Once she entered the workforce, Rebecca Weber felt she had been well-prepared by SBU for her career “by introducing me to the diversity within our communities that I would be serving.”
Rebecca, who graduated with a degree in psychology, has been working in the foster care system ever since. She now is the volunteer coordinator for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri, after having held positions as a case manager, and a licensing and home study specialist.
“SBU cared about my success and my development as a person outside of academics,” Rebecca said. “They supported me by praying for me, cheering me on, and challenging me to be a stronger student, both spiritually and academically.”
And, those SBU faculty connections were instrumental in Rebecca’s path.
“The professors at SBU were monumental in the direction that I took after graduation,” Rebecca said. “Adjunct professors at SBU were in the field and gave me a great direction on how to get involved in my field.
“SBU does a fantastic job of making students feel like they matter on a personal level. I never felt like a number, or just another face. Having professors reach out if you were sick or having a hard time, was something that I can’t imagine happening at another school.”
That support also was vital to Rebecca’s growth in her Christian walk.
“I grew exponentially as a young Christian while at SBU,” Rebecca said. “Being surrounded by positive like-minded individuals had such a significant effect on me during my college years. SBU set me on a path to serve God and His people.”
Rebecca still can see the value of the integration of faith and academics during her SBU educational experience.
“I received an outstanding and personalized education, along with incredible spiritual leadership that set the tone for how I would go forward and serve my community,” Rebecca said. “That was priceless to me.
“SBU equipped me with the knowledge and compassion to serve a diverse population of individuals and truly make an impact in my community.”