When people think about college, they often imagine large lecture halls, stacks of textbooks, and the hustle to meet deadlines. But those images rarely tell the whole story. What truly shapes a college experience, what turns it into something unforgettable, are the relationships. The people who challenge you, support you, laugh with you, and stand beside you during the difficult seasons. At Grace Christian University, transformational relationships are one of our core values, because God uses people to stretch us, shape us, and help us grow.
A Culture of Intentional Connection
Grace is a place where connection is intentional. Conversations go deeper. Encouragement comes freely. And spiritual growth doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens through people who are present, willing, and engaged. The community here is unique, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s honest. People genuinely care. They notice when you’re not yourself. They reach out. And they remind you, even when you forget, that you’re not walking this path alone.
For many, coming to Grace marks the beginning of a journey they didn’t even know they needed. It’s the kind of place where a lecture on communication turns into a lesson about life. Where faculty ask not just how your paper is going, but how your heart is doing. It’s where students start to see the impact of their words, the weight of their choices, and the beauty of community that reflects something deeper than friendship, it reflects purpose.
Stories of Impact and Belonging
One student described it best by saying they hadn’t expected the relationships at Grace to shape their faith more than any class ever could. But that’s what happened. Through shared meals, group projects, chapel worship, and late-night conversations, they saw firsthand the power of being known, not just by name, but by story. And in being known, they discovered something else: that their voice, their story, and their future mattered.
Others echoed the same truth. One transfer student said, “This has been my first year at Grace Christian University, and I have loved it! I am a transfer student at Grace, and the whole experience has been fantastic!” Another online student shared, “Grace is amazing at understanding that each adult here has different backgrounds and different life goals when they study here.” These comments reflect what so many find at Grace.
Faculty Who Go the Extra Mile
Much of that discovery comes through professors who go above and beyond. They’re not just instructors, they’re mentors, encouragers, and, in many cases, lifelong friends. They check in when you’re quiet. They celebrate when you succeed. And they help carry the load when life feels too heavy to manage alone. As one student put it, “The professors were very helpful and encouraging, as they made an effort to reach out and be intentional with us and made sure we felt supported.”
Lifelong Mentors
One of those professors, Dr. Phil Long has become something of a legend on campus, not only for his wit and classroom energy but for his ability to make complex material unforgettable. “Dr. Phil Long has an amazing way to keep you attentive in class with jokes and stuff to make the material unforgettable,” one student shared.
This level of connection doesn’t end when students leave campus. Many alumni say their professors remain involved in their lives long after graduation. One student reflected, “I have lifetime mentors whom I can call whenever I need them.”
But faculty aren’t the only ones shaping lives. It’s the people sitting beside you in class, the roommate who becomes a prayer partner, the staff member who remembers your prayer request and follows up a week later. One student described the atmosphere like this: “Grace is more than a school. It’s a family where support knows no bounds, involvement is encouraged, and community is cherished.”
Walking Together, No Matter the Path
There’s something about being surrounded by people who want to pour into you, not for a grade or credit, but because they believe in who you’re becoming. That kind of influence leaves a lasting impression. A biblical studies student put it this way: “There is a relational experience that you get here that just isn’t found anywhere else. My professor Pat McGillicuddy has played a crucial role in my life this last year, checking in on me and developing our relationship.”
Some students arrive knowing exactly what they want. Others are figuring it out along the way. Either way, the people at Grace walk with you. A student who entered the psychology program shared, “Each professor pours their heart and soul into each student. You can count on your professors to hold you accountable for your goals and mold your academic pathway around your life priorities.”
The path may include online classes, transfer credits, ministry experience, or internships.. Grace meets students where they are. “Transferring to Grace was a seamless process. The staff is very intentional in reaching out, making sure I am doing okay, and seeing if I have any prayer requests. They also do a phenomenal job of encouraging me on the coursework and encouraging me to finish the course strong,” said one student.
Grow in your Faith
As students grow in confidence and clarity, their faith also matures. One graduate explained, “I had no idea what it was like to be a man of God until I attended Grace. Now I get to grow my faith in everyday life and have lifetime mentors whom I can call whenever I need them.” Another shared, “Today, my understanding of the Scripture is elevated, and I am equipped to lead and teach His people.”
And somewhere in the midst of classes, conversations, and quiet moments, change begins to take root. Students discover strengths they didn’t know they had. They learn to trust God in ways they hadn’t before. They form friendships that anchor them long after graduation. And they realize that being part of something meaningful doesn’t require a spotlight, just a shared commitment to walk faithfully with others.
For some, that faith leads directly into ministry. For others, it quietly shapes how they lead in business, care for others, or serve their communities. Either way, students leave Grace ready to influence others with compassion and courage.
Walk With Those Who Care
So if you’re thinking about college and wondering what truly matters, ask yourself who will walk with you when the calendar clears and the cameras are off. Those are the relationships that shape who you become.
At Grace, you’ll find faculty who challenge you, friends who stay close, and mentors who never stop pointing you back to what matters most. You’ll find a community that believes in you even on the days you don’t believe in yourself.
And if you lean in, you might discover that the most important thing you’ll carry from college isn’t what you learned—but who you walked with along the way.
One graduate reflected, “Grace gave me more than a diploma. It gave me a framework for life. A life that values people. A life that seeks to serve. A life that isn’t defined by accolades, but by the way it uplifts others.”
You can schedule a visit to Grace Christian University by following this link.
