APU Articles
Global Engagement Series: Adelaide Towne’s ’26 Experience in Greece
July 01, 2024 | Theology
Adelaide Towne ’26, a sociology major, spent three weeks serving in Greece on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She deepened her faith by connecting with people through engaging acts of fellowship.
Alumni Feature: Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 Shares the Value of Human Connection
June 28, 2024 | Alumni
Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 never thought he would work at Google as a recruiter. By forming meaningful connections, Slavich discovered his career calling. Throughout his journey, Slavich has learned that his identity stems from who God continues creating him to be.
Alumni Feature: Razel Zapanta ’21 Lives Out Her Many Callings as a Singing Dental Student
June 25, 2024 | Alumni, Humanities and Sciences
Razel Zapanta ’21 is a testament to the fact that when you pursue your dreams, they really can come true. She is a two-time contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and has garnered a large following on Instagram by documenting her dental school journey, expressing her passion for creativity and science. She often calls herself a singing dentist, and recently sang the national anthem at a Phoenix Suns game. Zapanta continuously finds joy and fulfillment in her vocation, inspiring others with her optimism.
Global Engagement Series: Natalie Hultgren’s Experience in India
June 24, 2024 | Nursing, Theology
Nursing major Natalie Hultgren ’26 spent two weeks serving in India on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. Engaging with doctors and nurses to serve the lower caste population expanded Hultgren’s heart to learning about the image of God in all people.
APU’s Art Galleries Showcase Students’, Alumni’s, and LA Artists’ Beautiful Work
June 20, 2024 | Arts
As I walked through the Duke and Darling buildings on West Campus on my way to a class last semester, an interesting sight stopped me in my tracks. Across the typically blank walls were multiple images I had never seen before—vibrant depictions of outer space, ancient Greece, and the ocean, to name a few. Beside each picture was a QR code containing the link to a unique song that stirred the artistic vision of the artist, Riley Sumaquial ’24. I appreciate gleaning insight from Sumaquial’s immensely talented synesthetic mind.
Global Engagement: MJ Sanchez’s Experience in Belize and Guatemala
June 17, 2024 | Theology
Maia (MJ) Sanchez ’26, a liberal studies major with a concentration in psychology, spent two weeks serving in Belize and Guatemala on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She learned about the value of connecting with others through listening and sharing one’s story, as well as relinquishing preconceived expectations.
Alumni Feature: Becky Keife, MA ’18, Shares God’s Love Through Words
June 10, 2024 | Alumni
Words have the power to transform, inspire, and uplift others. Becky Keife, MA ’18, was born with a passion for writing, drawn to empowering, life-giving words. Her childhood dream of becoming an author came true within a journey of venturing into different career paths, fearlessly raising her three children alongside her loving husband, and discovering joy through the challenges of making her aspirations a reality.
Alumni Feature: Vienna Christensen ’20 Makes a Difference as Outreach Manager at World Relief Western Washington
June 05, 2024 | Alumni, Behavioral Sciences
All her life, Vienna Christensen ’20 has been fascinated with travel, cultures, and serving others. As the daughter of missionaries, she never lived anywhere for longer than three years at a time. Her exposure to the beauty of different backgrounds combined with her heart for ministry through effective guidance led her to study sociology and honors humanities at Azusa Pacific University. She now serves as the Outreach Manager at World Relief Western Washington, assisting in refugee resettlement, drawing from what she experienced growing up and the ways her education expanded her understanding of others.
Alumni Feature: Caitlin Volk ’07 Creates Flourishing Family Business Selling Quality Coffee
May 16, 2024 | Alumni
There’s no feeling quite as comforting as a warm cup of coffee in the morning, or an iced latte on a sunny afternoon. While savoring coffee is a daily ritual for many all over the world, Caitlin (Hill) Volk, ’07, has turned her love for a freshly brewed cup into a flourishing family business. For the past year, Inland Roasters has served California’s Central Valley with quality coffee that pays homage to her late father-in-law.
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.
