Meet the Staff
Charlie was born and raised in beautiful central New Jersey. After graduating from Houghton College (lots of cows, snow, and elbow room) he spent several years in New England working in residence life. In the summer of 1994, he arrived at APU in pursuit of an M.A. in Leadership Studies. After serving here for several years as a residence director, Charlie stepped into his current role as the director of Residence Life. This role allows him to do daily what he loves most—build supportive relationships with students. He sees this as being Residence Life’s primary mission: to actively support students as they explore who God has made them to be and how He wants them to use their gifts and talents to contribute to the community in which they live. When he is not bugging students, he can be found pursuing his other interests: egg salad sandwiches, antiques, and hanging out with the official Residence Life mascot “Noah the Wonder Dog.”
Hailing from delightful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jen “Fleck” Fleckenstein is thrilled about relocating to sunny SoCal. Jen graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.A.Ed. in Educational Leadership. During her time at ‘Nova, Jen discovered her passion for working with college students, so she is thrilled to have the opportunity to work in Residence Life at APU. Some of Jen’s favorites include her family, jogging, pancakes, reality TV, and simply enjoying everyday life!
Born and raised in Southern California, Kim has enjoyed living here all her life and serving APU for 13 years. When she is not working, she is most likely relaxing at home with her three children. Summer is her favorite season, and anywhere there is water is her favorite place. Kim has an eclectic taste in music and can be found listening to jazz, reggae, alternative rock, R&B, and yes, even some country. The most enjoyable part of her job is working with the wonderful Residence Life staff and interacting with APU's amazing students.
Jon grew up in a small town in East Texas where he learned the value of big trucks and high school football. He then headed a few hours west to TCU, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Sociology. After working for some newspapers and in campus ministry for a few years (and getting married to his amazing wife, Grete), he moved to Pasadena to complete his M.Div. at Fuller Seminary. When he’s not doing Residence Life stuff, Jon enjoys camping, hiking, attempting to cook, buying more books than he can actually read, and hanging out with folks at coffee shops, where he keeps trying to like coffee.
Kelly is originally from the central valley where she attended the same tiny private school from kindergarten through her senior year of high school. Later she attended Point Loma Nazarene University for four years where she received her B.A. in Literature. Her intention was to be a high school English teacher, but instead came to the APU community as an Assistant Resident Director where she discovered a combined passion for mentorship, discipleship, and student development. Currently she is working as the Graduate Assistant for the Residence Life Office while pursuing a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary. In her spare time she loves writing, traveling, and soaking up the sun on beach days!
Liz Fruh comes all the way from Mobile, Alabama. She graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2010 with a B.A. in Youth Ministry. After graduation, she moved to California to pursue a Masters in Organizational Leadership at APU. Before joining Residence Life, she was a Residential Counselor at a home for at-risk teens and worked at a marketing company in Pasadena. After a few years, Liz realized how passionate she is about working with students and could not miss this great opportunity to be an assistant residence director. She is excited to be a part of the APU community and Residence Life. When Liz is not working, she enjoys surfing, singing, and reading a good book!
AJ hailed from Newbury Park, California. He was an RA, worked as an assistant residence director, Campus Safety student worker, and cleaned the fridges in the Caf where he would often play the game of, "Find-The-Smell: Rotten Food Edition." He was lead to Residence Life as a way to further his understanding of live-in Pastoral Ministry. When he is not working or in class, AJ spends most of his time volunteering at a local church, hiking mountains, eating food, drinking coffee, napping, or reading a book. Fun Fact about AJ: he tends to wear bow-ties to add a spice to the occasion.
Chris Chandler is originally from Hoffman Estates, Illinois—a small suburb about 30 minutes outside of the fantastic city, Chicago. He graduated in the spring of 2012 from APU with a degree in Business Administration. For a few years while he was an undergrad, Chris served in Residence Life leadership while making excellent coffee at San Dimas’s Coffee Klatch on the side. He currently serves as UP’s assistant residence director, working alongside a wonderful staff and amazing RD. In his spare time, Chris loves to play volleyball, drink a meticulously brewed cup of coffee, and sit on comfy couches.
Katie was born and raised in Torrance California and graduated from APU in 2011 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in International Business. She is currently pursuing her Master's at APU in College Counseling and Student Development, and will graduate in May 2013! Katie's passion for working with college students started in her undergrad years when she was an RA in the dorms. Trinity Hall was where she left her RA days behind so she is excited to be coming home! Being back in Trinity Hall working with the staff and RA roommates, her zest for freshman energy has returned. Katie has also worked in the Women's Resource Center as a Grad Assistant and has a special heart for the women of this campus. In her free time, Katie spends time reading (sometimes too much!), philosophizing, baking, crafting, and traveling as often as possible.
Kurt was born in San Jose, California and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended Azusa Pacific University from 2008–2012, and in May of 2012, graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Marketing. During his time at APU, Kurt served as a Resident Advisor and Campus life intern. His desire to develop student leaders and promote an engaging Christ-centered community has grown while serving as an Assistant Resident Director. In his spare time, Kurt loves to play volleyball, snowboard, kayak, and enjoy the outdoors.
Chaili was born and raised in little ol’ Fallbrook, California. She attended APU, earning a B.A. in Communication Studies in 2009. While at APU, Chaili served as a resident advisor for two years and developed a passion for international missions and working with college students. After graduation she began working as an event coordinator for a farmers’ market management company in southern California and was able to spend some time in Haiti and the Dominican Republic with an amazing missions team of APU students and her incredible husband/co-leader, Chadwick. She loves adventures, soccer, crafting, and visiting farmers’ markets. Chaili entered back into the APU community as an Assistant Residence Director last year and is now serving as the Residence Director for the all female freshman dorm full of women who are living passionately and seeking their purpose.
Alex was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to Los Angeles with his family at the age of seven. Since then, he has moved to various cities in Southern California - Glendale, Los Angeles, Rowland Heights,, San Diego, Azusa, and Pomona – just to name a few. Alex received his Bachelor of Science in Economics at University of California, San Diego, where he worked with Commuter and Transfer students and was an Orientation Leader for three years. He then decided to pursue his passion for college students and their development by pursuing and receiving his Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development at Azusa Pacific University. He comes from Cal Poly Pomona, where he was a Residence Life Coordinator for a predominantly first-year student building. Alex enjoys spending his free time snowboarding, trying out new restaurants, playing ping-pong with students, and having conversations over coffee or tea.
Josh is in his first year as the residence director of Engstrom Hall. He graduated from Grace College in 2007 with a degree in Spanish Education. The summer of 2007 he and his wife, Chelsea, packed up their belongings and moved to California. Josh taught Spanish and PE at a small charter school in LA for four years, while Chelsea worked as the residence director of Engstrom. In May of 2011 little Naomi Wood was born and Josh took over as the residence director and Chelsea became a full-time mom. The Wood family is thrilled to still be in Engstrom and feel blessed to be a part of the APU community. Josh is also teaching the camping class at APU and is enjoying the change to teaching at the university level. Whenever Josh gets a free moment, you can find him skiing, hiking, mountain biking, spending time with his family, playing softball and conquering Settlers of Catan.
Cara Marsile (soon to be Jones!) is originally from Corona, California and a Cal Baptist alum. She was an RA her senior year in college when God captured her heart for college students. Prior to APU, Cara spent a semester in India and then proceeded to work as an Assistant Residence Director for CBU. Both CBU and APU have a pretty close relationship with its Residence Life folks and some common threads between the two universities, which is why Cara is here serving as the Shire East RD today. Fun facts about Cara: She is a twin! Who would have thought? She also has been to 16 different countries around the world and loves ice cream anytime of the day. She loves being an RD and feels so blessed to be here!
Emily calls Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, home. There, she went to high school, earned a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern College in St. Paul, and fell in love with her husband. In college, Emily developed her passion for college residence life and community. Most recently, Emily lived in rural Western New York at Houghton College as a resident director. During that time she married and, together with her husband, discovered that living with college students in a college setting fit their lifestyle well. Emily hopes to pursue graduate school at Azusa Pacific University and is excited to be moving to a place with many things she loves in close proximity-family, the ocean, sushi, cupcakes, coffee shops, mountains, and APU college students!
Jonny grew up mostly in Carmel, California where he was drawn to the community of APU for his undergraduate degree. He spent three years being heavily involved in Residence Life leadership where he fell in love with working with college students. After graduating, he went on to serve in Youth Ministry at San Clemente Presbyterian Church and then Camp Youth Ministry at Yosemite Sierra Camp. This year, Jonny has come home to APU! He serves as the Smith Hall RD, leading the energy-filled men into adventurous events like spike ball tournaments and all men hikes. He loves any and every activity outdoors: beach or mountain, field or court, he loves it all! But if you really want to have an in with the Smith RD, look him up for a backpacking trip or a basketball game—those are his personal faves.
Justin was born and raised in Folsom, California. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue an education. Most recently, Justin received a Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development at Azusa Pacific University. He has a deep desire to develop and guide students through college as a Residence Director. He has a love for adventure, social justice, and world travel. Justin also enjoys classic literature, modern art, good coffee, and yoga.
Kelly is originally from Idyllwild, California and is married to his amazing wife Pamela. They are blessed with two sons named Brayden and Kyler, and a vivacious little girl named Naiya. Kelly graduated from APU in ‘03 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, and worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for three years before transitioning to Student Life. He is currently working on his Master’s of Arts in Leadership at APU. Kelly also heads up the Walkabout program, an 11 day backpacking trip which takes students into the wilderness to focus on community and leadership development. In his free time, he enjoys being with family, music, playing ultimate frisbee, and doing anything outdoors. Kelly loves working with students and is passionate about helping them discover and fulfill what God has called them to do. He is thankful and blessed to be working at a place like APU.
Jen is a California native born and raised in Sacramento. She attended Anderson University (Go Ravens!) in Indiana where she received her degree in Christian Ministries. After graduation, she took a job at her favorite coffee shop, Starbucks, while spending time with her parents and siblings back home. She then took on her first residence director job at Houghton College in New York. Now Jen is starting her fifth year at APU and is heading back home to Adams hall where she spent her first two years at APU. Jen has graduated with her Masters in College Student Affairs from APU. She loves road trips, time with friends, coffee shops, and is passionate about investing in the lives of college students. Jen is thoroughly enjoying being back in sunny California where there's a Starbucks on every corner!
Greg was birthed into this world on a cold and wintery Iowa day and his life has never been the same since. He was raised on the gravel roads of Victor, IA where he learned the foundations of faith and the intricacies of sheep farming. After graduating from Simpson College with a B.A. in Religion, he spent two years doing college ministry at the University of Northern Iowa with an organization called The Navigators. Soon, however, the warm and sunny call of southern California was too strong. It was here that he spent the last 4 years working as a young adult minister at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, CA and completing his Master of Arts in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. When Greg is not actively engaged in the defending of the planet from the evils of this universe, he enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and the occasional outdoor adventure. He came to APU last year, leading exciting extravaganzas with the men in Smith Hall. After marrying the love of his life over the summer, he and his bride reside in University Village were he currently serves alongside upperclassmen.
Jonny Liu was born in Taipei, Taiwan and moved to beautiful Northern California at the age of five. Jonny received his B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies as well as his M.A. in Religion: Leadership Studies from Vanguard University. Some of his passions include local and global missions, soul care, plants, and things that are mysterious and intriguing. Jonny is the youngest of three siblings and absolutely loves his twin nieces, Katie and Ellie.
