As Joao Almeida ’19 pursues his master’s degree, he is confident that the faculty
at Southwest Baptist University prepared him academically for the task.
Joao, who came to SBU from Campo Grande, Brazil, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and now is pursuing a graduate degree in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Exercise Science at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.
“I feel equipped for all the challenges that graduate school gives me,” Joao said. “They were very personal and easy to relate to, and they were open to questions, which allowed greater opportunities for learning.
“My professors were always very open to talk to and they always seemed to want to help me because they cared about me learning, rather than just passing the information forward.”
Getting involved in residence life and the campus community at SBU also played an integral part in Joao’s experience as a student-athlete.
Joao served as a resident assistant, was a standout on the Bearcat tennis team and was voted Mr. Southwest during the spring semester of his junior year. He loved being part of campus life at SBU.
“All of these areas allowed me to build true community, which led me to make lifelong friends,” Joao said. “They prepared me to be comfortable in social settings and not being afraid to explore and seek community.”
Being a resident assistant also helped Joao grow in becoming a servant leader.
“One of the main ways I was able to practice that was through the RA position I was trusted to,” Joao said. “I learned so much about giving rather than receiving, and I could never have imagined how much more the RA position gave to me compared to what I can give back.”
Joao was able to grow in his Christian walk with the support of his SBU family – more than he could have expected, he said – and, that’s what he says makes SBU unique.
“The community at SBU encouraged me so much in my faith journey that I am not sure if I would be as close to Jesus as I am today if it wasn't for that encouragement,” Joao said. “SBU is a community of Christ-seeking friends and a safe place to grow as a student and as a follower of Jesus.
“SBU impacted my life in unimaginable ways. The people are so intentional in trying to make you feel at home and bringing you closer to Christ.”