CJ director dedicates MBA in honor of sister, recalls university’s impact

The 25-year-old director of La Sierra’s criminal justice department smiled a lot that day. He celebrated with family and friends from California and several other states who threw a barbecue for him after commencement. “It was a moment in time that I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.

But graduation held special significance beyond the 3.8 grade point average and master’s degree in finance he achieved over two years while working long hours as a university staff member. It was an accomplishment earned in honor of his sister, Jazmine Williams, who died not long after he started the graduate program. She passed away at age 14 while playing in a high school basketball game—a beloved sibling who dreamed of attending her brother’s university. Her death resulted from an enlarged heart, a condition of which her family was unaware.

“I was truly in shock,” said Williams, “[but] La Sierra University was there for me through the whole process. The church hosted her funeral, and I received a lot of support from everyone on campus. I dedicate my MBA to her.”

It was basketball that landed Williams on La Sierra’s campus eight years ago. At age 17 he suffered an injury during his last basketball game at Etiwanda High School and lost the interest of several colleges that were recruiting him. “All the other schools turned away from me except La Sierra,” he said.

He knew virtually nothing about the Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, but appreciated that it was close to his home in the Fontana-Rancho Cucamonga area. “I was so clueless that I thought ‘SDA’ was some type of degree program like a BA, BS, MA, MBA,” he joked.

“I signed up for the pre-engineering program, and after two years at La Sierra I could not leave. La Sierra became my home,” he said. “I finished my undergrad with a degree in math, played four years of college basketball, and even spent a lot of hours working in the math labs as a math tutor. I was actually sad to leave when I graduated.”

Not long after earning his bachelor’s degree in 2013, he found a couple of reasons to return to his alma mater. A friend connected Williams with La Sierra’s Center for Student Academic Success where he was hired as one of four academic coaches from a field of about 50 job candidates. And in early 2014 he enrolled in the MBA program. “It felt good to be back and I thrived working for OACS,” he said. During his first year with the center, he was selected as Coach of the Year. 

During the 2014-2015 school year, Williams took a position with La Sierra’s Criminal Justice program. In 2015 he was promoted to associate director of the department, and on July 12 was named director. Criminal Justice is currently La Sierra’s fastest growing program offered at satellite campuses in Corona and Ontario. Williams’ role involves advising more than 100 students, handling schedules, contracts, budgets, “and being the go-to person for our department,” Williams said.

He makes himself available to students “as long as I am awake,” Williams said. “I know for a fact that I would not be where I am today without key individuals from La Sierra University. For them, I always try to go that extra mile for people when I can, because I know that makes a difference.”

For those who know Williams well, his accomplishments come as no surprise.

“I am extremely proud of DePaul. He has always had a good head on his shoulders and is always analytical when making decisions,” said Williams’ mother, Regina Philips. “I have watched him sacrifice social activities in order to study and complete homework assignments for school.”

DePaul’s interest in helping others, and his aptitude for coaching, was apparent first to his family and friends. While a high school student, he tutored his mother and her co-workers in algebra when they returned to college to complete their degrees. “We were all working adults in the law enforcement field and struggled with college algebra,” Philips said. “I received an A in both of my college algebra classes because of DePaul. He has truly been a blessing to our family and I am so thankful to God for him.”

“Even as a very young boy, I knew DePaul would be a leader and not a follower,” said Williams’ father, Frank Williams. “He is a special, hardworking kid. His passion for learning and challenges always stood out to me as his father. The one thing I always wanted for him was to be a better man than I was and he is off to a great start. I am very proud of him, I love him, and I know that this is just the beginning.”

Williams’ step-mother, Karen Williams, mother of Jazmine and her twin sister, Jade, also expressed her pride in DePaul’s accomplishments and happiness over being a part of his life. “I was excited and overwhelmed by the moment [graduation]. His whole college experience and now his job advancement from OACS coach to director of Criminal Justice is exciting,” she said.

While a La Sierra undergrad, Williams also delved into issues of faith. “La Sierra has had a huge impact on my faith and spiritual life,” he said. “I took a lot of religion classes because I was very fascinated by the SDA denomination.  I grew up a non-denominational Christian, and what I appreciate about the Adventist history is how we get to see how religion correlates with modern issues. The people here have taught me to be more open, and that it takes God's people to make miracles happen.”

While knee problems have ended his basketball playing days, Williams channels his competitive spirit into cross-fit training and weight lifting. He spends time at his father and step-mother’s home in Riverside, and with his mother and 20-year-old brother, Ausman Oebemey, in Lake Elsinore. “Family is very important to me and I draw a lot of strength from them all,” he said.

Williams says he has finished pursuing academics unless God leads him into a doctoral program. “I will continue to serve the Criminal Justice department in the time being. I love my students there,” said Williams. “God has truly blessed me with this campus, and I am thankful for everything La Sierra has done for me.”