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.
RYAN KLEIN
Job title: Talent acquisition specialist
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? The incredible growth and the opportunity to stay in recruiting. I love helping people get jobs. It's been one of the most satisfying and rewarding fields I’ve ever worked in. Calling someone to offer them a job they really wanted or needed, sometimes their “dream” job, and hearing their excitement on the other end of the phone is just a really good feeling. I love being able to help someone gain financial security, or happiness, through employment. At times it makes me feel as if I’m really changing lives and better serving my community.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love poker and riding my bike. I play poker in a local bar league, and I ride my bike as much as possible. I consider myself a pretty good poker player — not necessarily a lucky player, but a good player! I also have a bike buggy that I use to pull my son and two dogs, and we like riding to the park to play.
What are you passionate about? Music. I have a home recording studio for myself and friends. My favorite kind of music is old-school hip-hop and Christian rap, which is also the kind of music I primarily record, but I also enjoy and have recorded all kinds of music.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I like to visit the State Fair, water parks, concerts, Tempe Improv, my local sports bar, Talking Stick Resort, Topgolf and GCU Arena.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I love to cook. It’s hard for me to pinpoint a favorite food because I love it all, but lately I’ve been really big on spaghetti squash and Brussels sprouts. I always have loved a good steak, salmon or sea bass, chocolate, strawberries, pizza, hummus, peppers — the list could go on and on, really. But I make a mean breakfast burrito, and I’ve been told my teriyaki stir fry is amazing.
What are you most proud of? My son, Uriah, which means “the light of the Lord.” He is the light of my life. He is 2 1/2 years old, which is such a cute age.
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JOEL LARSON
Job title: University counselor
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? The heart of a University that has such a positive impact on Phoenix by raising up a generation of servant leaders while turning a troubled neighborhood into an oasis in the desert.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love to travel! I have been to 10 countries in Europe, Canada, Mexico, 40 of the 50 states, and Israel. I am going to Hungary and Romania in October with a team from my church.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about helping other people! I currently volunteer at my church, and I am working toward becoming a professional counselor to help people through the many difficulties of life — from trauma and bereavement to addiction and marriage counseling. I went through ministry school last year and got to do a lot of homeless and community outreach. As a result, I discovered I have a heart to help hurting people work through the obstacles they are facing in many areas on life.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I am an animal lover, so I go the zoo frequently with my family. I love going to the World Wildlife Zoo in the West Valley because you can get much closer to the animals. I also have a Pekingese named Oden and a Hedgehog named Sonic.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I was born in Canada. Eh?
