My name is Stephanie Mendel, and I’m a senior at Grace Christian University studying Communication. The Communication program at Grace Christian University is truly transformational. It’s taught me essential skills that help me learn how to effectively communicate, whether that’s in my personal life or professionally. Personally, I want to use these skills to communicate biblical truths to my generation.
Why I Chose Grace
The biggest thing for me was seeing how everything at Grace is Bible-centered. Every single class comes back to the Bible, and now that I’ve attended here, I can confirm that’s absolutely legitimate. Every class, whether it’s a marketing class or theology and Bible classes, is centered on timeless biblical principles, no matter what you’re studying.
Practically, I also loved the location since I live in Michigan, and the affordability was really awesome. Those factors just made it a really easy choice for me.
Learn, Grow, Serve
I think Learn, Grow, Serve is really everybody’s story. At some point, you have to learn about the Lord. And then as you grow, you get to a point where you realize you want to use the skills and passions He’s given you to serve the people around you.
Specifically at Grace, I really have felt like this time is a season for me to get equipped and be poured into. That way, I can have a career, a personal life, and ministry where I know how to effectively serve and use the skills and passions God’s given me to serve the people around me.
The Value of My Degree
I think as a whole, the value of a college degree really depends on several factors. Are you passionate about what you’re studying? Are you going to an institution that’s equipping you for where you want to go in life? You have to ask yourself those questions.
But for me, getting a Communication degree at Grace is incredibly valuable. I want to be focused on interpreting and sharing biblical truth in a way that’s effectively communicated to people, and Grace has been essential for me to learn those skill sets.
Coming to a school like Grace also means that the degree you’re earning isn’t just a piece of paper or classes you’re checking off. It’s really more about the experience as a whole, being here, having the relationships, being part of the community. It’s so much more than checking off a credential or moving on, and deeply transforming you because of the entire experience.
How Grace Has Shaped Me
This time at Grace has truly been a training ground for me. One of my mentors says this is a place where we can fail safely, meaning it’s a time where we’re poured into, we try new things, we figure out our skill sets, and we discover exactly what angle and what passions God has given us and what we want to pursue.
Grace has given me a Bible-centered, Jesus-focused space where I can do that exploration. I have people who are closely pouring into my life, pointing me in the right direction, helping me learn, helping me grow, and ultimately guiding me toward the direction God has for my life.
People Who’ve Made an Impact
A lot of professors come to mind when I think about who has impacted my view on life.
I think of Pat McGillicuddy and many of his theology classes that have been super impactful and encouraging. He’s always been there for any kind of question I have, he’ll just hear me out, and we can talk about it. His willingness to engage deeply has meant so much to me.
I also think of Professor Salt, who was the very first class I ever took here. Like, the first day I was at Grace, she was the first professor I met, and she set such an awesome expectation for what the rest of Grace was going to be like. She drew everything back to Scripture, was so personable and invested outside of classroom time, and just genuinely cared about me as a person. That was really impactful.
And honestly, she’s representative of how all of Grace is. That first impression has been carried through in all the other professors too.
A Day in Someone Else’s Shoes
I think I’d want to swap places with Danny G, largely because he has a really cute daughter that I love a lot! But also, he’s the campus pastor, so he’s pouring into students every day. He’s studying the Word, creating messages that are going to impact students, I think that would be really fun to experience for a day.
Just for Fun
My go-to coffee situation is honestly the Sip Club at Panera. You pay like $7 a month, and you can just go there and get unlimited coffee. That’s what I do! Sometimes I like mixing that with protein powder or a protein mix to make a little coffee-caffeine-protein combination going on.
My favorite snack is dried mango, it’s the best thing ever!
Looking Ahead
Grace Christian University has been more than just a place to earn a Communication degree. It’s been a training ground where I’ve been equipped to effectively communicate biblical truth to my generation. The Bible-centered approach to every class, the professors who genuinely invest in students, and the community that allows you to fail safely while you grow have all been essential to my development.
For anyone considering Communication at Grace, I can confidently say this program will transform how you think about communication. It’s not just about learning marketing techniques or public speaking skills, it’s about learning how to communicate timeless biblical principles effectively, no matter what career path you choose.
This experience has been deeply formative, not just because of the classes I’ve taken, but because of the relationships I’ve built, the mentorship I’ve received, and the space Grace has provided for me to discover exactly how God has wired me to serve others. If you’re looking for a place to be equipped, poured into, and pointed toward God’s purpose for your life, Grace is that place.
Earn a Communication Degree at Grace
