Meet the Staff
Charlie was born and raised in beautiful central New Jersey. After graduating from Houghton College (lots of cows, snow, and elbow room), he spent several years in New England working in residence life. In the summer of 1994, he arrived at APU in pursuit of an MA. in Leadership Studies. After several years as a residence director, Charlie stepped into his current role as the executive director of residence life, a role that allows him to do daily what he loves most—build supportive relationships with students. He sees Residence Life’s primary mission as actively supporting students as they explore who God has made them to be and how He wants them to use their gifts and talents to contribute to APU and the community beyond. When Charlie is not trying to guide and support students, he can be found pursuing his other interests: egg salad sandwiches, rustic cabins, and hanging out with his French bulldog, Lucy.
Charlie was born and raised in Southern California, just a few miles from Azusa Pacific. He attended APU and earned a BS in Organizational Leadership and an MA in Leadership Studies. Charlie has had various roles with the campus housing program for over 20 years and has a passion for doing the behind-the-scenes work that sets the stage for other student affairs professionals to thrive in their work with students. Away from work, Charlie is passionate about discipleship and the local church and has faithfully served at his local church for more than a decade. Charlie and his wife live in Azusa and enjoy all the unique joys and challenges that come with raising four kids.
Berlyn was born and raised in Whittier, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from California Baptist University, where she served in Residence Life for three years. Following that, she continued her work in Residence Life at Vanguard University. Through these experiences, Berlyn developed a strong passion for walking alongside students and supporting them throughout their college journey personally, academically, and spiritually. She is deeply committed to cultivating Christlike leadership in students and helping them grow into the leaders God is calling them to be. Berlyn strives to create welcoming spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and valued. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with the youth ministry at her church, exploring coffee and boba shops, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Tyler is a dedicated student affairs professional passionate about building inclusive, values-driven communities in higher education. Born and raised in sunny Cypress, Orange County, California, Tyler began his journey in student affairs as a Resident Advisor at Chapman University, where he earned his B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. It was through this role that he discovered his love for Residence Life and the meaningful impact of helping students grow academically, socially, and in their identity.
Tyler expanded his experience at Pierce College as a Business Operations and Leadership Intern, where he supported international students navigating the cultural challenges of studying and living in the United States. Most recently, he earned his MA in Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs from San Diego State University, while also working full-time as an Assistant Coordinator for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity supporting residential communities and student organizations across campus. Guided by care, cultural humility, and his Christian faith, Tyler’s work focuses on cultivating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. He brings a heart for service, a commitment to equity, and a deep belief in the power of community to everything he does. Outside of work, you can find Tyler at the beach, playing or watching sports, hanging with his dog, or spending time with his family.
Originally from LA County, Onika is a true SoCal girl at heart. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies at APU, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Onika is passionate about creating a space where Resident Advisors feel valued, heard, and empowered to shape their leadership journey. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, watching Chinese dramas, and learning how to sew. A fun fact about her: she loves ducks and can never say no to a good boba run.
Makenna was born and raised in Mission Viejo, California. She graduated with a BM in Music Education in 2025 from Azusa Pacific University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. During her undergraduate career, Makenna served as a Resident Advisor in Adams Hall and the Shire Mods, worked as a music tutor in the Writing and Tutoring Center, and was part of the Music Operations team in the School of Music. She also participated in multiple Global Engagement trips through the Office of Service and Discipleship and is passionate about fostering Christ-centered relationships across cultures. As a Community Intern for Team Coordination, she is committed to encouraging others and walking alongside them to build a loving and vibrant community on campus. Outside of school, Makenna enjoys chatting over coffee, playing guitar, going on walks, attending musicals, binge-watching Harry Potter, and teaching music to kiddos.
Eimee was born and raised in Southern California and spent most of her life in Watts, CA. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University in Spring 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Honors Humanities and is now pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her own journey through growth and change has shaped her heart for walking alongside others in times of transition and healing. She looks forward to mentoring student leaders, building intentional relationships, and helping create a space where all residents feel welcomed, supported, and known. In her free time, Eimee enjoys taking long walks, watching movies/ TV shows, crocheting, and spending time with her cat, Sergeant Tibbs.
Marisa is from the suburbs of Hacienda Heights in LA County. She earned her BS in Allied Health and a Chemistry Minor at APU in 2024 and is currently pursuing an ELM in Nursing. Marisa is passionate about making a positive impact in healthcare by providing compassionate care and supporting patients' journeys to recovery. She believes that nursing is not just about patient care but also about leadership and advocacy, aiming to inspire and guide others in the healthcare field. Marisa aims to bring this passion to Residence Life as she helps to steward the the story of Residence Life through social media, graphic design, and much more. This is her first year with Residence Life, and she is excited to work alongside the team to enhance the student experience. For fun, Marisa enjoys playing volleyball, lifting weights, playing video games, spending time with friends, baking, and going to the library.