National Higher Education Day
To celebrate National Higher Education Day, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) spotlighted Enrique Armas, a sophomore from Tampa, Florida studying Ministry Leadership. He discovered PBA through an email, and after visiting the campus, he felt immediately at home. As a first-generation college student, Enrique values higher education immensely, and he is paving the way not only for himself, but also for his future family. In the Q&A below, Enrique shares how PBA shaped his faith, why he believes higher education matters, and more.
What made you decide to attend the University? What made you decide to pursue higher education in general?
I visited the campus, and it was super nice and I loved the sense of community. I decided to pursue higher education to prepare myself for vocational ministry.
How have you been impacted by PBA?
PBA has grown my faith in so many different ways, and I’ve connected with some amazing people during my time here.
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student?
Being a first-generation student means that I have to consider not only my future, but the future of my family as well. I have a responsibility to succeed and to honor those that got me to this position and gave me this opportunity.
Why do you believe higher education matters?
Higher education allows us to grow our knowledge in a certain area so that we can be prepared for any challenges we may face in our careers and beyond. Higher education at PBA means that we grow not only mentally, but spiritually as well, deepening our relationships with God while building the knowledge we need to succeed.
Are there any mentors or professors at PBA who have had a significant impact on your journey?
One person who has been very impactful during my time at PBA has been Pastor Bernie Cueto. I had the privilege to be a part of his Homiletics class this past semester, and in that class, I learned so much about not only sharing my faith but also how to grow my own faith in the process.
What are your dreams or goals looking forward?
My goal is to become a lead pastor at a local church.
