College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Five student groups presented their research at the Undergraduate Learning Community and Research Symposium Friday. “It’s very clear to me that what used to be done at the graduate level is now being done at the undergraduate level and with significant excellence,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. Those interesting findings cover everything from heart rates to something called Ugly Gerry.

Evelyn Racette, an instructor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has a couple of interesting ways of making her students feel welcome and making sure they know what’s important. Check out what students say about her connection to the “Parks and Recreation” television show.

Sometimes you talk fast. Other times you run fast. But sometimes you have to know how to fight. All those elements were explored in self-defense classes Thursday for Justice Studies students at the GCU soccer field. Instructor Ryan Sand had a few surprises, too: “If you can sell me a car, you are going to be a great police officer.”

The culture of GCU often has a profound effect on students. Here’s one of them: Madeline Thielke says she was “comfortable just remaining comfortable” when she arrived for her first Welcome Week. Three years later, she is a new person. She shares her journey in My LopeLife.

It took an impromptu visit to The Gathering on a Tuesday night for Izabela Fogarasi to realize that amid all the heartache she felt in coming to the United States from Serbia, God was right by her side the whole time. She was so inspired, she submitted a “My LopeLife” that was featured in the November issue of GCU Magazine.

Parents can shame a child to make them stop bad behavior. It might work in the short term but can have long-term negative consequences. As behavioral health professionals, the challenge is telling clients how to stop shaming, and that’s what Ryan Sheade and Erica Tatum-Sheade explored with clinicians at GCU’s Third Annual Behavioral Health Conference Friday.

Saturday was a day of celebration as Grand Canyon University’s Alpha Chi chapter inducted 1,212 new members into the prestigious honors society. Only students within the top 10% of their graduating class in each of their individual colleges are eligible. “GCU does attract a lot of exceptional learners,” Honors College Associate Dean Breanna Naegeli said.

A colorful display on the third floor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building isn’t just about flowers and candy. The Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, display has deeper meaning to those who visit it today.

Students got a chance to hear about the everyday life of therapists at the Behavioral Health Science Career Panel on Thursday. It was inspiring to those who want to help others. “You get to bear witness to the journeys they are on. You get to validate that you get to assure your clients that, guess what, you are not alone,” said Seth Strawn, a GCU alumnus who returned to talk to students about his work as a therapist.

The Association of Christian Schools International’s first international job fair at GCU brought representatives from 28 countries to campus Tuesday. “We have a variety of job fairs and career fairs, but mostly they’re local and national. This is opening up the door in a large way to the number of professions in that international sphere,” said Dr. Tacy Ashby, Senior Vice President of K12 Educational Development. “The College of Education is really excited about this because it affords incredible ministry opportunities while allowing their students the opportunity to serve in Christian schools abroad.”