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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

Professional talent Niels (22): 'Above all, I want to be able to do as much as possible'
Professional talent Niels (22): 'Above all, I want to be able to do as much as possible'
November 05 2026
Niels Vlamings (22), a former student of Summa Techniek, has been nominated for the Noordhof Prize. With a smart process improvement at Driessen BV in Eersel, he shows what young technical craftsmanship can achieve.
technology
brainport
the story of…
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Summa NXT offers former students extra guidance after graduation.
Summa NXT offers former students extra guidance after graduation.
October 19, 2026
Summa NXT offers former students additional guidance after graduation as they transition to employment or further education. Personal coaching helps them on their way to a sustainable start in the labor market.
sustainability
education
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Brabant Master Chef concludes with final at Summa
Brabant Master Chef concludes with final at Summa
October 09, 2026
The Brabant Master Chef final at Summa brought pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) pupils and vocational secondary education (mbo) students together in the kitchen. Team Yellow won the cooking competition, which focused on collaboration, craftsmanship, and preventing food waste.
Hospitality & catering sector Sterrenlaan 10
hospitality
education
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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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