Beyond the classroom: three Sunbirds put classroom learning into practice

For many college students, summer offers a chance to take a break and slow down. For three Fresno Pacific University students, however, this summer has become another opportunity to learn and lean into their calling.

Andrew Mora, Sariya Flores and Rachel Isgrigg are taking what they've learned at FPU and applying it in ways that allow them to gain real-world experience. These opportunities look different for each student, but all reflect their desire to serve others through their vocation.

Andrew Mora

Andrew Mora is a senior at FPU working on his B.S. in kinesiology: pre-physical therapy with a minor in psychology. For him, summer means juggling multiple responsibilities.

Mora has stayed connected to FPU by taking a job as an admissions student counselor. In this role, he provides campus tours, reaches out to future Sunbirds, manages office responsibilities and represents FPU to anyone visiting or interested in the university.

He is also working at Recover Lab as a front desk associate, where he helps manage appointments, promotes the brand and maintains the Passive Therapy section, as well as a host of other duties.

As if all of that wasn't enough, he also has a per diem job at Plan P.T., where he helps patients with exercises and their recovery process.

"Physical therapy is my dream job," he said. "I get to work closely with a physical therapist, so I gain in-person experience with the demands and needs of the job."

While his jobs are all very different, Mora says that many of the skills have been transferable.

"FPU has done such a great job of preparing me for my future," he said. "The skills and knowledge that I have gained have transferred perfectly into my job at Recover Lab."

While Mora is gaining hands-on experience in his desired field, he sees that he is also gaining life experience.

"Above all else, what I hope to learn from this summer's experience is how to balance all that life has to offer," he said. "All of this is because of God. He has blessed me with opportunity, employment and a sense of calm amid the chaos."

Mora is also looking forward to starting an internship with Community Medical for inpatient physical therapy.

Sariya Flores

Nursing student Sariya Flores is a senior at FPU and is spending her summer at Valley Children's Hospital as a pediatric nurse extern 1 in the Discovery Unit.

In her role, Flores works alongside registered nurses who guide her through specific nursing interventions, holistic care skills and how to effectively communicate within a healthcare team and a patient's family.

Flores sees this opportunity as "truly a blessing from God."

"What made this opportunity so exciting was knowing I was going to be working with kids," she said. "As a Christian, the Lord calls us to look after the ones who are vulnerable. I know the Lord put this calling and opportunity in my life to serve His beloved children."

Flores sees this role as a natural extension of what she has learned while at FPU.

"My professor, Christy Nance Chasten, has truly helped me dive into my calling as a nurse," she said. "She has encouraged me to pursue what fits my set of skills best and it has helped my confidence in this role."

This summer Flores hopes to gain new nursing skills as well as experience in communication and providing the best care possible to current and future patients.

"Having this extern position helps keep my nursing brain fresh over the summer," she said. "I am able to practice skills and ask questions to enhance my knowledge."

Rachel Isgrigg

Rachel Isgrigg is a junior at FPU majoring in liberal studies with a minor in educational disabilities. Over the summer, she is traveling along the West Coast with Centrifuge Camps, the summer camp offered by the Southern Baptist Convention. Isgrigg will travel to three different camps, each time leading a group of students in Bible study and recreation games.

Centrifuge Camps holds a special place in Isgrigg's heart.

"I grew up going to the California location of this camp," she said. "Now here I am, ministering to middle schoolers and high schoolers, telling them about the Gospel."

During her years as a camper, Isgrigg looked up to the Centrifuge staff and now considers it a "dream come true" to be in the staff position. Part of what made this dream a reality was her FPU education.

"My teaching classes have helped me a lot to be prepared for this position," she said.

Each day at camp, Isgrigg teaches Bible classes to the students. This directly connects to her future aspirations, as she plans on becoming a teacher.

During her time at Centrifuge, Isgrigg hopes to help point students toward Jesus while also deepening her own relationship with Him.

"I love that God has graciously given me this opportunity," she said. "It's truly humbling and so rewarding!"

Putting learning into practice

Although their summer experiences are different, Mora, Flores and Isgrigg all share a common thread. They are each building on what they've learned at FPU while also putting those lessons into practice. All three are using the summer as an opportunity to continue their personal and professional journeys.

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