Antelope Intros is a recurring GCU Today feature that introduces some of our new employees to the people around them in a way that is fun and informative. Employees are eligible to be featured in the month following their orientation.
ABRAHAM CHRISTIAN
Job title: University counselor, Military Division
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? As a veteran, current member of the Army Reserve and Master of Divinity student, I appreciate the Christian values in education that GCU offers the world. The world is in need of respected, affordable and valued Christian education. GCU offers this and so much more.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love to vegetate and binge-watch TV shows with my wife. We also enjoy camping, hiking, taking our Jeep on adventures, going to baseball games and spending time with our dog, Maximus.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about duty to God, my family and our country. I firmly believe that we live in a special time where we have the opportunity to show our passion for others as Americans. I am passionate about helping others, baseball and Jesus.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Any hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. We love Los Favoritos! The bean and cheese burritos are our go-to comfort foods.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I hate olives on pizza.
What are you most proud of? I am proud of the fact my wife, Samantha, let me marry her. She’s awesome. I am also proud of serving my country overseas. My wife and I got married in May 2015, and I deployed to Afghanistan five weeks later.
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ANDREW COLE
Job title: University counselor, International/Tribal
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? I wanted to help students with their education goals and further my own education.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I like to spend time with my family, cooking, hiking, playing video games, checking out local breweries, reading and listening to audio books. My favorite video games include Assassin’s Creed, Halo, Minecraft, Portal and Legend of Zelda. I mainly enjoy reading science fiction, fantasy, suspense, mystery and literature.
What are you passionate about? Helping people and cooking. Usually I’m helping people out from a technical standpoint, such as fixing computer or phone issues. But I want to help in any way I can, even if that means just listening to someone for a while.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I like to visit Flagstaff and Red Rock State Park in Sedona. I also like to get out to Goodyear once a year for its Oktoberfest celebration.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I was born and raised in Arizona and have not lived in any other state.
What are you most proud of? My versatility in the kitchen – I have a wide range of cooking styles, from grilling to baking. Cooking is definitely something I enjoy doing, and I always am eager to try out new things.
