The Road to a Degree: Meet 3 Graduates

After moving to a seven-week block schedule in 2025, BYU-Pathway Worldwide has seen many more students complete online certificates and degrees from BYU-Idaho and Ensign College. Keep reading to hear from students what graduating means to them!

Donalyn Borlaza

Philippines

Earning my associate degree in applied health has been a great blessing in my life. I faced many challenges, but I also experienced more growth, hope, and gratitude.

In Tabaco, Philippines, there are frequent power interruptions and weak Wi-Fi signals that made it hard to keep up with online classes. On some days, I had to wait for hours just to submit an assignment or participate in a discussion. But I kept going because I believe education is worth the sacrifice.

One thing I am especially grateful for is being accepted into this program even though I am not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . I felt welcomed, respected, and supported from the beginning. I have learned so much, academically and spiritually. The values, principles, and Christ-centered teachings in my courses have helped me grow as a person. I have become more resilient, patient, and hopeful.

I am now more motivated than ever to complete my education and use it to make a difference in my family, my community, and eventually in the healthcare field. BYU-Pathway has given me more than just knowledge; it has given me purpose and confidence. I am deeply thankful.

Chris Howell

Texas, USA

After cutting hair for more than a decade, I knew something had to change. While I’ve loved my work, it’s taken a real toll on my body, so I began searching for a new path that would bring me purpose and stability — but nothing seemed right. That’s when I realized it was time to take a bold step and go back to school.

Enrolling in BYU-Pathway Worldwide was the turning point. The road wasn’t easy. I’ve dealt with some big personal challenges, but school gave me something solid to focus on. Through every hard week and discouraging moment, the Spirit I felt through BYU-Pathway lifted me. There were times I felt overwhelmed or unsure if I could keep going, but a devotional , a discussion post, or an instructor’s comment always seemed to remind me why I started, and that helped me keep moving forward.

Now, with my bachelor’s degree in professional studies , I am preparing to step into a new career with confidence and clarity. I’ve been applying for jobs in human resources and am ready to start a new chapter — one where I can still connect with people and make a difference. BYU-Pathway has helped me with more than changing careers; it’s helped me discover renewed strength and move forward with hope.

Ekirita Ivan Samuel

Uganda

Many missionaries in my mission would talk about their plans to attend university, but I was never sure if I’d be able to go because of different circumstances in my life. When I returned home, I was blessed to enroll in BYU-Pathway Worldwide. It was new and I was excited, but I didn’t know the challenges that would come. It was easy at first, but the pandemic in 2020 made it difficult to pay for tuition, data, rent, food, and all the necessities of life.

One day I thought, “No matter what I do, education is the only thing that will support me in the future and open doors of success.”

Reminding myself why I was working toward a degree helped me to prioritize it. Everyone wants to have a blessed life with a beautiful family that you can take care of. I have faith that I will be able to have a better life because of education. With a lot of sacrifice and God’s grace, I graduated with my degree in applied business management .

The road to graduation is possible! See which certificates and degrees could be in your future.