June 11, 2021

Two couples pursuing life and graduate degrees together

From left: Lindsey and Ryan Van Liew and Heather and Jeremy Jordan are
enrolled in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at California Baptist University is an intensive two-year program. But two married couples have the advantage of built-in study partners as they go through the program together.

Jeremy and Heather Jordan and Ryan and Lindsey Van Liew are part of the cohort of 30 students who are finishing their first year in the program.

The Jordans met in microbiology class at Azusa Pacific University. They had each decided to pursue becoming physician assistants before they met.

“It fits everything that I wanted. We both have a big heart for service,” Heather said. “With healthcare, I’ve had the desire to be able to go on mission trips and serve.”

They were married June 2019.

The Van Liews met while working as paramedics in southern Riverside County. Lindsey planned to become a physician assistant. Ryan considered fire service before deciding to go into the medical field. They then went to CBU for their undergraduate degree before pursuing their master’s. They were married April 2019.

“We love CBU. Their approach to education was really nice,” Lindsey said. “We liked that it was centered biblically. It was pro-science but also pro-Jesus. It felt right.”

Both couples say being in the program with their spouse is beneficial.

“Sometimes I say it’s like we have a cheat code, even though we’re not cheating,” Ryan said. “Two heads are better than one in a lot of ways. We both have strengths and weaknesses, and we definitely play off each other’s strengths.”

Lindsey said the couple is not competitive in school, though Ryan will annihilate anyone playing cornhole and ping pong.

“It feels like we have this advantage of having somebody there to quiz you and keep you on your toes,” Lindsey said. “He’s like a built-in study buddy.”

Heather said while they may joke about it, they are not competitive with each other and often get similar scores on assignments and tests.

“Cardiology was a harder subject for me, but Jeremy got it so naturally. It was awesome for him to be able to explain things to me,” Heather said. In turn, she helped Jeremy with women’s health and pediatrics.

To make sure they do not study 24/7, the Jordans observe a Sabbath, from 6 p.m. Saturday to sundown Sunday.

“It’s been really refreshing that Saturday we close the books, and we don’t pick them up until the next day,” Heather said. “We don’t have the guilt, ‘We should be studying.’ This is Sabbath time and we’re trusting that God wants us to rest at times, too.”

Similarly, the Van Liews set aside 24 hours starting Friday evening to have date night or see friends and family.

“We just build in the time to have fun and be together,” Ryan said.

Between being in the same academic program and staying at home during the pandemic, the couples have not seen a downside of spending so much time together.

“I don’t get tired of him, and he doesn’t get tired of me,” Lindsey said. “I’d rather be hanging out with him because we have a lot of fun together. School hasn’t changed that.”

“I think both of us have only experienced benefits so far,” Jeremy said. “We work well together.”

“I haven’t gotten sick of him yet!” Heather said. “I think that’s characteristic of our relationship. We complement each other well. I do the organization and schedule things and Jeremy …”

“I just make the coffee,” Jeremy said.

The Jordans said they appreciate CBU’s program and faculty and the time together.

“We’re super thankful to CBU and our program for the opportunity that they gave us to do this together. It’s building such a strong foundation both for our career and our relationship,” Heather said.

“The professors really model a Christian life. To me that’s inspiring. As PAs, we want to be able to model that, but it can be challenging,” Jeremy said. “CBU is preparing us well for that.”

The Van Liews agreed with those views.

“With my purpose being to help others and help them live longer, more fulfilling lives, I think the faculty are showing they’re walking that walk with us so that we could turn around and demonstrate the same for our patients and be there for them,” Ryan said.

“It’s actually such a privilege to go in it with your spouse. I totally would suggest it for any married couple looking to do this,” Lindsey said.

CBU professors seek to promote dialogue about criminal justice

In May 2020, the death of George Floyd caused a nationwide response and created a new focus on laws and policing, especially related to the impacts on disadvantaged communities. This was followed up with a protracted and contentious presidential election cycle.

Dr. Mark Kling, program coordinator of the bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, program director of the Master of Public Administration, both for Online and Professional Studies at California Baptist University, saw the widening divide of public opinion by the end of 2020. People across the country seemed to be retreating into their own corners, and productive dialogue on how to address real safety concerns in the country were replaced by social media wars, the two faculty members said.

That led them to begin writing a series of articles on criminal justice reform for the PA Times, an online journal for the American Society for Public Administration. They were not advocating for one solution or another, they said. Rather, the goal of the articles was to enable voices from all sides to find a common starting place for productive discussions. (The articles were “Defund the Police or Invest in Human Capital: A Framework for Community Safety;” “Police Response to Homelessness: A Partnership for Comprehensive Compassion;” “Prosecutorial Discretion vs Directive: Impacts on Policy & Policing”; “Police, Sentencing and Prisons: Maximizing Impacts of Criminal Justice Reform;” and “Demilitarize the Police: A Framework for Safe Communities.”)

Kling has more than 35 years of experience in law enforcement including being chief of police for several cities. He has experience in leading gang, narcotics and SWAT teams; and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Sundstrom worked for more than 20 years in local and tribal governments as a policy analyst and grant writer. As a Fulbright Scholar, she taught public administration courses under the Office of the President in Ukraine and worked on anti-corruption initiatives throughout Ukraine with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Why write the articles on the criminal justice system?
Kling: Over the past year, society has been questioning the role of criminal justice in general. Questions arise regarding the fairness of laws, the enforcement of laws and the interpretation/sentencing of the laws. The issues seem vast and daunting, which is why we felt called to use our experience to develop paths forward to productive dialogue. Our Christian-centered philosophies help to bring tenets of kindness, patience and respect to the discourse.

What are some solutions?
Kling: Over the past year, the dialogue has been framed, focusing on what people do not want. For example, movements like “Defund the Police” focus on what not to fund. We are working with research partners in other countries, such as Sweden, to develop expanded services within police departments that allow officers to focus on law enforcement, while allowing social services, behavioral health and code enforcement to safely provide in-depth, expanded services to the community. The police cannot be all things to all people. Each member of the team needs to provide services that are coordinated through the police department. This comprehensive, compassionate approach removes agency silos and helps provide long-lasting results to the community in a safe manner.

We are striving to take the discourse one step further to reimagine laws and policies that: ensure equity for all citizens, enhance law enforcement practices to keep communities safe for everyone and examine the role of law enforcement to best serve the needs of society.

How can groups keep the dialogue going?
Kling: We are asking people, on all sides of the issue, what they want from their criminal justice system in the 21^st century. Although groups may not agree on everything, there are places of agreement to begin the dialogue, such as the need to provide comprehensive, compassionate services to those who are homeless or mentally ill, while maintaining safety and security for the community.

How are you hoping to move dialogue in a productive direction with your articles?
Sundstrom: Each article is intended to provide a framework for government agencies, elected officials and citizens to use as a guide for productive discussions. The articles offer proven, innovative program ideas to improve the criminal justice system, such as augmenting police departments with behavioral health and homeless outreach staff, as well as laying the foundations for discussions surrounding the appropriate balance between the legislative branch, administrative branch and judicial/prosecutorial discretion.

What challenge do you give to your students in this area?
Sundstrom: We teach our students to approach these issues from a Christ-centered perspective and to remain politically neutral and show honor and respect to views on all sides of the issue. We teach the students to root themselves in Christian values and to encourage their communities and churches to pray for unity and civility in the conversations.

Anything else you would like to add? 
Sundstrom: We believe we have been blessed with a unique combination of experience and education that allows us, as a team, to build a strong foundation for opening productive dialogue in our country. Like the story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, we have chosen to use our gifts to help move the dialogue in a productive direction.

CBU alumnus receives architecture award

Joshua Greene (’19) decided to become an architect for two reasons. First, he wanted to follow the example of his aunt and uncle who are architects. Second, he was inspired by his church, St. Catherine of Alexandria, in Riverside.

“Going to my church, which is a very beautiful building, I was inspired simply to be in that space and see how that building raised my mind and my eyes to God,” Greene said.

Earlier this year, Greene received a 2020 Julia Morgan Award in the student category from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Northern California Chapter.

“I was thrilled when I found out I won,” Greene said. “I was very excited to be recognized by this institute who does quality work. It’s amazing to see the lineup of the winners.”

His winning entry was part of the thesis project for his Master of Architecture degree at California Baptist University. The project was inspired by buildings such as the Mission Inn and many of Riverside’s historic churches, including his own, Greene said. He designed a space for worship and outdoor courts where Christians could engage the community.

“The project looks at how a Catholic church in this particular time and place—Riverside, 21^st century, in a post-modern suburban neighborhood—can realize this vision of the church as a temple that is bringing the universe into communion with God,” Greene said.

Dr. Matthew Niermann, associate dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design, said the award is an honor for Greene and CBU.

“This recognition is a standing testament to Josh’s design talent, dedication to his craft and commitment to the Catholic church’s architectural language,” Niermann said. “This award also is an honor for the architecture program at CBU in that it recognizes our dedication and success in teaching principles of architectural design that can be successfully applied across a variety of styles.”

CBU taught him to compare architecture to music, Greene said.

“The architect is the conductor in a sense, bringing all the different instruments together to realize this final work. In architecture, there are all the different trades, all the different engineers, the client and those financing the project, and all of them need to be working in concert if you want to have the excellence of architecture,” Greene said.

Greene is a project designer for SGH Architects in Redlands. His work includes schools and public projects for the downtown area.

“CBU helped me find my purpose by fostering reflection as a part of studies, by encouraging me to ask the big questions about life, meaning and purpose, and then to apply them to my profession,” Greene said. “We know that God has a plan for the human race, for each of us individually, and CBU asks, how does our profession and the work that we do on a daily basis contribute to that plan?”

National organization recognizes speech language hearing club

Members of the CBU chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association help clean up a community garden.

When Emily Smith (’21) became president of the CBU chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) last year, she had high aspirations.

Her goal was to have the chapter receive gold honors from the national organization based on its engagement and contribution to the community. The chapter at California Baptist University had earned bronze honors in 2019 and silver in 2020.

Requirements included participating in community outreach and legislative advocacy activities and having 30 percent of the chapter members be members of the national organization. This past year the chapter helped clean up a community garden in Ontario, California; began a mentorship program; and advocated for early hearing screenings.

The chapter learned earlier this month that it reached their goal.

“It is cool that we got the gold award, for being such a small school and especially with COVID,” Smith said. “That was real exciting for us.”

“Achieving gold status, to me, means that we have a community of people who not only care about their studies but care for growth and establishment of the NSSLHA CBU chapter,” said Brittney Colvin (’21).

Dr. Namhee Kim, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders and the chapter’s advisor, said she was also excited about the recognition.

“Normally it is difficult to earn the NSSLHA honor. It was especially difficult to hold various activities during the pandemic, but the students did their best to work together and encourage each other and continue to have social events, professional seminars and fundraising,” Kim said. “I am so proud of our student club and honored to serve as the advisor.”

Smith was a freshman when she joined the NSSLHA CBU chapter, the student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders.

“Our professors said if ‘you are serious about this field, you need to go to the club and you’ll learn so much more about our profession,’” Smith said. “I was really passionate and still am about my future profession, so I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Along with learning more about the field, the chapter provides an opportunity for students to develop relationships with the professors and their peers, Smith said.

“I’ve gotten so much out of it. I think the guest speakers have been the biggest impact on me. We heard the coolest lectures we would not have the opportunity to hear in just our schooling alone,” Smith said.

A panel of students in graduate school helped her make a decision about her future, Smith said. She graduated in May with her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and will pursue her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at CBU this fall.

The club helps students grow in their knowledge and skills and be prepared as future professionals, Kim said.

“Our student club’s mission is to support and provide opportunities for our communication sciences and disorders students to be involved in the field through volunteering and professional education,” Kim said.

Colvin also will be pursuing her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at CBU this fall.

“Students should join NSSLHA, because it is not just a club that you join for a college experience. It also provides many opportunities and connections for yourself out in the work field,” Colvin said.