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.
CIARA MARTINEZ
Job title: Enrollment counselor, COE Northwest
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? I attended GCU right out of high school and graduated in December 2014. While I was a student I held four different jobs as a student worker. My experience as a student and employee was phenomenal. I value GCU’s mission and principles, so it is easy for me to stand behind such a great company. I enjoy my job as an enrollment counselor because I get to share the awesome qualities about GCU each day.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I am such a foodie. My favorite thing to do is go out to eat. I love trying new restaurants and exploring different cuisines. I am obsessed with the Food Network, especially “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” since I basically live vicariously through Guy Fieri. Going out to eat is an experience for me, and I see it as more than just putting food in my body. I love researching a restaurant before I go, checking out different reviews and then trying different menu items.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about helping and loving others. My dream is to become a counselor, and I am planning on starting the master’s in professional counseling program with GCU in a couple of months. I know there are a lot of hurting people in the world, and I want to help them change in positive ways whenever I can. I like creating safe places for people to share and be open. I currently volunteer at the Hope Women’s Center in Apache Junction each week. I love having that opportunity to love on others and meet new people.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I have been attending the Scottsdale Culinary Festival for four years in a row, and this year am going to the “Check, Please! Arizona” food festival. I like hiking Camelback Mountain and taking walks in various parks around the Valley.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I have played the violin for nine years. I got involved in orchestra during elementary school and continued playing throughout high school. My favorite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach with his creation of the Brandenburg Concertos.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of seeing where God has brought me in my life. He has walked me through many hurdles, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am now without Him. I am the first person in my family to graduate from a university, and I am so thankful God paved the way for me at GCU. I hoped to become an enrollment counselor after I graduated, and now God has fulfilled that goal. I am part of a great team and am so proud to still be a part of GCU.
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JOE HUBBARD
Job title: Enrollment counselor (military division)
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? The Christian base, its fast growth, training and developing leaders through a rigorous curriculum and expecting nothing but the best out of its students and graduates.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I like to make films and build cars. I’ve been into filmmaking since I was a child. The first movie I made was when I was in the sixth grade. I used an old JVC video camera (the ones that recorded on a VHS tape) and did all editing in the camera. My love for car building came from me growing up working on cars with my father starting at age 5 or 6. My dad would have me help him take engines apart and rebuild them. As I grew up, he would teach me more about restoration and custom building. We started building various kit cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Cobras. I got into building imports during high school and the new release (at the time) of “Fast and Furious.”
What are you passionate about? Filmmaking and helping others.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? The Renaissance Festival, concerts and stage plays.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I perform in Broadway-style plays in my spare time. I have performed on many different stages in various plays, from single-act productions such as “And Then There Was One” to two-act productions such as “The Celebration of Christmas.” I was going to audition for a part in the three-act production of “Mary Poppins” this summer but had to forgo that because of family circumstances and starting my new career here at GCU.
What are you most proud of? My life as it is today compared to where it was several years ago.
