Episode
How BYU–Pathway Is Changing Lives Worldwide: Accessible Online Learning
- Published
- Apr 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3810
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Summary
Expanding Access to Education Worldwide | Melissa Everett on BYU Pathway Worldwide and Lifelong Learning | Roots and Branches of Lehi What does it look like to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world? In this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with educator Melissa Everett to explore the mission and rapid growth of BYU–Pathway Worldwide. From her early career in health promotion and cancer control to becoming an early online instructor with BYU–Idaho, Melissa shares how her path led her to the forefront of one of the Church Educational System’s most impactful global initiatives. Melissa walks through the evolution of Pathway—from its beginnings as a small access program to its current role as a worldwide educational provider in partnership with Ensign College. She offers insight into the organization’s rapid expansion, including major system transitions in 2025 that challenged both leadership and students, while also positioning the program for long-term scalability. The conversation highlights Pathway’s core mission: increasing access to education through programs like EnglishConnect and PathwayConnect, now expanding into additional languages. Melissa explains the program’s “certificate-first” model, which focuses on helping students gain job-ready skills quickly while still providing a pathway to full degrees — all while minimizing debt and maximizing flexibility. Drawing from her experiences visiting students in Africa and working with global teams, Melissa reflects on the deeper impact of education — not just as a personal opportunity, but as a force for community development, employment, and long-term growth. She also discusses the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning, and building transferable skills in…