College years are a formative time in students’ lives not only because of the academics that set them up for career success, but also because of the meaningful relationships and experiences that shape them into the person they are becoming. Alex Oh, MS ’10, developed a love for leadership during his undergraduate years, which led him to pursue a career pouring into students’ growth. As director of Campus Life at Azusa Pacific University, Oh is happy to contribute to students through mentorship and opportunities for fellowship.
Born in South Korea, Oh’s family moved to Southern California when he was eight-years-old. Inspired by his father who had a corporate job, Oh went to UC San Diego to earn a bachelor’s degree in management science. “I lived a sort of double life in college, as academically I worked toward my degree with corporate in mind, and outside of the classroom I was really involved in student leadership,” Oh said. He was an orientation leader and worked in the commuter and transfer student office throughout his undergraduate years.
Oh’s first job out of college was in a corporate setting, like he had planned, but something felt off. “I prayed about it, asking God if I was on the path He wanted me to be on,” Oh said. After deliberately seeking God’s calling for his life, Oh felt led to serve college students.
In 2008, Oh moved near APU to begin his master’s degree in College Counseling and Student Development. He was thrilled to be immersed in a faith based institution for the first time. “It was refreshing to integrate faith outwardly and pray with students, faculty and staff,” Oh said. While earning his master’s, Oh had a graduate assistantship working with student leaders for one year, and residence life during this second year.
For Oh, APU’s Christ-centered community and positive environment are some of the reasons he’s always felt God pushing him to lean into opportunities here. In 2011, he began serving as a residence director, a role he held for three years before being promoted to associate director of Residence Life. A few years later, Oh transitioned to the student activities office, which has now merged with Campus Life. Oh has served as director of Campus Life since 2019.
Campus Life’s mission is to create meaningful experiences. Oh gets to lead with associate director, Sydney Schneider, and program specialist, Julianna Rodriguez, to provide a wide range of student engagement opportunities focused on fostering a sense of belonging and connection. His role includes managing budgets, training and developing student leaders and graduate assistants, coordinating Fall and Spring welcome weekend, co-coordinating campus-wide programming efforts (e.g., Christmas Tree lighting Ceremony, Baccalaureate) and providing overall leadership for the Campus Life office. Oh also serves on various campus committees and is a member of Staff Council.
When asked what he loves most about APU, Oh struggled to come up with just one thing. “APU is filled with really amazing people driven by a calling to be of service to the Lord,” he said. “Every time I meet faculty or staff members I see people who are in it, not for themselves but for the kingdom of God, and that encourages me as a fellow staff member to make sure my heart is in the same place.” The students are truly at the heart of Oh’s calling at APU. “I love pouring into students throughout their time at APU, and as I’ve stayed in contact with many over the years, it’s even more rewarding to see alumni shaping and helping the communities they now serve in.” Oh’s excitement for students to share their talents with the world makes him a positive force in their lives.
Reflecting on his journey, Oh expresses an immense amount of gratitude for the blessings in his life. By obediently saying yes to God’s calling for his life, Oh has found success in the unexpected. “As a Christ follower I’ve come to realize how vital it is to wake up each morning giving thanks for the breath in my lungs. Knowing I’m not guaranteed tomorrow, I strive to make the most of what I have in front of me each day.”