Saint Augustine’s University has undergone some trials and tribulations in the past 12 months – and yet, we persevere. That perseverance is born of hope buttressed by faith – and that faith is being rewarded; the university has taken several steps in the right direction in the past few months.

It takes a certain amount of fortitude to keep on keeping on when facing difficulties. We asked students, staff and faculty: Why are you here despite the adversity? What motivates you? And how is it going? Click on the videos to see what they said.

Tillia Leary

Senior Accounting/Business Administration major

“The reason I decided to return to Saint Augustine’s is the connections I have built in my three years being here…I’m also the kind of person who goes by faith and I believe that God didn’t bring me this far only to give up.”

Kristoff Ayala-Strachan

Senior Political Science major

“This semester is going well. The faculty is still engaged in learning. I feel as though I have a class full of students because the lecturers are sending emails, sending texts, assigning in Brightspace – they are on their jobs.”

Naseem Sharpe

Senior Psychology major

“The reason I returned to Saint Augustine’s University is my mom and my dad went here – my mom graduated in ’02 – and I’ve been coming to Homecomings since I was a little kid. And I’ve just been surrounded by Falcon pride so it made me want to come back.”

Dr. Reginald Towns

Director of University College

“The reason I’m still here has a lot to do with the students. The students really make my day…That’s why I’m here at Saint Augustine’s University – we have students who are coming behind us and we want them to be prepared, and we want them to be successful.”

Jaden Hambric

Senior Criminal Justice major

“I’ve been telling myself, ‘Change,’ as I sought to be different and improve my situation by stepping up to help my school and becoming the 11th Mister Saint Augustine’s University. I’ve already seen the many blessings our school offers. SAU is thriving and full of opportunities, just like elsewhere. The reason I stayed is that I genuinely feel this is home.”