La Sierra University

Based in Riverside, California, La Sierra University is a higher learning institution affiliated with the Seven-day Adventist church. The region is known for its hot summers and dry winters, and the UC Riverside campus is located in the northern section of the city.

At La Sierra there are twenty-two areas of undergraduate study. Within the Chemistry and Biochemistry programmes students can work within the Smart Lab, which allows for chemical data analysis and 3D molecular modelling. Those studying English at La Sierra can explore the opportunities of the South California art scene, and are eligible to join the Alpha Iota Upsilon chapter of Sigma Tau Delta.

There are 30 facilities with a combined total worth of $500 million at La Sierra. One of the most renowned buildings is the university’s observatory, which is used by those studying physics and is open to all students on the first Friday of each month.

Competing in the university colours of gold and blue, varsity sports teams at La Sierra are known as the Golden Eagles. In 2013 La Sierra incorporated four men’s teams and five women’s teams into the California Pacific Conference, becoming the tenth team in the league. The Fitness Centre is available to all students and includes 18 weight stations and a range of cardiovascular exercise equipment.

La Sierra students are active in the Enactus programme, an entrepreneurial action project involving universities across the world. In 2016, La Sierra Enactus team won first place at the National Expo in Missouri, beating out 118 higher learning institutions in the United States.

The motto of La Sierra is ‘to seek, to know, to serve’.