APU Articles
Mentoring: A Journey of Compassion and Kind Curiosity
August 01, 2016
After class one day, Charity Wabuke, MFT ’12, stopped by to ask for my advice. It surprised me to hear that she, one of my most gifted students, felt insecure about her future and her ability to become a successful therapist. Although her fears were not so different from those of other aspiring students in the clinical field—“Will I be able to effectively help clients heal from their emotional pain?”—Charity shared her worries about successfully entering a new profession after working in the business world for more than a decade. “I’ve always had high expectations of myself and in sales and marketing, where I could achieve my goals through formulating strategies and meeting deadlines,” she said. “Yet, it was harder to define success in the world of counseling, where outcomes were less tangible.” That conversation marked the first of many deep and meaningful discussions about her qualifications, essential preparation to enter the field, and what goals she should set in order to rise to the top of her profession. Over the years, it turned into a mentoring relationship that continues to this day.
Full Circle
July 11, 2016
Diana Faatai, Ed.D. ’16, remembers sitting in her eighth-grade classroom in Wilmington, California, as her fellow students recounted their weekends. Some went bowling, some saw movies, but Faatai helped her father prepare and cook a pig in the backyard for her church family’s traditional Samoan feast.
New Program Prepares Seniors for What’s NEXT
June 27, 2016
Graduating seniors face real and perceived pressure from multiple sources as they wrap up their final year of college, and many want to be better prepared for life beyond campus. APU’s NEXT program comes alongside them, addressing a wide range of issues and ensuring a smooth transition into the next phase of their lives. This new program, an extension of the former Omega program, launched last spring with its first conference on February 23, 2016, a Ted Talk-like format that featured seven speakers and drew more than 220 seniors seeking the tools to succeed after graduation.
Students Share What It’s Like to Live on Campus
June 27, 2016
Living on campus—something many new students look forward to as they prepare for their first year of college. Living in community with fellow classmates is a significant part of the college experience and the transition to this new education journey.
New Assistant Provost Named
June 20, 2016
After a six-month search, Provost Mark Stanton, Ph.D., named Rebecca Cantor, Ph.D., assistant provost on January 28, 2016. Cantor will oversee strategic academic projects, research and apply best practices in higher education, facilitate communication from the provost’s office related to important academic issues, and help advance university initiatives. Specifically, she will help support efforts to accomplish the university’s Academic Vision 2022, which outlines goals to increase APU’s academic reputation as a high-quality, comprehensive university and cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration in the pursuit of excellence.
APU Launches New Master's in Organizational Psychology
June 02, 2016
Azusa Pacific University’s Master of Science in Organizational Psychology, launching in fall 2016, provides an education that equips students to engage in a rapidly growing line of work. Organizational psychology, sometimes referred to as industrial psychology, assists businesses in forming sustainable systems and beneficial practices that improve organizational health. A 16-22 month, 39-unit intensive course of study, APU’s M.S. in Organizational Psychology quickly prepares candidates to work within this exciting and quickly expanding field.
Congratulations, Class of 2016!
May 12, 2016
More than 2,100 Azusa Pacific graduates participated in commencement exercises on May 7, marking this significant education milestone and joining APU’s broad network of 51,000+ alumni and difference makers.
A Story of Community
May 09, 2016
As soccer practice draws to a close at Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC) Development in Detroit, Michigan, a boy runs across the field, laughing with friends and celebrating their team’s victory. Just months ago, that same boy came to his first soccer practice, quiet and withdrawn after losing his parents. But as he continued attending these MACC practices, games, and Bible studies, he slowly transformed into a joyful, vibrant boy.
Wounds into Wisdom
May 02, 2016
Jolyn Davidson, RN, M.A. ’84, always knew her life’s calling involved working with people to manage their illnesses and wounds, restoring them to health. But the path to fulfilling this calling took an unexpected turn when, in her first year as a nurse, she discovered the impact psychological patterns had on people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. “I found my passion and purpose not in healing people’s physical wounds, but in attending to their mental health,” she said.
‘Battle’ Puts Student Job Interview Skills to the Test
May 02, 2016
On Wednesday, April 13, Azusa Pacific’s Center for Career and Calling hosted the final event in its Be Prepared professional development series: Battle of the Interviews. The center accepted applications for several weeks before selecting six finalists to represent their departments and interview before a panel of judges for a $500 Amazon gift card grand prize. The finalists presented their portfolios, résumés, and interview outfits, and participated in a mock interview in front of an audience of nearly 100 APU students, faculty, and staff.
Getting Around Town on the Metro Gold Line
April 28, 2016
The city of Azusa lies near the border of three counties, making it close in proximity to some of Southern California’s most-loved locations. Offering an alternate mode of public transportation, the recently completed Metro Gold Line expansion allows riders to travel from the APU/Citrus College Station in Azusa to Pasadena with ease. From there, the Gold Line continues to Union Station in Downtown L.A., giving riders access to the best that Los Angeles has to offer.
5 Tips for Choosing a Major in College
April 25, 2016
One of the most common questions college students get asked: What are you majoring in? Choosing a college major can feel like a daunting task, as though you’re making a choice that will define your life and career from there on out. However, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80 percent of students change their major at least once before they graduate. In other words, it’s OK if you’re not sure what your major is yet! Here are some tips for using your first year at college as an opportunity to explore and define your interests.
How to Find Scholarships
April 25, 2016
Higher education is one of the most important investments a person can make, yet financing a four-year university or graduate school education can seem daunting for many individuals and families. Although myriad loans exist for students with reasonable grace periods and low interest rates, the idea of acquiring debt while in school can feel like a deterrent. That’s where scholarships can help.
New Master’s Degree in Psychology Explores Big Data
April 19, 2016
Azusa Pacific University launches the new Master of Science in Psychology in fall 2016. This program offers students a unique education centered on research and data analytics, a field commonly referred to as “big data.” A one-year, 36-unit intensive course of study, APU’s M.S. in Psychology offers a built-in JMP/SAS Joint Certificate in Research and Data Analytical Methods.
