My name is Maria Pia, but my dad calls me “the eternal student,” and obviously there’s a reason for that—it’s been quite a while since I graduated from high school. And honestly, I was also in a rush to graduate because of that very reason.
As long as I can remember, classrooms were my least favorite places. I honestly preferred going to work with my parents rather than going to school. But as you know, it’s not right for a child to work, and if I’m being honest, studying just wasn’t my thing. I didn’t like it, but I had no choice but to keep going and finish school.
Time passed, and I attended a few universities before coming to Campbellsville University. To be exact, I went to three universities before this one. And honestly, I didn’t even want to come to Campbellsville. I felt comfortable at my previous school, but God’s plans for my life were different from the ones I had in mind.
At that point, I believed in God, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him.
When I arrived at Campbellsville, I realized there was a large Latino community, and that made me feel better. I didn’t feel so far from home.
The first time I stepped into the Mass Communication department, they gave me the opportunity to work there. I couldn’t believe the trust they placed in me by offering me that job—but like I said, they believed in me, and that feels nice.
Soon, making friends felt easy. Within the first few days, I was already part of a group. As someone new in this town, things were going well—I had a job, I had friends… what else could I ask for? I felt comfortable, even though classes still weren’t my favorite.
At that time, the person who helped me get into the university told me I only had, at most, one year left to graduate. So, I was more than happy—I thought I’d be done in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, that’s what I thought—but it didn’t turn out that way. Long story short, it actually took me two and a half years to finish my degree. I didn’t understand why it took so long, but let me tell you why.
When I arrived at Campbellsville, I didn’t know what it was like to have a community that believed in Christ. Honestly, I was lost. I thought my life was already figured out, that my plans were perfect, that everything was under my control—but in reality, it was God’s plan for me to come here and meet Him. And that’s exactly what happened.
During my first days here, I met a friend who prayed for me for three months so that I would come to Christ. And let me tell you—she did a great job, because thanks to her, I now have this beautiful community of believers who always support me.
It wasn’t until April 2024 that I gave my life to God. And let me tell you—it hasn’t been easy. In fact, my whole life turned upside down, and I lost control of what I thought was a perfectly planned life. But honestly, I think it did me a favor.
During 2024-25, so many things happened that some might say I was very unlucky. And the worst part was that I didn’t share much, because I thought I would become a burden to others. On top of that, I had one of the worst opinions of myself—I felt like I wasn’t enough in almost anything, and that anything good that happened to me was just luck… until all that “good luck” disappeared.
The only thing I could do was trust God. I thought, “What bad could happen if I trust Him?” I struggled with anxiety and depression, and what helped me get through my days was reading the Bible. I mean, I’m just a girl who moved to a country 2,985 miles away from home—I couldn’t just quit everything because I felt bad and go back.
My parents had invested so much in me that I couldn’t imagine going back and telling them I got my heart broken, that I missed home, that I wasn’t good enough academically, that I didn’t have many friends, that I couldn’t attend my grandmother’s funeral… I just couldn’t. I had to find strength from somewhere—and that strength came from God.
At the end of 2024, I started building a Christian community. But I won’t lie—I still wasn’t ready to fully surround myself with them. I didn’t feel like I was enough. I wasn’t as devoted to God as they were. And on the other hand, being friends with the other group of people who had once hurt me? That wasn’t on my bingo card. I just felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I even felt like my professors didn’t like me.
All those negative thoughts kept me from even trying to build friendships or relationships. God truly made me see life in a different way. Back in school, I used to be the class clown, I was someone—and now, how could I explain to my friends that I didn’t belong to any group? It felt embarrassing.
The truth is, I went through many ups and downs during my two years here. I wanted to leave this town because, for someone who wanted to experience new things, this place didn’t offer much—just a bar at night and other things that required a car and friendships… and me? I had neither of those. I didn’t want to trust anyone. I was just so hurt.
But thank God, the people who prayed for me showed me they cared—and that I could count on them.
In 2025, WLCU Studios gave me the opportunity to work in what I truly loved. My friend—the one who prayed for me—her name is Shalem Canales. She encouraged me to serve in the university’s Christian community groups, and I’ve been doing that ever since. I was finally starting to like this place.
My pastor, Trent Creason, opened his home to me, showing me that I would always have a place to go if I ever needed refuge.
And the best part? The one thing I had always struggled with—school—started to get a little better.
Then 2026 came, and I was finally going to graduate. I couldn’t have been happier knowing I was about to leave this place—everyone already knew I was graduating.
This last semester didn’t start well for me because I took classes I thought I wouldn’t like, like writing and analyzing. I mean, I’m not even a writer or analyst. But I had to take those classes, and I had to learn.
I started getting busier. I started serving God more. I started doing more things I loved at work. My classes weren’t that bad after all, so life wasn’t as bad as I thought. My only problem was finding a different news story every week in my advanced newswriting and reporting class.
The funny thing is that when I started feeling more grateful for this place, I began to see all the good in it.
I started to love this town, even if there isn’t much to do. I began to value my Christian community—it was so diverse, and they were so kind to me, that I started to love them from the bottom of my heart. I began to appreciate my job more because the CU Sports Network gave me opportunities no one had ever given me before—especially at my age, especially as someone from another country. I simply felt blessed. I even started appreciating my professors more, because honestly, you don’t find professors like these just anywhere.
That’s when I realized that the small town I didn’t want anything to do with at first would be the one that would hurt the most when I leave.
And remember how I said I didn’t like writing? Well, it’s still not my strongest skill—but I started to enjoy that class. In fact, it became one of my favorites—not because I love writing, but because it’s a real class, with real people, where we did things outside the ordinary.
So, if you’re reading this and wondering what’s special about this university…
Let me tell you—it’s not the town itself, but the people in it. And I feel blessed to say that Campbellsville’s mission was fulfilled in my life.
Not only do I have an amazing job, not only do I have incredible people around me—friends and professors—but I was truly able to meet Christ because of the people here.
I’m about to graduate, and you have no idea how much I’m going to miss this place. I truly hope to come back someday. But for now, all I can say is thank you to this university for making me feel at home.
And above all, I thank God for opening the doors to this place and filling my life with opportunities. And if you’re wondering why you should stay at Campbellsville University, believe me—there are many opportunities, but you have to go out and find them.
Disclaimer: This is not an ad. I am just grateful.
