Sam Atherton - President

With a passion for education and an unmatched depth of academic experience, Sam Atherton leads University Navigator, INC with both vision and heart. Sam has earned degrees from;

• Benedictine University, MBA in Marketing

• Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, M.S. in Supply Chain Management

• Norwich University, Master’s in Military History

• University of Southern California, Business Administration, BS and International Relations, BA

• UC Berkeley, History, BA

• USC Recruiter

• Mount San Antonio College Professor; Business Administration, International Business, Import & Export, Supply Chain, Introduction to Business, Business Communication, Organizational Behavior

• Harvard Graduate Studies

He is a USC Recruiter who is currently a Professor at Mount San Antonio College, teaching courses in Business Administration, International Business, Import & Export, Supply Chain, Introduction to Business, Business Communication, and Organizational Behavior.

Before founding University Navigator, Sam served as a Chief Executive Officer for a commercial airline and also held the position of National Sales Manager, where he gained valuable leadership and business development experience in high-stakes, results-driven environments.

Sam’s diverse academic background and cross-disciplinary expertise give him a unique perspective on the college admissions process. His commitment to helping students succeed is rooted in a belief that education should be empowering, personalized, and transformative.

In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Sam is an avid world traveler. His journeys have taken him across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas, including Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Italy, England, Greece, France, Mexico, Argentina, and Australia. These global experiences have enriched his worldview and deepened his understanding of international education systems and cultural diversity.

Under his leadership, University Navigator has become a trusted partner for families seeking clarity and confidence in the path to higher education and their students’ future.