How the Mayor of Laguna Hills, ORU Alumna Janine Heft, Leads with Faith

Janine Heft

Hometown: Laguna Hills, California
Class of '89

Managing a city requires a heart for leadership, a sense of responsibility, and a love for people. Advocating for a community's needs and priorities is a distinct calling. For ORU alumna Janine Heft, the mayor of Laguna Hills, California, the call to serve was strong. Her passion for politics started a few years after graduating from ORU as a Drama/Television/Film major.

"ORU gave me the tools I needed to become a positive, confident, and most of all, God-fearing leader," said Janine. "I had the opportunity to go on mission trips, which helped me develop a worldview that allowed me to see people like Jesus saw them. I can look back and see how God brought me to ORU to prepare me for something I would do much later in life."

After working alongside an activist turned conservative luminary, Janine's interest in politics was awakened. This experience propelled her into the heart of politics, where she began defending the principles she cherished. Thereafter, Janine met her future husband, Carl, who shared her values and her desire to serve.

"For many years, my husband and I mostly worked behind the scenes," said Janine, "supporting Christian candidates who were running for office. We did everything from making phone calls to walking precincts before elections to stuffing envelopes for campaign mailers."

After serving on the Orange County Assessments Appeal Board, Janine was elected to the Laguna Hills City Council, serving two terms as Mayor.

"Our city didn't have prayer at the beginning of council meetings," said Janine, "and we didn't have 'In God We Trust' displayed in our chambers. I pushed forward with my convictions and won the support of my colleagues to implement both. I believe we should honor God, and in turn, the Lord will bless our city for putting Him first."

Throughout her service, Janine has faced challenges, from navigating the tumultuous waters of the 2020 pandemic to defending her city in legal action. Yet, through it all, she remains steadfast in her convictions, guided by her faith and a deep sense of duty to her city. As the leader of Laguna Hills, Janine's commitment to her beliefs and family is unwavering.

"If someone had told me ten years ago that I would go from an active political volunteer to someone making decisions for my entire city," said Janine, "I don't think I would have believed them. But the Lord had plans for my life, and I am blessed to walk in those plans."

UNIVERSITY BRIEF

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 15 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor's level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 152 nations in the last four years to be whole leaders for the whole world.

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2024). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest.

ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:

• #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
• #2 in Most International Students
• #3 in Best Value
• #6 in Best College for Veterans
• #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West

For more information, visit www.oru.edu.