Campus Blogs

As the founder of BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC) and recipient of a 2025 Leadership Award by The James Irvine Foundation, Shantay R. Davies-Balch (BA ’15) is on a mission to improve Black maternal, infant and community health by connecting families to resources, providing health education and offering culturally affirming support through community health advocates and doulas.

The loss of her mother to preventable breast cancer and her own experience with preterm births, despite taking every precaution, deeply motivated her to advocate for Black maternal health and community wellness.

A VISION FOR CHANGE

In 2005, while still working in a corporate role, Shantay became a birth assistant and later trained as a doula. Recognizing the urgent need for change, she initiated Fresno's first Black Maternal Health Week, aligning with the national effort led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. This experience ignited her passion to address the critical health disparities impacting Black women and families, particularly around infant mortality, preterm birth and maternal mortality prevention.

Maternal and child heath issues are particularly pervasive among Black people locally and across the nation. In Fresno, Black women experience preterm birth at 13.5%, compared to 9% for white women.

Numerous studies have documented the benefits for all women of having a doula present during labor, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor or has recently given birth. With their support, women were less likely to have pain-relief medications administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience, according to the APA website.

In 2017, Shantay began planning the BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC) as a direct response to these issues. When the pandemic hit, she collaborated with community organizations to lead the African American Coalition (AAC), focusing on health equity gaps, expanding COVID-19 testing and ensuring vaccine access—work that continues today.

In 2021, she launched the BLACK Doula Network (BDN) to increase access to culturally competent doula care. BDN has trained 10 Black doulas, more than tripling the number of Black doulas serving Fresno County. “My mission has always been to ensure that Black mothers and families receive the care, support and advocacy they deserve,” Shantay shares.

IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH

Staff at BWPC are excited to launch the BLACK Pregnancy Care Support program this year, offering expectant moms guidance, health education and opportunities for community building. The program will be led by a certified nurse midwife, doulas and community health advocates.

BWPC isbuilding the BLACK Doula Network (BDN) to close the doula provider gap in the Central Valley and build the infrastructure needed to support doulas long term. The BDN offers one of California's most comprehensive, culturally appropriate doula training programs, including 125 hours of curriculum and hospital observation hours to prepare doulas to serve families. This is the first program in the region to establish formal agreements for integrating doulas into healthcare systems. Proper training enhances maternal health outcomes, reduces preterm birth rates and lowers the risk of maternal and infant mortality.

LOOKING AHEAD, EMPOWERING DECISION MAKERS

Looking ahead, BWPC plans to establish a full-service women’s health and birthing center to further address systemic inequities.

“We envision a future where women, particularly those from marginalized communities, have equitable access to high-quality care and resources to thrive. At BWPC, we unapologetically advocate for Black moms—from hospital rooms to state policy—to ensure they have decision-making power in their care,” says Shantay.

Helping people access the information they need to make the best choices for themselves is a big part of what makes her work so meaningful.

"It's about being part of that journey," she shares. "Life comes with trauma, pain and challenges, but the ability to take knowledge and use it to shape a better future is what matters."

A TRANSFORMATIVE RECOGNITION FOR VALLEY HEALTH

Shantay Davies-Balch's dedication and impact have not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year she was honored with the prestigious James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, a recognition that she describes as deeply meaningful both personally and professionally.

This award, which includes $350,000 to further BWPC’s mission, reflects not only her efforts but also the dedication of her incredible team, the community they serve and the stakeholders they partner with Shantay says. This recognition is particularly significant for the Central Valley, she adds, as it highlights the importance of investing in organizations that address the region’s challenges.

When systems improve for those facing the greatest disparities, everyone benefits, Shantay says. Her story is a testament to the power of advocacy, resilience and the belief that no mom or baby should die from preventable causes.

In the Central Valley and beyond, BWPC is transforming health outcomes and creating a future where every Black mom, baby and family can thrive.

Photo credit to Chase Daley.

Chelsea Weber (BA ’14) is the Bridge to Ministry Program Specialist at Fresno Pacific University. Prior to that, she spent almost 10 years as the children’s and youth pastor at La Vina Covenant Church in Kerman, CA. The Christian Ministry program at FPU gave Chelsea the well-rounded experience needed to go out and impact the next generation for the Gospel, then return to pour into students walking through the same experience she had.

BRIDGE TO MINISTRY PROGRAM

Working directly with students is one of her favorite parts of her job. “We have amazing students in our program, all of whom have a deep love for Jesus and a strong desire to be equipped for faithful Kingdom service. It is beautiful that I now have the privilege to journey with young people who are discovering who they are, how they are uniquely designed and how they are being called by God into ministry. This was the same journey I went through years ago and I am acutely aware of how difficult that road can be,” Chelsea says.

Bridge to Ministry is a grant-funded accelerated pathway that helps participants receive their B.A. and M.A. in Christian Ministry in as little as five years. Within this program, students who have a love for God and serving others are encouraged and equipped for a career in ministry. Participants receive personalized mentoring, hands-on ministry experience, a supportive cohort learning environment and an annual $1,500 scholarship (with good standing in the program).

Chelsea is grateful to be one of many who offer encouragement, consistent care and unwavering support to pathway students.  This season of hearing and discerning God’s call in their life is such a tender one, she says, but it has great potential to yield a harvest of young people who understand their role as image-bearers, leaders and Shalom-bringers in whatever context the Lord leads.

“I am constantly inspired by them as they eagerly seek to love God and love people well,” Chelsea adds.

FPU’S PREPARATION

When asked how FPU prepared her for ministry, Chelsea thinks of several things: the needed knowledge, hands-on experience through the practicum and spiritual formation courses, compassionate professors and mentors who discipled her and experiences that developed sacred rhythms to sustain graduates for the long-haul.

This well-rounded learning experience allowed Chelsea to enter ministry, not knowing it all, but equipped and empowered to navigate faithfully and engage local communities with compassion. “The Christian ministry program has always desired to prepare its students holistically and I was no exception,” she says.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY

In this, FPU also prepared Chelsea and others for a life of ministry rooted in community.  As Henri Nouwen wrote in The Genesee Diary, “The way to ‘God alone’ is seldom traveled alone.” This kingdom value laid the foundation for witnessing the glory of God in the overlap of heaven on earth in ministry, whether that was in the office counseling a distressed parent, sitting in on a church board meeting or cheering on a high school student at their softball game. 

It continues to be a value that guides Chelsea’s work with and amongst current program students. “FPU has been foundational and transformative in every way,” she says.

For Hailey Millhollen (BA ’18), her time at Fresno Pacific University was truly some of the most formative in her growth as a scholar and young adult, preparing her for, not the career she expected, but one she has come to love.

A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE

At FPU, Hailey was encouraged to ask questions and to wrestle with complicated ideas—even if there were no clear-cut answers at the bottom of the rabbit hole. She calls the act of exploration the most important.

Hailey received multiple opportunities to dig into subjects that captivated her curiosity. “I got to travel to Portland to deliver a presentation on the uses of sound in Charlie Chaplin films, I analyzed the power of nostalgia in the Stranger Things series for my senior project, and I delivered my most important speech in Dr. Pam’s Medieval Rhetoric class. She gave me the freedom to explore satire in my persuasive speech, in which I explained why the class should support my bid to become dictator of the world. To this day, Dr. Pam remains my most faithful advisor,” she says, referring to Pam Johnston, Ph.D., associate professor and disciplinary lead in history.

Looking back, FPU has only grown in importance since graduation, the memories a reminder of the transformative power of education and the impact it can have on a life. “As someone who studied film and is just a general film nerd, I cannot help but watch these montages rolling through my mind,” she says. “They have got this orange glow to them, a warmth that I can truly feel. It’s the laughing fits with roommates in Stras 1 when we’ve all stayed up far too late, it’s sitting in The Forest with a book, watching students wander by, the sun sprinkling through the trees, it’s snippets from lectures about metaphor and performance theory and hoplites, and it’s ‘the look’ from Billie Jean Wiebe when she didn’t need to say anything for us to understand her meaning.”

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

As a “film nerd” who was convinced at 18 that she was going to go to Hollywood, Hailey would never have guessed she would end up in health care. Her only science classes at FPU were the two general education requirements. So how does she succeed in marketing and communications at Saint Agnes Medical Center, one of the four main hospitals in Fresno?

FPU did prepare Hailey for the challenges of six years in corporate health care: “I have discovered my voice as the main copy writer and editor for Saint Agnes. If you have ever seen any of our ads, magazines, etc., those were most likely written by me. I’ve also been able to interview dozens of patients to capture their stories and witness their strength,” she says.

The skills she carried into her job, and the ones she continues to hone all got their start at the university. “Without the classes I took, the conversations I had with my professors and the leadership opportunities I had here, I think my career would look vastly different,” she said. “I grew into the person I am today because of the foundations I laid here. As cheesy as it sounds, FPU did prepare me to spread my wings and leave the nest.”

GIVING BACK TO FPU

As a graduate, Hailey feels a deep connection and desire to give back to the institution that shaped her. She appreciates being invited back for events such as the Paragon Scholars Reunion, seeing all of the new renovations around campus and getting to play ultimate Frisbee with intramurals.

She recalls two occasions when professors nudged her toward the world beyond the campus gates:

The first was Hailey’s conversation with mentor Billie Jean Wiebe, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and English and director of the communication program. Trying to figure out where she was going to do her required internship, Hailey mentioned reaching out to the University Marketing and Communications Office. Billie Jean, who died in 2020, politely, but very firmly, told her no and encouraged her to look beyond FPU. Because of that, Hailey ended up interning at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and at Saint Agnes, which hired her after graduation.

The second was in her very last class as an undergrad: The Novel with Daniel Larson, Ph.D., associate professor of literature and chair of the fine arts & humanities department. At the end of their final lesson, he addressed the class of mostly juniors and seniors. For those graduating, he told them it was time to say goodbye. “Time to close one chapter and start the next,” she says.

“They told me to fly, and so I did,” Hailey says. “But I always remember to come home to visit.”

The Fresno Pacific Alumni and Friends Tour took its first fall trip last September and October. The travel term for this time of year is the “shoulder season,” not the peak season (June to August) when school is out, and everywhere is busy with tourists and travelers. The crowds are less dense, the weather is more moderate, and even the costs are sometimes lower.

We have wanted to go to Greece since we started the tours in 2017, but I was teaching and many FPU alums are teachers, and so we waited. Alums I have surveyed have listed Greece as one of their most highly desired trips. Finally, this year we were able to do it, and with a small group (14 instead of our usual 20) and only one working teacher we boarded the plane for Athens.

We traveled through most of central and southern Greece, making a kind of circle. We began in Athens went north and west eventually taking a ferry to the island of Corfu, then went south to the Peloponnese and Olympia (yes, where the ancient Olympics were held), east to Corinth and Nafplio and then north back to Athens. Greece is not large, so the days of travel were not long. And the landscape and vegetation are much like California—it felt a little like home.

We saw ancient sites that are part of our cultural language. We walked through the Olympic complex, complicated like today’s Olympic villages, if smaller. It even had rooms for philosophic discussions, and places of worship. I don’t know if our villages have these. I haven’t heard of them or seen them, and I’ve been to a few modern Olympic sites. We visited Delphi where the Oracle spoke with its studied ambiguity.

We climbed up to the Acropolis (High City) and the Parthenon and  multiple other temples. And some of us made our way down to the ancient Agora (marketplace) in Athens. If you have seen pictures of Athens you have seen the Acropolis. One morning we sat in a café next to the agora, where we looked up at the Acropolis as we enjoyed cake and Greek coffee and tea. We walked into Agamenon’s tomb, and climbed to the ancient hill-top, walled city of Mycenae.

We sat in the ancient theater at Epidaurus, a place famous for medicine and healing, and listened to words spoken softly fifty yards below us, hearing them distinctly as they were directed to us by the carefully carved angles of the stone seating. Our local Greek guides at each of the sites were especially good.

We also visited Christian sites. We saw in Athens the Areopagus Hill where the Apostle Paul spoke to the philosophers and together read Acts 17 which portrays that meeting. The Synagogue where early Christians might have met was down in the Agora. We also visited Corinth where Paul was taken for a hearing and his case dismissed as told in Acts 18. As one of our group said it was kind of “chilling” to be there.

We also visited the Metropoli or Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, seeing our first Iconostasis and mural of Jesus in the Dome. We also visited the rock-top monasteries in Meteora, and our tour director surprised us with a stop to the studio of an Icon painter, Father Pefkis, where we observed the traditional painting methods and designs of Orthodox icons that have not changed for more than a thousand years.

And we experienced too modern Greece and its history. Nafplio mentioned above was the first capital of modern Greece after its revolution in the early 1800s. And, of course, Athens is the modern capital with its 4.5 million residents, government buildings, museums both of antiquity and modern art and artifacts. We visited a working olive grove and sampled olive oils and other olive products.

We saw Corfu and its 19^th-21^st century villas and both Venetian and British elements. (Maybe you saw the PBS series “The Durells on Corfu?” It looks much like that still). We drove through small, hill-top villages, and seaside towns and ports, and stayed for one night in a  winter resort. Throughout our time we enjoyed Greek street food and traditional Greek meals.

Most of us ferried to one of the Greek islands, Santorini, for a few extra days and enjoyed both a visit to an ancient Minoan city (over 3500 yrs old) just uncovered 50 years ago and a bustling resort town (the crowds were manageable since we were not there at the peak of the season).

One morning a group of us climbed up the narrow staired walkways to an old (3-400 years—really not very old for Greece) Venetian palace turned into a hotel and restaurant, and sat out in the morning sun under umbrellas for a lite treat, and Greek Coffee (for some of us) which turned into a long break that continued into lunch as we looked out at the turquoise sea of the Santorini caldera, the bright blue domes of the shrines and chapels dedicated to local saints, and the low growing vineyards that sloped down to the cliffs at the shore. It was difficult to leave.

All the above tells you something about why we travel and why we enjoy it. I don’t need to spell it out. Some days we are on the road, on most days we walk a couple of miles (sometimes more) to sites or events, on other days we take it easy and enjoy the air, the view, the food. The FPU Alumni and Friends tours are what our tour group calls “customized, private tours.” They are not open to just anyone. Everyone has a connection to FPU whether they are alums, family of alums, friends of alums and their families (or friends of friends of…), staff, faculty and board members or supporters of the school. We interpret the relationship generously! I listen to our groups speak about what they enjoyed and what they could have skipped, where they want to travel, what they like to do, and plan future tours with our tour consultants to create an itinerary that has the kind of elements we experienced in Greece, planned just for our alumni, families, and friends.

As of the end of 2024, alumni and friends of FPU have taken 7 trips to Europe and are planning more for 2025 (Scandinavia in June), for 2026 (Switzerland to be announced soon), and 2027 (stay tuned).

To read about where we've been, what we've seen, and a bit about why and how, check out the article commissioned by our Alumni department and posted in the alumni blog page: https://blogs.fresno.edu/alumni/2024/11/22/walking-through-history-fpu-alumni-explore-the-world-on-guided-tours/ And thank you to those who were interviewed for the article and contributed their thoughts and experiences.

You can always find out about upcoming trips on the Alumni and Friends Tours page, https://www.fresno.edu/departments/alumni/alumni-friends-tour or you can contact me directly at steve.varvis@fresno.edu, or call (559) 906-5545.

I hope you can join us on one of the upcoming tours soon!

Where We Come From 

The sun shone September 18, 1944, when 28 students and their teachers celebrated the opening of Pacific Bible Institute at 1095 N. Van Ness Ave., in Fresno. With a stanza of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” class began under the auspices of the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren (MB) Churches. Eight decades later, the impact of Fresno Pacific University is felt through more than 28,000 alumni, 95% of whom come from California—most from the Central Valley. 

By 1960, the school had moved to its present main campus, an old cotton field at the corner of Chestnut and Butler avenues, and become Pacific College (PC). Accreditation to offer bachelor’s degrees followed in 1965 and the first master’s program was approved in 1974, two years before PC became Fresno Pacific College. A milestone came in 1990 with the first bachelor’s degree completion (DC) classes to help adults with some college experience achieve their dream of a four-year degree while meeting work and family obligations. Degree completion spread to Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced, with campuses being established there and in North Fresno. 

Who We Are Today 

Today FPU offers traditional undergraduate, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate and seminary programs for students of various ages and stages of life. Its over 100 areas of study connect each student’s untapped potential with opportunities for professional, personal and spiritual growth and offer an expert and supportive faculty. True to its mission to “develop students for leadership and service through excellence in Christian higher education,” the university nurtures the whole student, preparing them academically, professionally, ethically and spiritually for success after graduation and throughout life. 

Among other initiatives are enrollment partnerships with school districts to attract students, and internships and programs such as Teacher Residency Programs to move graduates into meaningful employment, often in Valley communities. 

Facilities improvements over the last five years have included the construction of Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, featuring the Elizabeth V Lyles Main Theater, a 400-seat performance space that can be converted to dining, and the Lin Family Performance Studio, a black-box theater for more intimate events. In athletics, the university track and field have been upgraded and the Dan Martin Stadium, a new baseball facility including seating, a concession stand and other amenities, is almost complete. 

Whether learning in class or performing in athletics or the arts, FPU students are the diverse face of the Central Valley. Of the nearly 2,900 new high school graduates, working professionals and adults returning to college at our five campuses, 52% of undergraduates come from families earning less than $40,000 a year, 63% of our traditional undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college and 60% of all students identify as Hispanic. Students from all groups enjoy the same strong graduation rates. Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary educates ministers, church and parachurch leaders and marriage and family therapists. The university also has a growing number of online degrees and provides development courses to thousands of professionals across the country. 

In addition to its contribution to the region, Fresno Pacific University, as the school has been known since 1997, has attracted national attention. The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, U.S. News & World Report and Money all rate FPU highly, with The Journal ranking the university the nation’s number one private university in social mobility for its graduates and both U.S. News and Washington Monthly including FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists. 

In 2025, FPU remains the San Joaquin Valley’s Christian university. Our emphasis on knowledge, faith and values helps our graduates explore the possibilities for themselves, their families and their communities.

A school librarian looking for a new career. A student-athlete who came to run. A master’s student with a passion. Sound like a list of character archetypes about the college experience? They’re more. Amanda Garza, Rodney Chemalmal and Samantha Valencia are but a few examples of the range of students at Fresno Pacific University. 

They took different paths to get to FPU, but they will leave with similar goals: to serve God and their communities with the Faith, Wisdom and Service they learned here. 

The Librarian
Amanda Garza, pursuing her B.A. in Social Work at the Visalia Campus, was drawn by a desire to help others. 

Garza lost both of her parents at a young age, and says these losses and other life experiences have given her the ability to empathize and connect with students who are going through tough times. “The need for social workers is there. The kids need someone to listen to them,” she says. 

Garza, who lives in Delano, appreciates the convenience of the Visalia Campus, as well as the mix of in-person and online class meetings that allows her to continue working as a school librarian and be present for her four children. 

She also appreciates the way faith is integrated into every aspect of FPU. “We start with prayer and then we end with prayer,” she says of her classes. “We don’t know what everybody is going through, but being mindful of the situation and having prayer helps whatever anyone’s dealing with.” 

It’s a mindfulness she hopes to bring to her work as a school social worker. “Having that [mindfulness] helps me in whatever I’m dealing with,” she says. “At the end of the day, I want to make a difference and inspire them to make a difference.”

The Runner
Rodney Chemalmal came to FPU from Kenya as a student-athlete, but found more. 

The cross-country and track athlete, who runs 10 miles a day and harbors dreams of one day running all of the World Marathon Majors, is enrolled in the nursing program. “After being here, I decided I wanted to help others,” he said. 

Chemalmal cites the school’s programs and people as inspiring him to deepen his faith and make the decision to get baptized. “I’ve been able to grow spiritually [here]. The education is faith-based and full of integrity,” he says. 

Praying before classes and athletic events, chapel sessions, Bible studies and wisdom shared by other Christians have been integral to his development. 

“The staff, coaches and the faculty in general… all of them are Christian and try to align faith and Scripture into their work,” Chemalmal says. “I’ve learned the Word. I’m learning to serve others wholeheartedly, have faith in what I’m doing and in others and how to be accommodating as a Christian. Having all this has helped me as I prepare to serve others with a heart for the Lord.” 

The Master’s Student
Samantha Valencia is on a mission born from experience. 

Valencia completed her B.A. in Criminology and Restorative Justice in 2019 and is now adding a M.A. in Strategic and Organizational Leadership, hoping to establish a restorative justice program in her home town of Mendota. 

“When I was in high school, I went through a situation where if I hadn’t been able to prove my innocence, they would have arrested me,” she recalls. “There are a lot of families here with students who, if they get booked into juvenile hall, there’s less of a chance to get out and make something for themselves. I want to bring resources into our community that help youth make better choices.” 

FPU’s emphasis on faith has been a guiding force in her professional and spiritual development, she says. “I’m Catholic, but I wasn’t practicing. Once I started learning more about God and reading more verses, when we got into our devotionals at the beginning of class, it helped me a lot,” she says. 

Ongoing support from mentors has also boosted Valencia’s confidence and emboldened her to serve others. “I’m more confident in my beliefs and I express myself in a more positive way than I did a couple years ago,” she says.

It was 80 years ago this fall that a praying and faithful group of Mennonite Brethren planted FPU—then Pacific Bible Institute—in the fertile soil of California’s Central Valley. These early visionaries, many from immigrant families, valued education and desired a place on the West Coast where their children could grow in faith and knowledge. That first fall, the institute opened its doors to 28 students and five staff members. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we stand in the shade of trees we did not plant. For eight decades, countless individuals have studied, encouraged, prayed, invested, donated and worked through the highs and lows of this institution’s rich history. We honor our past while eagerly tending the current garden, “planting” for a fruitful future with the nearly 2,900 students enrolled today. 

As we look to our future, we return to the words on the FPU seal: Founded on Christ: Faithfulness – Wisdom – Service. These three virtues are not independent, but interwoven into our institutional DNA. 

Many of you can attest to God’s unwavering faithfulness to FPU. I am reminded of a favorite verse: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). We can have confidence that God will continue to be faithful to FPU as we hold on to the hope we profess in Christ. 

As an institution of higher education, we often navigate the balance between vocational training and the pursuit of wisdom. I think you would agree we need Godly wisdom now more than ever. 

The Fresno Pacific Idea states, “… All authentic knowledge and experience are unified under God.” Therefore, since all things are in Christ—made by him and for him and exist because of him (Colossians 1:16-17), I believe we have the privilege of divine curiosity that allows us to seek wisdom beyond the cultural, political and religious barriers that distract and divide. 

Lastly, the motto calls us to a life of service. Our work here is not for our good or gain, but to serve and to reflect God’s love in a world that desperately needs him. Indeed, Menno Simons said, “True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love.” May we serve as the Scriptures instruct us: “wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7). 

We look forward to the next 80 years! Fresno Pacific University remains founded on and steadfastly anchored in Christ. Just as alumni, faculty, staff, donors and friends have done before, may we, as Francis Shaeffer said, “exhibit God and His character, by His grace, in this generation.”