Major: Religion
Why did you choose your major?
I currently work as a minister for a church known as the Valley Church in Chatsworth, CA. I never dreamed of being in ministry, but I was called to it about six years ago.
I have always loved studying the history and culture of the people of the Jewish and Christian Bibles and felt that I had discovered what I was meant to do. So, I decided to return to school at 40 during a global pandemic and pursue a degree in Religion, hoping to achieve a Ph.D. in New Testament studies.
Would you recommend it to a future student? Why?
I would recommend Religion as a major or a minor. The reason is that not every answer to life questions can be found by applying the scientific method. The questions that humans have asked since the beginning of time such as; Why are we here? What are we here for? It can’t be answered with observation and experimentation. To attempt to answer these questions, it is helpful to learn from the wisdom accumulated through the millennia from various cultures.
What are your future plans?
While I am still determining where I will go next, I plan to attend grad school with the ambition of earning a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies, and I want to one day become a professor myself at an institution such as Cal Lu.
Are there any particular experiences — in or out of the classroom — that have helped you identify that path?
As I mentioned earlier, I came to college later in life, and the experiences that I have had with my professors have meant the world to me. All along the way up until now, I have had outstanding professors that have encouraged me, inspired me, and guided me as I decided what to do next, and it has been these experiences that have helped me see that I would love to be a professor myself so that I can pay it forward to the next generation of students.