Beyond textbooks: Students find foundation, transformation at La Sierra

  College of Arts & Sciences   School of Business  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- When senior exercise science major and soccer player Madyson Cornish enrolled at La Sierra University four years ago, she could not have envisioned the difficult turns ahead of her, the resulting groundswell of support she would receive in response, or its significant impact on her life.

<p> Freshman music major Alvin Estrada said his involvement in the university’s music department has moved him past insecurities and toward a degree in music performance with an emphasis in education and career path as a teacher in middle or high school. </p>

Freshman music major Alvin Estrada said his involvement in the university’s music department has moved him past insecurities and toward a degree in music performance with an emphasis in education and career path as a teacher in middle or high school.

<p> Senior exercise science major and soccer player Madyson Cornish found support from campus members during a difficult period of her life. She aims for a career in physical education or sports management. </p>

Senior exercise science major and soccer player Madyson Cornish found support from campus members during a difficult period of her life. She aims for a career in physical education or sports management.

<p> Madyson Cornish plays with the Golden Eagles women's soccer team in a game against Pacific Union College. </p>

Madyson Cornish plays with the Golden Eagles women's soccer team in a game against Pacific Union College.

She was a freshman in 2020 when she witnessed the death of her boyfriend during a car crash that resulted when another driver ran through a stop sign. The dark phase that followed nearly derailed her, but university and department leaders and exercise science faculty members rallied around her and her family, providing constant emotional, spiritual and academic support.

“Honestly, if it wasn't for being at this school I would have dropped out,” she said, noting the daily prayers of Campus Chaplain Jason Decena, the check-in calls and advocacy of Dean of Students Marjorie Robinson, the support of teammates, coaches, Athletics Director Javier Krumm and her professors. “They truly will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. I cannot thank this university enough for treating me like family and coming together to help me when I was at my lowest.”

Cornish is among several students who recently talked about their pivotal experiences at La Sierra University -- caring guidance, mentorship, faith development, strong friendships and connections, career direction, and deep learning opportunities, all combining to form a strong foundation from which to enter the world and with outcomes that often exceeded the students’ expectations.

"I cannot thank this university enough for treating me like family." -- Madyson Cornish, senior exercise science major, soccer team member

In addition to the focused individualized attention of faculty and staff, the university provides multiple resources and points through which it strives to provide a holistic, supportive educational experience for students encompassing their spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual wellbeing. These resources include the Collaborative Learning Center and its tutoring services, counseling through Student Wellness Services, services and programs through Spiritual Life, mental health workshops, writing assistance, academic advising, Career Center, and first-year experience support services for new students, among others.

Students’ experiences are reflected in U.S. News & World Report college rankings this school year in which La Sierra is listed as No. 4 out of 115 universities in 15 western states for social mobility, an indicator of its support and graduation of those facing greater challenges. La Sierra also posted a strong ranking as a Best Value school.

“I believe students who study at La Sierra University receive an educational experience that helps not only with social mobility, but supports and nurtures every aspect of their lives,” said Provost April Summitt. “We address what is happening in the classroom and directly assist in preparation for graduate school or future employment, and come together collectively for them in life’s most difficult moments.

“Because of the broad support students receive, they are able to move forward in ways they may not have considered at the start of their college career. Their own resilience and flexibility, their ability to find creative solutions for challenges that we don't even know about yet, to collaborate, to think across disciplinary boundaries all binds together during their experience with us,” she said.

Unexpected impact

Senior communications-public relations major Ayana Felton, an award-winning outside hitter with the Golden Eagles’ women’s volleyball team and a first-generation college student believes her achievements are due to the particular type of instruction, guidance, coaching and opportunities she has received at La Sierra, particularly when she compares her experiences with friends from high school who enrolled at public institutions.

“The relationships I've built with professors and even those of higher rank on campus are a huge benefit." -- Ayana Felton, senior communications-public relations major, volley ball team member

“I'm sure I have benefited from my educational experience at La Sierra University in many ways that I haven't even experienced yet,” she said. “The relationships I've built with professors and even those of higher rank on campus are a huge benefit to me simply for their insights on my plans past graduation this June.”

For freshman music major Alvin Estrada, his involvement in the university’s music department this year has moved him past insecurities over the rigors of the field and toward focused goals he previously had not dared to entertain – a degree in music performance with an emphasis in education and career path as a teacher in middle or high school.

“I never expected to ever become a music major, I never imagined that I could be or would be up for the challenge,” Estrada said. “But La Sierra did it. It helped me, not just as an institution but also creating a dynamic that enables me to push my skills, within music, with compassion, and authenticity to the creativity of the art of music, experimenting and experiencing more than what I was originally capable of.”

“La Sierra University has opened my eyes to aspects that I would not have considered outside of this campus,” said Cornish. “For example, I learned about Adventist culture and their beliefs. We are required to take three religion courses, attend chapel one time a week, and when I stayed in the dorms I had weekly dorm chapel as well. This opened my eyes to the Bible and how Adventists differ from other religions.”

Tomas Godoy, a freshman business accounting and management major and a forward with the men’s soccer team said, “I have benefited from being a part of the La Sierra community by being surrounded by like-minded students who carry God throughout their journey and can connect with me spiritually and socially. I believe La Sierra is helping me continue to find my passion through my chosen major.”

Strong social interactions and friendships are vital to a well-rounded college experience, and for Felton they came more readily than she expected at La Sierra.“I feel the thing that moved me the most beyond my expectations is just the type of people I've developed friendships with,” she said. “I've met some pretty cool people here, people that will be at some big milestones in my personal life. That was something I did not expect to happen so easily.

"The second I got on campus it felt like home." -- Alvin Estrada, freshman music major

Similarly, Godoy noted the welcoming community and high level of professionalism he has encountered at the Zapara School of Business. “I really enjoy being a part of the group there as it helps me stay focused, but as well, enjoy the process,” he said. He has his sights set on a career in either sports management or with a Big Four accounting firm.

“Due to the size of the campus, socially we get to know many people,” added Cornish. “I have met new people and created bonds here that I will never forget. Another aspect of La Sierra University, socially, is that pretty much everyone at this school is respectful and kind to others. I believe I can make a difference in my field because of the love and support I have received from La Sierra University.”

Students often cite La Sierra’s close-knit and welcoming community as reasons for enrolling. Estrada, who is from Moreno Valley, California chose La Sierra not only for its close location but because of its atmosphere, he said. “Home will always be home, but I can proudly call La Sierra my second home. The second I got on campus it felt like home. It felt like a place that I could feel comfortable at, the programs, the professors, and of course the administrators, and advisers.”

Senior communications-public relations major Ayana Felton, a first-generation college student, is an award-winning outside hitter with the Golden Eagles’ women’s volleyball team.

Athletics factor

Students are also drawn to La Sierra’s athletics department which is expanding its programming and scholarships. The university’s Golden Eagles athletics department, which is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, employs a highly qualified coaching staff that uses a teamwork and collaboration approach, said Krumm. “We implement strategies to create a supportive and challenging environment, and our athletics department helps our students to reach new levels of success in their athletic journey.”

An array of athletics activities and programs are offered including the NAIA’s Champions of Character three-day retreat which includes team building and a spiritual retreat, a system for tracking and monitoring athletes' progress towards their academic, health, and athletic and goals, and recognition events such as Sports Awards Night.

Varsity athletics options were instrumental in decisions Felton, Cornish and Godoy made to enroll at the university.“The simple answer is sports,” said Felton when asked why she chose La Sierra. “I was fortunate enough for my coaches to see something in me worth taking a chance on. For that I will be grateful for because it's gotten me an education that my family has always wanted for me.”

“I have benefited from being a part of the La Sierra community by being surrounded by like-minded students who carry God throughout their journey." -- Tomas Godoy, freshman business accounting and management major, soccer team member

Godoy, who arrived to La Sierra’s Riverside, California campus from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada said he was attracted by “its well-respected business program, its very welcoming community, and for the athletic opportunity to be a part of the men's soccer team.” 

Cornish, who goes by Mady, plays midfield on the Golden Eagles’ women’s soccer team. A resident of Beaumont, California, she became aware of the campus and its offerings through an athletics soccer recruitment effort. When the Golden Eagles offered her a position on the university team, Cornish mulled the option and did her research, unaware of the deeper future implications of her decision.

“One aspect that helped sway my decision was how La Sierra is a small school and is like a tight-knit community,” she said. “I wanted to be able to have a connection with my classmates and professors in a way that if I needed help I could reach out. La Sierra has provided me with just that.”

As winter quarter melts into spring, La Sierra’s senior class is in full gear, racing for the finish line and graduation. Felton is looking forward to a first job traveling the world as a flight attendant – “then hopefully opportunities align for me to go where the wind takes me with my degree,” she said.

Cornish is aiming for a master’s degree after earning a Bachelor’s of Science in exercise science this June. She is entering a teaching internship in spring quarter following an internship in sports management with the athletics department during winter quarter. She is trying to decide between teaching physical education and eventually becoming an exercise science professor or a sports management professional.

“Whatever I decide to do, I want to be a positive role model and help future generations the way my role models -- both in sports and in school -- did for me,” she said.

Tomas Godoy, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, was attracted to La Sierra University's business program and the opportunity to play varsity soccer.

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