Antelope Intros is a recurring GCU Today feature that introduces some of our new employees to the people around them in a way that is fun and informative. Employees are eligible to be featured in the month following their orientation.
GARRISON STEWART
Job title: Resident director
Job location: Main campus
What attracted you to GCU? The evident sense of community and opportunity for ministry. I love that as an RD the main part of my job is student development, which means taking time out of my day to pour into students. I’m literally being paid to talk to students, hang out with them, get to know them and let them know how much they are loved. I know a lot of my job is also regulating rules and handling conflict, but it’s such an amazing opportunity to meet students exactly where they are, in whatever mess they are in, and love on them even harder in challenging times. It also helps that GCU encourages its staff to proclaim the name of God in everything they do.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love Netflix, reading and eating. Usually all those things are in my apartment.
What are you passionate about? Students mean the world to me for two reasons. First, I want students to be the best they can be. Academically, physically, spiritually, emotionally, I think we have the means to guide each student to be the absolute best person they can be, and in that process I want each student to know their worth, how amazing they are and how loved they are. Secondly, I am a firm believer that each student on this campus has such potential to impact this world for the better. They mean the world to me.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I’m from South Carolina and I have been in the Valley for two months, so I’m still discovering and open to suggestions!
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I love working with kids. My passion for kids is similar to my love for students. So many children go through their childhood carrying the weight and burdens of their parents, enduring abuse, neglect and other horrible things. That breaks my heart. I value childhood because a healthy childhood increases the chance of a healthy adult. Every summer of college I was working at some sort of camp or vacation bible school. My career goal is to be a director of a large, Christian-based camp.
What are you most proud of? I can probably quote at least 97 percent of "The Office" word for word.
*****
ABE BUSTOS
Job title: University development counselor
Job location: Denver
What attracted you to GCU? GCU has a mission that I can really identify with. Growing in faith is an educational aspect that I will continue to grow in just as I do in my professional career.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Colorado is known for its outdoor adventures. I am a total history nerd and love hiking to old mining camps and fishing with my daughter. One of my favorite experiences was touring an old mine and listening for Tommyknockers!
What are you passionate about? Besides education, I am passionate about adventurous traveling off the beaten path. A few years ago I walked the Camino Santiago through the Portuguese route (almost 400 miles). The pilgrimage took me around three weeks and was real medicine for the soul and visually amazing!
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Denver has so many things going on, but my favorites are 5280, which is a restaurant week, and food truck rallies (yes, I love food!). Rodeos are also fun and demolition derbies are too cool; don’t laugh until you buy a ticket!
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I joined the Army at 17 years old, so I had to get my parents’ consent. I completed my basic and advanced training, graduating on Sept. 7, 2001, four days before 9/11.
What are you most proud of? My daughter is my greatest accomplishment because it’s a feeling of achievement that you get over and over throughout your life. I am also a first-generation college graduate, which I am very proud of as well.
