On a chilly Saturday night in February 2023, Josh Holm, ’15, stood to the side of a runway in Milan, watching models show off apparel he had designed for his label Castles & Queens as cameras flashed and the crowd applauded in one of the four fashion capitals of the world. It was one of the biggest moments of Holm’s life, but just a few years ago, it seemed impossible—a dream that might never come true.
Half Korean and half Caymanian, Holm was born to a single mother in South Korea. His mom, Kim, worked multiple jobs to support them, but their financial situation caused Holm to go in and out of foster care multiple times. Then, when he was five-years-old, their house burned down and his mother was forced to make an extremely difficult decision. Friends told her that Holm’s best chance for a prosperous life was being adopted by an American family. She couldn’t stand the idea of letting her son go, but she also wanted the best life for him, so she sent him to an orphanage. Within a few months, an American couple visited the orphanage. “They weren’t even looking to adopt,” Holm said, “but they came across me and after hearing my story, they felt God calling them to bring me into their family.” He moved with his new parents, Joel and Marie, to a suburb of Chicago. Holm’s parents provided an amazing new life for him, and he had two new sisters, Rachel and Lisa. Holm no longer faced the challenges of wondering where his next meal would come from or getting a quality education. While he did well in school, he truly excelled in athletics. Toward the end of high school, Holm was recruited by Azusa Pacific University’s track and field coaches. His family flew to the West Coast and toured the university.
Although he planned to run track throughout college, Holm stopped after his freshman year. “I felt God telling me, ‘this is it for you.’ It was a hard decision, but it made sense because track was a personal dream, but it wasn’t what I was meant to do,” he said. Holm decided to devote his newfound free time to his studies (he majored in practical theology and minored in leadership) and his internship with The Dream Center, a nonprofit dedicated to confronting human trafficking and helping foster children and at-risk youth. For the first few months of his internship, Holm helped with whatever the organization needed, mostly running errands, but one night, after the team saw his dedication, he was brought along on an outreach. “We went into Anaheim, just a couple blocks from Disneyland, and gave out resources to runaway children,” Holm said. “It was devastating seeing the reality of what they face on the streets.” This experience ignited a passion inside Holm. After talking with his APU mentors, Matt Browning and Terry Franson, Holm decided to start a student club called Free the Captives.
Ismary (Issy) Diaz ’20, MSW ’22, has always approached service with an outpouring of compassion like a waterfall’s abundance. Through her 14 years of military work, earning two degrees in social work at Azusa Pacific University, and now counseling veterans, Diaz’s refreshing spirit flows into countless lives, creating a lasting ripple effect.
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Diaz moved to East Los Angeles with her family at 15-years-old. Learning English was a big challenge for Diaz, as well as adjusting to cultural and academic changes. Her determination to face difficulties later became a vital skill which she has carried through every stage of her life. In search of opportunities that would help her grow professionally and personally, Diaz decided to enlist in the army. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, she was called to base training earlier than anticipated. “I was ready to go. I knew I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she said. Working in human resources, Diaz was stationed in Fort Carson, Colo. From there she was deployed to Wiesbaden, Germany, followed by Kuwait and Iraq, before returning to the U.S. at Fort Irwin, Calif. She then served in South Korea, before returning to Germany and Afghanistan.
Diaz served in the National Guard for two years, before going into active duty service, in order to be more present in her daughter’s life. They were both able to live on the base while Diaz was on full time active duty. She ranked as staff sergeant, and while she gained a firm understanding of herself, she grasped an even deeper appreciation of humanity. “Some are appreciative of the sacrifices people make in the military, but oftentimes others assume that we were aware of what we signed up for by enlisting. In reality no one knows what they’re getting into until they’re there,” she said. Diaz fondly looks back at the brotherhood and sisterhood in the military, knowing that the support system surrounding her was stronger than any of her doubts and fears at the time. The biggest lesson she learned was resiliency.
“You don’t realize how necessary resilience is until you have to be strong, bounce back, and keep going. With that, faith has to play a vital role in your life because in chaos it is the one thing that is stable.”
Due to medical reasons, Diaz had to leave the military despite having hoped to serve longer. “That was the most difficult period of my life. I missed coaching, mentoring, and training soldiers. It was all taken away from me,” she said. The hardest part of returning to civilian life was losing the structure the military offered. Diaz was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and spent her first year out of the military focusing on her physical and mental health. For two years she worked in the Department of Labor doing administrative work, but felt unfulfilled.
While seeking to immerse herself in a community again, Diaz was drawn to APU’s loving and enriching education. She started her undergraduate studies in social work in 2017. “APU helped me develop the most important things to me: faith, family, and purpose. God put me in the right place at the right time,” she said. Diaz is especially grateful for the Office of Military and Veterans Services, which helped connect her with other veterans she could relate to. “Returning back from the military can make you feel out of your element, but sharing that experience with others who understand helps build meaningful connections.”
One APU memory Diaz holds close to her heart is her study abroad experience. She went to Costa Rica in the summer with a group of women as a part of her Spanish minor. “The reasons these girls went on the trip were the same reasons I came to APU,” she said. They grew very close, and Diaz recalls being a mother-figure for them, encouraging them to not be afraid to speak Spanish and learn from mistakes.
Diaz’s faith has increased in countless ways. “APU shares God’s love, not just through words, but through actions,” she said. Engaging in service, especially through her time in the Master of Social Work program, expanded Diaz’s understanding of her purpose as a difference maker. As a readjustment counselor with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Temecula Vet Center, Diaz finds fulfillment in providing counseling services for Veterans, service members and families, connecting them with benefits, sharing resources and encouragement with veterans experiencing the same struggles she went through. “Readjustment counselors help those coming out of service to find their new purpose, and for me, social work is my purpose.”
In the same way that Diaz’s experiences have enhanced her life, shaping her into the courageous woman of God she is today, she pours kindness in every way possible, allowing others to feel refreshed and hopeful. Just like a waterfall, her positive impact continues to flourish.
Ariana Sy ’25, an Acting for the Stage and Screen major and psychology minor, has found ways to pursue her creativity with Azusa Pacific University’s God First motto in mind.
Sy is originally from Washington but lived in Dallas for eight years before starting college. She knew she wanted to attend a private Christian university. Sy first heard about APU when she watched alumna Jessica Cabral on American Idol in 2016. Sy attended an APU preview weekend where she stayed overnight in Trinity Hall with an acting student. She toured campus, sat in on classes, and enjoyed watching students perform Romeo and Juliet. “I fell in love with the school,” Sy said. “This place is beautiful, and I immediately felt connected to it.”
APU’s acting program appealed to Sy because of its faith integration component. “I love storytelling and connecting with people, but I wanted to pursue it in a place where I could live out my faith,” she said.
APU is so special because I can talk about God, the Holy Spirit, and how faith is an essential part of my passion for acting.
In 2017, Sy was involved in a car crash that changed her perspective on religion. “I’ve always been a Christian, but it felt like a miracle that I survived that accident,” she said. “Since then, I’ve paid closer attention to how God is moving in my life.”
Sy’s college experience has helped her grow as a person. “APU has helped me learn more about my faith,” she said. “Through theater, I’ve learned to be empathetic and how to love others. I’m more patient, kind, and understanding. Acting is not only about training actors, it’s about cultivating caring individuals.” Last semester, Sy played Mary Debenham in APU’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. This was her first time in a prominent role. “As an actor, there’s nothing greater than being on stage and having that time to work with your castmates.” APU’s acting program utilizes a system of cohorts that keep groups of 20 students together for all four years. “I love my cohort. Entering into our senior year to grow as people and actors together is so special.”
Sy began leading worship at her church in middle school. She expresses her creativity and faith as part of the chapel band. “It’s such a blessing to have this opportunity on campus. It’s fun to worship with my friends and be able to create consistently,” she said. Sy is excited to perform in the APU Industry Spotlight held at Warner Brothers Studios as a senior. This showcase is an opportunity for APU seniors to demonstrate their talents for industry agents. She aims to impress an agent who will help her navigate the beginning of her acting career. After graduation, Sy plans to stay in Los Angeles with her friends from APU. Following her acting career, she plans to pursue a masters in psychology to open her own private practice where she can work with child actors. She is also interested in pursuing music on the side.
As an actor, Sy shared inspiration with prospective artists. “If you want to pursue art during your college experience, APU has a supportive community that values faith, personal growth, your artistic talent, and you as a person,” she said. “This is an amazing place for you. I’ve found such a caring community of people here.”
Many meet God through worship settings, church, and engaging in discussions with believers. William “Jody” Wilkinson, MD, MS, encountered God in a personal and transformative way for the first time on a bike ride, leading him to pursue a career in exercise and fitness as a doctor in preventive medicine, who now taps into his passion for student development as a kinesiology professor.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, Wilkinson spent his childhood playing sports and enjoying exercise, but only ever considered his active lifestyle a hobby. He went to West Texas State University to earn a degree in marketing, journalism, and English because of his love for words and creativity. While there, Wilkinson went through a challenging time in his life. He struggled to do well in school, questioned his purpose and calling, and started making poor life choices.
One night, after he had dropped out of school, Wilkinson hopped on a roommates’ bicycle. Having grown up in a Christian home, Wilkinson knew of God and was engaged with the church, but walked away from his faith while in college. Biking through Austin’s hilly roads, however, offered Wilkinson a sense of calm he hadn’t felt before. “It was like God saying to me, ‘I’m still here and I never left you.’ Physically, spiritually, and emotionally everything just came together for me,” he said. Wilkinson attributes this evening to the night his life changed. He re-enrolled in college, finished his bachelor’s degree, and strengthened his faith. He worked in marketing after graduating, but felt unfulfilled, still unaware of his calling.
Fitness and nutrition remained interests of Wilkinson’s. He was an endurance athlete, participating in triathlons, marathons, and bike races. Because of his love for exercise, Wilkinson embarked on a new career path. He went to the University of North Texas for a masters in exercise physiology. Along with the excellent learning experiences that Wilkinson enjoyed diving into, an opportunity for an internship at The Cooper Institute, a renowned preventive medicine facility, was a pivotal part of his journey. “I worked with a couple of Christian physicians who mentored me and showed me what it means to integrate faith in healthcare. Seeing them make a difference in patients’ lives inspired me to pursue the same path,” he said.
Wilkinson went to medical school at the University of Texas Health and Science Center at San Antonio. He later met his wife, and they raised their four kids in Dallas. For many years Wilkinson worked at the Cooper Institute, where he derived fulfillment from getting to teach patients how to enhance their health in an effort to prevent diseases through exercise, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle practices.
Wilkinson and his family moved back to Amarillo for a slower pace of life in a smaller city. While on a bike ride, he met a group of riders, one of whom taught at Texas Tech University. Wilkinson ran into the same rider while visiting the medical school to explore job opportunities, and he encouraged Wilkinson to consider a teaching position in the school’s physical therapy program.
Beginning his journey as a professor was challenging, and Wilkinson often wrote prayers asking God for guidance. Just one day after asking the Lord whether or not he was on the right path, Wilkinson was voted Outstanding Faculty of the Year at Texas Tech, and he became certain that teaching is what he was called to do. Wilkinson soon decided to teach at the undergraduate level in order to mentor students who might not have their career and personal life figured out. “I knew I could make more of a difference in undergraduate lives because of how much I struggled when I was in college,” he said.
In 2015, when a teaching position in kinesiology opened up at Azusa Pacific University, Wilkinson quickly felt God calling him to work here. His family moved from Texas to California, and Wilkinson’s two sons even graduated from APU last spring.
“What I love about teaching at APU is that we’re educating the whole person,” he said. “I often tell students that as healthcare providers, you’re not only taking care of a disease, but an individual, which includes spiritual, emotional, social, and physical aspects. As a community we focus on those things as well to make sure we’re not just offering an education, but a relational experience.”
One of the things Wilkinson loves most about teaching at APU is being able to integrate faith in his courses. “I do my best to embody what faith looks like,” he said. “Jesus was a healer, and by learning about movement, exercise, and rehabilitation, students have a broad range of opportunities to find where God is calling them to be difference makers.” He added that by being open and authentic about his struggles and the poor grades on his undergraduate transcript, Wilkinson hopes to encourage students to trust in God’s plan for their futures.
Wilkinson’s journey has touched lives in countless ways. Much like the unexpected bike journey that God met Him on, Wilkinson’s life has been marked by ups and downs, detours, curves, and beauty in discovery. “That one bike experience changed the trajectory of my life, and I learned that sometimes you just have to let go. God will show up for you in ways you wouldn’t even imagine.”
Efigenia (Gina) Ferrer Burnett’s, MSW ’22, family did not believe her when she came home from school one day and announced she was going to join the U.S. Army. Burnett was in high school, and aspired to become a police officer. While connecting with a cop through a school elective, the officer shared that law enforcement employers love hiring veterans. The seed was planted, and Burnett was committed to pursuing her goals. Little did she know how different the trajectory of her life would be through serving in the army.
Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Burnett’s family moved to the U.S. when she was a child. Growing up in Pomona, Calif., Burnett learned English mainly by watching cartoons with her seven sisters. As the third oldest sibling, she was surrounded by a strong support system, and is grateful for her sisters, who are her closest friends.
In 2003, two months after graduating high school, Burnett started training camp in Hawaii. At just 19-years-old, she was sent to Afghanistan for her first deployment. Burnett was a generator mechanic, but fulfilled whatever each mission dictated, whether that be bomb security, escorts, searches, or supporting units. She returned to Hawaii for another year, and when her contract was due she reenlisted for Fort Irwin, Calif. Burnett was deployed twice to Iraq. The most intense period of her service was her deployment to Guantanamo, Cuba, which is notorious for its unique, high profile setting, consisting of correctional facilities. After six-and-a-half years of active duty, ranking as a sergeant, Burnett joined the reserves in 2010, and focused on raising her daughter. Burnett’s dream of working in law enforcement came to fruition through her role as military police MP.
Burnett served in the military for a total of 12 years. Transitioning to the reserves and later back to full civilian life presented a number of challenges. She wanted to pursue her personal career goals, but often struggled when the mission always had to come first. When she left the military completely, Burnett went through a period of soul searching, feeling as though she had nothing to offer in any career path other than law enforcement. She later discovered that the leadership skills she learned in the army would last a lifetime, but she was holding onto a thread of hope. “Having to grow up in the military takes you away from having a normal social life and influences,” she said. “My experience in the army made me more grateful for the things I have now because I don’t take anything for granted.”
Burnett attended Mt. San Antonio College, and later earned a degree in sociology with a social work subplan at Cal Poly Pomona. Burnett’s guidance counselor suggested going to graduate school to broaden Burnett’s opportunities as a social worker. Azusa Pacific University’s proximity to Pomona, accredited Master of Social Work program, faith based values, and veterans resources led Burnett to choose APU in 2020. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at APU. The professors are supportive, understanding, and genuinely care about students,” she said. Learning about social work from a Christian perspective offered Burnett a foundation to enter the field with ethical values at the forefront of her thinking.
TyLee Manuel ’24 is a full time student athlete on the women’s basketball team. She has learned the importance of community through her teammates. “APU has shown me how to be grateful through the people that I’ve met and the relationships I’ve created,” she said.
Manuel’s passion for basketball began when she was five. “My mom encouraged me to play at a young age and I’ve developed my skills and love for the sport over time,” she said. Manuel attended Montana State Billings University for her freshman year, but quickly decided that she needed a change. However, she wanted to continue to play basketball. Manuel uploaded a video of her game highlights on Twitter. She was soon contacted by Azusa Pacific University recruiters via Instagram where she was put in contact with the school’s basketball coaches.
Manuel felt that California would be a good place for her, and she appreciated the smaller size of the school. “I transferred during Covid so I didn’t get to visit before starting,” she said. “I just took a chance, but it was a pivotal decision in my development as a person.” Manuel attributes her positive adjustment to a new state to her experience with basketball. “The hardest part of leaving home was not knowing how to navigate life without my family, but since I grew up being a student athlete my whole life, I had a smooth college transition because it was familiar.”
An important part of Manuel’s college journey has been the time she’s spent on a close knit team. “Being a full time student athlete is challenging, but also very exciting. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said.
“Being on the basketball team helped me find my community. My teammates are my best friends. I’m very close with them and I’m grateful for that.”
Manuel has also gotten the opportunity to grow her relationships through traveling to different states and countries with her team. Manuel’s favorite memory from her time at APU was in her sophomore year when her team beat Hawaii Pacific University in regionals. “We ended up going to nationals and made the Elite Eight which was an awesome experience.”
Her coach, T.J. Herdeman, has also played a significant role in Manuel’s time at APU. “Coach Hardeman’s mission is to develop us as people and athletes. I’ve learned a lot about myself from his mentorship,” she said. “I’ve learned how to be more confident in my decision making skills, how to get through hard times by leaning on others, and how important time management is.”
After graduation, Manuel plans to move to Arizona in August to start her career. “Although I’ve loved playing basketball at APU, I don’t plan on playing in the future unless it’s in a local recreational league or just for fun,” she said. “And I’m not sure exactly what I’m being called to do yet, but I do know I want to work in a job where I can help people.” As a marketing major, Manuel is considering a career in social media marketing. She currently serves as an intern in the admissions department. Through her internship, she has expanded her knowledge and passion for social media.
Manuel shared advice for prospective student athletes. “For anyone on the fence about being a student athlete, balancing school and sports,” she said, “give it a shot. I’m so glad I did.”
Book-lovers often enjoy reading for the sense of escapism stories provide; the ability to travel the world through ink on a page, embark on a journey with a character, and turn the final page with the feeling that they’ve experienced something life-changing. For Windy Counsell Petrie, PhD, chair of Azusa Pacific University’s Department of English, books have not only taken her on imaginary journeys, but her lifelong vocation to the literary world has provided her with multiple opportunities to travel and experience immersion in various cultures. She offers students the same comfort and joy that comes through literature by sharing her warm spirit and kindness that blooms like the roses outside her office.
Born and raised in San Diego, Petrie often stayed close to home. Her family’s only travel was to family reunions in the pacific northwest, and while she enjoyed roaming her relatives’ farms and ranches, books were where she truly explored different places. After high school, Petrie was drawn to Pepperdine primarily because of their great books curriculum. The stories she read came to life when she went on her first plane ride to study abroad in England and Russia. “I was fascinated immediately when I got to stay in Moscow. Russian authors wrote some of the greatest novels of the 19th century, and it was compelling to see the way their culture values literature,” she said.
After graduating from Pepperdine, Petrie’s desire to continue witnessing a plethora of perspectives on literature led her to pursue graduate school at the University of Delaware. “As a naive 20-year-old I only applied to schools on the east coast, and I discovered a completely different culture within America through that experience,” she said. For six years, she lived in Delaware with her husband Kyle–her high school sweetheart. Petrie continued to hone her understanding of written works, especially when analyzing authors for who they are as people. Her dissertation focused on women’s autobiographies. “My primary interest is in the humans who create the literature we appreciate. I love pairing what is already acclaimed with works that are lesser known.” She added how many in academia have parents who come from professional backgrounds, and as a working class Cal grant recipient, she hopes to uplift the untold stories that are just as impactful, influential, and captivating as the broadly canonized ones. Her first published book, Templates for Authorship: American Women’s Literary Autobiography of the 1930s, drew from her dissertation as she analyzed how a generation of women pursued writing as a path to personal and economic freedom.
After completing her PhD, Petrie and her husband decided to move back west. They agreed that their eastern limit was Denver, so when a job opened at Colorado Christian University (CCU), Petrie’s dream of teaching in higher education came true. “As a child I always wanted to play school with my friends, and before high school I thought to myself, ‘I would love to teach at the highest level possible.’ At the time I had no clue that meant being a professor, but I just continued down that route,” she said. Petrie taught at CCU for 15 years. She started her professorship a year after having her first son, Cade and she had her second son Heath after one year of teaching.
During Petrie’s time at CCU, she helped build up a thriving English department. She also earned a Fulbright award in 2006, which allowed her to spend a semester teaching in Lithuania. “That was the best experience for my whole family. I used to say that being a professor was the perfect counterbalance to raising children, and vice versa, but I didn’t have the time or energy to research and write on my own at the time,” she said. “So, I figured that teaching cross-culturally would give me the opportunity to learn intensely while staying committed as a mother.” Petrie’s family remembers their time in Lithuania together fondly. Her colleagues were inspired by her ability to further her growth as a scholar while creating enriching memories for her children.
Petrie discovered APU in 2016, when she and her husband wanted to return to the West Coast. “I’m a Californian at heart. In addition to my love for books, I love gardening and the ocean. Everyday I’m grateful that I can garden year-round here,” she said. When a position for the Department of English chair opened, God led Petrie and her family back to Southern California.
“Two huge aspects about APU drew me in: the wonderfully diverse community, and the fact that we offer faith integration while keeping open enrollment to students of all religious backgrounds.”
Petrie’s approach to teaching literature is to create a space where joy and meaningfulness coexist. “APU students bring a happy-seriousness to the table, and I love that because my goal as a professor is to show that we can have fun while studying a subject that has profound depth,” she said. Opening discussion to hear diverse perspectives and diminish preconceived notions about life and literature is something Petrie values. While she covers a broad range of literary topics, Russian literature is one of her favorites. “I love how frequently Russian writing touches on the spirituality of humans and often asks big, seemingly unanswerable questions.” Throughout her life, Petrie has engaged in multiple discussions about authors Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky with people inside and outside of academic contexts. She considers their work timeless.
Leslie Sandoval, ’98, MAEd ’04, is living out her calling as an educator and leader. She shows Christ’s love through her care for students and her staff, creating an inclusive environment for students to learn and thrive.
Although she loves being an educator now, when Sandoval graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 1998 with a BA in Applied Health, she planned to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy (PT). She was inspired to pursue a PT career after teaching swim lessons in high school. “I knew I always wanted to work with kids,” she said. “I helped students with physical limitations achieve their goals. It was so much fun to work with them and see them succeed.” During her PT program, Sandoval served as a substitute teacher and found that she enjoyed teaching in the classroom.
Sandoval’s substitute teaching experience caused her to change directions. “I only applied for one teaching position,” she said. “I told myself that if I got that position, then I would go back to school.” Sandoval got the job as a middle school biology teacher, so she returned to APU for a Master’s in Education.
In her 17 years of teaching science, Sandoval became an advisor for the Associative Student Body program. “I was able to do what I really wanted, to help improve the school climate and give back to students.” With a newfound passion for leadership in education, Sandoval became an assistant principal and was then promoted to principal. She has served as principal of Grace Miller Elementary School in La Verne for the past three years.
Sandoval’s job allows her to give back to her coworkers and students. She loves the ability to support others that comes with her leadership role. “I have limitations of what I can share about religion in the public education system, but I show my faith through my actions,” she said. “I walk alongside my staff and try to support them as much as possible. I also love being there for my students and helping them have a positive education trajectory.”
Grace Miller is a Title One and early childhood intervention school. The Title One classification is for schools with a large percentage of students with socioeconomic disadvantages. Uncommon for most schools, children as young as three-years-old with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) can enroll in classes at Grace Miller.
“I’m passionate about helping children with significant needs achieve their full potential,” Sandoval said. “In the future, I would love to see more students with identified learning needs have opportunities to be in class with their peers through our inclusive learning model. I want school to be a place where students can thrive academically and socially.”
Sandoval finds her job to be extremely rewarding and enjoys seeing students meet their goals in an environment of inclusivity. She gave the example of a nonverbal student at her school who is just learning to say a few words and is treated well by other students. “When I see kids learning not only academics, but also how to treat other people with kindness and respect, those are the most rewarding moments.”
Sandoval’s dedication to her job earned her the Bonita Unified School District Management Award. Last year, she was recognized as the district wide management employee of the year. Her school also received a National Blue Ribbon Award, one of only 33 schools in the state to earn the award in 2023. Schools must be invited to apply based on state test scores that show the school is working to close the achievement gap between socioeconomically disadvantaged students and non-disadvantaged students. After being nominated, the school must continue to improve their scores for another year. Grace Miller elementary is the second school in the district and the first in La Verne to receive the award.
Sandoval continues to live out her faith through her passion for helping her coworkers and students succeed. “I keep my degrees and my cross up on my wall as an example of my faith,” she said. “If you continue to reflect and pray on your strengths, you’ll find your calling. God may guide you in ways that you didn’t expect.”
Oftentimes, people choose a field of study that aligns with their passions, interests, and skill sets. For Alan Oda, PhD, entering psychology has not only allowed him to pursue all three of those things, but studying human development has given him the opportunities to strengthen his faith journey while helping others better understand their spiritual growth.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Oda went to UC Davis with the intention of earning a degree in veterinary medicine. “I found out I was allergic to a lot of animals, as well as my grade in organic chemistry class,” Oda said through a laugh. After earning a bachelor’s degree in human development, he enhanced his research skills in a general experimental psychology program at Cal State Northridge. He then attended UC Riverside for an MA in Psychology and a PhD with an emphasis in developmental psychology. While his research has primarily focused on adolescents and young adults, Oda has participated in studies across the human lifespan.
Oda made the most of his education by getting involved in volunteer work, internships, and research endeavors to use the tools he learned as a psychologist to create a positive impact in people’s lives. While volunteering at UCLA one summer as an undergraduate, Oda collaborated with researchers conducting various types of behavioral studies. He was offered a job as a lab tech in their Neuropsychiatric Institute.
During his time at UC Davis, Oda developed a strong relationship with Christ. He started attending a bible study, which later developed into a chapter of the Asian American Christian Fellowship. Through his involvement in campus ministry, Oda met his wife. He continues to serve in campus ministries, employing psychology to offer students perspective through their struggles and walks of faith. “Psychology is a tool to find God’s truth, not the source of it,” he said. Serving in ministry later became the groundwork for Oda’s contribution to the Faithful Change national research team for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Oda was introduced to the notion that faith development is parallel to all other stages of human growth. He continues to encourage educators in Christian higher education to give students the space to ask big questions, as doing so is vital to spiritual development.
As the project assistant for the Western Region Asian American Project during his time at Cal State Northridge, Oda worked at the social agency to initiate educational programs and mental health services. “Many in specific ethnic communities tend to avoid mental health and social services, sometimes due to cultural ideas, or a lack of familiarity with the way these systems work,” he said. His experience through this project was the perfect segue into his role as executive director of the Asian American Christian Counseling Service. “I realized that many people seeking therapy were hesitant because they wanted a therapist who understood their heritage.” By combining his understanding of the ways faith shifts throughout one’s life, along with a diverse knowledge of Asian Pacific backgrounds as a Japanese American himself, Oda has truly used his calling in the psychology field to make a difference in countless lives.
In 1996, Oda started teaching at Azusa Pacific University after working at various public universities throughout LA. After teaching classes with nearly 300 students each, he was drawn to APU’s small class sizes, allowing him to deepen connections with the diverse population.
“That’s one of the things I enjoy most about APU: we have first generation students, people from multiple countries and all sorts of backgrounds. They each bring something new to the table,” he said.
While he enjoys teaching upper division courses about human development, Oda also finds fulfillment instructing general education courses because he meets students from varying majors.
For Oda, teaching is about more than disseminating information. Rather, he strives to implement what he knows about human development to offer a safe environment for growth, both academically and spiritually. “I want students to ask questions and I’m always open to meeting in and out of the classroom to talk about what their questions are,” he said. Most importantly, however, he hopes that even if students don’t remember the theories and facts they’re tested on, they leave his class with something to think about moving forward. “If something I teach sparks an idea to push students in the psychology field for the future, I’ve done my job.”
When Oda’s not engaging with students, preparing class materials, or completing tasks as chair of the Department of Psychology, he spends time with his wife, two sons, and their pets (including a chihuahua, a few fish, and a turtle). Oda is committed to volunteer work, and has traveled frequently to Japan ever since the 2011 tsunami to assist those in temporary housing and improve community education.
Students in Oda’s classes learn more than psychological terms and methods. Instead, they get to hear from someone who has applied psychology to create a positive contribution around the world. His enthusiasm, witty humor, and gentle demeanor are just a few of Oda’s qualities that make him an excellent educator.
Daniel Griffes, ’09, never thought that his childhood pastime, working on carpentry projects with his mom, would lay the foundation for his future vocation as a tiny home builder. His father, a chiropractor, funded their remodeling endeavors, and by the time Griffes was in high school he knew how to solder pipes, and run electrical wires, with an overall grasp of how to build.
Growing up, Griffes considered missionary work to be the calling for his life. At 13-years-old he participated in a short term mission trip to Mexicali, Mexico, with Azusa Pacific University, an enriching experience that influenced future acts of service. Griffes attended community college before taking a gap year to live in Guatemala for six months. During that time he lived with a local pastor, studied Spanish, and lived in a rural area gaining experience in different kinds of missionary work, including serving at an orphanage and teaching English. After working at youth camps, he was certain that being a camp director was his calling because of his love for creating a positive impact in children’s lives.
While deciding where to earn a bachelor’s degree, Griffes was drawn back to APU because of its inviting community. His sister had also decided to start her freshman year at APU at the same time that Griffes transferred in.
“Touring APU was awesome. We could tell that everyone we met loved being there,” he said.
Griffes chose to study sociology, which he thoroughly enjoyed because of the ways in which the class content stretched his mind, leading him to frequently reevaluate his worldview. “I grew so much as a sociology major as I started learning how to best love people who think differently than me.”
Looking back at his college days, Griffes fondly remembers working in the Center for Student Action (CSA) (Now the Office of Service and Discipleship). “I truly found my people there. Working together and going on mission trips was the highlight of my APU experience,” he said. “I’m a strong believer that you’ll find what you’re looking for.” Griffes also discovered fulfillment trying new things, since he had space in his schedule to take several electives. From ceramics to leadership classes, Griffes made the most of his time at APU by diving into each opportunity he could find.
After graduating, Griffes was the interim operations director in the CSA, and led numerous global engagement trips. Two years later, he embarked on an adventure with his siblings. They drove from California to Argentina, spending three months traveling throughout Central and South America. Griffes spent a few more years committed to missionary work. His personal journey took him in a different direction though, and he returned home to reconsider what he wanted to do with his career.
Griffes reentered construction work as a hobby, and became involved in a new church. He lived in a house with four friends across the street from his pastor. He also met his future wife, Olivia Rodriguez, who lived just down the block. Their young adults church group often held dinner parties and they spent time in the same circles. Griffes found out that Olivia graduated from APU in 2012 with a degree in nursing. They never met each other as students, but she lived in the same hall as Griffes’ sister. After dating for one year, Griffes proposed, and the couple got married in 2015.
Griffes’ started his business, Venture Tiny Homes, in 2020. Prior to launching his company he worked in construction, honing his skills as he remodeled kitchens and bathrooms. Griffes had earned a contractor’s license before the pandemic, and planned to teach high school shop classes. However, when his wife learned she was pregnant, Griffes decided he needed a career with more flexibility for fatherhood. Unsure of what the future looked like, a friend of Griffes asked if he could build a tiny home in his backyard. His friend had already created the design plans, so Griffes gathered some guys he knew and started building.
“After spending a few months on that first tiny home I knew this was exactly what I was made to do,” he said.
Since then, Griffes has hired four employees, who are as passionate about construction as he is. Throughout the past four years, they have worked together in backyards, a borrowed space, and are now working in their own warehouse in Camarillo. His company has built more than 10 tiny homes so far. “This is the first job where every Friday I’m excited to return to work on Monday,” Griffes said. He enjoys working in one place consistently, and is proud of the team he’s created. As a boss, Griffes uses what he learned as a sociology major to better understand where people are coming from, and applies organizational skills to develop plans for projects.
Something that sets Venture Tiny Homes apart from other companies is the aspect of customization. “We learn new things with each home because we like to include customers in the design process, to offer them something unique,” Griffes said. “We’re affordable and high quality for a tiny home business.” Griffes’ coworkers have grown in their skills, to the point where Griffes is able to do more of the design, marketing, and sales work, while the building process is in good hands.
As for his family, Griffes is now a father to three beautiful children: Sierra (age 3), Jet (age 2), and Everett (4 months old). “They are the absolute joy of my life. Being a dad is the best,” Griffes said.
Griffes’ roles as a father, husband, tiny home builder, and Christian come down to serving God by building a life he loves, one he’s excited to wake up to every day, and one that touches lives in unexpected ways. Reflecting on his life, Griffes shared that the most important thing he’s had to learn is that no matter what he does, God loves him. “I struggled for quite some time, feeling like a failure at times or like my missionary work was not enough. Over time I came to realize that God is okay with me just being myself,” he said. “Now I can confidently say that I’m valued. I’ll always strive to keep growing as a person, but I now have the assurance that I can be a tiny home builder for the rest of my life. I get to do what I love, and God loves me.”
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