APU Articles
Global Engagement: Makenna Malkin ’25 Utilizes Music Ministry In South Africa
July 15, 2024 | Theology
Seven Azusa Pacific University students traveled to the Limpopo Province of South Africa for two weeks over their summer breaks to serve in various ministries. The South Africa Global Engagement trip was focused on soccer ministry, but students participated in a variety of other ministries that allowed for individual gifts to be shown.
Global Engagement Series: Luca Fenlason Puts His Faith Into Action In Chiapas
July 08, 2024 | Nursing, Theology
Seven Azusa Pacific University students traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, for two weeks over their summer breaks to serve at an orphanage. The Chiapas Global Engagement trip aimed to cultivate supportive relationships with the children, but junior nursing major Luca Fenlason also learned how to translate his faith into his actions.
Global Engagement Series: Adelaide Towne’s ’26 Experience in Greece
July 01, 2024 | Theology
Adelaide Towne ’26, a sociology major, spent three weeks serving in Greece on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She deepened her faith by connecting with people through engaging acts of fellowship.
Alumni Feature: Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 Shares the Value of Human Connection
June 28, 2024 | Alumni
Nicky Slavich ’14, MA ’18 never thought he would work at Google as a recruiter. By forming meaningful connections, Slavich discovered his career calling. Throughout his journey, Slavich has learned that his identity stems from who God continues creating him to be.
New Tissue Engineering Facility Provides Cutting-Edge Opportunities
June 27, 2024 | Humanities and Sciences, Provost
In June 2023, Azusa Pacific University received funds to build a state-of-the-art tissue engineering research facility in the Segerstrom Science Center. This lab enables students to do research to set them up for success in the rapidly growing field of pharma and biopharma product development.
Alumni Feature: Razel Zapanta ’21 Lives Out Her Many Callings as a Singing Dental Student
June 25, 2024 | Alumni, Humanities and Sciences
Razel Zapanta ’21 is a testament to the fact that when you pursue your dreams, they really can come true. She is a two-time contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and has garnered a large following on Instagram by documenting her dental school journey, expressing her passion for creativity and science. She often calls herself a singing dentist, and recently sang the national anthem at a Phoenix Suns game. Zapanta continuously finds joy and fulfillment in her vocation, inspiring others with her optimism.
Global Engagement Series: Natalie Hultgren’s Experience in India
June 24, 2024 | Nursing, Theology
Nursing major Natalie Hultgren ’26 spent two weeks serving in India on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. Engaging with doctors and nurses to serve the lower caste population expanded Hultgren’s heart to learning about the image of God in all people.
APU’s Art Galleries Showcase Students’, Alumni’s, and LA Artists’ Beautiful Work
June 20, 2024 | Arts
As I walked through the Duke and Darling buildings on West Campus on my way to a class last semester, an interesting sight stopped me in my tracks. Across the typically blank walls were multiple images I had never seen before—vibrant depictions of outer space, ancient Greece, and the ocean to name a few. Beside each picture was a QR code containing the link to a unique song that stirred the artist, Riley Sumaquial’s ’24, vision. I appreciate gleaning insight from Sumquial’s immensely talented synesthetic mind.
Alumni Feature: Video Editor Jordan Orme ’19 is Learning to Use His Platform to Share His Faith
June 18, 2024 | Alumni, Arts
When Jordan Orme ’19 created his YouTube channel at the beginning of the pandemic, he had no idea it would grow so quickly. Orme had spent the previous two years editing music videos for major artists such as Justin Bieber and Post Malone, working on documentaries for celebrities including Demi Lovato and Kylie Jenner, and creating commercials for Amazon and Nike. His channel started as a passion project, with Orme hoping to pass along insights he had gleaned from these experiences into video editing advice. When he began breaking down edits on some of his favorite music videos—especially in the K-pop genre— his following boomed.
Global Engagement: MJ Sanchez’s Experience in Belize and Guatemala
June 17, 2024 | Theology
Maia (MJ) Sanchez ’26, a liberal studies major with a concentration in psychology, spent two weeks serving in Belize and Guatemala on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. She learned about the value of connecting with others through listening and sharing one’s story, as well as relinquishing preconceived expectations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
