How to Use BYU-Pathway in Your Ministry | An Interview with J.D. Griffith

J.D. Griffith is the Vice President of Administration for
BYU-Pathway Worldwide, an online higher education organization
serving nearly 60,000 students from over 180 countries, and was its
first employee in 2009 when he assisted with the creation of the
original Pathway program. He previously worked at BYU-Idaho as a
faculty member in the College of Business and as an administrator
in the Division of Continuing Education. J.D. holds a bachelor’s
degree in business management, and an MBA and a PhD in business
administration. His previous church callings include bishop,
counselor in the bishopric, high councilor, elders quorum
president, Young Men president, ward clerk, Gospel Doctrine
teacher, and missionary in the Ireland Dublin Mission. He currently
serves as a primary activity leader. He and his wife Tasha have
five children and one grandchild. Highlights 03:45 Introduction to
J.D. Griffith and how Pathway began back in 2009. 05:50 How is
BYU-Pathway Worldwide different from an online university? J.D.
explains why this program was formed. 12:00 While the majority of
BYU-Pathway is online, they meet weekly in person. 14:00 How does
it work? Can you get any degree? 15:40 J.D. talks about who
BYU-Pathway is for. 21:00 BYU-Pathway is so unique and possible
through the Church that would not be possible through other
universities. The Church has been able to subsidize tuition, use
senior missionaries as volunteers, and allow access to the Church
buildings to hold classes. 24:30 What to expect in BYU-Pathway Step
1 - PathwayConnect (first year) Step 2 - Certification Step 3 -
Associate Degree Step 4 - Bachelor's Degree 29:30 The first year is
a transition into college. It’s about coming together and helping
each other on a weekly basis. The first year has life skills,
university skills, and other basic classes. 32:15 BYU-Pathway is
for the unemployed or underemployed. It can help them get job ready
certificates. 33:40 How can leaders use BYU-Pathway in their
ministry? 34:50 Leaders can help the young single adults that get
left behind when everyone else is off to college by inviting them
to do BYU-Pathway. It also helps these individuals get involved in
institute. 37:50 Mission leaders and bishops should offer
BYU-Pathway for recently returned missionaries. 41:15 BYU-Pathway
is a great way for a leader to connect with individuals who are
less active in the church. It’s less intimidating than inviting
them to go to church. 42:20 Leaders can connect with part member
families with BYU-Pathway. 44:00 BYU-Pathway can help recent
converts and help continue to nurture them. 45:20 BYU-Pathway is
also for non-native English speakers. They will have the
opportunity to learn English along with the curriculum. 47:30 How
can leaders better promote BYU-Pathway? Find the local BYU-Pathway
missionaries Invite BYU-Pathway missionaries to your ward counsel
Have a stake education specialist Identify individuals in your ward
and talk with them 51:10 J.D. elaborates more on how special the
BYU-Pathway program is and how it can serve so many different kinds
of people. 53:15 Even though the costs are low there are also
scholarships available to those who need it. 54:20 J.D. shares more
about himself and his own education. Links BYU-Pathway Worldwide
byupathway.org/churchleaders Contact service missionaries near you
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