SNU Sydney Monkres

Deer Creek Public Schools teacher Sydney Monkres loves her job teaching science courses to students and one day hopes to take her talents to the collegiate level teaching kinesiology or health promotion. To get there, Monkres decided to continue her education at Southern Nazarene University and pursue her master’s degree in Exercise Science. 

“I loved that SNU offers an online Exercise Science and Health degree. Now that I have a full time, “big girl” job, it is tough to go to in-person classes. With SNU offering online classes, I can work on my master’s on my own time. Also, the classes are smaller, so it makes it easier to ask questions,” said Monkres. “I really love that the professors are so accommodating, and I feel they have a genuine interest in helping me succeed. I enjoy the courses and feel like I am not doing any busy work. Everything we do here is intentional. I also love the Christian values the school brings into the classes.” 

Having never attend a faith-based school, Monkres admitted she was surprised when her first professor asked the class to bow their heads and pray. 

“My first class at SNU was on Zoom. I was shocked when our professor asked us to bow our heads and pray. That moment was an awesome moment for me. Here I am, thinking about how I am going to learn how to write for research, but then this kind lady is instead going to lead us in prayer before we get started! I was shocked, but in the best way possible. I did not expect that on that day,” said Monkres. “Another moment I didn’t expect, I got married this summerand found out my class started on the day of my wedding! I was really stressed out about how I was going to start a class that day, then go on a week-long honeymoon out of the country, and to top it off, start back to school (work) the day after we got back from the honeymoon. Thankfully, my Department Chair, Dr. Goodman, and professor, Dr. Robinson, helped me stay ahead of my work, so I could go enjoy my wedding and honeymoon. It was great to know that the professionals at this school were also excited for me and wanted me to enjoy this season of life as much as I did.”