APU Articles
James Lee: Helping Others in Time of Need
May 17, 2022
During his undergraduate college journey, James Lee, M.A. ’23, found himself floating between a few career paths, trying to figure out what field he wanted to pursue. He knew that he had a passion and gift for helping others, but he wasn’t sure how to channel it. It was during this time of soul searching that he had a breakthrough moment that provided him with clarity and placed him on his current trajectory.
Tiffany Nakla: Connecting My Faith and Science
May 12, 2022
Raised in an Egyptian Christian family, Tiffany Nakla ’22 grew up attending a Coptic Orthodox church where the beautiful prayers and hymns sung in Arabic and Coptic during the services deeply moved her and inspired her faith. Transitioning to college, Nakla enrolled at Azusa Pacific University where her faith continued to flourish.“At APU I grew in spiritual maturity in tandem with the strong sense of community here,” she said.
APU School of Nursing’s Socks, Shoes, and Salvation Event Returns to Serve Those in Need
April 27, 2022
served approximately 100 people experiencing homelessness at the annual Socks, Shoes, and Salvation outreach event in downtown Victorville that took place the week of Easter at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
Clifford Young III: Resting in God’s Grace
April 25, 2022
Clifford Young III ’23, Azusa Pacific University’s incoming Student Government Association president, knows a lot about multitasking. Growing up as a pastor’s son in Carson, California, he attended the California Academy of Mathematics and Science while balancing leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America. When he entered college at APU, Young adopted a familiar rhythm of business, skillfully spinning many plates. He chose to pursue degrees in kinesiology with an emphasis in health professions and honors humanities, with a minor in psychology while also participating in student government, holding a part-time job on campus, and keeping up an active social life. “My calendar is booked with events, on-campus meetings, and trying to figure out classes for next semester."
Mark Gobrail: Listening to God’s Call
April 18, 2022
Mark Gobrail ’22 took a leap of faith and answered God’s call to travel across the globe to attend graduate school, immigrating to the U.S. from Cairo, Egypt in August 2021 to complete his Master of Science in Organizational Psychology degree at Azusa Pacific University. “I wanted to pursue a degree at a university that would share my Christian values and enhance my professional career in HR,” he said.
Charlie Reynolds: Igniting a Spiritual Fire
April 04, 2022
In a single day, Charlie Reynolds ’25 discovered his fiery passion for serving God. Growing up, most of Reynolds’ family and friends were nonbelievers, and faith was not an important part of his life. “I had heard about Christ, but I never truly knew who God was, or what he had done for me. I had a hunger deep inside me for something more, but I didn’t know what it was.” It was in high school that Reynolds had his breakthrough faith experience.
Jada Tarvin Abu-Bekr: Transformed to Serve
March 28, 2022
“The thing that transformed my life and my identity was definitely my study away trip to South Africa. It’s a familial culture. Your neighbor is hurting in your township, and you love them. You make a meal for them. It just opened up everything for me.”
Denney Premkumar: Building Community through Music
March 21, 2022
Alana Morgan Perkins: A Platform for My Faith
March 14, 2022
Alana Morgan Perkins ’25 traces the origins of her faith back to the inspiring, deep, and dedicated devotion of her grandmother. “Growing up, my grandmother shared her love of Jesus with me and my family. She is so strong and committed.” Her grandmother’s influence spurred Perkins’ personal faith. Putting God first in everything she does has opened doors for Perkins that she couldn’t have dreamed possible. Serving as the current Miss Teen Universe USA, and previous Miss Teen California, and competing as a track athlete at Azusa Pacific University provide unique opportunities for Perkins to live out her faith. This month, Perkins traveled across the world to Dubai to vie for the title of Miss Teen Universe, affording her a global platform to represent Christ.
College Terms 101: Phrases You'll Hear during the College Admission Process
March 08, 2022
The college admission process can be confusing at times, especially if you’re the first in your family to pursue higher education. One reason is the sheer number of terms and acronyms you need to know.
Eliana Swenson: I Found My Faith-Community at APU
March 07, 2022
Karla C. Alejandro Meza: Following God’s Lead
February 28, 2022
Choosing to pursue leadership positions as an APU college student was a transformational decision for Karla Consuelo Alejandro Meza ’22. From becoming a residence advisor her sophomore year to serving as president of Azusa Pacific University’s Student Government Association (SGA) her senior year, Meza follows God’s call to lead. “I want to advocate for students and amplify their voices,” she said. “I love APU students. I love people. I’ve been surrounded by amazing leaders here who have inspired me. When I took a leap of faith in obedience to serve, that’s the moment God started using me to make a difference for His Kingdom.”
Mapping Your Path to a Public Administration Career in 3 Steps
February 27, 2022
If you’re looking for work where you can match a passion for the public sector, diverse interests, and a rapidly expanding job market, a public administration career may be the right fit. California’s public sector has become a growing source of new public administration jobs in recent years, making this career path attractive for residents of the Golden State.
