APU Articles
Faculty Friday: Virginia Olivas, MSW, Encourages Social Work Students and Adoptive Parents
May 02, 2025 | Behavioral Sciences
It takes a dedicated person with a special calling to work in the child welfare field, and Virginia Olivas, MSW, assistant professor and practicum faculty in the Department of Social Work MSW program, and coordinator of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Welfare Stipend Program, felt called to help not just children in the system, but parents as well.
Graduating Senior Reflects on Rekindled Love for Art, Creativity, and Community
May 01, 2025 | Honors College, Humanities and Sciences
Graduating senior Saundri Luippold '25 reflects on her four years at APU as commencement approaches.
APU In Bloom: A Walk With Randy Berk, Who Cultivated Beauty at APU For 45 Years
May 01, 2025
Randy Berk, former manager of landscape services who recently retired after serving APU for 45 years, shared about the intentionality and joy that goes into landscaping.
Alumni Feature: Lindsay Parkinson ’15 and Jessica Brown ’20 Give Back Through Stem Cell Donations
April 28, 2025 | Alumni, Nursing
Although their paths never crossed while they were students at Azusa Pacific University, Lindsay Parkinson ’15 and Jessica Brown ’20 followed a similar trajectory after graduating, one that sees them make a tremendous impact as clinical nurses in the pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant unit at Stanford Children’s Hospital.
Staff Saturday: Faith and Friendliness: Shauna Attwood ’01 Returns to Serve at APU
April 26, 2025
Shauna Attwood ’01 fell in love with APU's friendly atmosphere as an undergraduate. She now serves as executive assistant in the Office of the President.
Faculty Friday: Catherine Hahs Brinkley ’00, MAEd, EdD, Empowers Learners to Expand Their Worldview
April 25, 2025 | Alumni, Education
Catherine Hahs Brinkley ’00, MAEd, EdD, chair of the Department of Teacher Education, has taught in a variety of schools from private to public and k-12 to higher education. “When you love teaching, the format, grade, and age does not matter,” she said. “I love watching students discover who they’re made to be in God’s image, and it’s a beautiful thing to see that transformation take place at any point of a learner’s life.” Although Hahs Brinkley didn’t foresee herself becoming a teacher, she felt God calling her to work in higher education to maximize the number of people she could positively influence.
Alumni Feature: Ady Waite ’22 Shows Up for Students in Malawi as Teacher and Ministry Leader
April 24, 2025 | Education
Adyson Waite ’22 is a teacher and ministry leader in Malawi, using her God-given gifts to train teachers to support local youth, host Bible Camps, and make meaningful connections with children.
Student Spotlight: Oniah Loza ’27 Runs The Pre-Vet Project to Foster Student Service
April 22, 2025 | Health Sciences
Oniah Loza ’27 is the founder and president of The Pre-Vet Project, an organization that connects Azusa Pacific University students with volunteer opportunities at animal shelters nearby. She is passionate about caring for God's creation.
APU Social Work Celebrates Partnership with LA Department of Children and Family Services
April 21, 2025 | Behavioral Sciences
Each year, Azusa Pacific University's Department of Social Work refers graduate students to the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (LA DCFS) to participate in the child welfare stipend program. Through a competitive application process, six candidates are selected to be a part of a paid two year program that leads to employment with the LA DCFS immediately after graduation.
Staff Saturday: Walter Cabal Implements Philosophy and Design to Create Meaningful Experiences
April 12, 2025
Walter Cabal contributes his design and philosophical expertise to serve APU as user experience writing manager.
Faculty Friday: Christine Kern, PhD, Guides Students to Literature for Answers to Life’s Big Questions
April 11, 2025 | Honors College
Christine Kern, PhD, associate professor in the Honors College, has always had a passion for literature. As a professor, she encourages her students to cultivate a love of reading in community that allows them to have a mentally, emotionally, and spiritually transformative college experience.
APU Students Travel to Japan to Conduct Environmental Biology Research and Collaborate with Professional Scientists
April 07, 2025 | Humanities and Sciences
Since 2015, Charles Chen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at Azusa Pacific University, has given students the chance to grow academically and culturally by leading summer research trips to Japan. This summer, Chen will lead his fifth trip, and the third working on a project that looks at the effects of water management on the growth and function of rice plants.
Staff Saturday: Nathaniel Fernandez, PhD, Lives Out Jesus’ Care Through Counseling
April 05, 2025
Nathaniel Fernandez, PhD, lives out Jesus' care by serving as psychologist and outreach coordinator in APU's Counseling Center.
Faculty Friday: Marie Fongwa PhD, MPH, RN, Promotes Cultural Sensitivity Through Research
April 04, 2025 | Behavioral Sciences, Nursing
Marie Fongwa, PhD, MPH, RN, is a professor in the School of Nursing. Born in Cameroon, Marie studied to become a nurse-midwife before moving to America to continue her studies. She became a professor at APU where she has been able to pursue her passion for cultural sensitivity in healthcare through research on patient satisfaction, quality of care, and adherence to treatment of hypertension in African American women.
Staff Saturday: Aubree Roney’s ’09 Full Circle Leadership Journey at APU
March 29, 2025
Aubree Roney '09 came to APU with a passion for using her people skills to teach others. She now mentors students and exercises her love for problem solving as Enterprise Applications Administrator.
