Nathaniel Sawyer has known since high school that he wanted to attend a Christian
university, and that he wanted to serve his country.
A conversation with one of his teachers led to an internet search that resulted in Nathaniel finding Southwest Baptist University – a long way from his hometown of Shelby, Ala. – sending him well on his way to accomplishing his goals.
Growing up in Alabama, Nathaniel had the opportunity to participate in the Alabama Law Enforcement Explorer Academy. The Academy, which exposes cadets to everything from negotiating, to fire arms and safety, to vehicles stops, instilled in Nathaniel a love for the justice system.
So, he decided to continue in that field and majored in criminal justice with a concentration in psychology at SBU.
“I wanted to be academically challenged so I could become a better leader, and SBU helped me achieve that,” Nathaniel said.
“SBU guides you from Day 1 with an advisor who is placed with you until you graduate, and represents their students’ best interest. The academics are challenging at first, but the knowledge is rewarding.”
While a student at SBU, Nathaniel had the chance to work for three years as a corrections officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Department. His duties included booking criminals, monitoring inmates in hospitals, taking them to court and prison, and assisting in arrests.
In addition to that experience, he also worked for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch, while a student at SBU, and worked with at-risk youth.
“I oversaw 12 boys on the ranch,” Nathaniel said. “The boys did chores, homework and we bonded over conversation, movies and different ranch counseling groups.”
These experiences allowed Nathaniel to continue in the justice and counseling areas, but an SBU mission trip to the Philippines during his freshman year sparked an interest to serve.
“SBU gave me the academic level and knowledge to go forth into the world,” Nathaniel said. “After that mission trip, I gained the traveling bug to help people.”
During his sophomore year, the urge to serve his country in a peaceful way continued to pull at his heart, so he began another online search. That is when he learned about the Peace Corps, a federal volunteer job.
Requirements to apply to the Peace Corps include a four-year college degree and strong résumé. Applicants also must pass a background and medical check. Nathaniel knew that’s what he wanted to do.
“Without the education I gained from SBU, I would not be as confident,” Nathaniel said of preparing to make the leap.
He and his wife, Rachael ’16, applied in May 2017 and were formally invited in August
2017. They then had to get medical and legal clearances, which took until Feb. 2018.
Upon Nathaniel’s graduation in May, they traveled to Miami, Fla., for Peace Corps
staging, which is where invitees fill out government paperwork, get to know their
group and turn into future trainees.
From Miami, Nathaniel and Rachael traveled to Quito, Ecuador, to begin 27 months of training in Youth and Family Development Community Health, including three months of language and policy training.
“Training is very hard, but fun,” Nathaniel said of the preparation. “I have met so many amazing, talented and experienced young and old North Americans. Some of my new trainee friends have gone to prestigious schools like Stanford.
“But, I believe for SBU to have alumni in the Peace Corps says a lot about who SBU brings into its institution – leaders.”
As newly appointed volunteers – as of Aug. 7 – Nathaniel and Rachael will begin their work in Quito, working in two governmental facilities preventing child labor in areas where many children and adults perform (beg) in the streets, and sell and deal drugs for money.
“We have the power granted by the Peace Corps to create projects for the community, children and adults alike, keeping with our goals of building up life skills and work skills for young people in the area,” Nathaniel said.
He is interested in starting “Escuela para padres” (School for parents) to teach discipline, parenting skills and child labor prevention, as well as teaching leadership and teamwork-themed classes for children.
“We cannot wait to see what projects we can bring to Quito, Ecuador,” Nathaniel said. “It is an honor to be here in Quito working toward something that we both are so passionate about. We are excited to hit the ground running, get to know our communities better and start working.”
Nathaniel feels the education and opportunities that SBU offers, equip students with the well-rounded experiences needed to serve on a global scale.
“If you want to be a leader in a global society with the best Christian atmosphere in the United States, regardless of your degree, come to SBU,” he said. “There is no better place to be. SBU faculty prepare us to be servant leaders in a global society, and I still believe it.”