APU Articles

Faculty Friday: Terry Dobson Empowers Students Through Inviting Spaces While Inspiring Creativity

February 09, 2024

Through every transformative experience in life, we gather an appreciation for knowing and loving others better, and confidently expressing our passion for becoming a part of Christ’s bigger picture. This is the lens through which Terry Dobson, MFA, sees design as collaborative opportunities to serve, and like every designer’s eye for creating something enticing and new, Dobson has an eye for creating an inviting and growthful space for his students.

International Voices: Hesou Zetelian ’26 Fearlessly Jumped into the Unknown and Discovered His Passions at APU

February 07, 2024 | International

Jumping into the unknown can stir a range of emotions, from excitement for a fresh start, to confusion about where decisions will lead. For Hesou Zetelian ’26, diving into change has produced a domino effect of finding his passions, community, and faith.

Faculty Friday: Aisha Chen’s Conscientiousness and Commitment to Mentorship

February 02, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences

Many professors have a heart for mentorship, and for Aisha Chen, PhD, creating connections with students is as thrilling as developing code, a passion of hers that has led her to many research and computer science discoveries. As an engineering professor, she strives to not only offer students the tools to help them succeed in the future, but to broaden their perspectives about humanity and how their role in science can further God’s plan for them.

International Voices: Jonathon Krohn ’27 Shares His Love for Different Cultures and Servant Leadership

January 31, 2024 | International

For Jonathon Krohn ’27, traveling the world and being immersed in different cultures is at the heart of growth, finding community, and following God’s calling for his life. Having already been to 10 countries, and eager to visit more, Krohn’s dream to become a travel nurse stems from his passion for diversity and helping others.

International Voices: Madey Sule ’27 Reflects the Love of God and Her Family in All Her Endeavors

January 29, 2024 | International

Madey Sule ’27 has always been fascinated by the way mechanisms work. From cell phones to ceiling fans, she always wondered how the circuits caused such devices to function. Her curiosity, interest in improving day-to-day life, and yearning to answer God’s calling gave her the drive to leave her home in Nigeria for the first time in order to pursue an engineering degree at Azusa Pacific University.

Faculty Friday: Tim Samoff’s Diligence as a Game & Program Director

January 19, 2024

For Tim Samoff, MFA, developing Azusa Pacific University’s Games and Interactive Media program was much like creating a video game. His dedication to God’s plan for his life mirrors the engagement, exuberance, and perseverance that one must use when moving to the next level.

Faculty Friday: Brian Plummer Spreads Joy by Fulfilling His Purpose

January 12, 2024

Brian Plummer, PhD, is known among students for offering words of affirmation at the end of each class, sharing wisdom and “rules to live by” at the end of the semester, and ultimately using his humor and optimism to create a lasting impact. He frequently tells them, “stay beautiful,” “you matter,” “Plummer loves ya,” and many other encouraging phrases. His role as a history and political science professor combines his passion for mentorship, storytelling, and faith in Christ.

International Voices: David Saenz ’24 Seeks to Inspire and Uplift Through Film and Building Community

January 10, 2024 | International

When a family is grounded like a sturdy tree, even the most torrential weather cannot tear them apart. David Saenz ’24, who grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, attributes his bravery, adaptability, and faith to his family. He carries immense passion for filmmaking, remains rooted in his Mexican culture, and hopes to share an aura of positivity in every smile to someone across campus, conversation with someone new, and act of kindness to a stranger.

International Voices: Camille Campbell ’25 Adapts Through Changes and Cultural Identities

December 13, 2023 | International

At six-years-old, Camille Campbell, ’25, moved with her family from Philadelphia to a city near Paris, France. Campbell’s father, a pastor, felt called to pursue ministry, and after falling in love with French culture on previous mission trips, his family joined him on a life-changing expedition.

International Voices: Heejae Jeong’s Diligence, Perseverance, and Jeong

December 12, 2023 | International

The Korean word jeong means intimate connection between people in community. Heejae Jeong, ’26, embodies jeong, demonstrating a love for deepening relationships with others and striving to share the joy he finds in Christ with everyone he encounters. His dedication to worshiping God through community led him to pursue a degree in international relations and honors humanities.

International Voices: Victoria Gautto ’24 Discovers Endless Possibilities While Following Her Dreams

December 11, 2023 | International, Music

When she was six-years-old, Victoria Gautto, ’24, was walking around Canoas, Brazil with her family as they heard an array of winds, chimes, and basses. Following the sounds, they found a local social project with a mission to help people from all walks of life have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument. Music ran in Gautto’s family, as her father sang and played guitar in a band, and her younger sister participated in marching bands, so Gautto’s lifelong pursuit of music gradually began. Her journey to Azusa Pacific University to earn her Masters in Music in Clarinet Performance was one of perseverance, faith, and diligence toward her craft as a clarinet player.

Faculty Friday: Kat Ross’ Versatility as an Author and Receptiveness to the Doors God Opens

December 08, 2023

All throughout life, doors open and close. While some only stay open for a season, others last a lifetime. For Kathryn Ross ’15, MA ’18, she never imagined that English would be her major, her hobbies would become a career, and she would stand in front of a classroom of students eager to hear what she has to teach. By stepping through the doors God opened for her, Ross has discovered value in vulnerability, developed deep relationships with a heart for knowing others well, and pursued truth and goodness through everything she writes.

International Voices: Cheyenne Woon ’23 Found Her Home Away From Home at APU

December 05, 2023 | International, Transfer

As a child, Cheyenne Woon, ’23, dreamed of living in America, exploring a big city, and discovering opportunities to expand her career and life. When she transferred to Azusa Pacific University in Fall 2021, her dream came true, but with that came a period of growth, marked by reidentifying what matters most to her, and learning to embrace the parts of her culture that she’ll always love.

Faculty Friday: Mark Cawman’s Leadership with Love

December 01, 2023 | Business

Faculty Friday: Candice Williams’ Heart for Justice and Openness to Uncharted Roads

November 17, 2023 | Behavioral Sciences