Page 23 - Providence Christian College Magazine

Providence and continued to pursue other college opportunities. A few months later, she ran into an admissions counselor at her high school college fair, who suggested she talk more with the women’s soccer coach and to learn more about the recently added Psychology concentration.
“I called coach and he told me to visit again and see what was new: I prayed a lot about coming to a newer school like Providence as being positive vs negative, and, when I came again, I committed on the visit. My understanding of how special it would be to be at the ground level of Providence made me see the school in
a different light. I remember coming on campus and thinking that it was where God wanted me to be.”
And so began this journey for Stafford: competing in a young soccer program, joining a newly established Psychology program, and living in a small reformed community committed to a foundational education in the liberal arts. As Stafford reflected on the academics of Providence, she specifically mentioned her professors.
“I really liked Dr. Gamble’s soteriology class and how it intersects with other classes I took, and I began to see God in everything. Soteriology helped me to see God’s hand in salvation and how it played a role in
the classes I took. In American philosophy class, we talked about how Jonathan Edwards sees beauty as where God’s heart
is, and I saw the connection of God’s presence in beauty. I began to recognize that God’s gift of beauty shows us
how he cares for us and creates us as beautiful humans.”
About a year ago, Stafford had the opportunity to have lunch with the CEO
at the time of Union Station Homeless services, who connected her with the manager of volunteers and interns. Through that meeting, she was able to get an internship with the community allies program, where she helped match adults who have experienced homelessness with volunteer mentors, assisted with web
and print communications to community members and volunteers, organized special events, and wrote grant proposals for funding.
“Having my internship provided me with experience in professional settings. I felt so much more prepared going into the “real world” and tackling the future. I know that the Providence education has been a foundational element in preparing not just me but also all of my classmates.”
Deeper Learning for Greater Wisdom
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