A Foundation of Faith, Service and Leadership: Monica Allen’s Story

Dr. Monica Allen has worn many hats as a working professional: a preschool teacher, public health practitioner, and professor at a state university. While her career path has wound around with several detours and pit stops, Monica has always been clear that wherever she was, whatever she was doing, she was called to a life of service. “That’s Adventist education,” she said emphatically. “Service was modeled for us not just at home, but also at school.”

Neither of Monica’s parents were raised Seventh-day Adventist, but when Monica was young, they converted and subsequently fully committed to the church. “My mother told me that the church loved us right in,” Monica recalled. While still new to the faith, her parents were adamant that their children would receive an Adventist education, regardless of cost. She attended 1st-3rd grade at Glenview Adventist School in Phoenix, Arizona, and then Los Angeles Union and San Fernando Valley Academy for the rest of her elementary and high school years.

When I talked with Monica about what I was writing on – the impact of Adventist education on our lives – she didn’t even really need to stop and think before speaking confidently. “I was taught that I was both valued and valuable in God’s eyes. Our teachers showed us every day that their work was one of ministry, of service. That not only influenced my own choice of career, but it also made me feel like I was something, someone of value. When you’re told and shown that every step of the way, it really changes who you are and the way in which you move through the world.”

Monica spoke about the safety net that she felt she always carried around with her – the knowledge that there were people out there praying for her, for her choices, for her future. She remembered her academy teacher, who not only taught all four grades, both English and History, and set high standards for students in both subjects, but also made a point of investing time and energy into each student outside of class. “She was our class sponsor and organized our senior trip to Hawaii – which was unheard of for that time!” On her graduation day, the teacher pulled Monica aside and said, “Monica – you’re a leader. I believe in you.” “That changed the trajectory of my life,” Monica said quietly. “The fact that she saw something in me made it a point to say it out loud – that meant something.”

Monica continued her academic journey at Loma Linda University for a Master of Public Health, and then University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded the Chancellor’s Fellowship to earn her doctorate in Public Health. She has gone on to complete extraordinary things in her career, serving as director, coordinator, and health education manager for various multi-level agencies and community-focused organizations. “The foundation that was built for me through Adventist education has helped me believe that, by the grace of God, I am fully capable of working hard and learning and doing what is set before me.”

Currently, Monica is a full professor at San Jose State University, serving as chair of their public health department, and is also a member of the Pacific Union College board. At a recent high school reunion, her former English and History teacher sought Monica out once more and said, “I knew you were going to be a very important person.” While Monica will humbly protest that descriptor, there is no denying that the investment of this teacher – and the whole of Adventist education – has helped her become who she is today.