Education Matters: Fresno Pacific Program Helps Adults Build Brighter Futures

“While I was in school online doing online classes, I was already streaming video games and trying to play professionally like in esports,” said Padilla, a student at Fresno Pacific University.

Rigoberto was attending Fresno City College in a pre-nursing program when COVID hit, and classes moved online. He dropped out of college.

“From the moment I dropped out, I knew what I wanted to do, and I had a goal in mind where I wanted to fully commit to esports and playing video games professionally,” he said.

Six years later, he is married with a young child and the ups and downs of professional gaming was not providing the stability he wanted for his family.

“I think having a stable job in the field that I’m currently trying to get a major in, the healthcare industry, I think will help provide that,” he said.

Rigoberto enrolled in Fresno Pacific University’s degree completion program.

“It’s designed for the working adult, the adult who has family obligations at home that can’t necessarily get to campus or take classes during a traditional daytime schedule,” said Jenny Martinez, the academic advising director at Fresno Pacific University.

Working adults can take classes in the evening or completely online. The courses are mapped out and sequenced in a way that fits students’ schedules.

“It allows them to be able to get those degrees, to move up into their careers, or maybe even find or seek opportunities outside of what they thought,” Martinez said.

That was the case for 43-year-old Cecilia Cruz, a divorced mother of two. After earning a certificate at Fresno City College, she spent years working for nonprofits. She found her passion working with children.

“And that’s when I knew I wanted to be a SPED teacher, an autism teacher,” said Cruz, who now studies at Fresno Pacific University.

Students working toward their bachelor’s degrees are assigned an academic counselor. Cruz says that although her classes are online, she still feels connected to the campus.

“It’s very people-oriented. I like to make a phone call, they call me, they Zoom me. I like to see and talk to somebody face to face,” she said.

The degree completion program is one of the most popular offerings at FPU, and administrators say that’s because it gives adults the tools to build a better future and follow their dreams.

“And it’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it, it’ll be worth it,” she said. “So just have faith, this Christian school is a perfect place to have faith.”