Meet the newest assistant women’s dean at La Sierra University, Harumi Nomoto. Of Mexican and Japanese heritage and the youngest of four sisters, Nomoto was introduced to Adventist education in the seventh grade when she began attending Calexico Adventist Mission School.

After high school graduation, while living with her sister because her mother died in 1998 and her father in 1995, Nomoto’s best friend told her that she had to attend La Sierra University. She came and earned a bachelor’s in International Language Studies, Spanish and French. Her first campus job was residence hall housekeeping, and throughout college she worked her way up, serving in many residence hall positions including resident assistant, secretary, desk worker and community assistant.

Coming from a Catholic background, Nomoto didn’t attend church on a regular basis, but starting going with a friend while at La Sierra University. “I like church,” says Nomoto. “I felt more welcome here, like a family. I always felt like I was Adventist in my heart.”

She was also dating a guy whose family had a big influence on her. “Every Friday night we would have a service at his house,” says Nomoto. “They would play a game, pray, his dad would read the Bible and we would sing. It really influenced me.”

“I never really thought of being baptized until I came to La Sierra,” says Nomoto. After a campus Spiritual Emphasis Week she made the decision to be baptized and talked with the campus pastor, Sam Leonor. Conflicts in schedules kept many Bible studies from taking place. But at the beginning of this school year, Nomoto and Leonor began Bible studies again, and Nomoto was baptized Jan. 13.

“Harumi came from Calexico, spoke and acted like an Adventist, kept the Sabbath, participated in our worships and spiritually mentored those with whom she came in contact,” says Sue Curtis, La Sierra University vice president for Student Life. “She wanted to be baptized last spring, but because she wanted to be well grounded in her beliefs, took additional Bible studies. She is an excellent dean and is making a very positive impact in our residence hall.”

“She is a real motivation to me. I was a maintenance worker,” says Elizabeth Vasquez, sophomore psychology worker and residence hall assistant. “It is a real blessing to see someone moving on in life. Regardless, with God’s help, He will lead us in different directions.”

Nomoto’s job entails planning worships, coordinating housing, and working with student discipline issues. She also takes graduate courses in the School of Education.

“I am really surprised that I could consider doing this job for a very long time,” says Nomoto. “God has plans for us.”