APU Articles
Alyssa Hetschel ’13 Serves Others Through Social Work
March 14, 2024 | Behavioral Sciences
Alyssa Hetschel ’13 discovered her passion for social work during her time at Azusa Pacific University which has allowed her to serve through her management and leadership skills. “Service is the name of the game for social work. I’m constantly serving my clients and community,” Hetschel said. “It’s embedded in me. Service is what appealed to me about APU.” She believes that social work is “very human work” that requires a passion for service and constant discipleship through mentorship.
International Voices: Sid Varland ’25 Radiates Ambition, Optimism, and Love for Others
March 13, 2024 | Arts, International
Few enter college with a firm grasp of their calling, but for Sid Varland ’25, being able to hone his skills as a track and field athlete and a cinematic arts major made him certain that Azusa Pacific University was where he is meant to be. His ambition, optimism, and love for others radiates in every one of his projects and adventures.
Global Engagement Series: APU Students Share Their Experience Serving in Maui
March 06, 2024 | Theology
Lucy Boles ’25, Sage Griffing ’25, and Cassia Arnold ’25 felt called to serve in Maui with 16 other Azusa Pacific University students for six days over winter break. The Maui Global Engagement trip aimed to provide for communities impacted by devastating fires that took place just months before the trip. The largest and most destructive was the Lahaina fire that occurred last August.
Global Engagement Series: Fatima Pulido and Jonathon Krohn’s Experience in Ensenada
March 04, 2024 | Theology
Fatima Pulido, ’24, and Jonathon Krohn, ’26, felt called to serve in Ensenada, Mexico, along with 45 other Azusa Pacific University students, across five days over their Thanksgiving break.
Faculty Feature: Charles Chen’s Appreciation for Nature and Stewardship
March 01, 2024
In the same way that plants need water, sunlight, and good soil to grow, people need a place to call home in order to cultivate their life. Biology professor Charles Chen, PhD, considers a number of places around the world as his home, offering him a firm foundation to explore his passions, discover his calling, and give others the tools to experience transformation as well.
Christina Mansour ’07: Serving Students as an Educational Counselor
February 29, 2024 | Alumni, Education
After 16 years teaching high school math, Christina Mansour '07 became an educational counselor. She loves serving students, helping them plan classes & begin thinking about life after graduation, & caring for their needs through a wellness center.
Faculty Feature: Friary Nguyen’s Outpouring of Love Through Her Faith and Vocation as a Nurse
February 23, 2024 | Nursing
Friary Nguyen, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE loves spending time in the control room when nursing students are in simulation labs. She watches students on screen as they practice nursing techniques on life-size mannequins, and Nguyen gets in character, speaking through her headphones when controlling the human-like patients. As a certified healthcare simulations educator (CHSE), she enjoys pursuing her calling for loving others through nursing, and teaching students to approach healthcare with a heart for servant leadership.
Equipping Difference Makers in Art History and Art Education
February 22, 2024
For students interested in a graduate degree in Art History or Art Education from a Christian institution, there is no better option than Azusa Pacific University. APU’s graduate art programs top the national rankings of many sources including Forbes, Best Colleges, Intelligent, and Grad School Center.
Faculty Feature: Dave Dunaetz Branches into Multiple Fields of Study While Sharing Christ’s Love
February 16, 2024 | Business
Dave Dunaetz, PhD, has had a thirst for knowledge his whole life. While he has acquired six graduate degrees, published many academic articles, and earned awards for his dedication in a variety of fields, Dunaetz’s desire to share the Gospel is the core motivation behind all his work.
The Honors College Presents a Taylor Swift Colloquy
February 13, 2024 | Honors College
Swifties in Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College were enchanted to get together for an evening of rich conversation surrounding the world’s most renowned popstar: Taylor Swift. Students couldn’t shake off their excitement when it came to celebrating and diving deep into the lyrical intricacies within Swift’s writing.
Faculty Friday: Terry Dobson Empowers Students Through Inviting Spaces While Inspiring Creativity
February 09, 2024
Through every transformative experience in life, we gather an appreciation for knowing and loving others better, and confidently expressing our passion for becoming a part of Christ’s bigger picture. This is the lens through which Terry Dobson, MFA, sees design as collaborative opportunities to serve, and like every designer’s eye for creating something enticing and new, Dobson has an eye for creating an inviting and growthful space for his students.
International Voices: Hesou Zetelian ’26 Fearlessly Jumped into the Unknown and Discovered His Passions at APU
February 07, 2024 | International
Jumping into the unknown can stir a range of emotions, from excitement for a fresh start, to confusion about where decisions will lead. For Hesou Zetelian ’26, diving into change has produced a domino effect of finding his passions, community, and faith.
Faculty Friday: Aisha Chen’s Conscientiousness and Commitment to Mentorship
February 02, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences
Many professors have a heart for mentorship, and for Aisha Chen, PhD, creating connections with students is as thrilling as developing code, a passion of hers that has led her to many research and computer science discoveries. As an engineering professor, she strives to not only offer students the tools to help them succeed in the future, but to broaden their perspectives about humanity and how their role in science can further God’s plan for them.
International Voices: Jonathon Krohn ’27 Shares His Love for Different Cultures and Servant Leadership
January 31, 2024 | International
For Jonathon Krohn ’27, traveling the world and being immersed in different cultures is at the heart of growth, finding community, and following God’s calling for his life. Having already been to 10 countries, and eager to visit more, Krohn’s dream to become a travel nurse stems from his passion for diversity and helping others.
International Voices: Madey Sule ’27 Reflects the Love of God and Her Family in All Her Endeavors
January 29, 2024 | International
Madey Sule ’27 has always been fascinated by the way mechanisms work. From cell phones to ceiling fans, she always wondered how the circuits caused such devices to function. Her curiosity, interest in improving day-to-day life, and yearning to answer God’s calling gave her the drive to leave her home in Nigeria for the first time in order to pursue an engineering degree at Azusa Pacific University.
