APU Articles
Faculty Feature: Tasha Bleistein Engages with Different Cultures as a TESOL Professor
May 03, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences
Tasha Bleistein, PhD, shares her passion for cultures through teaching English as a second language with care, respect, and kindness to others. In APU’s MA in TESOL program, she equips students to find their calling in such a broad field.
Faculty Feature: Larry Santiago ’97 EdD Exemplifies Discipleship Through Holistic Care
April 26, 2024 | Nursing
Larry Santiago, ’97, EdD, pursues his calling by caring for others, guiding future nurses to approach their profession with spiritual, emotional, and physical well being in mind to provide quality treatment.
Alumni Feature: Daniel Griffes ’09 Builds a Life He Loves Through Tiny Home Business
April 25, 2024 | Alumni, Business
Daniel Griffes, ’09, never thought that his childhood pastime, working on carpentry projects, would lay the foundation for his future as a tiny home builder. He serves God by building a life he loves, one that touches lives in unexpected ways.
Faculty Feature: Alan Oda, PhD, Creates an Inviting Space for Students to Grow
April 19, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences
For Alan Oda, PhD, entering psychology has not only allowed him to pursue his interests, but studying human development has given him the opportunities to strengthen his faith journey while helping others better understand their spiritual growth.
Faculty Feature: Windy Petrie, PhD, Finds Joy and Fulfillment Through Literature and Hospitality
April 12, 2024
Book-lovers often enjoy reading for the sense of escapism stories provide; the ability to travel the world through ink on a page, embark on a journey with a character, and turn the final page with the feeling that they’ve experienced something life-changing. For Windy Counsell Petrie, PhD, chair of Azusa Pacific University’s Department of English, books have not only taken her on imaginary journeys, but her lifelong vocation to the literary world has provided her with multiple opportunities to travel and experience immersion in various cultures. She offers students the same comfort and joy that comes through literature by sharing her warm spirit and kindness that blooms like the roses outside her office.
Alumni Feature: Gina Burnett MSW’22 Fulfills Her Mission Through Counseling Veterans
April 08, 2024 | Alumni, Military Education
Efigenia (Gina) Ferrer Burnett’s, MSW ’22, family did not believe her when she came home from school one day and announced she was going to join the U.S. Army. Burnett was in high school, and aspired to become a police officer. While connecting with a cop through a school elective, the officer shared that law enforcement employers love hiring veterans. The seed was planted, and Burnett was committed to pursuing her goals. Little did she know how different the trajectory of her life would be through serving in the army.
Faculty Feature: William “Jody” Wilkinson Finds Beauty in the Unexpected
April 05, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences
Many meet God through worship settings, church, and engaging in discussions with believers. William “Jody” Wilkinson, MD, MS, encountered God in a personal and transformative way for the first time on a bike ride, leading him to pursue a career in exercise and fitness as a doctor in preventive medicine, who now taps into his passion for student development as a kinesiology professor.
Alumni Feature: Issy Diaz ’20, MSW’22 Creates a Lasting Ripple Effect in Veterans’ Lives
March 21, 2024 | Alumni, Behavioral Sciences, Military Education
Ismary (Issy) Diaz ’20, MSW ’22, has always approached service with an outpouring of compassion like a waterfall’s abundance. Through her 14 years of military work, earning two degrees in social work at Azusa Pacific University, and now counseling veterans, Diaz’s refreshing spirit flows into countless lives, creating a lasting ripple effect.
International Voices: Grace Arrington ’26 Finds Community and Faith Through Uplifting Connections at APU
March 19, 2024 | Communication, International
Grace Arrington ’26 exudes a passion for legacy. As the daughter of an Azusa Pacific University alumnus, Arrington strives to pave her own path through her college experience, embrace her Chinese heritage, and continue to grow in her faith.
Faculty Feature: Bobbi Alba Lets Her Light Shine as She Encourages Students’ Callings
March 15, 2024 | Education
Bobbi Alba, EdD, encourages her students to go out into the world to be lighthouses, guiding others to safety. Throughout her own career as an elementary and middle school teacher, counselor, and professor, Alba’s light has shined brightly. Her commitment to unconditional love illuminates in all she does.
International Voices: Sid Varland ’25 Radiates Ambition, Optimism, and Love for Others
March 13, 2024 | Arts, International
Few enter college with a firm grasp of their calling, but for Sid Varland ’25, being able to hone his skills as a track and field athlete and a cinematic arts major made him certain that Azusa Pacific University was where he is meant to be. His ambition, optimism, and love for others radiates in every one of his projects and adventures.
Faculty Feature: Charles Chen’s Appreciation for Nature and Stewardship
March 01, 2024
In the same way that plants need water, sunlight, and good soil to grow, people need a place to call home in order to cultivate their life. Biology professor Charles Chen, PhD, considers a number of places around the world as his home, offering him a firm foundation to explore his passions, discover his calling, and give others the tools to experience transformation as well.
Faculty Feature: Friary Nguyen’s Outpouring of Love Through Her Faith and Vocation as a Nurse
February 23, 2024 | Nursing
Friary Nguyen, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE loves spending time in the control room when nursing students are in simulation labs. She watches students on screen as they practice nursing techniques on life-size mannequins, and Nguyen gets in character, speaking through her headphones when controlling the human-like patients. As a certified healthcare simulations educator (CHSE), she enjoys pursuing her calling for loving others through nursing, and teaching students to approach healthcare with a heart for servant leadership.
Faculty Feature: Dave Dunaetz Branches into Multiple Fields of Study While Sharing Christ’s Love
February 16, 2024 | Business
Dave Dunaetz, PhD, has had a thirst for knowledge his whole life. While he has acquired six graduate degrees, published many academic articles, and earned awards for his dedication in a variety of fields, Dunaetz’s desire to share the Gospel is the core motivation behind all his work.
The Honors College Presents a Taylor Swift Colloquy
February 13, 2024 | Honors College
Swifties in Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College were enchanted to get together for an evening of rich conversation surrounding the world’s most renowned popstar: Taylor Swift. Students couldn’t shake off their excitement when it came to celebrating and diving deep into the lyrical intricacies within Swift’s writing.
