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God-honoring Diversity

Azusa Pacific University scholars view creation as a reflection of God-honoring diversity, and draw upon the full spectrum of human knowledge and methods of inquiry developed across centuries. As an academic community, we examine our life together and determine the attributes, assumptions, and practices that promote or inhibit a full reflection of truth and life.

God-honoring diversity serves not only as a value of our Wesleyan heritage, but also exists as a kingdom principle, which includes an embrace of the broader community and the application of scholarship to service the woundedness of the world.

Our policies and curriculum evidence this principle as does faculty recruitment, hiring, and development programs. Hallmarks of this commitment to a diverse community include sustained scholarly dialogue around difficult issues marked by respect, openness, civility, and active listening. Faculty members stand equipped to engage diverse learners and utilize pedagogical practices that support diversity.

Vision in Action

Please let us know how you have found the Academic Vision 2016 exemplified by emailing provost@apu.edu.

Five-Year Goals

A. Recognition and valuing of structural and interactional diversity

  1. Develop a plan for faculty and student recruitment designed to diversify the pool of applicants.
  2. Commit to weighting most heavily in admissions standards those factors that are predictive of success among diverse students.
  3. Expose all students to diversity issues in the curriculum.

B. Faculty and student scholarly development in diversity

  1. Promote faculty development and cultural competency to assist in the implementation of diversity in the curriculum.
  2. Enhance faculty preparation to teach to diverse learning styles, through institutional support of faculty learning activities, experiences, and scholarship.
  3. Recruit and retain faculty members who engage in a program of research that contributes to dissemination of scholarship in areas of diversity.

C. Funding

  1. Expand allocation of scholarship funds for students of cultural or ethnic minority populations entering the university.
  2. Develop and fund cultural immersion activities designed for faculty and students to engage in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary scholarship and studies.
  3. Establish a website and online resources on diversity.

D. Evaluation for structural and interactional diversity

  1. Conduct annual institutional research on, and analysis of, the composition of student, faculty, course offerings, and scholarly activty related to both structural and interactional diversity.
  2. Assess and evaluate the diversity of our academic curricula and programs as well as the implementation of diversity recommendations based on the annual institutional assessment.

Academic Vision 2016 Task Force: God-honoring Diversity

Chairs: Pamela Christian, Ph.D., special assistant for university diversity
Laurie Schreiner, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Doctoral Higher Education

Heather Clements, Ph.D., associate professor of theology
Kimasi Browne, C.Phil., associate professor of music
Richard Durfield, Ph.D., associate professor, Center for Adult and Professional Studies
Orlando Griego, Ph.D., professor of business and management
Carol Lundberg, Ph.D., associate professor
Deana Porterfield, vice president for enrollment management, chief of staff
Renee Pozza, MSN, associate dean, School of Nursing
Mary Wong, Ph.D., director, TESOL Program
Aja Tulleners-Lesh, Ph.D., dean, School of Nursing, facilitator