Like many of his peers, Patrick Cuellar approached his high school graduation unsure of what he wanted to do with his life and career. The idea of working in business seemed appealing, but he wanted to narrow down his possibilities. When he visited Mid-America Christian University (MACU), he knew the school would be a great place to do just that.
“I liked the class sizes and the way that the professors and faculty were able to actually engage with the students,” Cuellar says. “The Christian standards and influence were definitely another big factor. … I wanted to take my faith seriously.”
After discussing his degree options with his family and MACU’s advisors, he decided to give accounting a shot. He took a few introductory classes, and loved it.
“It’s like solving puzzles. Everything has a place,” Cuellar says.
Four years later, Cuellar graduated with more than a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Ethics. The support he was given at MACU helped him start a new chapter as a husband, father, and public servant.
A Supportive Start in Unfamiliar Territory
Cuellar came to MACU with no accounting experience. Fortunately, he found that his instructors were eager to help him and his peers dive in.
“When I took Intro to Accounting, they set up the basics, such as how the accounting formula is assets equals liability plus owners’ equity,” he says. “My professors did that really well.”
A Practical and Well-Rounded Curriculum
Once Cuellar was comfortable with the accounting fundamentals, such as balance sheets and using Microsoft Excel and other software programs, he moved on to more advanced topics. His classes exposed him to a wide range of specialties he could potentially choose from in the future, such as cost accounting and tax accounting. Along the way, he completed hands-on activities that prepared him for real-world accounting work.
“My final for both Tax Accounting I and II was to actually prepare a tax filing,” he says. “One was for a private tax filing, and one was for a corporation. That was really fun, because you got to put everything you learned into practice.”
While most of Cuellar’s classes were held on campus, he completed a handful online. Outside of accounting, Cuellar took classes on more widely applicable business topics such as management, public speaking, and ethics. In his classes, Cuellar found that his instructors often added practical guidance to the curriculum. Some were running their own tax firms in addition to teaching.
“They would teach us and say, ‘Hey, this is what I see almost daily. You should really know this,’” Cuellar says.
Service and Growth: Becoming a Student Chaplain
As much as Cuellar enjoyed studying accounting, setting himself up for a sustainable career wasn’t the only reason he enrolled at MACU. He also wanted to deepen his relationship with Christ. In-class devotionals and discussions tying accounting ethics to biblical principles certainly helped, but Cuellar wanted more.
Fortunately, he found the perfect opportunity to connect with God through acts of service.
“I saw the chaplains and how they were helping out and serving people,” Cuellar says. “I thought, ‘Man, I want to do that.’”
After going through the interview process, Cuellar joined MACU’s eight-person student chaplain team. He began helping his peers run events, and he kept his door open for students who needed support. Cuellar also led a group through the devotional book “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, a 17th-century French monk known for his practical approach to prayer.
“It’s about spending time with God in the most mundane situations, and growing closer to God by just talking to him,” Cuellar explains about Brother Lawrence’s book.
However, Cuellar’s fellow students weren’t the only ones who grew during his time as a chaplain.
“I got a better relationship with God and a better relationship with people,” he says. “I already saw people as God’s children, but just knowing and growing more in that as a chaplain was really helpful.”
Navigating Trials and Celebrating New Chapters as a College Student
In his time at MACU, Cuellar grew academically, professionally, and spiritually. He could see his future taking shape, but his experience wasn’t without its trials. No matter what happened, though, Cuellar knew he could turn to the MACU community for support.
“The Scraper Center has free counseling for all students,” he says. “That was really helpful, because, when my wife and I were dating, I got in a really bad car wreck with her.”
Cuellar’s girlfriend’s ankle was shattered in the accident, and she had to stay in an intensive care unit for a few days. It was a physically, financially, and mentally taxing experience for both of them. But with the MACU community by their side, they got through it, got married his junior year, and started a new, exciting chapter together.
“We spent our whole senior year married and had a baby that year, as well,” Cuellar says. “MACU has a food pantry so that really helped out with our budgeting and our cost of living.”
A Strong Finish and a New Direction
With all of that going on at once, Cuellar still graduated on time in 2026. He was recently approved to enroll in the Oklahoma City Police Academy.
“I love Oklahoma City. I’ve lived in Oklahoma City my whole life,” Cuellar says of his decision to join the police force. “I love serving people. I just want to help people.”
Cuellar has not abandoned accounting. He hopes to leverage his police salary and benefits to earn his master’s and become a certified public accountant (CPA). One day, he’d like to pivot into forensic accounting and white collar crime prevention.
But no matter what Cuellar’s future holds, he feels he was well supported and prepared by the school’s community, and he is confident prospective students will feel the same.
“MACU does a great job of focusing on their students and their well-being,” he says. “It has a really good, intentional one-on-one classroom culture, and the professors are really approachable. … It’s just a great school all the way around.”
Launch Your Accounting Career at MACU
Through Mid-America Christian University’s online or in-person Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Ethics program, students can learn the skills they need to sit for the CPA or certified management accountant (CMA) exam in Oklahoma. However, mastering technical skills is only part of the curriculum.
Built around Christ-centered ethics, the program prepares students to navigate their new careers with integrity and principles. And as a BBA program, classes also cover leadership, resource management, and other business essentials central to the work of today’s rising professionals.
Whether you want the traditional college experience or need the flexibility of online or evening classes, request more information about the BBA in Accounting and Ethics program at MACU today.
Recommended Readings
Critical Occupation Degrees in Oklahoma: Meeting Workforce Development Needs
Best Christian Jobs for a Fulfilling Career
Types of Business Degrees and When to Pursue Them