For Ray, choosing a college meant facing many unknowns. After moving to Florida from Massachusetts during high school, she was looking for a place where she could grow in her faith while preparing for her future. When she discovered SEU, she felt a sense of peace that this was where she was meant to be, even though she wasn’t sure how it would all come together financially. Taking a step of faith, she chose SEU and began pursuing a BS in Psychology. Now set to graduate in spring 2028, Ray has found a community that has shaped her calling and helped her understand what it means to be truly known.
Stepping Out in Faith
Before Ray ever started classes, her journey at SEU began with a step of faith.
“I knew I wanted to go to SEU, but I didn’t know how I was going to afford it,” she shared. “I took a step of faith and paid my deposit, trusting that God would take care of the rest.”
Choosing to move forward without having everything figured out wasn’t easy, but it became a defining moment in her story.
“The Lord has been providing ever since,” Ray said. “It just goes to show that God knows His children and works for their good.”
That experience shaped the way Ray now approaches the future with faith and a deeper understanding of what it means to be known by God.
Finding the Right Calling
Ray didn’t always plan to study Psychology. She originally started on a Biology track but quickly realized something wasn’t right.
“I’ve always been a people person,” she explained. “Helping others has always been something my heart has longed for.”
Through prayer, she felt God redirect her path.
“He broke my heart for people who struggle with mental illness and feel like they don’t have someone to help or love them,” she said. “I want to be that person and be there for them as a therapist.”
Learning to Lead with Compassion
Through SEU’s Psychology program, Ray has gained a deeper understanding of how people are shaped by their experiences.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that behind every behavior is a story,” she shared. “Understanding people requires empathy, patience, and compassion.”
As a Christian, this perspective has strengthened her desire to reflect Christ in the way she cares for others.
“It’s helped me see people the way Christ does: leading first with love, grace, and without judgment.”
Her coursework has not only prepared her academically but has also laid the foundation for her future as a therapist, equipping her to support others’ mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Professors Who Invest in You
At SEU, Ray has experienced what it means to be known not just by name, but personally and intentionally by her professors.
“My professors have constantly believed in me and encouraged me to be confident in my calling,” she said. “They’ve reminded me that my faith and my passion for psychology can work together.”
Their mentorship has given her clarity as she continues pursuing her purpose, reinforcing that she is supported as a student at SEU.
A Community That Feels Like Home
Ray first heard about SEU after learning that someone from her church had a connection to SEU. She then decided to spend time exploring this option further.
“I was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace that this was the school I was supposed to attend,” she said.
Through her involvement as a Commuter Assistant with Campus Life and her work with SEU Creative, Ray has built meaningful relationships that she knows will last beyond graduation.
“As a Commuter Assistant, I had the opportunity to create spaces where students felt seen and included,” she shared. “That role taught me how to care for people beyond surface-level interactions.”
Her experience with SEU Creative also challenged her to grow both creatively and personally, while building strong, Christ-centered friendships.
“These friendships are rooted in shared faith, shared purpose, and shared growth,” she said.
A Faith That Shapes Everything
One of the most impactful parts of Ray’sSEU experience has been how deeply her faith has been integrated into every aspect of her life.
“My faith is woven into everything,” she shared.
Chapel, in particular, has played a significant role in her spiritual growth.
“It’s a place where I can lay my stress at the feet of Christ,” she said. “It reminds me of what God has called me to do and helps me trust God more with my future.”
She also found support through resources like SEU’s Mental Health Counseling, which reinforced SEU’s commitment to caring for students holistically.
Looking Ahead
As Ray looks toward her future, she feels confident in the direction God is leading her.
Her goal is to become a therapist who serves others with compassion, and provides Christ-centered care by creating spaces where people feel seen and valued.
“I want to walk alongside people in their hardest seasons,” she said. “Helping them find healing, hope, and restoration.”
Her time at SEU has prepared her not only with the skillset she needs, but with the perspective and faith to live out that calling.
Community Focus
Ray’s story reflects what makes SEU unique: a community where students are known, supported, and encouraged to grow into who God has called them to be.
For students considering SEU, her encouragement is simple:
“SEU is more than just a place to earn a degree. It’s a place where you can grow surrounded by people who genuinely care about you and your calling.”
National College Decision Day is May 1!
So, why not join students like Ray and find community with SEU, too? Visit SEU.edu/withSEU to take your next steps and discover more about how you belong with SEU.
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