GCU TODAY • 2 5
B
rittany Holen is already a leader
well beyond her years. And she
plans to keep it that way.
Considering that the sports
management major was a member of Grand
Canyon University’s Honors College and Delta
Mu Delta and was one of the leaders of the
women’s golf team, it’s no surprise Holen, 21, was
named one of nine Outstanding Senior award
recipients for the graduating class of 2016.
“I’ve always done as much as I could inside
and outside of myself without spreading myself
too thin,” she said. “It’s pretty much who I am.”
Born and raised in Omaha, Neb., Holen
played soccer, basketball and golf in high
school but concentrated her passion and
determination on golf when she came to
campus in 2012. She finally walked on to
the team as a junior after getting cut her
sophomore year.
“My teammates had years of experience
behind them, so I had a lot of catching up to
do,” Holen said. “I was the first at practice and
the last one to leave. It wasn’t easy.”
Holen, daughter of parents who work in the
pharmaceutical industry and older sister of
Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen 2014, said
she credits her family for her ability to thrive
without fear.
“Growing up, my parents traveled three or
four nights a week, and I was left in charge to
take care of my younger sister — that taught
me to care for someone other than myself,”
Holen said.
But, in doing so, Holen also learned another
valuable lesson: balance.
“Even while they worked, my parents
still had time for us. So because of them I
learned that you can pursue your dreams,
your passions and still make time for what’s
important,” she said.
During her time at GCU, Holen provided
more than 200 students with opportunities to
gain experience in the world of sports as Sports
Business Club president, assisted in operations
of the Chris Paul Basketball Camp in San Diego
during her internship with Position Sports,
created content for the Basketball Hall of Fame
social media accounts, and traveled across the
country to assist with Nike brand activation.
This summer, Holen is looking forward to
interning at the Olympic Track and Field Trials
in Oregon before starting her MBA in Project
Management at GCU, which she plans to
complete by September 2017.
“I know that’s kind of pushing it,” Holen
said. “But I’m pretty open to where God takes
me. He is the one who opens and closes doors,
so anything can happen.”
She’s headed in a positive direction
Holen’s leadership made her one of nine Outstanding Seniors
B Y J E A N N E T T E C R U Z
Brittany Holen became
one of the leaders of the
women’s golf team after
making it as a walk-on in
her junior year, and she
also was president of the
Sports Business Club.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Joshua Braun,
Colangelo College of Business
Calie Donovan,
College of Theology
Cody Dumas,
College of Fine Arts and
Production
Alena Gladwin,
College of Science,
Engineering and Technology
Kelsey Hillman,
College of Fine Art and
Production
Brittany Holen,
Colangelo College of Business
Jennifer Hotchkiss,
College of Nursing and
Health Care Professions
Brenda Lara,
College of Humanities and
Social Sciences
Brenna Roth,
College of Education
