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.
JENNY MORRIS
Job title: Enrollment Counselor, Online Business College
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? Lots of friends had graduated from GCU and bragged about its greatness; I visited and found I had to agree!
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I act and sing through community theatre and through my church. I love to scrapbook and read -- mostly self-help, bios or Christian novels.
What are you passionate about? Family, drama/music, theological studies, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, movies and music from the 1930s–'60s.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Matsuri (Japanese festival), Renaissance Festival, Barnes & Noble, Japanese Friendship Garden, Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I like to write novels and poems. I have multiple story ideas that I would love to complete someday. I also love to write letters to famous people in order to let them know that someone is praying for them.
What are you most proud of? My mother and my husband, Josh. They are my inspirations!
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MEREDITH DECOSTA
Job title: Online Full-Time Faculty
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? I wanted to work at a place that prized teaching and the development of teachers. I’ve spent most of my career at research institutions and, while I love research, teaching is my passion!
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love being active, and I especially love yoga. I’m currently working on becoming a certified yoga teacher.
What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about traveling. I’ve lived in Kenya and Australia and have traveled to Fiji, Uganda and other places around the world.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? When I moved to the Valley, I had a hard time finding restaurants I loved as much as the ones back home, but after some searching, I’ve found great restaurants here like True Food Kitchen, Postino and the Greene House.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I co-authored a book for Columbia University’s Teachers College Press, the premier press in the field of education. The book is called "Real World Writing for Secondary Students."
What are you most proud of? You may think I’d say my book or Ph.D., but I have to say I’m most proud of the way I treat people. I’m not perfect, but I try my hardest to treat people with kindness and respect and to spread a little sunshine into the world!
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DENNIS CONNOLLY IV
Job title: Enrollment Counselor
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I love that GCU is regionally accredited and is a traditional school.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love traveling around the world and learning about other cultures and customs. I have traveled to 24 countries in my life.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about education, cooking, traveling and music.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I have been to Carnival in Bahia, Brazil, in 2006.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of getting my master's at GCU.
