Spotlight
Becoming a Knight: Jeyson Taylor Seneli’s Story
Deciding where to go for college can be a difficult decision, as students look for a place that provides the academic and personal growth they want. A native of Iowa, Taylor Seneil (‘28) recently went through this process of finding a school that fit his goals when a family member introduced him to Southern Virginia University.
“My aunt recommended me here. Her husband was actually on Southern Virginia’s men’s soccer team in its early years, and they were able to tell me a lot about the school,” said Seneli. “My mom and I decided to visit the campus, and what really drew my attention was the small class size, the quality of teachers, being able to play soccer, and having the church so close. All those things combined really propelled my decision to come here.”
Studying biochemistry with plans to pursue a career in pharmaceuticals, Seneil found the transition from high school to college a satisfying challenge. He experienced the support of his professors both in and outside of the classroom.
“It’s definitely a step up in learning and studying, but I’ve never gotten more support from teachers than from here,” said Seneli. “The teachers I have are just brilliant. They know what they’re talking about, and they’re really comfortable to talk to. That’s very important to me, which is just another reason I’m glad I came here.”
As a student, Seneil is a member of the Camerata Orchestra as a violin player and serves as the Sunday School president in his young single adult ward. He is also a goalkeeper for the Southern Virginia University’s men’s soccer team, having played throughout high school.
“Being Sunday school president is something that’s new to me, and I’ve grown spiritually because of it. And being on a soccer team really helped propel my social experience,” said Seneil. “I wasn’t very outgoing in high school and wanted to be more involved in college, and soccer has helped me with that. Putting in that effort has been worth it, and it’s just made my experience here that much better.”
Seneil is preparing to put his undergraduate studies on pause as he serves a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Bernardino, California, beginning January 2025. He plans to return to Southern Virginia University afterward to complete his degree.
“Being here while preparing for a mission has been amazing,” said Seneil. “I’ve been able to work with the missionaries here and help them with the service project in the neighborhood. I also have friends in my missionary prep class, which one of my soccer teammates helps teach, and so that’s just another level of connection that makes being here that much more meaningful. So I’m excited to come back here after my mission.”