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.
MICHELLE VAUGHN
Job title: Intake/administrative specialist
Job location: Main campus
What attracted you to GCU? I got my bachelor’s degree from GCU in 2015 and am working on a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling, so I’ve been a Lope since 2012.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? Anytime I can spend with my husband in our crazy schedules, we like to take our dog hiking and out to interact with people. She’s a chocolate lab, and being around people makes her very happy!
What are you passionate about? More than just being a crazy dog person, I am completely committed to sharing the healing power of dogs — whether to help with a physical disability, for mental health or just to lift the spirits of an Alzheimer’s patient. I have a niece whose life has been changed forever by the amazing service dog she received from a national organization, and I myself have had a registered therapy dog for a number of years.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? My favorite place is anywhere high enough that allows me to see the mountain ranges that surround the Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. We live in a beautiful state!
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I got a tattoo last year that reminds me that God has walked me through some fairly significant trauma, and my purpose is to use that trauma to give other people the same comfort I was given. The tattoo has a small paw print in the middle of the verse as a reminder of the dogs that God provided during some really dark times.
What are you most proud of? My marriage – my husband and I got married young, and we have raised two sons. We both made the decision to put God first in our lives, and that focus has given us direction through 30-plus years of marriage.
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DUNCAN LEE
Job title: University counselor
Job location: Building 71
What attracted you to GCU? I believe that the vision of GCU is something that I can coincide with because this institution believes in doing the right thing even when someone is not looking. You can take this to every part of your life, from something simple, like walking on the sidewalk instead of the grass, to more important things.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I like to help homeless animals and serve the homeless communities. I have worked with Halo, I have helped serve meals at a local church and I also have done this a few times at the Phoenix Rescue Mission. I felt the need to serve others than myself. It is not what you have presently, or what you end up with, but what you have done in this world to leave your legacy. I believe it is better to give than receive.
What are you passionate about? Veterans of the military. I am a former Marine (1989-93), honorably discharged. I believe that military best understands military, and we are automatically drawn to take care of each other even if we do not know each other by name. It is the affiliation and the camaraderie that we all once had with our band of brothers and sisters.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? Glendale Glitters.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: Out of the four children in the family, I am the only one with a conferred bachelors and master’s degree even though I was not the brightest box of rocks in high school. I credit my wife on my bachelor's because she pushed me to get through it (it took me 16 years to complete the four-year degree), but it was when I was walking for the bachelors that I saw that half the people were walking for their master's. So two years later there I was again, getting the master’s degree and doing the penguin walk again.
What are you most proud of? I helped over 680 veterans and active duty related individuals enter college in my nine-year career at University of Phoenix.
