Shaping Futures: The Transformative Role of Passage Graduate Assistants

At Wheaton College, the Passage program serves as a foundational experience for incoming students, blending adventure, spiritual formation, and community building to ease the transition into college life. At the heart of this program Passage Graduate Assistants (GAs), who craft transformative experiences for students while pursuing advanced degrees in higher education.

Passage Graduate Assistants play a crucial role in Wheaton College student experience. They design and lead immersive outdoor and urban excursions that introduce students to Wheaton’s culture and values. Their work involves planning logistics, mentoring student leaders, and ensuring that each component of Passage fosters growth and connection. Two of our students, Aye Thida Lin ('26) and Emily McNeil ('26), balance this vital work with academic rigor in their pursuit of a Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Development (HESD). 

The influence of Passage Graduate Assistants extends far beyond the program itself. Their efforts help shape the culture of Wheaton College, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for incoming students. Many alumni look back on Passage as a defining moment in their college journey—one that helped them establish lifelong friendships, grow in their faith, and develop a sense of belonging.

For the GAs themselves, the experience is equally transformative. By integrating academic study with practical leadership, they emerge as well-rounded professionals ready to impact the field of higher education. Their time in the program equips them with the skills and confidence to serve future generations of students, whether in college administration, student ministry, or other educational roles.

Passage Graduate Assistants embody the heart of Wheaton’s mission: developing whole and effective Christians equipped to lead and serve their communities. Through their dedication to adventure, mentorship, and learning, they create lasting change.