Meet the Staff

Executive Staff

  • Michelle LaPorte, M.Ed.

    Director

    Michelle joined APU in 2014. She earned a B.A. in Psychology and Youth Ministry from Hope International University and an M.A. in Education from Azusa Pacific. Michelle came to APU with more than 15 years of experience in education, primarily in educational administration at an international school in China. The intersection of Gospel-centered learning and service has been personally transforming, and she finds fulfillment in collaborating with others who share her passion to provide meaningful education experiences for students that make a difference in the community.

  • Michelle McDonald

    Program Coordinator

    Michelle joined the team in 2018, and brings years of rich experience with the Christian Leadership Alliance serving nonprofit leaders, particularly in faculty and volunteer management and conference workshop planning. An APU alumna, Michelle holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and is excited to be a part of the work of providing APU students with experiential learning opportunities through service-learning. She is passionate about lifelong learning that transforms and contributes to Kingdom purposes in the world.

Graduate Interns

  • Halee Harrell

    Coordinator for Educational and Professional Development

  • Monica Gutierrez

    Program and Professional Development

Service-Learning Advocates/Undergraduate Interns

General email: SLAdvocate@apu.edu
Include the appropriate student’s name in the subject line when emailing.
Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 2823

  • Elissa Buckles

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Senior, Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Cassidy Estes

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Junior, Global Studies

  • Camila Gaona Galvan

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Sophomore, Communication Studies

  • Amelia Harootian

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Junior, Liberal Studies

  • Alexxis Hernandez

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Sophomore, Psychology

  • Caleb Hoornbeek

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Junior, Public Relations

  • Jenna Moynier

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Junior, Liberal Studies

  • Ella O’Neill

    Service-Learning Advocate
    Junior, Business Management

  • Thomas Wagstaffe

    Service Learning Advocate
    Senior, Christian Ministries

  • Lauren Freligh

    Service-Learning Administrative Assistant
    Junior, Business Management