May is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Harvard Business School’s Asian Affinity Business Association (AABA) provides a community for the promotion, understanding, and cross-cultural exchange of Asian and Asian-American business, social, academic, cultural, and political initiatives. AABA, in collaboration with students and organizations across campus, is proud to share and honor the stories of our community members.
Meet Lisa Yan (MBA 2025), a trailblazer in the tech industry, blending her cultural heritage with modern aspirations, and now pursuing entrepreneurial dreams at Harvard Business School.
“For me, being Chinese American means blending old heritage with new meaning.
My middle name is also my Chinese name, Mintao (敏涛), meaning ‘clever wave’. In Chinese culture, it’s common to share a theme in names passed down through generations. On my dad’s side, all males traditionally get Tao (涛), and his name is Xiantao (先涛), meaning ‘first wave’. However, my dad, excited about his first-born child as a US immigrant, decided to break years of tradition and gave me the name Mintao to paint my future in the wave of innovation.
Embodying the spirit of my name, I ventured into the traditionally male-dominated tech industry. In high school, I joined the FIRST robotics team. In college, I chose to study Electrical and Computer Engineering, even though my dad, an engineer himself, had reservations about women in the field. Eventually, I became a software engineer at Google, where I was the only woman on my team. Now, I am pursuing my dream at Harvard, with plans to become an entrepreneur one day.
Although my dad and I may have cultural differences, I have to remember he is the ‘first wave’ – the generation that overcame the Cultural Revolution and gave me a life in the US. By building upon the wave of opportunities my father created, I strive to honor his wisdom while shaping my own Chinese American identity to share with future generations to come.”
Student Clubs are a vital part of the HBS Community experience that support the school’s mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Clubs sponsor a variety of events such as workshops, speakers, and conferences that provide distinct opportunities for learning, networking, and socializing outside of the classroom. Learn more about HBS student activities, government and clubs here.
You Might Want to Read
Chasing a Dream: My Summer Internship at Chelsea Football Club
Addressing Inequities in Education: Social Enterprise Summer Fellow Amal Tariq (MBA 2025)
Seven Lessons from the Section Experience
Admissions Events
Check out our upcoming webinars, prospective student days, and information sessions on campus and around the world.
→View Events
Recorded Virtual Events
Curious about HBS? We have prospective student virtual events, available by geography, industry and interest.
→Recorded Virtual Events
The views and opinions expressed in the MBA Voices blog are those of the authors. Any political views shared by students are their own; HBS does not endorse a particular party or candidate.
From its humble beginnings as the Training School for Christian Workers to one of the top Christ-centered universities in the nation, Azusa Pacific University has been an instrument of God throughout its 125-year history to advance His work in the world. APU students graduate transformed to answer a higher calling and make a difference in the lives of others. As we celebrate this special anniversary, APU looks forward to extending its legacy of transformation to new generations of disciples and scholars. As part of this issue, three university leaders share APU’s vision and strategies for boldly advancing APU toward a promising future while living out the Four Cornerstones of Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service.
Christ
How does APU remain deeply rooted in our God First mission as we move the university forward?
Adam J. Morris, PhD, President:
This question is at the very heart of who we are as a Christ-centered university. I believe one of the greatest risks institutions face is “going soft” on mission. It’s rarely a single, glaring decision. Instead, it’s often a series of small, seemingly insignificant decisions made over time. Examples include recruiting the wrong board members, hiring misaligned faculty or staff, changing university policy, lacking institutional accountability, and giving in to external pressures. We need to be exceedingly attentive and diligent as we steward APU’s mission, and this is what will keep us faithful as we move the university forward. It’s why I’ve told our community that faithfulness to God is our top institutional priority!
Early in my time at APU, our leadership team identified six key ingredients of a faithful Christian university:
Mission
Faithfulness begins with clarity of mission, and answers the questions: Who are we? Why do we exist? At our Faculty/Staff Kickoff event in August 2023, we revisited our Christian identity, as outlined in our What We Believe document.
The Board of Trustees, administration, full- and part-time faculty, and staff must be aligned in order to effectively carry out our mission.
Curriculum
We know that the Word of God is the source of all Truth, and therefore must be what anchors all our academic offerings.
Faith Integration
APU must take seriously the practice of faith integration. Regardless of the academic discipline, it’s vitally important that we equip our students with a biblical worldview in order for them to be the salt and light our world desperately needs.
Hiring Practices
We need to be exceedingly diligent in who we hire, and who we retain. Since my arrival in summer 2022, I’ve asked to have the final interview with all new faculty hires and all new full-time coaches. I’ve also asked to interview all full-time faculty who are up for their five-year contract renewal.
Spiritual Formation
Staying rooted in our God First mission calls us to be intentional in the spiritual formation of our students. Curricular and cocurricular programs must work together to encourage spiritual transformation. We saw this happen this last academic year, resulting in nearly 40 APU students baptized, more than 500 in Discipleship Groups, and more than 400 students involved in local and global engagement.
What new opportunities lie ahead to infuse our Christian commitment into every aspect of an APU education?
President Morris:
Provost Anita Henck has initiated a complete redesign of APU’s General Education core, including the 18 units of biblical, theological, and philosophical formation required of all undergraduate students. The redesigned core weaves the very best of the liberal arts and the Truth of God’s Word together in a way that captures the hearts of our students and fosters life transformation. Aiding this effort will be the opening of an Office of Faith Integration on our Azusa campus, which will come alongside all of our faculty to provide the tools and training necessary to fully integrate God’s Word across all of our academic disciplines. I’m super excited about this initiative! We’re also expanding our discipleship efforts, growing our commitment to local and global missions, investing more in our weekly chapel programming, sponsoring on-campus worship nights, and so much more.
How is open enrollment a benefit to APU amidst the competitive landscape?
President Morris:
As you may know, open enrollment means we accept students who may or may not share our faith commitment. This means that APU is expressly “evangelistic” and accepts non-Christian students and families. In contrast, “covenant” schools only knowingly accept students who have made a clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
As a university with open enrollment, anyone interested in furthering their education is a prospective APU student, increasing our prospective student pool. The overwhelming benefit of APU’s model of open enrollment is the opportunity our faculty and staff have to point students to Jesus Christ. The spiritual curiosity we see among this generation of students is what contributes to the spiritual vitality of our campuses. My first two years here have been filled with story after story of first-time decisions to follow Christ, measurable spiritual growth among our students, and a deepening love for one another. This makes my heart sing!
Scholarship
How does a Christian liberal arts education equip the leaders of tomorrow?
A commitment to the liberal arts is rooted in balancing an education focused on a particular major or discipline with a General Education curriculum that educates broadly in the humanities, arts, sciences, social sciences, theology, and more. To learn broadly and think deeply, while focusing on enduring questions of the ages—the nature of good and evil, where we can see God at work in the world, what it means to live an honorable and integrated life—shapes our undergraduate students for a lifetime.
How does APU’s status as an R2 institution set us apart from other CCCU schools, and how does this distinctive aid our academic success and the future of our programs?
Provost Henck:
APU’s status as an R2 (ranking by Carnegie as a high research activity, doctoral-granting university) is unique within the CCCU and exemplifies our institution’s commitment to financial investment in supporting faculty research, faculty investment in student research at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate student, and students earning doctorates in research-based programs. APU has long had a commitment to excellence in teaching and the student experience. The investment over time in expanding teaching and learning to include significant emphasis on research adds to the body of knowledge that makes a difference and improves the world around us.
A hallmark of an APU education is its world-class faculty. How do we continue to attract and retain such scholars?
Provost Henck:
APU is blessed with remarkable faculty, many of whom have invested decades in teaching and mentoring their students and continuing their own professional development. The launch of new programs has slowed in recent years, so recent hiring has been to replace faculty who have retired or moved on to other professional pursuits. In our work to redesign some programs and launch new ones, our commitment is to recruit broadly and hire with intentionality—first, faculty who are fully committed to APU’s faith and identity statements and able to integrate their faith across the curriculum that is rooted in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ; and second, faculty who are exemplary in their discipline, evidenced by their advanced degrees, research, and professional development.
What are new areas for growth in APU’s academic offerings?
Provost Henck:
In developing our strategy for launching new programs, we are focusing on developing new offerings adjacent to our current expertise, particularly in health care and education. For example, with the reality of an aging population, there will likely be multidisciplinary programs developed in gerontology. The recent realignment of schools and colleges established the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, bringing child life, kinesiology, and physical therapy under the same college as our multifaceted nursing programs. We anticipate incredible synergy around shared teaching, research, and professional collaborations for students and faculty alike.
With California’s renewed focus on early childhood education, APU’s School of Education secured a grant to develop an early childhood education program, again drawing on faculty and alumni expertise and partnerships with school districts and community colleges across Southern California. With the relaunch of an Advisory Board for the School of Business and Management, a review of existing programs and plans for introducing new ones are under way, as we see potential for growth and impact. Meanwhile, other programs continue their partnerships with the communities they serve, ensuring up-to-date programming to match an ever-changing landscape for employers and industries.
How does APU envision the delivery of education changing in the next several years to meet the diverse needs of our students (different ages, backgrounds, goals)?
David Shynn, MBA, Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer:
The composition of APU’s student body has changed significantly over the past decade, and we expect it to evolve as demographics, educational expectations, and career opportunities continue to shift. Over the last decade, APU has moved from being a primarily traditional undergraduate campus to a point where roughly two-thirds of our student population is enrolled in graduate or degree-completion programs. While there have been other changes, this shift alone requires us to take a step back to ensure that how we offer an APU education in 2024 and beyond is best designed for our current and anticipated mix of students.
For example, we need to be even more intentional about considering modalities and venues where we should deliver our education (i.e., when is it better to offer a program in person versus fully online versus hybrid versus at an employer/partner location?). We also need to consider operational details that affect our students, such as our service hours that are more friendly to working professionals, allocation of space, student services offerings, and spiritual formation programming.
Many Azusa Pacific University students find their calling from God in service, and the Office of Service and Discipleship provides them with valuable opportunities to put His word into action. Global Engagement trips not only help the communities being served, but also aid students on their faith journeys. Thirteen APU students spent ? weeks over the summer in the Philippines focusing on worship and nursing ministry.
Music and worship major Cameron Faiai ’26 was inspired to apply for the trip after hearing about his friends’ positive experiences. They also told him that the culture was similar to the Dominican Republic which gave Faiai a better understanding of what he was signing up for and calmed his worries. What interested him most about the trip was the emphasis on worship. “Worship is part of God’s calling for me,” Faiai said.
Every morning, students drove to a different community to deliver soup to people in need. “We were led by pastors from the community and neighboring churches,” Faiai said. “One of the head pastors lived two hours away from our team’s headquarters, but he showed up to help us every morning. It was inspirational to see such commitment to helping others.” After morning meal times, students visited an orphanage one block from headquarters. “We were able to hang out with the kids and have one-on-one interactions that allowed us to form deep relationships,” Faiai said. “There was always something to do when we were with the kids, and their joyful energy was so life giving.”
On Friday nights, students partnered with a worship group called Youth Lab to attend praise parties with some of the older children. “The passion that the kids had for worship is vibrantly different from other cultures,” Faiai said. He expressed that he enjoyed leading the praise parties and seeing the differences in culture.
Faiai recalled that the most challenging part of the trip was visiting Tondo, a village built on a large mountain of trash and debris. This is where the nursing ministry aspect was most needed. Children often stepped on glass and had long term wounds from the living conditions. “It was a daunting environment to experience, but the nursing students on our team stepped into a new space and were able to help others,” Faiai said.
Faiai found that his passion for worship was why God called him to the Philippines. “I realized how much joy was present as we were all singing on top of a mountain of trash where the kids didn’t even have access to everyday necessities,” he said. The uplifting experience allowed Faiai to recognize how his passion for music is how he serves others. “I was reassured that despite my doubts, worship and music is the true calling of my life,” he said.
Through nightly debriefs, each team member shared that they had also realized why God called them to the Philippines. Four members even decided that their future holds full time ministry there. The nightly debriefs were a useful time for reflection on what God had been saying to each team member. “God’s love never runs out, and I noticed how His love was shining through different parts of the trip,” Faiai said. “I realized just how much we need to trust in God without limits, and that I need to give Him my all as an invitation to use me to spread His word.” Faiai felt a surge of joy and renewed trust in the Lord that he hopes will allow him to step back and listen to God’s calling in every aspect of daily life. His spiritual journey also included gaining a new perspective on prioritizing others. “I want to be more relationally aware,” he said. “Everyone in the Philippines stopped what they were doing to have meaningful conversations with us and listen to our stories. Rather than being focused on myself, I am going to value others and what they have to share.”
Faia plans to enter the worship music industry as a songwriter after graduation. “Music is a beautiful thing,” he said. “I want to write music that conveys truth and warmth about faith while encouraging people to find intimacy with God.” Before graduating, Faiai hopes to bring his passion for service and music together on campus. “The children asked if we would take the songs that we learned in their language, Tagalog, back to APU,” he said. “I would love to implement different cultures into our worship. It’s important to reach over barriers such as language because music has the ability to change people’s hearts.”
Faiai shared his encouragement for others thinking about signing up for a Global Engagement trip. “When you make a commitment this big, the more you continue to say yes and follow God, the harder it is for the enemy to feed off of your doubts,” he said. “The enemy can not throw us off our path once we’ve said yes to God because no work that we do for the Lord is in vain. Our service has a greater purpose for His kingdom, and my testimony is only a small percentage of the impact that Global Engagement trips have on people.”
At the beginning of every race, Esther Conde-Turpin ’26 fixates on the sound of her heart beating. Even as spectators cheer and the crowd goes wild, all she can hear is the thumping in her chest. When her legs kick off as the race commences, sweat drips down her neck, her sneakers pound the track, and she’s fearless, majestic, focused. Her breaths are steady. Breathe in, pace, breathe out. The applause reaches her ears, and when she crosses the finish line, she experiences an indescribable feeling: a tug on her heart, a relentless realization that her body was made to run as she keeps chasing her athletic dreams every time the opportunities present themselves. The vivid feeling of being alive, anticipation for the action ahead, and the hope for what her body can achieve drives her to be present. Conde-Turpin is in her element—free, centered, and energized.
Conde-Turpin’s specialty is the heptathlon, an event comprising 100-meter hurdles, a 200-meter sprint, an 800-meter race, a high jump, a long jump, a shot put throw, and a javelin throw. It is a beast of the track and field world and requires exceptional stamina and physical ability. Last year, Conde-Turpin broke school records in the heptathlon with a performance that ranked third in NCAA Division II history. Her athletic accomplishments speak for themselves:
Conde-Turpin often surprises herself on the track, in the same way that unforeseen moments, both good and bad, have happened in her life.
“You never know what will occur, or who will swoop in and change your life for the better,” she said. “Sometimes I think I’m supposed to go in one direction, and one slight change moves me in a completely different one.”
From moving to a new continent twice to following her dreams as an athlete to playing a pivotal role in her husband’s restaurant, Conde-Turpin dives into life’s surprises and navigates new opportunities with a mindset of curiosity, hope, and optimism.
From Réunion Island, a territory of France off the coast of Madagascar, Conde-Turpin grew up with a spirit of adventure and vibrancy in her backyard. From beaches to mountains to forests, the multicultural community she lived in offered a taste of different cultures and all the joys that come from living life to the fullest. She always loved running. What started out as a hobby turned into a professional endeavor. She won the French Championship for the first time at 16 years old, and she moved to France at 19 to continue her sport professionally, a choice that led to her breaking records and winning multiple national championships.
The track is her place to simply be, to reach her goals, and to find community with those who share a passion for racing. Conde-Turpin met her husband, Guillaume, in France through track and field. He immigrated to the U.S. in June 2022, opening his restaurant, The French Way, which serves French tacos, a dish famously sold throughout Paris but new to Los Angeles. Conde-Turpin joined him in January 2023, hesitant about whether she should continue running track, considering she would need to find a new coach and training facility. Her husband encouraged her to keep chasing what she loves, which led her to Azusa Pacific University.
Conde-Turpin was connected to Jack Hoyt, APU’s track and field head coach, and has experienced growth through his mentorship. Hoyt praised her enthusiasm for showing up for practice every day, ready to go.
“She gives her best, encourages her teammates, and does whatever is asked of her from our staff,” Hoyt said. “The first week I coached her, knowing that she had already been competing at an elite level, I wanted to give her some say in the training. She told me, ‘It’s up to you. You are my coach.’ She’s had full confidence in our process since the beginning, which makes coaching her a joy for me.”
Conde-Turpin expressed gratitude for Hoyt’s trust, support, and encouragement to push her further. Their coach-athlete relationship has cultivated a community of runners whose finish line is more than just the ranking or victory, but the satisfaction of reaching their highest potential.
“My goal is to build up the team, hype them up, and be a mentor for the younger athletes,” she said.
Through her communication management major, Conde-Turpin has encountered various opportunities for sharing her positive demeanor and warm spirit with her peers. And as a student-athlete, she appreciates the flexibility in her studies.
“My experience at APU has been amazing,” she said. “The community is incredibly loving, and I find so much joy being here. It feels like home.”
Conde-Turpin often trains three or more hours a day.
This summer, 12 Azusa Pacific University students embarked on the journey of a lifetime where they visited six countries in Europe over four weeks as part of the School of Business and Management’s annual Lapeu trip. The trip was led by faculty advisors Mark Wm Cawman, DBA, chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, and Ismael Lopez Medel, PhD, chair of the Department of Digital and Strategic Marketing. The trip was filled with plenty of sightseeing in some of Europe’s most beautiful places, and was highlighted by classes where students got to apply their learning through visits to several international agencies and top companies. The trip served as inspiration for students as they prepare for their careers after graduation.
The first half of the Lapeu trip was led by Cawman and began in Hamburg, Germany. Hamburg was highlighted by the Aerospace Interior Expo, a massive trade show where students connected with representatives from numerous companies while learning more about the industry. After the expo, the group took a train to Wörth am Rhein where they had the opportunity to visit the Mercedes-Benz truck factory. Senior international business major Julian Orozco ’24 thoroughly enjoyed this visit. “It was awesome to see their whole building process, from the assembly of small parts to the huge trucks coming out of the factory,” he said.
The group next traveled to Munich and toured the city. For senior business management major Ciera Sheffey ’25, the next day was a special part of the trip, as the group took a day excursion to Salzburg, Austria. “I’m an artist and a musician. Salzburg is not only where one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, was filmed, it’s also where Mozart was born and developed all of his artistic talents,” Sheffey said. “It was amazing to see his house and museum. I loved the history there.”
After Salzburg, the students returned to Munich before flying to Cardiff, Wales, with a memorable visit to the 2,000-year-old Cardiff Castle on the first day. The second day in Wales featured a visit with ATL Technology, an industry leading medical technology engineering company. This visit was a part of the cornerstone project of the classes students took on the trip, where they presented their findings to the company’s board of directors.
I was so honored that the board took the time to meet with us, a group of college students, and showed us respect while listening to the hard work we put into our project,” Sheffey said. “It’s a testament to the strong relationship that Dr. Cawman has built with the company. I learned so much from meeting with ATL.
From Cardiff, the group traveled to Bath, England, and enjoyed touring the ancient Roman baths and learning about the history of the town’s wool industry. After Bath, the group traveled to Salisbury, where they got to see the stunning Salisbury Cathedral, home to the Magna Carta, one of the most important historic documents in the world. “I remember studying the Magna Carta in elementary school. Seeing it in person truly brought it to life,” Sheffey said. After the cathedral, the group visited Stonehenge, an ancient wonder of neolithic building, before traveling to the University of Oxford. Students toured the campus of the second oldest university in the world, where APU students study abroad each year. The first half of the Lapeu trip ended in London, where Medel took over and guided the rest of the expedition.
After London, the group flew to Madrid, Spain. Medel, a Spanish native, showed students around his home country. “Spain was my favorite country we visited. I loved seeing their intricate infrastructure,” Orozco said. “It was also particularly meaningful for me because I’m from a Spanish speaking country. I enjoyed seeing the resemblance between Spanish culture and my Latino culture.” In Madrid, students visited with The Cocktail Agency, an international marketing leader. The following days were highlighted by visits to three of the biggest art museums in Spain, the Sofia, the Prado, and the Thyssen Bornemisza; a tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid; and a cooking class where students learned how to make paella, a famous Spanish dish. Students got to select from several options for how to spend their final day in Madrid. Orozco decided to take a day trip to Toledo. “It was amazing! I loved seeing Toledo’s beautiful classic architecture.”
Following Madrid, the group traveled to Paris. They toured the city with visits to the Louvre and the Musse d’Orsay, two of the top art museums in the world, and Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur, a stunning historic Catholic church which overlooks the entire city. The group’s time in France was also highlighted by a visit with Paris Strike, an award winning creative agency. “It was really impactful to hear from their leadership team about how their business is driven by passion,” Sheffey said. “I respect how they turn down projects if they don’t agree with the client’s ethics. I want to emulate that type of business integrity in the future.”
The final stop of the Lapeu trip was in Amsterdam. Perhaps the most culturally insightful country on the trip, the group took a bike tour of the city, before visiting the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum (the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch art and history). Students also had the opportunity to visit with 180 Global, a pioneering international marketing agency.
For Orozco, the most impactful experience in Amsterdam was going to church at the fairy-tale-esque Vondelkerk. “Going to church in different countries brought my faith to a new level,” he said. “Even though some of the services were not in my language, I felt even more connected to God.” Sheffey also felt God revealing things to her throughout the journey.
Senior liberal studies major Olivia Redmond ’25 and a team of Azusa Pacific University students spent one month serving in the Dominican Republic on a Global Engagement trip through the Office of Service and Discipleship this summer. Redmond witnessed God’s love through the children she and her team served, discovering the Lord’s handiwork. By remaining present and engaging in ministry with Kids Alive International, Redmond discovered a deep passion for her future calling as a teacher.
Why did you choose the Dominican Republic for your Global Engagement trip?
I knew we’d be working in classrooms in the Dominican Republic, so the strong connection to my major drew me in. I spent a lot of time in prayer when choosing which trip to apply for, and God placed the Dominican Republic on my heart for a bigger reason that I could see at the time.
How did you serve on the trip?
We served in classrooms, collaborating with the program Kids Alive International. They minister to children in need, many who have had to leave their home due to physical or emotional abuse and live at school in “arks,” inspired by Noah’s ark to symbolize that all are welcome. Our team partnered with Christian married couples who are called to be parental figures and symbols of love for these children. Our team traveled through four regions (the city, coast, mountains, and valleys), working with kids of all ages.
Spending quality time with the children and adults in the Kids Alive program was so powerful because we experienced a vast amount of love. We often called the program a place of hugs because the kids would run up and give us hugs every single day. That’s such a beautiful symbol of God’s love, because these children don’t know us or our stories, yet they still choose to love us, which is a calling they’re fulfilling without even knowing it. There was joy in so many places throughout the Dominican Republic.
What was the dynamic like on your team?
It was incredible. There were six of us and we were all acquaintances, which allowed us to enjoy spending a month getting to know one another through the trip. We learned a lot about each other and spent time worshiping. One member, Oscar, brought his guitar and I can’t imagine the trip without the musical aspect. Singing worship songs was a powerful way we encountered the Lord.
How did you see God move on the trip?
He moved in countless ways. I was reminded of how holy God is by realizing that even when us APU students aren’t there, the work Kids Alive is doing continues to spread His goodness. One thing that stood out to me was witnessing how some children started ministering to their families that didn’t know Jesus. They took what they learned at school about Christ and prayer, and shared it at home, which is so beautiful.
How did you grow personally and spiritually?
I lost my dad four years ago, which is the biggest trial I’ve walked through, but after that I gained a new appreciation for life itself and how I want to live it. The children we served weren’t even aware that they were in difficult situations because they have nothing to compare their circumstances to. Seeing the joy they portray solely because of a relationship with Jesus was beyond inspiring. I’ve learned that joy is a choice and God gives us many opportunities to know and love Him.
Would you recommend Global Engagement trips to other students? What advice would you give them?
I absolutely would recommend these trips! Every experience we go through provides us with an opportunity to learn and grow. God can work through any Global Engagement trip to teach you something you might never have imagined. This trip opened my eyes because I now consider teaching in a third world country and returning to the Dominican Republic to continue serving.
Service is one of APU’s four cornerstones. What does service mean to you?
Service is super important to being a Christian. It can feel uncomfortable at times, especially when entering a culture you’re not familiar with yet, but God calls us to lean into the discomfort sometimes. That’s where growth happens. More opportunities to be vulnerable and deepen connections with others arise from service. It ultimately allows us to minister to others and love God, which is the purpose of life as a Christian.
All APU undergraduate students serve 120 hours over the course of four years. There are many opportunities during the school year and during the summer to serve both locally and globally. Learn more about Global Engagement trips here or by emailing osd@apu.edu .
Many of us grow accustomed to routine throughout the semester, meeting friends or doing homework in comfortable spots across campus. There are many cozy nooks and fun places to explore throughout APU’s campuses, however. From study spots, to places to socialize, to peaceful hubs for prayer, here are some APU students’ and alumni’s favorite areas on campus:
The Cougar Dome
For Pablo Aristizabal, ’25, the Cougar Dome is his favorite spot on campus. As a commuter, he appreciates the comfortable lounge spaces and free snacks. “It’s a great place to study, but also to enjoy times with friends and play fun games with them,” he said. Between a ping pong table, pool table, basketball hoops, and more, the Cougar Dome is a great place for taking a break after class, socializing, and giving commuters a home away from home.
Mary Hill Garden
Kinley Hartz, ’26, finds tranquility in the Mary Hill garden. “I love it because it adds a spot of green to the brilliantly beautiful West Campus. The trees and the stones provide a quiet, peaceful atmosphere in the middle of a hectic day,” she said. Located between the Felix Event Center and the Mary Hill Building, this prayer garden is accessible while traveling between classes, chapel, and meetings. “There is a perfect view of the flower wall and the prominent cross too! This is a beautiful spot to take a moment, take a breath and live in the peace of Christ!” “
Calli Cox, ’23, recalls enjoying time to focus and complete homework in the James L. Stamps Theological Library. “Stamps feels like its own little world within APU where I could find a nook to focus and study,” she said. Along with the coziness of being surrounded by books, Cox often found a quiet spot on the library’s couch to have a productive, yet comfortable work space.
The Turtle Pond (East Campus)
Kasey Clark’s, ’25, favorite spot is the turtle pond in Wynn Amphitheater. “I’ve always loved observing animals, and the turtle pond was one of the first things I thought was cool about APU,” she said. Clark has fond memories of visiting the turtle pond while waiting for her father, Michael Dean Clark, PhD, before she started studying at APU. “Now, as a student it’s a calming space. Especially as a social work major with classes almost exclusively in Wynn, the pond has consistently been a peaceful place.”
Marshburn Library’s 3rd Floor
Caedon Spilman, ’23, found William V. Marshburn Memorial Library’s 3rd floor is the perfect place for studying with a view. As a student, he typically sat on the north side by the large windows. “I love looking down into the amphitheater and the street, and everyone knows how the Azusa sunsets are spectacular,” he said. Checking tasks off his to-do list were a lot less overwhelming with the pleasant scenery to look forward to.
Segerstrom Atrium
Aniya Rivera, ’26, enjoys spending time in the Segerstrom Atrium on West Campus. “I love being near the turtle pond and all the trees, which creates such a peaceful environment for studying and relaxation,” she said. Whether you’re hoping to finish assignments, prepare for a test, or absorb some sunshine, the Segerstrom Atrium is a beautiful place to observe nature during a busy day of classes.
The Rose Garden
The most whimsical place to be, APU’s Rose Garden is my favorite spot on campus. A serene setting, it is most beautiful in the spring when the flowers are bright and blooming around the wooden arbor arches. Water pours out of a quaint fountain, creating a space that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a fairytale oasis. Home to the English and Communication departments, the Rose Garden is where many alfresco dining events are hosted, students gather for picnics, and it provides a quiet space to read or write on a sunny day.
Since the beginning of time, art has been the stimulant to draw voices together, to hear those who are rarely listened to, and to garner a space for creativity, connection, and community. In 1992, Michael Knepher ’96, an editor for the student newspaper, The Clause, at the time, recognized the need for a creative outlet for students at Azusa Pacific University. With the guidance of the newspaper’s advisor, Joseph Bentz, PhD, alongside a staff of enthusiastic students, eager to develop a place for creativity to flourish, The West Wind was born.
Ever since the first edition of APU’s literary journal, which is sponsored by the English Department, a legacy of pursuing artistic expression has expanded. Bentz, who was the journal’s advisor for more than a decade, said, “I am thrilled that The West Wind is still going all these years later, and that Dr. Michael Dean Clark, who was one of the editors in the 90s, is now the advisor. Anna Knepher, ’25, Michael Knepher’s daughter, is currently on the staff, so the tradition has truly grown through generations.”
Clark is happy to serve as the literary journal’s advisor. “The West Wind began as a zine in the height of zine culture during the early 90s. It was truly a labor of love tucked into a small but dogged corner of campus culture. The staff and budget were tiny, readership was niche, and the editor-in-chief had to search aggressively for submissions,” he said. “In the intervening years, it has become a staple of creative expression at APU and operates like the journals I submit my own work to. The entire system is much more professional and streamlined. And yet, the heart of those early editions still beats at the center of it all.”
Today, APU students of any major are eligible to submit fiction and nonfiction stories, poetry, and 2D art to The West Wind every fall and spring during the two-week submission period. While the journal covers a central theme each year, students are encouraged to send original work that speaks to them. When asked what students should keep in mind when creating and submitting to the literary journal, Dr. Clark said, “The West Wind exists for students to find their voice; to create the poem or story or art piece they can’t stop thinking about and share it with others who are looking for meaning and beauty. So be honest, look for fresh ways to express what’s motivating your ideas, and really craft your language. The pieces we publish balance those three elements.”
Former editor-in-chief, Courtney Heidorn, ’24, expressed how her position created a positive impact in her development as a leader. “Being the editor-in-chief for The West Wind for two years brought me immense personal and professional growth. I left my role feeling confident in my ability to successfully lead a creative team and produce an incredible body of work, all with the integral help of APU students,” she said.
The 2023-2024 edition of The West Wind is centered around renewal, regeneration, and transformation, as depicted by the cover’s image of bright purple daisies, and flower drawings throughout the journal’s pages. There are more than 40 pieces of students’ original work, thematically placed to offer the reader a journey through ideas central to growth. “I am a firm believer that creative writing and 2D art,and all art for that matter, are important communicators,” Heidorn said. “Without art, and the unabashed support of the students who create it, university campuses succumb to lukewarm attitudes. This creative communication is what keeps campuses like APU alive. And what a gift it was to be a part of that process.”
Students of all majors are also welcome to join the journal’s staff, which is an excellent way to strengthen leadership skills, build community, and learn about collaborating to produce a published body of work. The team is composed of head editors in charge of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and 2D art, who lead a small group of associate editors that thoughtfully choose which submissions to accept in the journal. Additional roles include: an engagement coordinator, who helps plan the fall and spring reading parties; a social media manager, who runs the social accounts; a head copyeditor, who leads a small group of associate editors to edit the accepted submissions; and a head designer, who collaborates with the editor-in-chief to bring the stylistic vision of the journal to life.
Follow @apulitmag on Instagram for the latest updates and information about where to send submissions, or email apulitmag@gmail.com with any questions.
Global Engagement trips are a source of religious inspiration and self reflection for many Azusa Pacific University students each year. The trips focus on many kinds of ministry while allowing students to discover what service means to them. This summer, the Office of Service and Discipleship partnered with an organization called Victory Africa Ministries in Uganda. The organization is dedicated to working at primary schools, encouraging activities in the church, and playing sports with children.
Seven APU students traveled to Uganda for a month to serve in children’s ministry in a classroom setting. One member of the team was senior psychology major Hector Castaneda, who said that his time in Uganda was the perfect step to further trusting in God and seeing how He can use his gifts in unknown environments.
Castaneda was instantly drawn to the Uganda trip. “Something told me to go on the trip, but I didn’t know why,” he said. “I wanted to try something new outside of my comfort zone while also serving others, so I decided to go for it.”
The team worked in a primary school consisting of elementary and middle grades. A different subject was taught in the classes each day. APU students assisted teachers in the classrooms to teach lessons in science, Swahili, and biblical studies. They also taught lessons on shapes and patterns in the younger classes and science, math, and reading in the older classes.
Outside of the classroom, APU students spent time playing with the kids and going to church with them. “While I did not expect to work with such young kids, I genuinely enjoyed my time with them,” Castaneda said. “Life is very different in Uganda, and most of the kids don’t have the same resources that we do here. I enjoyed watching how they entertained themselves and were so happy with what they had.”
For Castaneda, one of the most challenging parts of the trip was trying to push himself out of his comfort zone to best serve others and be present in the moment while not understanding exactly how God was using him in the new environment. “Something had told me to go on this trip, but I was unclear why, so in the first weeks I was just asking God why He called me to go there,” he said. “I learned that there’s a million ways to serve the Lord. I thought service was talking to people who have never heard of Jesus before, but everyone there already loved the Lord.” Castaneda realized his act of service was simply spending time with the children. They were drawn to him on the playground, always wanting to play and learn new games.
Castaneda’s perspective on service as a Christian changed drastically. “It’s not all about proselytizing,” he said. “The kids taught me a lot about happiness, making impactful memories, and enjoying the time you spend with others.” His new idea of service also calmed worries he’d been carrying since he started the interviewing process for the trip. “I’m not a perfect Christian,” he said. “I can’t recite the entire Bible. I thought that I needed to be the perfect follower to go on a Global Engagement trip, but I learned that God will meet you where you are and find ways to use your gifts.” Castaneda shared that his trust in God was strengthened by his time in Uganda through his perseverance in a foreign environment. He realized that he is mentally, physically, and spiritually stronger than he had previously believed.
One aspect of the trip that Castaneda felt added to his positive experience was the community. “Everyone there made you feel like you were part of their family and home,” he said. “Through my challenges, having the community as a family made life easier. After leaving, the pastor in charge of the organization texted me and told me that I was always welcome there.” Castaneda shared that he will bring this familial community mindset back with him to APU.
When asked if there was anything else he wanted to express about Global Engagement trips, Castaneda said that he wanted people to give it a chance even if they are experiencing their own challenges. “Get out of your comfort zone. Go out into the world to see how God will use you,” he said. “Even if you don’t believe that it’s possible or you can’t see it right away, God will use your gifts even in different parts of the world.”
Children’s ministry is a popular form of service. Azusa Pacific University’s Global Engagement trips give students the opportunity to work with children while learning about themselves, growing closer to their teammates, and strengthening their relationship with God. Six APU students spent four weeks in Honduras this summer on a Global Engagement trip. Students focused on serving impoverished children in the community through a partnership with an education and meal providing organization called Footsteps Missions, but were also surprised to find how God worked to make their team feel like a family.
One of the leaders on the trip was Kristina Yee ’24, a nursing major and psychology and nutrition double minor. Yee was a part of the Honduras Global Engagement team the previous summer and felt called to go back. “I was so moved by the purpose of the organization and have a strong desire to deepen my faith,” she said. “I continued to pray about returning Honduras this past year, and I believe the Lord called me to join the team again to grow on my personal faith journey.”
Senior social work major Nicholas Marquez ’25 decided to apply to be on the Honduras team for a chance to grow in his relationship with God and put his passion for service into practice. “I’ve been on four Global Engagement trips so far, but this trip allowed me to gain a different perspective on service as a participant rather than as a leader,” he said. Although there were financial challenges at first, Marquez was driven by the opportunity to work with kids and decided to apply. He trusted that God would provide and knew he could figure out the details later on.
APU students spent a few days planning and the next three weeks serving the children. Students worked in the organization’s Garden of Love and Hope Children Centers. The organization’s staff welcomed APU students as family and were inspirations to the team. “It was important to me to have genuine conversations with the people working in the ministry for advice,” Marquez said. “Some of the staff have been working with the organization for more than 20 years and don’t plan to change their career paths. The community was like a family, and they inspired me to look forward to my future plans in ministry.”
At the beginning of each day, APU students would read daily devotionals. “We started reading Philippians, and one of the excerpts in my Bible described the importance of finding unconventional joy in unexpected places,” Yee said. “I continually reminded myself that there was so much joy in the beautiful place I was at and that I should take in as much of it as I could.” The idea of unconventional joy is something that Yee would like to embrace in her own life and see spread at APU.
Marquez’s experience on Global Engagement trips and time in the social work program has given him opportunities to find his passion in children’s ministry. “I’ve volunteered with youth in the past, but I didn’t expect such a big difference in an environment where there was a language barrier,” Marquez said. “The children only spoke Spanish, but I found ways around the challenge. I used my actions and nonverbal communication as a way to show the children that I genuinely cared for them.”
Children went to the gardens to receive food and education. Many of the children do not have food at home, so the organization provided them meals at school. During meal times, APU students served food and talked with the kids. Marquez shared an impactful memory of his interactions with a little girl who joined the team for dinner. She noticed a little boy and his two younger siblings sitting by themselves. The girl offered to share her drink with them since they were homeless and had no food. “Afterwards, she told me she hoped they would get taken in and helped,” Marquez said. “For her to care for kids even younger than herself is amazing and something that I carry with me.”
Since making food for the children is one of the organization’s key components, APU students repainted the kitchen. The main cook wanted to brighten up the room with yellow paint, but students also included drawings related to the five bread and two fish biblical story.
Other ways students served included playing games, worshiping, tutoring, leading crafts, and preparing classroom activities. APU students also were invited to join the children’s annual camping retreat. They stayed in cabins, played games, and learned Biblical stories. Yee said that her favorite part of camp was worshiping around the campfire on the last night. “All the kids shared their gratitude for the work the staff had put into preparing the event and recalled their favorite memories and games that our team had planned.”
Having been on a previous Honduras Global Engagement trip, Yee found herself comparing the trips. “I kept reminding myself to let go of all expectations and welcome change because change can be such a beautiful thing,” she said. “Our team faced many challenges, and I struggled with the idea that I wasn’t a good enough leader. In those moments, I reminded myself that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”
An important aspect of Marquez’s time in Honduras centered around the relationships he formed with his team leaders, including Yee. “Ministry is often emotional and everyday can be challenging, but I began connecting with my leaders about how they were doing,” he said. “I recognized that we all came to serve with our own stories and pasts that help us bring our individual perspectives to the table.” Trust in team members is a key component to successful Global Engagement trips. “These conversations allowed me to be vulnerable for the first time in a long time,” Marquez said.
“I see my team as my family now, and they made all the difference in helping me to let go of any doubts I had and be fully present in the last week of the trip.”
While the team grew closer, so did Marquez’s relationship with the Lord. “I got baptized on New Year’s Eve, and it’s important to me to stay in touch with my faith, but it’s easy for everyday life to get in the way,” he said. “It was challenging to put my trust in God on the trip, but I want to help people with all that I have, and this was a great opportunity to do that. Going to Honduras was the best decision I could’ve made because I felt truly connected with God.”
Yee also felt that her goal to deepen her faith was met in Honduras. “Prior to committing to leading the team, I wasn’t sure about my post grad plans,” she said. “I prayed to be put in a position where my only option was to trust in God. Although the trip presented many challenges for our team, I recognized that God was fulfilling my request and helping me to lean on Him. As I step into post grad life and the uncertainties of the future, I know that when I trust in Him my mind will be at peace!”
Global Engagement trips are ideal for people who love to serve others, but Marquez advises APU students interested in applying to recognize that everyone serves differently. “To serve is to be called, and not everyone has the same kind of passion for service,” he said. “It’s important to stick to your why and realize that doing this work will bring you endless amounts of joy. Not everyone’s calling is the same, and it’s great to stay true to yourself while remembering that all service is about spreading the word of God.”
Yee found that her passion for nursing has influenced her call to serve others. “As I step into a profession that is centered around service, I believe that service is being the hands and feet of Jesus,” she said. “When we serve, our gratitude for our Lord grows exponentially. We are able to follow His example by helping other children of God meet their material, spiritual, and emotional needs.” No matter how or where a person serves, Yee believes that service is an important step to take on one’s faith journey. She shared that her time in Honduras enabled her to experience gratitude in a different way and altered her mindset on life. “My experiences with Global Engagement trips have been the catalyst for developing my faith,” she said.
Similar to Yee’s nursing career, Marquez aspires to enter a career serving others through ministry, and his time in Honduras solidified his passion for his goals. “It’s a rare opportunity that you get to go out of the country to serve children,” Marquez said. “Supporting others came naturally on the trip, and I look forward to bringing this kind of service into my future ministry experiences. I’m grateful I had this opportunity because I know I made a difference in people’s lives. I believe I served God well in Honduras, and it was a pleasure going on a Global Engagement trip with APU.”
Oregonstate News Blog 