How would you feel if someone genuinely cared about your decisions, your future, and the life you’re trying to build?
What if someone was not only interested in your dreams but also committed to walking beside you to make them a reality?
At Cumorah Academy, that’s not a hypothetical question—it’s a lived experience.
And no one embodies this commitment more than our Advisory Couple: Mike and Kenna Manwaring.
These two are more than just mentors—they are trusted guides, spiritual anchors, and cheerleaders who help each student design a personal roadmap for life.
In a world filled with noise, distractions, and fleeting digital connections, a deeply caring and personalized mentorship relationship like this is becoming rare. But at Cumorah Academy, it’s the standard.
The Importance of an Advisory Couple in a Student’s Life
At the core of our structure lies a crucial element: the importance of an advisory couple. This role isn’t symbolic—it’s fundamental.
Mike and Kenna meet individually with each student throughout the semester, helping them explore their goals, uncover their aspirations, and build a tangible plan for achieving them. They don’t tell students what to do. Instead, they ask meaningful questions, provide clarity, and encourage action.
This one-on-one support helps students stay focused, make decisions aligned with their values, and develop a sense of personal responsibility for their futures.
It’s easy to dismiss the need for a life vision. Students might say things like:
- “I can’t predict what’s going to happen.”
- “The world is too chaotic to plan.”
- “It’s not that simple.”
But those who go through this process discover that having a personal roadmap doesn’t guarantee certainty—it offers direction. It empowers them to face uncertainty with purpose and confidence.
In fact, having a vision for your life requires and cultivates the same traits that define great leaders: proactivity, grit, determination, and optimism.
How Mike and Kenna Became the Advisory Couple
Interestingly, Mike and Kenna didn’t set out to take on this role at Cumorah Academy. Mike first connected with the school while volunteering with the managing society. They had originally planned to mentor students for just one week during the spring semester.
But life had other plans. When the couple initially scheduled to be the Advisory Couple couldn’t come, Mike and Kenna were invited to step in.
“We felt it was the right decision,” they both recall, smiling.
Since then, they’ve become an integral part of the student experience at Cumorah Academy. Their willingness to step up and serve is a testament to their character—and it reflects the very mission of our school.
Experience and Faith: The Foundation They Bring
Mike and Kenna bring a rich blend of professional experience, cross-cultural understanding, and spiritual conviction to their work on campus.
Kenna was raised in Manassa, Colorado. She lived in Mexico for two years and later spent 16 years in Asunción, Paraguay. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Spanish, specializing in translation and interpretation. She worked at the Missionary Training Center and served missions in Bolivia and Texas.
Mike, originally from Utah, served a mission in Japan and later earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from BYU. His career took him from Deloitte in Los Angeles to a long tenure at PwC in Denver, where he became a tax partner. He retired at the age of 54, ready to dedicate his time to a new kind of mission—mentoring young people.
Together, they have four children and three grandchildren. Their life experiences, both personal and professional, bring an unmatched level of depth to the relationships they build with students.
Creating a Space for Growth and Focus
One of the things students notice right away about Cumorah Academy is how different it feels from the rest of the world.
“Unlike other places, Cumorah Academy feels removed from the distractions of the world,” Mike says. “It’s a peaceful environment that fosters focus, growth, and spiritual strength.”
That atmosphere is essential. It’s what allows students to slow down, reflect, and really think about what kind of life they want to build—and how to build it.
Kenna adds, “It’s a very unique place where students are genuinely motivated to improve themselves and align their lives with the Lord’s will.”
It’s clear that this environment wouldn’t be the same without the active presence of an Advisory Couple. Their care helps students feel seen, known, and loved.
The Importance of an Advisory Couple Beyond the Semester
What makes this role so impactful is that its influence extends beyond the semester.
The mentorship and love that Mike and Kenna offer often lead to lasting connections. Students stay in touch long after they’ve graduated, continuing to seek guidance, share life updates, and express their gratitude.
These are the types of relationships that don’t fade—they strengthen with time.
Mike also contributes by teaching financial literacy, a crucial skill for young adults stepping into adulthood. His classes are more than just lessons on budgeting or saving—they’re about stewardship, responsibility, and preparing for a purposeful life.
A Legacy of Love and Leadership
There’s something powerful about having someone believe in your potential—especially when you’re still trying to find your path.
That’s what Mike and Kenna give our students every single day.
And years from now, when these young adults are building families, starting businesses, or serving in their communities, they’ll remember the couple who sat across from them and said, “You can do this. Let’s make a plan.”
That’s the importance of an advisory couple.
They help students see a brighter future—and walk with them until they can walk on their own.
At Cumorah Academy, that’s not just a role.
It’s a mission.
And thanks to people like Mike and Kenna Manwaring, it’s a mission that’s changing lives.
If you’re ready to take charge of your future with personalized mentorship, spiritual growth, and real-world preparation, Cumorah Academy is the place for you.
👉 Apply now and start your journey at Cumorah Academy — where faith, leadership, and purpose come together to help you create the life you were meant to live
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Julieta Ramirez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
