Student PortraitsMeet students preparing to make a difference in the world.
Student Portraits
- APU Presents | Ulyses' StoryAfter two deployments with the U.S. Marine Corps where he witnessed violent and traumatic events, Ulyses Lopez ’19, MDiv ’23, returned home, knowing he would need to find a place of healing while transitioning back to civilian life. Ulysses found that place at APU. Through his work with the Office of Military and Veteran Services, the impact of a loving community, and the guidance of mentors, he found his voice and experienced restoration.
- Life on Film: TerrellAs a senior running back, Terrell Watson ‘15 is the unquestioned leader of defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Azusa Pacific. In just three years, he has rewritten virtually every school rushing record, including a handful previously held by Cougar legend Christian Okoye ’86. But for Watson, this success is just the result of hard work and focus. He loves his team. He loves the game. And he recognizes that the game takes work, as does school and life. A leader by example, Watson inspires his teammates and his coaches through his hard work and drive.
- In Focus: Project CultivateA group of dedicated Azusa Pacific University students are working to empower women who are in recovery after escaping human trafficking and the sex industry. Every week, these students meet to develop their nonprofit entrepreneurial program, Project Cultivate. Using their time, talents, and skills acquired in their classes, they worked together to develop the Professional Development Program, a strength-based program for survivors of the sex industry that is being used in safe houses in Southern California.
- Life on Film: GabrielAlpha leader. Resident advisor. Biology major. Nine-time Mexico Outreach participant. Gabriel Martin ’17 learned and served in each of these roles during his time at Azusa Pacific. A full-tuition Trustees’ Scholarship made all of it possible. Raised by a single mother, Gabriel believes his life today would look very different if not for the scholarship opportunity and his decision to attend APU. “Getting the scholarship was just the greatest way to thank my mom for all the sacrifices she made for me,” he said. Gabriel sees his accomplishments as the collective outcome of everyone who poured into his life, from his mother, to his professors, to his friends and peers. Because they believed in him, Gabriel works to do the same for others. Read more about Gabriel’s story at https://www.apu.edu/stories/gabriel-martin/.
- In Focus: Ride for WaterA small group of intrepid Azusa Pacific University students sacrifice their time, sweat, and energy each year in a bicycle trek of more than 3,000 miles across the United States in 50+ days, raising money to provide clean water for some of the millions of people worldwide who don’t have daily access to this basic need.
- In Focus: Walkabout 2018Every year, before the start of fall semester, Azusa Pacific University student leaders head to the Ansel Adams Wilderness for Walkabout. This 10-day backpacking trek serves as a student leadership training experience, designed to challenge and equip students for the upcoming year. See how this year's trip became a lesson in learning to rely on God and one another in the face of the unknown.
- Student Profile: The Sindoro SistersIn 2015, Stacy Sindoro ’18 and Chelsea Sindoro ’18 left their home and family in Indonesia to pursue higher education in the United States. Their dream initially seemed impossible: they believed studying in the U.S. was only accessible to “rich kids,” and their father was reluctant to allow it. Yet after much prayer, persistent signs from the Lord, and their father’s softened heart, the Sindoro sisters made their way to Azusa Pacific University. Stacy and Chelsea attended APU not just in pursuit of an education, but in pursuit of the Lord’s calling on their lives.
- Student Profile: Josh Grajeda '16, DPT '20“Whatever obstacle you have in your way, find a way to go over it.” Inspired by his mother’s words, Josh Grajeda ’16, DPT ’20, didn’t let obstacles prevent him from finding success in academics and athletics. While recovering from a knee injury, the encouragement of his physical therapist opened Josh's eyes to the impact physical therapists have on the lives of others. After completing his bachelor’s degree in applied exercise science at Azusa Pacific, where he was a relief pitcher on the baseball team, Josh went on to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy at APU. Now he’s taking the experience and encouragement he received over the years and paying it forward as he supports and inspires others through physical therapy.
- Cultivating Belonging: Loving God by Loving OthersKarla Consuelo Alejandro Meza ’22, MS ’23, believes that a Christian leader loves God through loving people. She unifies and amplifies the voices of communities that comprise APU making a difference that ripples beyond campus. Experience more student stories at apu.edu/our-apu/.
- Our APU | Cultivating Belonging: The Student ExperienceEight students share their unique APU experiences. Through APU’s welcoming community, each student develops a sense of belonging, finds support as they seek answers to life’s most important questions, and grows in their faith so that they can serve others and impact the world for Christ. Experience more student stories at apu.edu/our-apu/.
- Cultivating Belonging: Bridging Faith and ScienceAs lead of her research team, Tiffany Nakla ’22, merges knowledge and compassion. For her, integrating faith and science makes a difference in her student-mentees’ lives and in the future physician-patient relationships she intends to cultivate. Experience more student stories at apu.edu/our-apu/.
- Cultivating Belonging: Living a Worshipful LifeMaking a difference for Charlie Max Reynolds '25, includes merging scholarship with everyday life to form a powerful question: “How am I living a worshipful life to the glory of God throughout all spaces?” Experience more student stories at apu.edu/our-apu/.