Weaverville Woman Juggled Work, Family, Studies at Simpson University
For Immediate Release
01.13.2014
REDDING, Calif. - Weaverville resident Stephanie Rebelo was motivated to earn her B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Simpson University’s School of Adult Studies so she could be an example to her son and the teens she works with at a local youth center called The Factory.
“The accelerated program that is offered through ASPIRE was very appealing,” Rebelo, 29, said. “When I found out more about the college and that it was a Christian college, I was very excited to experience Christ in higher-level academia.”
Rebelo enrolled in the ASPIRE program in August 2012 and was one of 195 students who graduated Jan. 11 during Simpson University’s winter commencement. She was also inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society for continuing education students who maintain at least a 3.8 grade-point average.
Rebelo’s road to earning her degree was not an easy one. Two weeks after delivering her son, Maximus Adonai, via C-section, Rebelo attended the ASPIRE orientation.
“Strategy with a new baby was tricky because my husband travels for work and is in the process of finishing his doctorate program,” she said. “Orchestrating our school loads, work, and one amazing blessing—our son—was sometimes a challenge.”
Rebelo also works as the operations manager at the teen center she and her church, Weaverville Church of the Nazarene, started in October 2011. Her job responsibilities include working directly with teens, volunteers and community members, and creating events and an overall atmosphere where all teens feel welcome.
In addition, she had to travel 90 miles round-trip every other week to attend class. Over the course of the program, she had to deal with construction delays and bad weather during the winter.
Even though she faced difficulties, Rebelo enjoyed being part of the ASPIRE program.
“The thing that I found most rewarding was my cohort,” she said. “We really connected and bonded as friends. My cohort shared 16 months that we won’t soon forget. I am blessed to have had this experience, and I only hope to take this knowledge and bless others with it.”
Rebelo was also encouraged by her professors.
“The life experience of the professors who are teaching the material is enough to give a person training to stand out in the world,” she said. “I hope to make them proud with the leader I will become.”
After finishing her bachelor’s degree in August, Rebelo started taking classes for her M.A. in Organizational Leadership through Simpson’s School of Graduate Professional Studies. She has also continued working at the teen center in Weaverville.
Article by Elise Wilson
Family photo courtesy Stephanie Rebelo / Stephanie and Anthony Rebelo with son Maximus.
Stephanie Rebelo on graduation day at Simpson University.
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Simpson University is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults in the north state. Simpson’s newest programs include bachelor's degrees in Spanish and nursing, and master’s degrees in counseling psychology and organizational leadership. Learn about our new Science & Nursing Building at simpsonu.edu/snbuilding. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.
Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
530-226-4737
