APU Articles
From Competitor to Leader: Corrie Loeffler ’04 Named Executive Director of Scripps National Spelling Bee
February 08, 2023
Scherenschnitte, knaidel, euonym—silent anticipation stretches through the auditorium as spelling bee contestants ascend to the podium, tackling words unheard of to the average audience member. Then seven-year-old Corrie Loeffler ’04 watches with wide eyes as her older brother competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She becomes determined to attend the national competition again—this time on her own merit.
APU Study Away Opportunities: Natasha Zimmerman’s Oxford Experience
February 07, 2023
One of the most exciting parts about college is experiencing living in a new place. Students at Azusa Pacific University have the opportunity to study away at a variety of different locations for a few weeks (GO Terms) or a full semester. These study away opportunities include options in Ecuador, Ireland, Kenya, Israel, Jordan, Washington D.C., England, and other countries in Europe. Perhaps the most unique opportunity to study away is the Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) semester through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) GlobalEd programs. During this program, APU students study at the University of Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world.
Dylan and Cheri Harris ’98 are Fulfilling their Call with Shelter on the Lake
February 06, 2023
Dylan and Cheri (Hacker) Harris ’98 are spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth, or about as close as you can get to that. In 2011, after years of traveling across Asia and Europe and down the Pan-American Highway, the couple settled with their three kids—Ritter, 15, Amelia, 13, and Tobin, 11—in San Carlos de Bariloche, a lake town at the base of the Andes mountains in southern Argentina. Dylan and Cheri decided that this would be the perfect spot to launch a ministry—one geared toward backpackers.
The Sword Project: Blessing Athletes with Personalized Bibles
February 01, 2023
, Azusa Pacific University’s head softball coach, was on a mission. She walked onto the field with a stack of thick leatherbound books in her arms, knowing that this moment meant more than any win ever would. These were no ordinary books; in fact, they were copies of the bestselling, most read book of all time. Titled the Sword Project, APU’s Athletics Department gives personalized study Bibles to all incoming athletes.
Your First College Finals: 6 Tips for Success
January 27, 2023
In your first semester of college, you quickly learn there are a lot of differences between high school and college. Just when you feel like you’ve figured out what college life is like, another big difference comes along—college finals.
6 Ways Graduate Programs Can Help Your Career
January 25, 2023
Earning a graduate degree can require a significant amount of time, energy, and possibly money. So it’s understandable to question whether the return makes the investment worthwhile. To answer this, it’s important to look at the total value and number of benefits—more than you might think—that can come with a graduate degree.
The Freshmen Honors Experience: Transforming Together
January 17, 2023
On a sweltering Tuesday in August, 12 strangers walked into a small classroom and sat across from each other in a circle. The room was quiet with uncertainty as the students nervously pulled out their copy of The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli. The group of freshmen in Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College were about to participate in their first colloquy, a student driven discussion of great texts throughout history. As David Weeks, PhD, dean of the Honors College, led the conversation, the freshmen began sharing their thoughts on Machiavelli’s views of leadership. Although they didn’t know it at the time, they were cultivating the seeds that would later sprout into what one student called her “new family for this season of life.”
Mental Health in College Students: Finding Support for Common Challenges
January 09, 2023
Mental health in college students is a growing area of attention for schools everywhere, especially during the past several years. In fact, one study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that more than 60 percent of college students met the criteria for one or more mental health problems between 2020 and 2021.
5 Reasons to Consider Graduate School While Still an Undergrad
January 09, 2023
When you’re an undergraduate student, graduate school can seem far away. You’re likely focused on what’s close at hand: completing homework assignments, studying for your next exam, participating in school clubs and teams, and generally finding that ideal balance of study, work, and play.
Alumni Feature: Taylor Mabuni ’21 is More than a Carpenter
January 04, 2023
On a chilly December morning, Taylor Mabuni ’21 pulled up to a house surrounded by construction equipment and film crews. Mabuni leads a team of seasoned construction workers as they take on custom home builds. Many of these renovation projects are featured on HGTV shows like Celebrity IOU with the Property Brothers, Revealed, Help! I Wrecked My House, and First Home Fix. “Most of what we do is the actual building that happens behind the scenes. It’s fun to watch as the film industry collaborates with our construction,” he said. “I tell my friends and family that you might see me in the background on the shows, but the truly exciting part for me is not being on TV, it’s getting to see the end result of projects. It’s so rewarding to see how my skills are a part of giving someone a beautiful home.”
Strategies for When You Apply for Financial Aid the Next Time
January 03, 2023
When you first applied for financial aid at Azusa Pacific University or another college, the process might have felt complex. After all, you needed to gather financial information for yourself and your parents, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the first time, and review grants and scholarships you might qualify for—all on a tight timeline.
Finding a Job after College: 6 Resources for APU Graduates
December 29, 2022
Financial Aid for Grad School: How to Get Funding
December 27, 2022
If you’re returning to school at the graduate level, the journey back may also mean engaging once again with financial aid. If it’s been a few years, the process may seem complex and challenging, but know that ample resources are available at Azusa Pacific University to help —some specific to graduate students.
Career Paths for Psychology Majors to Consider
December 22, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for mental health support, translating into a high demand for counselors, psychologists, and other behavioral health professionals across a range of industries. Psychology majors, therefore, graduate with ample opportunities to pursue and career paths to follow.
4 Essential Skills Earned with a Master's Degree
December 20, 2022
Stepping across the stage to receive your bachelor’s degree is an accomplishment to be incredibly proud of, but it also doesn’t need to be the end of your educational journey. In fact, it may be the next step in your education—getting a master’s degree—that gets you to the position you want.
