Academics

Dr. Carolina Conte, an online film instructor in the College of Fine Arts and Production, believes that learning is a “never ending and communal experience.” She has done a long list of papers and talks, and even her list of citizenships is long — three countries.

Dr. Jonathan Sharpe, Assistant Professor and Christian Worldview Course Lead for the College of Theology, likes to tell stories and use film clips in his classes. That’s no accident. In fact, he says, he carefully chooses them for specific moments in the course.

Katia Cheetany, didn’t let the language barrier stop her when she immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon 26 years ago. Now she refuses to allow the obstacles that have come up throughout her doctoral journey keep her from furthering her education and achieving her goal. “From every professor I learn something. At the end of every class I walked out with something,” She said. “To me I feel like every single class gave me an opportunity to grow academically and personally.”

Dr. Jason Hembree, a member of the Online Full Time Faculty for the Colangelo College of Business, brings a ton of human resources expertise to his teaching position and also served in the Navy. That’s a lot of real-world experience that benefits his students.

Three nursing students in the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions took time out of their busy schedules last week to speak with prenursing students in Dr. Mark Wireman’s pathophysiology class. Many of the students, who have just been accepted into nursing school, are excited about the next step in their academic careers but also are a little nervous, too, about the rigor that lies ahead. So Wireman asked the students to speak to the class, which also welcomed Dr. Maria Quimba, Associate Dean of the CONHCP, who told the class: “What we’re trying to get you to do is, that whole point of you being here today is refocusing your energy … it’s a mindset.”

It’s easy to see why Will Primack of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology is considered an outstanding faculty member at GCU. He provides some memorable thoughts about his teaching style and puts the onus on himself when he says, “Educators today need to give students a reason to not just show up to class, but to want to WANT to show up for class.”

Brian Mucyo’s Senior year at GCU is jam-packed with responsibilities connected to his passions, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Mucyo was recently selected as the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona’s Award and scholarship recipient, as well as taking a seat on the Arizona Association of Blind Students board. October is meet the blind month and Mucyo hopes to help spread awareness of issues that affect people with visual impairments. “The thing that makes this award kind of special to me is that it’s an award where sure, I’m being recognized for the things I do, the effort I put into school and the passion I have for everything that I do but it’s not one of those awards that I’ll be getting where it kind of leads with ‘despite the fact that he’s blind these are all the things he’s doing and that’s so incredible that’s why we’re giving it to him.’” Mucyo said. “To me I feel like it’s affirming that what makes me special isn’t that I’m blind and somehow overcame it, no it’s just who I am as a person.”

Jillian Hartman, an Assistant Professor in the College of Education, has considerable experience in mentoring new teachers and is passionate about new technology that makes her more effective in her job. Away from work, she and her husband are plenty busy with their three young children, who look absolutely adorable in this photo with Thunder. Her past includes an interesting competition that requires a lot of skill to master.

Dr. Mark Kreitzer of the College of Theology has been an in-demand speaker all over the world and says, “My greatest passion is to see all peoples and nations discipled with the Gospel of our Lord so that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas.” But he also gets joy out of walking and praying as he walks with his wife around their neighborhood.

State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizona, stressed to students the importance of saving and being prepared to manage their budgets during her talk Tuesday at GCU. Her visit was hosted by the GCU chapter of Young Americans for Freedom.