From Grass Lake, Michigan, Christina Pellican came to Spring Arbor University after experiencing dual enrollment classes in high school.  Enjoying the small class sizes and Christian perspective, Christina quickly found herself drawn to the close-knit community on campus.  With students she easily connected with and professors that she could count on, deciding to come to SAU was an obvious decision for her.  

Earning her degree in Business Administration with an Accounting minor, Christina proved to be hardworking and dedicated to her studies.  As a teacher’s assistant and tutor, she was able to push her own academic limits and help her peers, something she enjoyed because of how rewarding it was to help others and meet new people. 

One of the best things Christina found about her college experience here was all of the travelling she was able to do, such as the cross-cultural to Guatemala, core 200 trip to Chicago, and her business class that went to New York City.  She was especially impacted by the Guatemala trip, where she was able to spend 3 weeks learning about a new culture and bond with her classmates: “Being able to go to a new country and experiencing the different cultures within it was a very fun experience. Seeing the way other people live differently than we do, such as all of the poverty, really hit home and made me very thankful for everything we have here.”  

Besides the academics and fun that Christina experienced while at SAU, this was a time for her to grow in her faith.  Although Christina already grew up going to church, the openness of being able to pray with others as a community encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and become stronger in her prayer life.  Being a part of the Discover Bible Study and going to chapel gave her the spiritual support she needed to grow in her relationship with God.  Christina grew by engaging with her peers’ diverse perspectives on the Bible, which encouraged her to reflect on her own beliefs and recognize the value of others’ experiences. 

“SAU helped me realize that my opinion wasn’t the only one, so hearing my peers' thoughts about the bible helped me to expand my own understanding of it.” Through SAU, she deepened her faith and strengthened her relationship with God.  

Christina would argue that her college experience at SAU exceeded her expectations because of how she was taught that she can do things she didn’t think were possible.  She claimed, “SAU gave me the tools to push myself and become the person I need to be in the professional world.” 

Upon graduation, Christina is excited to work at the St. Louis Center, in Chelsea, Michigan, where she will be keeping track of money and government benefits for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Especially after interning and enjoying the work environment, she knew that she would be able to grow and find success here.  

Christina is excited for this new beginning and looks forward to putting into use all of the things she has learned.  She hopes to make a difference in the life of those she encounters and grow in her relationship with God.  We are proud of Christina and the hard work she has put into her academics and community, we know she will go far and do great things.  Congratulations, Christina! 

Written by SAU Marketing student Ella Yowell