The Whole Student: From Sports to Theater

How is Pacific University changing the world? By engaging the whole student. We know that you're here to study what you're passionate about. And we also know that that is not the only thing you are passionate about. Whether it's Football, Board Games, Music, Ultimate Frisbee, or Theater, there is a way for you to be involved and express yourself in every way you can imagine. With over 60 clubs and organizations, and one-third of our student body participating in a varsity sport, there are plenty of ways for you to have a wholistic college experience at Pacific. Now, how does that change the world? Well, we know that you are at your best when you are able to express every part of who you are. And when you're at your best, you're best able to connect with those around you, and help them in whatever ways they need help. On top of that, Pacific empowers you to be successful in whatever career you might dream of, and helps you to become a well-rounded professional who can connect with others on many personal levels, like interests and hobbies, making them feel even more welcome and excited to be working with you. That's why we support the whole student here at Pacific. We know that it makes you better now, and in your future career. Want to have four years of excellent academics, giving back to the community, and having fun while doing it all? Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that likes wants you to express exactly who you are.

Alumni Highlight 001: Mia Prohaska

Alumni Highlight 001:  Mia Prohaska '16, BSW
Mia Prohaska graduated in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in Social Work, and a heart for the people around her. Read on to hear how Pacific gave her the tools she needed to change the world.
What was your favorite part of Pacific and why? I love the community feel Pacific has, both the students and staff have are so welcoming and encouraging. I don’t think I would have become the person I am today without the encouragement Pacific gave me. I truly felt accepted and included in the Pacific community.
What was your favorite service project you participated in at Pacific? Why? Well I worked for the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) so this is really hard! I would have to say the Thanksgiving I hosted with the students from Saudi Arabia. It was such a special time where two cultures came together and celebrated unity. I think now more than ever it is important to celebrate diversity. That day was just filled with some much joy, love and great food; I don’t think I’ll ever forget that Thanksgiving, and all the amazing students that made it so special! Plus who doesn’t like a service event with delicious food!
What are you most passionate about, when it comes to “making the world a better place”? This is hard because there are so many great ways to make the world a better place and I am in general just a pretty passionate person. I think my greatest passion is youth empowerment; I think it is so important that kids feels safe and welcomed in their daily environments. I think our school system really expects kids to be great at everything, and kids really feel that pressure at an early age. You can have a student who is incredible at something, maybe art or writing, but because they struggle with math they go through the school system feeling as if they are inadequate. I think it’s so important that we work to really shine a light on each and every persons individual strengths instead of their weaknesses. Using someone’s own personal strengths to build them up is what empowerment is all about to me. Whether I am working in the political sphere, international sphere, or local sphere that is what I hope to do with my life.  How did Pacific help you in your aims to “make the world a better place”?

I got to major in social work which is all about making the world a better place. Because of my major I got to have so many hands on experiences with different populations. My biggest experience was my 440 hour practicum I was able to do with Representative Joe Gallegos. I was actually able to  help him form policy that will reintroduce social workers into the Oregon school system.

Working for the CCE for four years also helped me make the world a better place; it was basically my job to do just that. I was able to work with so many incredible students in the community. I was able to teach cooking, form an elementary explorers club, and do tons of fun arts and craft activities thanks to my time at the CCE. When I look back I have so many incredible memories because of my work there. I don’t think I would be where I am today without the CCE. 

How were you able to use your academics at Pacific to “make the world a better place”?

Well thanks to all the amazing academic experience Pacific gave me I was awarded a Fulbright to Thailand. I now get to live my dream of being a teacher in my favorite place ever for a year. I know with the skills I have learned in social work and through personal experiences I am going to make a difference in my students' lives and hopefully make the world a better place. 

Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that's empowering passionate students to become alumni who are prepared to make a difference in our world.

Academic Highlight 001: Health Professions

Academic Highlight 001:  Health Professions 
Heath and happiness often go hand in hand.
Here at Pacific, we know that one huge way you can make the world a better place, is by helping people be and feel healthy. If people can spend less time worrying about their injured knee, then they can spend more time doing the things they love.
That's why we take care to study how we can all take better care of our bodies. And we do it pretty well too. We have nearly every undergraduate field of study under the sun, ranging from Biology, to Exercise Science, to Vision Science. If you want to help people live healthier lives, you can do it at Pacific.
As if that wasn't enough, those same undergraduate programs also give back to the community through their coursework. Every Pacific student completes a Civic Engagement course, which gives you a chance to use your passions to make the community a better place. Whether that's running a free yoga class at a retirement home, helping a faculty member work out a fitness plan, or creating a relaxation room for youth, you can get college credit to help people live healthier lives as an undergraduate student at Pacific. 
And with graduate programs ranging from Physical Therapy, to Optometry, to Physician Assistant Studies, and beyond, you can also become a certified health care professional through your time at Pacific. And better yet, we can give you the tools you need to be a competitive applicant into any one of those health professions graduate schools, so you can get out and use your degree to improve the lives of others.
Want to make the world a better place by helping people feel healthier? You can do that and so much more here at Pacific.
Contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that's empowering passionate students to help others live healthier and happier lives.

Center for a Sustainable Society

Sustainability: It’s a word that packs a punch in our world and what it needs.

Do you care about living more sustainably, and encouraging and helping others to do the same?

Here at Pacific, we do too.

That’s why we have a Center for a Sustainable Society. This campus center provides opportunities for students to engage with the community and create global awareness in order to build a healthier future.

It’s pretty cool that we have that, right?

We’re proud of it.

Using the University and the local area as a living laboratory, the center creates opportunities to raise awareness of the need for a sustainable future, and works to reduce the region's environmental footprint. How about that? A University using its resources to reduce its own environmental footprint, as well as the footprint of the surrounding communities. That’s not something you see every day; unless you’re at Pacific.

The CSS works with local government, business and nonprofit partners, student environmental organizations, faculty, and staff, all to make our society more sustainable than it was the day before.

Do you want to learn how to integrate changing the world into what you’re passionate about, while getting an exceptional education?

If you answered yes (and we’re guessing you did), contact Admissions to learn how you can apply for free or schedule a visit with Pacific; a University that cares about sustainability, and is creating change every day.