Mary Grams
Nearly two decades of service to international students comprise Mary Grams’
tenure at APU. She began her career as a special needs supervisor and special
education instructor in Wisconsin before settling in Azusa. As an instructor
of English to speakers of other languages at APU and in the Glendora Unified
School District, Grams helped establish and implement an adult education program
and created a university-level American culture and conversation class. In 1987,
she developed and implemented international students orientation from her post
as coordinator of and assistant director of International Student Services.
A promotion in 1994 named her director of International Student Services and
positioned her to utilize her longtime experience in overseeing recruitment,
admissions, and countless other issues pertaining to APU’s growing international
student body. Off campus, Grams co-owns a cross-cultural awareness consulting
company and conducts multicultural awareness training programs for which she
has garnered national awards.
Grams earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Lakeland College, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; her Special Education Certification for Mental Retardation from the University of Wisconsin; and her Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Azusa Pacific University.
