Faculty Focus: Dr. Araxi Hovhannessian

Dr. Araxi Hovhannessian

Title: Senior Adjunct Professor, Dissertation Chair, College of Doctoral Studies

Academic degrees: 

  • Ph.D.: Psychology − Transpersonal Psychology, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, California. Dissertation: "Women’s Acculturation Experiences in Defining Self and Spiritual Self: An Integral Method"
  • M.A.: Education – Counseling & Student Services, California State University, Fresno
  • B.S. : Business Administration – Management, California State University, Fresno
  • A.A.: Business Administration, Fresno City College, Fresno, California

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important?

Obtaining my doctoral degree.  This in turn motivated me to want to teach and chair dissertations. In the last year I was able to help graduate three doctoral learners.  

What are you most passionate about in your field and why? 

What makes me tick is seeing in the learners' eyes or body language confirmation that they are taking in my guidance and trusting that the guidance will lead them to success. When I see them succeed, it makes me want to continue to persevere in giving back. 

What is a memorable moment you had in class, and what does that reveal about your teaching style? 

I love it when I see that the learners have become teachers and are teaching/presenting in class as good or better than me. For example, at one of the ground classes I was teaching, I assigned each learner to teach a section/concept at each class meeting. One stood out over the others. When she got up in front of the class, she captivated the learners' attention and took the time to explain the concepts and provide examples. If teaching becomes second nature, the learner should be encouraged to teach. 

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

Working and teaching bonsai. Doing yoga and tai-chi. Playing piano and handpan. 

What is something interesting about you that most people don't know?

I enjoy traveling and learning cultures – customs, arts, food, daily life, clothing, music, specific musical instruments used to make music, and dancing.  For example, when I visited Thailand, I visited Ko Ta Pu (Nail Island), where the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" was made. Later, I visited Chiang Mai's oldest temple, Wat Chiang Man. Thailand has stunning artwork, especially on the temples. It is hard to fathom how many years it took to produce them − they are beyond anyone's imagination.  

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GCU Magazine

Bible Verse

(God told Moses to look at the Promised Land, since he was not going to cross this Jordan, then God said:) "Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see." (Deuteronomy 3:28)

To Read More: www.verseoftheday.com/