Grand Canyon University

When students returned for the spring semester, no doubt they noticed the latest addition to campus — the five-story Student Advising Services Building on a prominent spot on the Promenade, between the Student Life and College of Humanities and Social Sciences buildings. The structure was designed to be impressive and welcoming, since it’s where prospective students and their families likely will first get to know the University in the first-floor Antelope Reception Center. It’s also where Student Services, whose counselors meet with existing students, has found a new home, along with Admissions. “I just think it’s going to have a new energy that’s reflective of our culture and how we serve and support,” said Vice President of Operations Sarah Boeder.

Assistant Professor Katy Sell of the College of Education has found Arizona to be magnetic — her family moved out of the state three times during her childhood but kept coming back. She also looks for ways to make her teaching magnetic with an informal style designed to keep students engaged.

How does GCU make a private Christian education accessable and affordable for it’s students? That is the question that was answered at this year’s Cracking the Code CCSC Leadership Forum for Leaders within the K-12 Christian education level. “It was a great event. It was a remarkable group of leaders,” said Ryan Bredow, Assistant Vice President of K12 Educational Development. “We invited them to a conversation. The conversation was built around a concept that we refer to as cracking the code.”

The church faces challenges all over the world, including from people who used to be churchgoers. But Mark Moore of Christ’s Church of the Valley told Chapel on Monday why it’s so important that we keep local churches strong — by serving, not just attending.

There’s nothing quite like sharing your passion with others, and that’s exactly what Doctoral Learner Eugene Frimpong did as he returned to his alma mater in Ghana West Africa to give a seminar. He hoped to preach and excite his audience with the topic of data analytics.

Dr. Randall Downs loves music, so it’s easy to see why he loves his role as Worship Arts Coordinator for the College of Theology. He has been a worship pastor for more than two decades and also plays in a folk group. And then there’s the hobby that he finds entertaining.

Grand Canyon University Cheer team rallied for a second place finish in the Universal Cheer Association national championships in Orlando, Fla. After a judge’s ruling knocked off points on the first day, the team was determined to unify as a team.

The GCU Dance team has a good way to prepare when going into a big national dance competition, like the one in Orlando last weekend. They visualize being in front of the frenzied crowd at GCU Arena. It worked. They won first place for the second consecutive year.

Danielle Rinnier’s promotion to GCU’s first Assistant Dean of Students is among three staff changes in Student Affairs. Rinnier was the Director of Spiritual Life, and her position will be filled by Braelyn Armenta, who was Life Leader Manager. In addition, Christine Pemberton was named the new Director of Student Care.

The leaders of TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity and its talented emcee, Caleb Duarte, introduced this year’s lineup for the Feb. 21 TEDx event at Ethington Theatre on Tuesday night. But its president could give a talk of his own. Justin McLean said his experience in the student-run organization led to a job even before his April graduation.