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Alumni Feature: Becky Keife, MA ’18, Shares God’s Love Through Words

June 10, 2024 | Alumni

Words have the power to transform, inspire, and uplift others. Becky Keife, MA ’18, was born with a passion for writing, drawn to empowering, life-giving words. Her childhood dream of becoming an author came true within a journey of venturing into different career paths, fearlessly raising her three children alongside her loving husband, and discovering joy through the challenges of making her aspirations a reality.

Becky Keife smiling

Alumni Feature: Vienna Christensen ’20 Makes a Difference as Outreach Manager at World Relief Western Washington

June 05, 2024 | Alumni, Behavioral Sciences

All her life, Vienna Christensen ’20 has been fascinated with travel, cultures, and serving others. As the daughter of missionaries, she never lived anywhere for longer than three years at a time. Her exposure to the beauty of different backgrounds combined with her heart for ministry through effective guidance led her to study sociology and honors humanities at Azusa Pacific University. She now serves as the Outreach Manager at World Relief Western Washington, assisting in refugee resettlement, drawing from what she experienced growing up and the ways her education expanded her understanding of others.

Vienna Christensen

Alumni Feature: Caitlin Volk ’07 Creates Flourishing Family Business Selling Quality Coffee

May 16, 2024 | Alumni

There’s no feeling quite as comforting as a warm cup of coffee in the morning, or an iced latte on a sunny afternoon. While savoring coffee is a daily ritual for many all over the world, Caitlin (Hill) Volk, ’07, has turned her love for a freshly brewed cup into a flourishing family business. For the past year, Inland Roasters has served California’s Central Valley with quality coffee that pays homage to her late father-in-law.

From left to right: Reid, Caitlin, Lizzie, and Brent Volk

Local Engagement: Young Life Capernaum

May 08, 2024

Azusa Pacific University students have engaged with the local community this year by working with disabled teens and young adults through the Young Life Capernaum program.

Group photo of Young Life Capernaum participants

Faculty Feature: Tasha Bleistein Engages with Different Cultures as a TESOL Professor

May 03, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences

Tasha Bleistein, PhD, shares her passion for cultures through teaching English as a second language with care, respect, and kindness to others. In APU’s MA in TESOL program, she equips students to find their calling in such a broad field.

Tasha smiling

APU School of Nursing Partners with AUSD to Foster a Healthy Community

May 01, 2024 | Nursing

APU's School of Nursing partnered with Azusa Unified School District to host eight “Ask-a-Nurse” pop-up events this school year to bring health education and resources to families in Azusa while allowing students to learn about community health.

Nurses smiling

Faculty Feature: Larry Santiago ’97 EdD Exemplifies Discipleship Through Holistic Care

April 26, 2024 | Nursing

Larry Santiago, ’97, EdD, pursues his calling by caring for others, guiding future nurses to approach their profession with spiritual, emotional, and physical well being in mind to provide quality treatment.

Larry smiling

Alumni Feature: Daniel Griffes ’09 Builds a Life He Loves Through Tiny Home Business

April 25, 2024 | Alumni, Business

Daniel Griffes, ’09, never thought that his childhood pastime, working on carpentry projects, would lay the foundation for his future as a tiny home builder. He serves God by building a life he loves, one that touches lives in unexpected ways.

Daniel’s family smiling

Faculty Feature: Alan Oda, PhD, Creates an Inviting Space for Students to Grow

April 19, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences

For Alan Oda, PhD, entering psychology has not only allowed him to pursue his interests, but studying human development has given him the opportunities to strengthen his faith journey while helping others better understand their spiritual growth.

Alan smiling

Leslie Sandoval ’04 Helps Students Succeed

April 16, 2024 | Education

Leslie Sandoval, ’98, MAEd ’04, is living out her calling as an educator and leader. She shows Christ’s love through her care for students and her staff, creating an inclusive environment for students to learn and thrive.

Leslie smiling

Faculty Feature: Windy Petrie, PhD, Finds Joy and Fulfillment Through Literature and Hospitality

April 12, 2024

Book-lovers often enjoy reading for the sense of escapism stories provide; the ability to travel the world through ink on a page, embark on a journey with a character, and turn the final page with the feeling that they’ve experienced something life-changing. For Windy Counsell Petrie, PhD, chair of Azusa Pacific University’s Department of English, books have not only taken her on imaginary journeys, but her lifelong vocation to the literary world has provided her with multiple opportunities to travel and experience immersion in various cultures. She offers students the same comfort and joy that comes through literature by sharing her warm spirit and kindness that blooms like the roses outside her office.

Windy smiling

Student Spotlight: TyLee Manuel ’24 Builds Community Through Basketball

April 11, 2024 | Business

TyLee Manuel ’24 is a full time student athlete on the women's basketball team. She has learned the importance of community through her teammates. “APU has shown me how to be grateful through the people that I’ve met and the relationships I’ve created,” she said.

TyLee smiling

Alumni Feature: Gina Burnett MSW’22 Fulfills Her Mission Through Counseling Veterans

April 08, 2024 | Alumni, Military Education

Efigenia (Gina) Ferrer Burnett’s, MSW ’22, family did not believe her when she came home from school one day and announced she was going to join the U.S. Army. Burnett was in high school, and aspired to become a police officer. While connecting with a cop through a school elective, the officer shared that law enforcement employers love hiring veterans. The seed was planted, and Burnett was committed to pursuing her goals. Little did she know how different the trajectory of her life would be through serving in the army.

Gina smiling

Faculty Feature: William “Jody” Wilkinson Finds Beauty in the Unexpected

April 05, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences

Many meet God through worship settings, church, and engaging in discussions with believers. William “Jody” Wilkinson, MD, MS, encountered God in a personal and transformative way for the first time on a bike ride, leading him to pursue a career in exercise and fitness as a doctor in preventive medicine, who now taps into his passion for student development as a kinesiology professor.

Jody smiling

Student Spotlight: Arianna Sy ’25 Bridges Creativity and Christianity as an Actress

April 04, 2024 | Arts, Behavioral Sciences

Ariana Sy ’25, an Acting for the Stage and Screen major and psychology minor, has found ways to pursue her creativity with Azusa Pacific University's God First motto in mind.

Arianna smiling