Faith, Tech, & Community

Born and raised in Chicago’s Belmont-Cragin neighborhood, Briana Davila grew up surrounded by family and community. At Chicago Hope Academy, she discovered passions that shaped her path—playing volleyball, serving on the Spiritual Life team, and supporting chapel services through tech. Most importantly, she nurtured a strong Christian foundation that would guide her next steps.

When it came time for college, Briana wanted a place that aligned with her faith while also offering opportunities to grow. She chose Olivet Nazarene University, where she is now a sophomore majoring in computer science with a minor in theology. “In high school, I  enjoyed my computer classes. I love creating new things, and since I’m not much of an artist, I saw this as another way to make art,” said Davila.

Faith was a central factor in her decision. “I’ve been to a Christian school my whole life, and it definitely strengthened my relationship with God. I wanted to stay in that environment while also exploring new places,” Briana shared. Financially, Olivet was the right fit as well—making it possible for her to continue her education without compromising her values.

Academically, Briana thrives in the classroom. She loves the challenge of learning and is eager to gain the professional skills needed for her career. Her current goal is to become a web developer. “I would love to get into web development. I’m doing that now through my job—designing websites and building user interfaces,” she said. “I'm currently working at the Seneca foundation where they kind of connect you with the web development field and get you kind of prepared for things like that and I'm also working at the admissions office here on campus.”

Alongside her pursuit of web development, Briana continues to nurture her love for theology. In high school, courses like Bible and film shaped her perspective in unexpected ways. “I began to see God outside of church—through art, through nature, in so many different forms,” she shared. This experience helped bring her faith back to life, moving beyond just attending church to actively engaging with her spirituality.

Support has been another crucial part of Briana’s journey. Alongside her family and friends, Pursue Scholars has walked with her through college. “I appreciate the financial assistance, but also the relational support—like when [Pursue] sends care packages or check in. It always makes my day,” said Davila.

Looking ahead, Briana hopes to use her skills to create stronger connections within her community. “People often say the Internet separates us, but I’d love to use it to bring people together. One of the projects I’ve worked on connects volunteers with nonprofits, and it’s been so much fun to work on. I want to keep building that kind of community through my work,” said Davila.

Stories like Briana's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.