±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø

Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Why I Chose ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø: Christian Education, Small Classes, and 13:1 Ratio

Professor leading a classroom discussion while students listen and take notes.

I grew up in a strong Christian family, much like many of my peers, with my earliest years shaped by a private, Christ-centered education. When my family moved from our close-knit Christian community in southeast Atlanta to a small town in Oregon, I entered the public school system from seventh grade through the end of high school. I approached this transition with eagerness to experience a new environment, yet I also felt uncertain about navigating peers whose worldviews and family structures differed from my own.

Leaving Public Classrooms for a Christ-Centered Community

By the end of my second semester of my junior year, I toured ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø. Although I loved the beautiful campus and the Christian education and community, I still lacked clarity about what I wanted from my college education and overall experience. After visiting several other universities, I began to genuinely value Christian education again and longed to return to that kind of community. My interest in ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø grew when I attended a sneakPEAK, sat in a biology class, and met the professor. As someone aspiring to go into the medical field, being taught the sciences from Christian worldviews was very important to me. I also desired the close-knit community, small class sizes, and meaningful relationships between professors and students.

From that moment, I pursued every scholarship and financial aid opportunity available. Through the support of my family and friends, and much prayer, God provided. I eagerly prepared and awaited to move on campus and begin this new chapter of my life.

Becoming a Community Development Major

Initially, I declared a biology major with a chemistry minor, planning to attend physician assistant school after ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø. Early on, I found the complex science curriculum difficult and struggled to comprehend it in ways I needed, especially while adjusting to college life. However, when I took the course Theory of Community Development, I immediately fell in awe of the field and the major. Since community development is one of the smaller departments here at ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø, the classes tend to be more intimate and the professors in the department are able to devote meaningful time and support to their students.

Ultimately, I decided to minor in biology with aspirations of attending nursing school, and chose community development as my major so that I could pursue my calling to care for underserved communities more directly while following my passion for medicine. If I had stayed a biology major or switched to another major, I would have still experienced small class sizes and meaningful relationships with professors, but it would not have shaped me as well for my future vocation as a holistic nurse practitioner working in a community health center.

Looking Back

Now, as a senior who graduated in May, I am very grateful that I chose ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍø for my undergraduate education because it has given me a strong foundation both academically and spiritually. Although I could have easily transferred to another school to earn my BSN, rather than taking an additional year to complete my ABSN, I would not have gained the well-rounded liberal arts education that shaped my beliefs and broadened my perspectives. ±¬ÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s small class sizes and 13:1 student-faculty ratio equipped me with skills and knowledge that will flourish my future career and the young woman God calls me to be.

Connect with us