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.
JACOB LAMBROS
Job title: University counselor
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? I went to Bourgade Catholic High School, which is only a block south of GCU. Driving to school, I always passed by GCU and watched the campus grow and the community grow. One of the big things that attracted me to GCU was the sense of community. I didn’t understand how amazing that was until I got on campus and was a part of the student life. The community is so vibrant and lively. If I tried doing everything on campus, I wouldn’t have enough time to go to class. What kept me interested in GCU was the growth. It has grown so much in such a short amount of time, and it is still growing. This educational system, organization and business has an unbelievable forecast of growth in the future, and I knew for a fact that I wanted to be a part of that.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love to play sports in my free time, anything from playing catch with a baseball to hiking a trail. There is a place just north of Payson called Water Wheel. It is such a majestic place, and I remember going there and experiencing everything for the first time. My girlfriend and I drove up there and parked, then hiked along the river. About a mile into the hike, we discovered a giant waterfall that cascades over the rocky landscape. This place is so beautiful. I think everyone needs to see it.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about many different things in my life, and I am extremely blessed. I love baseball, basketball, swimming and any other sporting activity. I will never miss a chance to go do physical activity; this is what brings me the most joy. Physical activity is my outlet when life gets stressful. I remember one night when I had been studying for hours on end and felt as if I was beginning to lose my mind. I took my long board and I just started riding around campus. It is very difficult to explain, but the feeling of not worrying about anything else and just focusing on one thing is unparalleled. It is such an amazing feeling when I can put all of my life stresses on the back burner and go out to throw a Frisbee.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? The Valley is so vast, and there are so many different attractions. I love movies, so the local movie theater is top notch. I love baseball and sports, so if anyone is into that, Chase Field is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and is a great destination for a weekend game. For the shoppers, there are many different malls around the Valley, including Arrowhead, Paradise Valley, Biltmore, etc. These are great places to visit and spend the day walking and shopping. I also love all the food options. No one can come to Arizona without trying some real authentic Mexican food.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I just graduated from GCU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and I earned an athletic scholarship and a spot on the roster for GCU’s men’s swimming and diving. I was on their Division I team for all of my four years at GCU. Because of the high level of coaching and practices, I was able to excel in the pool as well as in the classroom. Upon graduation, I was awarded the Roland L. Beck Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. This is the most prestigious award that Grand Canyon University can give to a student-athlete. I am beyond blessed with the opportunities that I have been given by GCU, and I am more than happy to be able to be employed by them and give another student the same great experience that I had.
What are you most proud of? I am very proud of many things, but I am extremely proud of how I have embraced adulthood. There are many different transitions that a person goes through when they graduate from college. They're looking for an apartment, a job, a car, etc. – many of these responsibilities that need to be met are contingent on each other. For me personally, not having a car threw me for a loop. I had to coordinate an apartment and a job close enough to ride my bike. I had struggles that I went through in order to make sure I was taken care of after college. However, I am proud to say that I have figured it out and have a plan for the future. I am extremely blessed to have the opportunities that I have right now in my life, and GCU is responsible for all of that. I owe the university, faculty, staff and President Brian Mueller my thanks because I know for a fact that I would not be where I am today without the influence of these people in my life.
