College of Science, Engineering and Technology

As GCU’s first engineering students enter their fourth semester of classes, they are greeted with a new, hands-on curriculum that makes engineering a lot more fun. Just ask the sophomores and juniors in Dina Higgins’ Statics and Dynamics & Lab class.

The relationships between GCU career services, students and a variety of local and national organizations continues to strengthen. Pipelines are being formed between GCU and companies such as Enterprise, ADP, Vanguard and many more across all business sectors. “When someone attends or graduates from GCU, they have a higher standard,” said Katie Berry, a talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise.

Brandon Juarez first walked the grounds of Grand Canyon University 15 years ago as an out-of-state student. Today, he is a full-time assistant professor and the best part about his story at GCU is that his office now sits across the hall from the professor who helped shape his future.

Don’t believe everything you see on crime TV, says a group of GCU senior Forensic Science students who want to set the record straight. There’s a lot more to forensic science than “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Their major is one of the most rigorous at GCU, and they’ve learned that processing crime scene evidence requires a lot of expertise.

GCU’s new engineering building is more than just an enormous science center that offers state-of-the-art capabilities. It also adds luster to GCU’s reputation as a university that graduates a rising number of highly trained STEM students who help fill a void in the workplace.

Winter commencement on Friday afternoon at Grand Canyon University demonstrated the preparation and perseverance the graduates needed to reach their goal. But it also was about what they had done for others. “What I will remember most,” President Brian Mueller said, “is how you served not just each other, but that you served God and this neighborhood.”

The successful journey of growth and academic excellence inspired a celebration for the Honors College Saturday, recognizing President Brian Mueller for his impact and innovation, the college’s 50 inaugural members, a warm speech by recent graduate Brittany Holen and an introduction of the advisory board and team. Students also were invited to meet two outstanding power couples with perspective on balancing careers and marriage.

GCU has won a prestigious award for its effective cybersecurity-awareness program. Using a new twist, GCU’s IT Security department has raised employee awareness of suspicious emails, resulting in early reporting and thwarting of cyber attacks.

Grand Canyon University senior Mikee Garcia and recent pre-med graduate Vaugn Devera earned third place and a $1,500 grant toward funding their HandleTech project in the BioAccel Solutions Challenge on Thursday night. Their idea is to patent a spray or liquid infused with copper, which acts as an anti-microbe on high-volume bacteria objects in health care facilities, schools and beyond.

Grand Canyon University students Michael Garcia and Vaugn Devera are finalists for a $100,000 investment at the BioAccel Solutions Challenge. The Dec. 1 award is given to those whose entrepreneurism and innovation could improve community health and well-being. Garcia and Devera created HandleTech, a copper-infused liquid or spray that can act as an antimicrobial on commonly touched objects around health care facilities, hospitals, schools and beyond.