BYU–Pathway Worldwide and other educational initiatives provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives educational and economic opportunities to people in more than 180 countries worldwide.
With recent global political events, the U.S. government (and other governments around the world) have reduced funds for humanitarian efforts. On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”
The executive order included putting a “90-day pause in United States foreign development assistance for assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy.”
This put a pause on humanitarian efforts in the United States.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement saying that they increased their funding to $1.45 billion for humanitarian efforts in 2024.
One way The Church of Jesus Christ extends aid is through educational programs and economic opportunities.
In November of 2015, the Church Educational System began a three part initiative to help with English learning, secondary education and higher education.
Through these initiatives, English Connect, Succeed in School and BYU–Pathway were born.
Viva Bartkus, a Notre Dame business professor and expert on the impact of businesses on impoverished communities, shared her thoughts on BYU–Pathway at the 2025 International Society Conference.
“BYU–Pathway Worldwide, this investment of your Church to bring quality online education at a low cost to the world, to me is extraordinary,” Bartkus said.
She also stated that BYU–Pathway “may end up becoming (the) Church’s biggest gift to the world, hand’s down.”
BYU–Pathway Worldwide offers online certificates and degrees to students living in 180 countries. Over 55,000 certificates and degrees have been granted thus far.
BYU–Pathway Worldwide is expected to see a 40% increase in students this year, according to humanitarian experts and Church leaders.
In her speech, Barkus mentioned the importance of not just “giving stuff” to people in impoverished countries, but rather providing them with the tools they need to make a better life through education and employment opportunities.
“What is really unique about BYU–Pathway is that it is the only organization that I know of that essentially, under the same umbrella, is both an academic institution and an economic development engine,” Bartkus said.
Bartkus discussed that some humanitarian efforts don’t actually help people in these countries and don't help lift their economy.
“What we should be doing is creating conditions for them to improve their lives through education through economic opportunities, but they have to do the hard work themselves,” Bartkus said.
At the International Society Conference on April 7, Brian Ashton, the President of BYU–Pathway, shared some of the difficulties of helping BYU–Pathway students get employment.
“60% of our students live in areas where the labor markets don’t function very well, in fact, there may not be a lot of jobs so we have to be focused on employment outcomes,” Ashton said.
When this is the case, Ashton said they focus on helping them get remote jobs. This helps them to gain money and still be an influence for good in their communities.
“What is extraordinary about BYU–Pathway is that you provide the opportunity for education and then BYU–Pathway Worldwide helps with the initial jobs, helps with the initial employment so that people can get on their feet," Bartkus said. "That is an extraordinary contribution.”
James Findlay, who worked in the curriculum department for BYU–Pathway Connect, shared the benefits that this program will provide in the lives of students.
“Our goal is to get them to advance and to move forward, so they bring their best to the altar,” Findlay said. “When they partner with the Holy Ghost, it teaches them what they need when they are learning.”
Findlay shared that many people have felt led to BYU–Pathway to gain a better education.
The mission of BYU–Pathway Worldwide, according to their website is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church and their communities.
Findlay shared how BYU–Pathway is different from other educational and humanitarian initiatives.
“I think the difference is that the Savior is in charge of His Church. He knows what He’s doing. He knows exactly what His children need, where they live, when they need it and the way that they need it,” Findlay said. “This is the Savior’s program and it’s going to work.”
BYU–Pathway is not the only way that the Church extends educational opportunities.
The Cardon International Sponsorship from the BYU Marriott School of Business allows graduate education for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Moises Ortiz, a recipient of the Cardon International Sponsorship, shared his experience.
After hearing President Hinckley’s invitation to pursue higher education and receiving encouragement from their stake president, Ortiz and his wife moved from Hidalgo, Mexico, to Provo, Utah, to learn English and begin a master’s program at BYU.
“We’re so thankful for everybody that has contributed to the scholarship because without it, I think it would be super hard for me to have had a BYU experience,” Ortiz said.
Now, roughly 20 years later, he is watching his kids attend BYU. He encourages them and others looking for educational opportunities, sponsorships and scholarships available through the Church.
“There’s a lot of resources out there, and sometimes we just need to stretch out our hands and go get it,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz feels strongly about education. He feels that not only did this provide opportunities for better jobs, financial situations and opportunities, but it also provided him with more opportunities to serve in his community.
After receiving his master's, he returned to Mexico and was called as the stake president.
“I think that the more educated the members of the Church are, the happier families they’ll have,” Ortiz said. “They’ll be able to serve as well, and give back to the Church which will end up blessing other people.”
For more information about BYU–Pathway Worldwide, visit their website.