The renovations that are happening in classrooms at Fresno Pacific University could describe the overall feel of what’s taking place on the campus of the private Christian university located in southeast Fresno.
“You can feel the energy on campus and throughout the community, and then even with our donors.”
Originally posted on September 21, 2026, on the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools website: fcoe.org/education-matters
At the end of August, FPU signed an agreement with the State Center Community College District, which includes Reedley, Madera, Clovis and Fresno City College.
“This formally establishes a pathway for transfer students to come to FPU, lowering the barriers, guaranteeing them admissions and access to scholarships. And so, it is exciting.”
The move comes at a time when the university is experiencing growth, seeing a five percent increase in students. Much of that growth is among its undergraduate population.
“We’re seeing a bump in high school students who are coming, and then transfers. That was actually the largest growth in transfer areas. So, students want to complete their degrees, and so they’re transferring to FPU to get that done.”
The campus continues its renovation of classrooms, 12 in total, complete gut jobs from ceiling to floor, technology and furniture. But perhaps the biggest development taking shape is the goal to provide the Valley with more health care workers.
“There’s needs for physicians, there’s needs for nurses, there’s needs for techs. It’s everything in the ecosystem. And so, the healthcare piece, to me, is a place that we can step into and make a real difference.”
The university already has a strong nursing program, recently upgrading its SIM lab at its north Fresno campus, but its newest addition is the three-year launch of a physician associate graduate program.
“There’s no physician assistant program from L.A. to Sacramento. So, this will be the first one in the Valley.”
Dr. Stephens says the university has already hired a program director to help establish the PA program, making sure it meets all accrediting requirements and is on track to launch in May 2029.
“We want to be not just in the shadows of the bigger public schools. We want to be a primary mover and shaper of how the Valley thrives.”
For Education Matters, I’m Juanita Stevenson. KSEE24, local news that matters.
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