May 18, 2020
Five Schools, One Degree
Long before they’d heard of BYU-Pathway, Jason and Jeanette Hayes met at a regional stake dance in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Jeanette had just graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and Jason was working toward a bachelor’s degree. Their first dance led to a first date, which led to more dates, which eventually led to marriage in the San Diego Temple. They now have three beautiful daughters: Adalyn (6), Isabelle (4), and Elisabeth Anne (1).
Jason’s journey to a degree
Jason and Jeanette Hayes
Both Jason and Jeanette love to learn, but school became a bit of a bumpy road for Jason. By the time he and Jeanette were married, he had attended four different colleges! He’d earned a lot of credits along the way but was frustrated with the time and money he’d spent without achieving his goal.
In 2014, Jeanette’s father mentioned that he was going to attend an informational meeting about BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Jeanette felt a strong prompting that Jason should also attend. During the fireside, Jason was interested in BYU-Pathway but also wary. “I was fighting against it because I thought I’d be starting over, which I had done four other times,” he said.
However, Jason learned that almost all of his credits would transfer to a BYU-Idaho online degree program after PathwayConnect. With that and BYU-Pathway’s affordable tuition, he decided it could be the perfect opportunity to finish what he’d started.
Unexpected blessings
PathwayConnect blessed the Hayes family in more ways than they thought possible. During his first semester, Jason and Jeanette were living in Southern Utah. They were running a business, taking care of a new baby, and Jason was going to school. They were extremely busy, but they sacrificed time each week so Jason could make the three-hour drive to attend his gathering.
“The baby and I would go with him,” Jeanette said, “and it was really cool to have time every week during that insanely busy semester for the three of us to just talk about important things together. It was a big sacrifice of time when we felt like we didn’t have any time to give, but it was a really big blessing in return.”
The Hayes family
After PathwayConnect, Jason continued to a BYU-Idaho online degree program, presented and coordinated through BYU-Pathway. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management, with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. Getting his degree helped him earn two big promotions at work, and he is now earning an MBA from the University of North Carolina, the top online MBA program in the United States.1
Both Jason and Jeanette credit BYU-Pathway for helping Jason get where he is today. “He hadn’t realized how much he loved school until BYU-Pathway,” Jeanette said. “There’s no way [he’d] be continuing on or have these opportunities. None of it would have happened.”
“I liked learning, but I didn’t like school,” Jason said. “It was nice to feel like the professors cared about me. I liked my classes. It was just an all-around awesome experience!”
“Spiritually and emotionally, BYU-Pathway was so incredible for our family,” Jeanette said. “I saw the spirit it brought into our house. How thankful I am for PathwayConnect and BYU-Idaho!”
Paying it forward
Jason graduating from BYU-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in business management
Jason and Jeanette sought ways to show their gratitude. As they were considering how to give back, the thought of becoming a PathwayConnect online instructor crossed Jeanette’s mind. She had a master’s degree in education and wanted to help students like Jason achieve their goals.
Jeanette applied, was hired, and has loved her experience as an online instructor! “It’s been just as amazing as I thought it would be,” she said. “These students blow me away! Their resilience, their strength, their testimonies, and just everything about them is incredible.”
Jeanette especially enjoys watching her students overcome personal and academic challenges. “I know, no matter how hard it looks or how dark it gets, the Lord is 100% going to be there for you,” she said. “We really and truly believe this program is deeply inspired. It blesses you in every way. You can do it!”
To current and future BYU-Pathway students, Jason promises, “The struggle is worth it. It will pay off.”
What made you want to be a BYU-Pathway student? Comment below!
Comments on "Five Schools, One Degree"
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful experience.
Wow! Thanks for sharing your story, Jason and Jeanette. It was so motivating to hear that even when you feel like you are ‘starting over’ it’s all worth it in the end.
Thank you Sister Hayes and Brother Hayes. I was inspired by your story. I am one of the current online students of Sister Hayes. All of us were experiencing growth spiritually and secularly. We were blessed to have Sister Hayes as our instructor and felt guided in our study. Thank you so much Hayes family, such an inspiration of dedication and sacrifice. 🙂
It’s awesome reading about the success of the Hayes family through hard work and dedication, it’s inspiring. My utmost respect for my instructor for encouraging her husband to get to where he is today. BYU-Pathway has given me a chance to build my career and I won’t give up. I’m heartily grateful for being a member of the Church.
Beautiful family AND story! Thanks.
Thanks for your challenging story. It has encouraged me a lot. You’re courageous in completing your education.
The Hayes family is wonderful. Thanks for your encouragement to me, and I hope to work harder in my studies.
I decided to attend BYU-Pathway because it affords a low tuition and its studies are flexible.
For so long I wanted to further my education, knowing that the better education you get, the better paid job you have. I am so grateful to be a member of this church, and I know after this I will be who I want to be. Thank you.
I want to get a meaningful education taught through the gospel while being able to provide for my family!
Thank you. This was beautiful!
Your story motivates me big time.
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