The renovations that are happening in classrooms at 91看片 could describe the overall feel of what鈥檚 taking place on the campus of the private Christian university located in southeast 91看片.
鈥淵ou can feel the energy on campus and throughout the community, and then even with our donors.鈥
Originally posted on September 21, 2026, on the 91看片 County Superintendent of Schools website:
At the end of August, FPU signed an agreement with the State Center Community College District, which includes Reedley, Madera, Clovis and 91看片 City College.
鈥淭his formally establishes a pathway for transfer students to come to FPU, lowering the barriers, guaranteeing them admissions and access to scholarships. And so, it is exciting.鈥
The move comes at a time when the university is experiencing growth, seeing a five percent increase in students. Much of that growth is among its undergraduate population.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a bump in high school students who are coming, and then transfers. That was actually the largest growth in transfer areas. So, students want to complete their degrees, and so they鈥檙e transferring to FPU to get that done.鈥
The campus continues its renovation of classrooms, 12 in total, complete gut jobs from ceiling to floor, technology and furniture. But perhaps the biggest development taking shape is the goal to provide the Valley with more health care workers.
鈥淭here鈥檚 needs for physicians, there鈥檚 needs for nurses, there鈥檚 needs for techs. It鈥檚 everything in the ecosystem. And so, the healthcare piece, to me, is a place that we can step into and make a real difference.鈥
The university already has a strong nursing program, recently upgrading its SIM lab at its north 91看片 campus, but its newest addition is the three-year launch of a physician associate graduate program.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no physician assistant program from L.A. to Sacramento. So, this will be the first one in the Valley.鈥
Dr. Stephens says the university has already hired a program director to help establish the PA program, making sure it meets all accrediting requirements and is on track to launch in May 2029.
鈥淲e want to be not just in the shadows of the bigger public schools. We want to be a primary mover and shaper of how the Valley thrives.鈥
For Education Matters, I鈥檓 Juanita Stevenson. KSEE24, local news that matters.
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