Expectations and motivations of college students shift from generation to generation, creating a ripple effect of change throughout higher education. As students seek a more spiritual and meaningful side to learning, they look to Azusa Pacific University.
"What we're seeing in recent reports is a shift in the expectations and goals of incoming freshmen," said Terry Franson, Ph.D., vice president for student life/dean of students. "This generation values family and community above all. Their motivation for attending college moved from strictly a means to increased earning power to a more philosophical approach. Once again, students are beginning to ask, 'What is the purpose of life?' They are searching for answers to spiritual questions, seeking deeper meaning, and looking for a university that can give them an education that is both spiritually grounded and culturally relevant. And they are finding it at APU."
While many colleges and universities across the country react to the research and trends, adding ethics courses to their curricula and initiating community service projects, Azusa Pacific University stands fully equipped and backed by 108 years of experience offering the rich, holistic education students want. "Students change," said Franson, "but Jesus never does. APU has always been in the business of integrating faith and learning in a timeless way that is relevant to all generations."
When some hear of an institution that has remained steadfast to its foundational mission, they assume stagnation and obsolescence. APU debunks that theory. With a century-old mission to keep God First, striving for excellence in every area becomes a unifying goal–that includes keeping up to date on every front. APU leaders carefully monitor technological, social, and market trends important to student success, and make adjustments to ensure a culturally relevant education. For example, in 2001, APU launched All Access, an initiative to enhance scholarship through state-of-the-art technology. While studying outside the libraries or meeting in common areas, students can log on to the Web, connect to the university intranet, and use online library resources without plugging in. Through wireless networks and wireless-enabled laptops, professors can hold virtual office hours while university operations personnel can complete paperwork on the spot and submit work orders from the field. In October, 2005, Intel Corporation ranked APU among the top 50 most unwired college campuses across the nation for wireless Internet access and quality.
"The 21st century student expects spontaneous access to information; in fact, instant access is now a commodity," said John Reynolds, NH Dip: Comp Sys, executive vice president. "We are proud to be acknowledged as a campus that is meeting students' needs with a wireless environment."
