Pathway's First Graduation in Sydney

On the 7th February 2017, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the creation of a global higher-education organisation. BYU–Pathway Worldwide has its roots in BYU–Idaho's Pathway program, which began in 2009 with 50 total students at three pilot sites in Idaho, Arizona and New York. The program that enables students to finish their high school instruction and to move on to a higher education has since expanded to nearly 500 sites in 50 countries and has served 57,000 students.

At the time of the announcement, Sydney was running two Pathway groups, meeting at Villawood and Carlingford.  Currently they have five Pathway groups in Carlingford, Hebersham, Tuggerah and  and two in MacArthur.  The very first Villawood group graduated in January 2017,  giving each participant an opportunity to gain entry into BYU Pathway Wordwide online program.  This was a wonderful first for the NSW Church History.  From the initial 25 students that started in January 2016, 15 students graduated.  Their ages ranged from 18 to 60.

Student Kataraina Nuku shared how her confidence lifted as she participated in the program.  She is a returned missionary and reflected how she had lacked confidence in herself.  Successfully completing this program has given her a greater belief in her abilities. She has applied to a Church University and eagerly awaits the result. 

Emile Moosman, a husband and father juggled many responsibilities including full time empoyment, serving as a leader for his local congregation, managing to complete his Pathway course while managing to juggle his family requirements.  In his graduation address he shared that with his Pathway learning he became a better husband and father. Emile spoke about how the program gave him hope and success for his family.  Emile works as a forklift driver and now he is lifting ‘heavy books’ as he has commenced his online degree by enrolling in the BYU Pathway Worldwide online program. Everywhere Emile goes he is carrying his thick text to study. Emile and his wife Jane are now proudly serving  in the church Pathway program.

Each student comes to Pathway with a story. An 18-year-old who dropped out of high school but was preparing for a mission reported that what she loved most about Pathway was the association with others, along with a strong sense of family love and support. 

A 60-year-old thinking that she may be too old scored an 'A' grade each semester leading to being accepted into two reputable local universities.  She now admonishes her grandchildren to labour diligently with their studies.

These are just a few examples of how Pathway rescued each student regardless of their station or status in life.

President Eyring, a senior leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said “If you are on the right ‘path’ it will always be uphill. The Lord is anxious to lead us safely to higher ground.”

“Based on the rapid growth of the Pathway program, and the educational needs across the Church, it is the right time to expand Pathway worldwide,” President Gilbert, newly appointed President of BYU Pathway Worldwide said.