everyone should be able to be themselves.
care & welfare
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First Intro Festival was a success
First Intro Festival was a success
July 04, 2025
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Stubborn, technical and poetic: Zoé makes vocational education shine
Stubborn, technical and poetic: Zoé makes vocational education shine
July 01, 2025
Summa vocational ambassador, perfectionist, ballroom dancer, former junior city poet of Roosendaal, tech enthusiast, idealist and a bit stubborn.
engineering
sustainability
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