Evidence of God’s faithfulness
How Mariah Garcia found what she needed at HPU
by Rebekah Sterling '18
In 2020, Mariah Garcia had never heard of Howard Payne University. The Aubrey High School senior knew she
wanted to study criminal justice and forensic science in college and thought a larger school made sense. But after a disappointing campus visit, she realized she also needed a place to grow in her faith – a place where she would be at home. So, she did a quick Google search.
“I looked up a list of schools in Texas and Howard Payne came up,” she recalls. “I didn’t know where Brownwood was, but it sounded really intriguing. That night I applied and two months later we came to visit.”
Mariah is now in her second year at HPU and stays busy, majoring in both the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and chemistry. Mariah’s chosen fields of study emphasize public policy and forensics, respectively, and have proven to be the perfect synthesis for her career preparation.
“I think they go hand in hand,” she shares. “Public policy and civic leadership have a huge impact on the criminal justice system and I’ve always loved science. If I continue down this path, I will get my master’s in forensics with an emphasis in drug analysis. My goal would be to work for the DEA.”
Mariah attributes much of her interest in criminal justice and science to family ties, namely her aunt, who works as a crime scene technician.
“She’s always been like my older sister,” Mariah explains, “so I think that’s where I get it from. She tells me stories about work and everything she knows about the criminal justice field.”
"I've grown so much... I can't imagine being anywhere else."
Despite this influence and her own interest in the forensics field, Mariah’s experience finding HPU has taught her it’s best to trust God with her plans. As she continues to prepare for a career in forensics, Mariah remains both
optimistic and open-minded about her career path.
“Since I’ve been here the Lord has just grown me so much,” she shares. “I’m open to wherever the Lord leads me, whether that means being a science teacher or working in community corrections or even missions. Whatever the Lord has for me, I’m open to it.”
In the meantime, the HPU community continues to be a source of much-needed wisdom, encouragement and joy for Mariah. One such person has been Dr. Dennis Gibson, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Physical Sciences.
“Dr. Gibson is always there to answer any questions,” she relates. “If I don’t know what I’m doing, I can just go talk to him and he will reassure me that I’m on the right path with all my classes.”
Mariah also serves as a student worker for HPU’s Office of Advancement, where she gets to see and support behind-the-scenes operations on campus. She participates in a small group with her peers and enjoys being mentored by Mackenzie Langham ’22, campus missionary intern at HPU’s Baptist Student Ministry. Mariah is also a member of Pi Theta Chi. Off campus, she is involved at Southside Baptist Church, where she helps with the youth ministry.
It’s been more than two years since Mariah first set foot on the Howard Payne campus. Reflecting on her experiences thus far, Mariah credits God’s faithfulness with guiding her to HPU.
“Spiritually I have changed tremendously,” she shares. “I didn’t become a Christian until my junior year of high school, so I don’t know where I would be in my faith if I had gone to another school. I’ve helped out at churches, shared my testimony and spoken at events. I’ve grown so much and found some of my closest friends here. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
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