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.
MARISSA ATKINS
Job title: Enrollment counselor, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I have many friends who work here. They kept talking about their work/life balance, benefits and team-oriented environment and I thought, “Well, I want in!” It has proved to be an amazing company to work for. I love it here. Getting a free education is also something I am looking forward to in my near future.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I really enjoy going thrift shopping and repurposing/refurbishing my finds to decorate my home. I also enjoy spending time with my fur babies and my husband.
What are you passionate about? I’m truly passionate about people. I love being around people and sharing life experiences with them. Meeting new people is always very fun for me as well. I have made so many new friends since I started working here.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I love going to church every weekend.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I am addicted to ChapStick. Can’t live without it. My affinity for ChapStick began when I was in grade school. My mom put Lip Smackers in my stocking and the rest is history. I never went anywhere without having it in my pocket, and I used it about once an hour. Most people can’t be without their phones, and I have to have my ChapStick. But it finally caught up with me. My lips started having a reaction to it, so I had to quit cold turkey. I moved on to Vaseline cocoa butter, and my lips have never been happier.
What are you most proud of? Finishing my bachelor’s degree. I sometimes have had a hard time finishing what I’ve started, so when I graduated it was proof to myself that I can finish something.
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GRACIELA NOBLES
Job title: Enrollment counselor
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? The community and the people. I met another enrollment counselor, Nate Worthington, and his wife at a party last fall, and he talked about how much he loved his job. So I decided to check it out.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Hot yoga (because I’m a burn survivor and like to defy the heat at all times) and watching “The Walking Dead.” The show motivates me to stay fit so I can survive the end of the world.
What are you passionate about? Advocating for women who are marginalized. I work with a group of women who actively try to create community for women who work in the sex industry. The goal is to allow them to see their value outside of their profession.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? McDowell Mountain Music Festival is a great event. I love live music and seeing non-mainstream bands, so Crescent Ballroom is a monthly hangout spot. I also love the crepes at Cibo.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I’m actually South American Indian. I am from Bolivia, and English was my third language.
What are you most proud of? When I did the Tough Mudder in 2013, one of the obstacles was jumping over a pit of fire. Once I made it over and landed in the water, I realized that I had faced something that used to frighten me as a child.
