Azusa Pacific University consistently strives to provide students with the best possible experience on its campus. This year, that included upgrading the living areas and introducing many new conveniences for students.
The development of a walking area between Engstrom and Trinity, called “The Way,” is one of the new additions to the living areas that continues to foster the community that APU prides itself on. With the addition of grills, a pergola, and new furniture, students are blessed with inviting new spaces to gather. “I always see students hanging out in the grass, doing homework, grilling, and generally spending time together,” said Liana Ramirez-Valle ’26, a resident advisor (RA) for Engstrom Hall. This addition to the campus provides students with a beautiful, structured outdoor space to gather in community. With more third spaces (communal areas) being created across the campus, APU students are able to hang out with friends, grab coffee, and spend intentional time together outside of class or their dorms. The lawn is frequently decorated with picnic blankets, hammocks, and students playing catch or their guitars. With the added furniture and pergola, students are invited to join in the recreational activities, especially students who may not have before.
A lighted pathway is one of many safety features that are being added to the campus, along with ID card-swipe access to laundry and common areas, ensuring that students remain safe on campus. Providing students with lighted pathways makes it easier for them to walk to their dorm buildings and spend time around campus at night. “I am glad APU listens to its students, providing these improvements to help students,” said Ramirez-Valle. Card-access ensures that only APU students can access common areas and laundry rooms. This added security helps the overall campus protect its students.
Within the residence halls, students now experience full kitchens on each Engstrom
Hall floor, new furniture on Trinity Hall patios, and TVs with cable in all the living
area lobbies. These additions to the living areas provide community and independence.
“Dorms are often a resting place when students are done with their day. It's where
they sleep after they’ve eaten in the Dining Hall, completed their schoolwork, and
hung out with friends,” said Ramirez-Valle.
Students are able to connect with each other over shared meals, baking sweet treats,
and enjoying the independence of cooking for themselves.
Community is integral to living on APU’s campus, as one of the university’s Four Cornerstones. “By creating vibrant outdoor spaces and refreshed athletic facilities, the upcoming campus developments will support student engagement, strengthen school spirit, and provide new opportunities for fellowship, recreation, and campus traditions rooted in APU's mission and ethos. Collectively, these investments will help cultivate a stronger sense of community, school pride, and belonging across the campus experience,” said Keith Hall, EdD, vice president for Student Belonging, chief diversity officer, and special assistant to the president. With the enhancement of community areas and athletic facilities, students on campus welcome the opportunity to engage with one another through events that support their fellow students. With the return of the APU Football team in Fall 2026, students will be able to cheer on their fellow Cougars in new and exciting ways.
As construction continues, each new project consistently improves campus life. “What is great about new campus construction, especially in areas designed to enhance common space and promote community, is that you can begin to envision a beautiful and intentionally designed campus that you can be proud of; where the sky is the limit for future events and gatherings; and where there is easier access for everyone—current students, prospective students and families, faculty, staff, and guests of APU—to navigate some of the areas central to campus and vital to student life,” said Coba Canales ’06, EdD, dean of students. The new construction projects indicate an amazing new opportunity for all students to appreciate the beautiful campus they get to grow alongside.