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.
JAMES MOREY
Job title: Enrollment counselor, Colangelo College of Business
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I was looking to make a career change from public school teaching, and GCU’s positive, Christian environment made it seem like a great place to work. I spent 20 years teaching band in elementary, middle and high school. I dearly love it and still volunteer with the band program at Shadow Ridge High School. I decided that moving into higher education and helping students enroll in college was a great next step in my education career. I believe GCU is moving in the right direction because while we are growing at a rapid rate, we still are keeping things simple: quality education and putting students first. I love the Christian environment as well.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I go camping and vacation with my family, mainly in the Southwest. However, this summer we’ll be camping in Oregon and Washington. I’m also a musician and have been playing instruments since the age of 4. Both my parents were musicians, so it was just natural to me. I play every instrument, but the trumpet is my favorite.
What are you passionate about? I love classical music and quality musicians. I’ve performed all over Southern California (where I’m originally from) and quite a bit here in Arizona. I used to play at WestWorld of Scottsdale at horse shows when I first moved to Arizona in the late 1990s. I enjoy all genres but like to listen to Metallica, U2, Skillet, Third Day, Israel Houghton and Hillsong.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? A favorite spot in the Valley is White Tank Mountain Regional Park. It’s a great park that’s right down the street from my house. Although I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, I love hiking there. I take my son and sometimes my wife and daughter. I get great peace hiking around that park, and it’s not complete unless my family is with me. Outside the Valley, my favorite is Zion National Park in Utah. I’ve been all over the United States, and Zion is the most beautiful place I've been. I could go there every day and never get tired of it.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I became a pastor about a year and a half ago. If you would have told me four years ago that I’d be a pastor, I probably would have laughed at you. I really believe it is something God led me to. I’m not sure exactly where He’s taking me, but I absolutely love what I’ve learned so far and how it has changed my life. I look at things differently now, and I believe it has led me to trust God with my whole self. I know I’m not in control, and I just enjoy where He takes me.
What are you most proud of? My growth in church leadership over the last decade. My kids look up to me in a different way, and the growth in their faith as a result is the best part. Both of them look forward to Sundays when they get to serve.
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ALISHA TILLOTSON
Job title: Classroom operations specialist
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? The faith-based mission and the fact that everyone I know who works here loves it! I have been a Christian my whole life, and the idea of working for a company with those values is important to me. My fiancé, who also works here, is the one who helped me find the job.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I really enjoy bowling. It sounds dorky, but it’s always fun! It doesn’t require a lot of thought, and no one really cares if you’re good or not. I have bowled since I was young and even was in a few leagues in my late teens and early 20s with friends.
What are you passionate about? Being successful in my job and being a good mom. I am a very Type A personality, and I feel successful when I learn things quickly and don’t have to ask a lot of questions. I am a mom of two boys: Tyler, 7, and Ashton, 4, and I am about to gain two stepchildren: Shylah, 9, and Damien, 7.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Postino wine café —there's nothing better than wine and bruschetta. Also, Portillo’s. I’m a Chicagoan, so what can I say except that I love food? I moved from Chicago to Arizona in July 2007, mainly for jobs and better weather.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I don’t eat the crunchy end of my french fries; I bite off the other end and throw the crunchy part out. I have done it for as long as I can remember. I would say Portillo’s has the best fries ... their cheese fries are amazing! A close second would be Red Robin’s steak fries.
