Alumni

Erick Hester’s time at GCU has turned his dreams into reality. After graduating with his master’s from GCU in 2018, it wasn’t long before the urge to challenge himself further brought him back to pursue his Ph.D. in Psychology. “Dating back to my master’s, I couldn’t ask for a better university,” he said. “It’s literally changed my life.” Last in a series highlighting learners in the College of Doctoral Studies. 

Christina Solares already has a bachelor’s and master’s from GCU and enjoyed it so much, she’s working on her doctorate. Her connection with her chair, Dr. Tetiana McLemore, has helped shape Solares’ dissertation. “The chair that I have, she’s the only person I can think about when I come back to this doctoral program,” she said. “She has pushed me so hard and she’s so supportive, and that is probably the number one thing that us doctoral students would ever want.” Fifth in a series highlighting learners in the College of Doctoral Studies. 

Many 25-year-olds still are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. But for Mireille Mukiza, her pursuit of a doctoral degree from GCU is just one impressive accomplishment she can add to her resumé. Her education is an inspiration to her family back home in Congo, where women are not encouraged to pursue higher education. “I’m a woman and I can do it,” she said. “I know my degree will have my name on it, but it kind of feels like a family achievement.” First in a series highlighting learners in the College of Doctoral Studies. 

Shawn Boskie and Tyson Hintz both waited a long time, for various reasons, to earn their bachelor’s degrees from GCU, but they didn’t stop there. Both are members of the Colangelo College of Business advisory board, and Hintz actively recruits GCU students for his company, Knight-Swift Transportation. “That’s college today,” said Dr. Randy Gibb, the CCOB dean. “You can go back and finish it anytime.” Reprinted from the April issue of GCU Magazine.

When Madison Strong heard that Dr. Jeff La Belle was joining the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, she knew what a dedicated researcher he was and wanted to be part of his research team. So she introduced herself and was the first GCU student to join La Belle Lab. She has since been listed as the first author of a research paper and was accepted recently to the biomedical engineering Ph.D. program at Northwestern University.

Dante DeSimone was never a stranger to taking on a challenge, and that’s what made him perfect for his new role as a project manager for Intel. After graduating in April with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, DeSimone has transitioned from an intern at the company to a full-time employee who strives to make a difference in the field. But he also has strived to take part in a lot of different activities and learn many new skills.

When Stacy Etsitty earned her associate degree, it was important to her to return to her hometown of Navajo, New Mexico. She wanted to make a difference — and did — when she helped secure funding to fix the only road to and from the elementary school, where she worked as a bookkeeper. She continues to dedicate herself to her community, recently starting a new job in Window Rock, Arizona, capital of the Navajo Nation. “I want to do more for my people. … Look at this place,” she said. “How can someone do their education and NOT come back to this place?”

It’s been a year like no other, and that notion is especially true in regards to this year’s GCU Hall of Fame recipients. Rachel Winkler, Scott Van Newkirk, Garth Bailey and Dan Snyder were selected to be added to the growing list of impressive alumni who are making an impact in their fields. From business to the health insurance industry, each recipient holds an impressive resumé and an even more impressive journey. “I feel like your education is just the start,” Van Newkirk said. “Nothing is going to be given to you, and how you prepare your work ethic through school is going to carry on into your career.” Reprinted from the April issue of GCU Magazine.

For some, it takes a life time for their wildest dreams to come true. For recent Honors college Graduate Quyen Phan, his dream of landing a job with SpaceX came to fruition straight out of college. As a new Associate Engineer Phan hopes to be a trail blazer for fellow engineers graduating from the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. “I want to do good so I can prove that a GCU student can provide this much impact on the company,” Phan said. “I’m hoping that other future GCU students can come on board with me as well.”

Jeffrey Richards had no idea what to expect when he competed in this year’s Alpha Chi National Convention by giving a presentation on insulin biosensing for diabetic patients. Shortly before his Commencement ceremony for his bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering, he learned that he had been selected the winner of the Joseph E. and Bessie Mae Pryor Prize in Chemistry, which comes with a scholarship for graduate school. This is a testament to the collaborative community of GCU,” said Dr. Breanna Naegeli, Associate Dean of the Honors College.