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.
LORIN MARCHESE
Job title: Operations coordinator, Strategic Educational Alliances
Job location: Building 18
What attracted you to GCU? The ability to work at a faith-based, higher-education institution in the Phoenix area.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I enjoy attending sporting events, particularly baseball and hockey. I also enjoy attending the theatre.
What are you passionate about? I spend as much time with my family as I can. I also volunteer as a core leader for the high school youth group at my church.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Chase Field, Jobing.com Arena, ASU Gammage and Tempe Town Lake.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I was blessed to spend a summer studying at Oxford University while in college, and one of my professors was a member of the British parliament.
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ANNE WILBURN
Job title: Doctoral enrollment counselor
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? The University's growth opportunities, positive work environment and Christian values.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Date night with my hubby is my favorite. We enjoy trying new restaurants and going to the movies.
What are you passionate about? Animal rescue! I'm so passionate about animals and their safety that I don't eat them. I'm a vegetarian.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I completed the inaugural Baltimore marathon 13 years ago.
What are you most proud of? My nonprofit animal rescue called Big Hearts Haven. I founded it about six months ago, and we've saved and placed more than a dozen animals so far. We've rescued two horses, two bunnies, several dogs, a few cats and even a chicken!
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STEPHANIE PALENQUE
Job title: Online faculty
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I was attracted to GCU by its unique combination of faith-based values and cutting-edge, dynamic growth.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Any time I spend with my family is fun. I come from a big, close New Jersey family, and every one of us moved to Arizona within the same six months. That was 14 years ago. My favorite way to spend time is at family gatherings, by the pool, at dinner or at a party.
What are you passionate about? Family, education and good food. My family owned a delicatessen in New Jersey, and I grew up in an apartment upstairs. I married an executive chef and became a food writer, and I'll admit, I have a book and purse obsession that is sometimes difficult to hide.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? We love to attend some of the culinary festivals here, and I love One Book Arizona in the Valley and the Northern Arizona Book Festival. Dinner at Fogo de Chao is a special treat!
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I was elected to my local Township Committee in New Jersey when I was 18 and then ran on the same ticket with my father a few years later. I was also very involved in regional and state politics.
What are you most proud of? My husband and I are raising our three beautiful daughters with the same values with which we were raised. The fact that I found a home at GCU that respects and encourages those values and my love for learning, and that I get to work with an amazing manager, Meredith DeCosta, and the English team in Peoria, is a blessing.
