The mission of BYU Continuing Education (BYU CE) is to inspire lifelong learning to benefit the world. But what does that mean? Though many BYU CE services aid thousands of people, classes and conferences don’t change the world—people do. The world changes one individual at a time, and at BYU CE, it’s all about the one.
One individual who has benefited from the services of BYU CE is Joel Estrella Ramirez. Joel was born in the Dominican Republic and lived there until he was 18 years old. After moving to New York with his father, Joel served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, Joel learned English and experienced significant personal growth. “While on my mission, I realized all the potential I had. I wanted to take advantage of that potential,” he shared.
After completing his missionary service, Joel made a goal to attend BYU. He studied at Utah Valley University for two semesters before discovering BYU CE’s FlexGE program. The FlexGE program allows non-matriculated BYU students to attend BYU classes for transferable college credits. For Joel, this was the stepping stone he needed to get on the right track toward realizing his dreams.
The FlexGE program is designed to provide students with the support and resources they need to succeed academically and accomplish their goals. Through weekly meetings with peer mentors, tutors, and academic advisors, FlexGE students learn effective study skills and receive personalized help and guidance.
"During my time with [BYU CE], I was able to meet some great people that were willing to support me,” Joel commented. After two semesters of dedicated work, all of Joel’s efforts paid off when he applied for BYU admittance. “I had to put in a lot of work, but eventually I got into BYU,” he explained.
Even after being accepted into BYU, Joel’s experience with BYU CE didn’t end. He was hired to work as a photographer for the BYU CE media production team, offering him a valuable student employment opportunity as he began his journey as a BYU student.
After one semester as a matriculated BYU student, Joel was accepted into BYU’s supply chain major. Now, Joel works as a TA for a course within the supply chain program, where he has the opportunity to be a leader and a mentor to others, just as he was mentored as a FlexGE student. “That first year in the FlexGE program allowed me to see how to serve others,” Joel shared. Though he could currently pursue other employment opportunities offering more money, Joel values the opportunity to serve others and give back as a TA.
This summer, Joel will relocate to Peoria, Illinois, with his wife and one-year-old son for an internship with Caterpillar, a major corporation that offers highly competitive internships for supply chain students. “I learned how to communicate with professors and with recruiters through the many events I attended while I was in the FlexGE program. That has opened the opportunity for me to land a better internship,” Joel said.
Though the road has not been easy and there have been times of struggle, Joel maintains that the journey has been good. “I’m very fortunate to be where I’m at right now,” Joel explained. “If I could give advice to anyone, I would say that no effort is wasted. Sometimes it has felt like efforts have been wasted, but then they turn into opportunities.” Certainly, Joel’s future burns bright with opportunity as a consequence of his efforts.
Joel’s story is an inspiring example of what is possible with hard work and access to the right resources. “It doesn’t matter where you come from; as long as you put in the work you can make it,” Joel concludes.
The FlexGE program at BYU CE is dedicated to helping hundreds of students like Joel, including many first-generation college students, to gain access to the support and resources necessary to realize their potential and achieve their goals. Joel’s story is but one example of the many ways in which BYU Continuing Education ignites the spark of lifelong learning in the lives of individuals and—one by one—changes the world.
