"...teachers have played an important role in defining who she is today."

Growing up in the small community of Gold Beach, Oregon, Whitney studied Suzuki violin until a new music teacher introduced her to Irish fiddle music. The joyful, playful sound of this new style delighted Whitney and eventually, she won 2nd place in a local fair for her Irish fiddling. But Whitney did not forget her more classical roots; she joined the Pacific University Orchestra during her sophomore year.

The only daughter in a small-town family, Whitney probably would not have seen as much of the world as she has, had it not been for another teacher.  Whitney’s high school Spanish teacher encouraged her to join a group traveling to Costa Rica for two months. The adventure would prove life changing for Whitney.

Two months in Costa Rica helped Whitney to realize that she wanted to see more of the world and experience more of life outside the United States. “We make so many assumptions about other people,” she explains.

“You have to go live in another country – not just be a tourist – to start to understand.” A friend recommended the Spanish program at Pacific because of its strong reputation and emphasis on study abroad. Whitney scheduled a campus visit and fell in love with the close sense of community she found among students and faculty at Pacific. “I wanted a smaller university where I could make those sorts of connections and get involved.”

Now a Spanish major at Pacific, Whitney took advantage of Pacific’s study abroad opportunities and spent a year living in Ecuador. She spent one semester living in Guayaquil where she was an English assistant at a local high school and joined two graduate students from Pacific’s Physician Assistant program working at a rural health clinic. Her second semester, Whitney spent attending school in Quito.

Back on campus, Whitney plays ultimate Frisbee – even joining the team in a tournament in Chico, California. She is active in the Pacific Christian Fellowship, is a Resident Assistant in Walter Hall, and played lacrosse during her sophomore year. “Getting involved,” Whitney explains, “is how I became a successful student.”

Whitney’s senior capstone project is a study of bilingual education in the Forest Grove public schools. As part of her project, she has been working in a 4th grade 2-way immersion classroom. The experience lets her put her Spanish skills to use while, at the same time, allowing her to explore teaching as a possible future career. So far, Whitney has liked what she has learned about teaching.

Currently, Whitney is preparing scholarship, graduate school, and Peace Corps applications. Wherever she ends up teaching, her Pacific professors are certain that Whitney Snipes will open the door to the world for her own students one day.

If you are interested in a languages and international experiences, come see what Pacific has to offer. We have programs in five languages, study abroad in 14 countries, and a rich multicultural student body. Schedule a campus visit through the admissions office today!