APU Articles
Degree Preparation: Pursuing a Nursing Degree Pathway
April 24, 2023
Pursuing a nursing degree is a rewarding education path for many students. A nursing career provides opportunities to serve others and offers job stability and a competitive salary. What you may not realize, though, is that this degree can open up a plethora of career possibilities. Depending on which degree you choose, you may go on to work in various roles, including administration, education, and public services.
Faculty Friday: Kristina Khederlarian — God’s Hand in Life’s Synchronicities
April 21, 2023
For some, Azusa Pacific University is simply the first step in their academic career. For Kristina Khederlarian, APU has been the common denominator for much of her spiritual formation and educational journey. Not only is the full-time professor an APU alumna, her first interactions with the university and its students extend all the way back to her years in junior high.
How to Thrive in the Gig Economy
April 19, 2023
As people continue to seek freelance jobs and side hustles, the gig economy is bustling. Not only are more people embracing contract or project-based employment, but more employers are seeking out this type of work. According to Zippia, more than 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies report using freelance talent. No matter your career goals, here’s how you could benefit from the gig economy.
10 Essential Southern California Experiences for APU Students
April 18, 2023
Selecting a university to attend is similar to buying a home when considering the important factor of location. Although academics, campus atmosphere, and size are important components, the university’s location is essential to consider when deciding on a college.
What Business Degrees Mean in the Modern World
April 17, 2023
Faculty Friday: Rico Vitz — When Plans Change for the Better
April 14, 2023
More often than not, plans fall through or fail to come to fruition. Rico Vitz, PhD, is all too familiar with this reality. Personally and professionally, he experienced a shift in ambition that led him to where he is today. From switching his undergraduate major to almost becoming a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, Vitz’s story is one of both hard work and serendipity.
Faculty Friday: Paul Flores — Businessman-Turned-Educator Shares Passion for Teaching and Life Beyond the Classroom
March 31, 2023
When Paul Flores, PhD, attended the University of Southern California as an undergraduate, life was all about hustle and productivity. As a student studying business, Flores never thought he would end up teaching. However, after nearly 26 years at Azusa Pacific University, and five years with the School of Education, Flores has no doubt that God guided his every step.
Brian Casey ’09, ’12 : A European Football Life
March 27, 2023
Brian Casey ’09, ’12 did not plan to still be playing football at age 37. Then again, he didn’t plan to play American football for six different teams across five countries in Europe. “Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate I’d play football professionally for as long as I have and travel the world along with it,” he said. “The ability to play the game and inspire others to continue their dreams is the greatest gift I could ever ask for.”
Julia Stone: Re-imaging Church Worship Music
March 23, 2023
Julia Stone ’24 wants to enhance the way the church worships. As a junior music and worship major with an emphasis in Christian ministries and a double-minor in honors humanities and theology, Stone has a unique worldview that shapes her desire to innovate. Through her studies, she has done extensive research surrounding the church and the role music plays. “Worship is such a huge part of the way the church functions. The way I see it, it’s in need of reform because we’ve been stuck in the same format for so long,” Stone said. “I want to create a space for everybody to have a seat at the table in worship.”
APU Cinematic Arts: Training Transformative Storytellers
March 22, 2023
Degree Preparation: Pursuing Healthcare Management
March 13, 2023
Healthcare management is more than a job—it’s a calling and an opportunity to benefit patients, communities, and society as a whole. This career path offers a unique combination of personal satisfaction, job security, and financial stability within a dynamic and challenging environment. If you have a passion for healthcare but aren’t interested in becoming a doctor or nurse, this career may be the perfect fit for you.
Faculty Friday: Bill Catling, MFA — Connection, Learning, and Life Happen in the Spaces in Between
March 10, 2023
At the start of each semester, Bill Catling, MFA, asks himself, “How can I use these 16 weeks to change my students’ lives for the better?” Catling, who teaches in Azusa Pacific University’s Department of Art, believes in an open-ended educational experience. He hopes students fall in love with the learning process and come into their own. “I treat my classes as community environments of independently motivated learners, not students,” Catling said. “They want an answer and I always want to give them another question.” Rather than asking questions with black-and-white answers, he hopes to foster reflection and deep thinking among his fellow learners. “If all of us just paused for a second, before we do something we love, we would discover a deeper love of life and people and things,” he said. “That motivates me in the classroom a lot.”
9 Simple Productivity Tips for College Students
March 09, 2023
When you’re in college, there are many demands on your time. On top of classes and homework, you might have a job, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities. You also need time to sleep, eat, exercise, and recharge. It can feel challenging to fit it all in.
Faculty Friday: The Full-Circle Journey of Michael Dean Clark, PhD
March 03, 2023
When Michael Dean Clark, PhD, graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 1997, he had no idea his time at the university was not yet complete. After working as a local reporter, a high school English teacher, and attending graduate school in Milwaukee, Clark was hired at Point Loma Nazarene University, where he anticipated staying for years. “I had everything done for tenure. I just had to complete the last couple years,” said Clark, “Then I got a call from Dr. Bentz, and he said, ‘Hey, we have a position here. Are you interested?’” Clark, a San Diego native who enjoyed surfing between classes, declined the offer. Joseph Bentz, PhD, however, was persistent. After Bentz called two more times, Clark opened up to the possibility. “I applied and then I came up and visited, and it reminded me why I chose APU as a student,” Clark said. “I’ve been back for nine years, taught and done work in many areas, and I love it.”
