APU Articles

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.

Adelaide and her global engagement team posing in Greece

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.

David Dyer uses a 3D tissue printer to study cells in a tissue sample

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.

Natalie and her global engagement team outside the Taj Mahal

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.

murals painted by alumni in duke hallway

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.

From left to right: Reid, Caitlin, Lizzie, and Brent Volk