STEFAN WINKEL
Job title: Enrollment counselor, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Job location: Peoria
What attracted you to GCU? I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Communications from GCU last December. I have a few friends who work for the University and had encouraged me to apply. After multiple attempts at getting hired at my alma mater, I was given the opportunity to interview and the rest is history. Knowing I could continue my education while working here was a huge draw for me.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I enjoy reading and writing. One day I want to be a professor and write screenplays on the side as a hobby.
What are you passionate about? My walk with the Lord as well as film and educating myself.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I am an avid Seattle sports fan — whenever their teams come here I try to go see them. I also enjoy spontaneous adventures with friends exploring new eateries or hidden gems all over the state. I am a huge fan of Indian or Asian cuisine. A few of my favorite places to eat are Tokyo Lobby in Glendale for sushi, Tokyo House in Chandler for the best curry beef and broccoli, and Yupha’s Thai Kitchen in Tempe for duck curry. I also like Juniper Well Ranch in Prescott. I had no prior knowledge of this natural paradise until I had the privilege of attending a friend’s wedding on the grounds.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I was born in Romania and adopted in 1991. I was 8 months old when I was adopted by Bob and Janet Winkel. If not for their obedience to the Lord, I would not be alive today. My mother spent six weeks in Romania from early January to mid-February. The most amazing part of this story is that my mother did not get to pick me. The director of the orphanage told my mother that they would select the child to be adopted, and my mother had to say yes or no. The director selected me, and the rest, as they say, is history. I then spent six years in Redman, Wash. Since 1997 I have lived in Arizona, though I always will be a Washingtonian.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of continuing the legacy my parents and older siblings have set forth before me.
—
EMILY PITT
Job title: Doctoral specialist
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? I graduated from GCU in 2013 and pursued a career at a nonprofit for two years, but I missed the University’s culture immensely. Coming back to GCU was like returning home in a lot of ways. I’m exceptionally excited to be here.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love indoor rock climbing and kayaking. I got into rock climbing about a year ago in hopes of finding something active to do inside to escape the summer heat. My sister introduced rock climbing to me, and it quickly became a bonding activity for both of us. I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but I enjoy it nonetheless. I happened upon kayaking on a whim while visiting my parents’ cabin in Prescott. Since then, I look forward to exploring different avenues of Watson Lake. There’s something otherworldly about it, and it feels like a new discovery every time I visit.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about helping others. I love the reward of assisting people in pursuing their dreams and goals.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I enjoy drinking coffee. My new loves are Flower Child in Phoenix and Coffee Plantation in Scottsdale.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City with my home school choir at age 16. It was a huge accomplishment for our small choir to be invited to collaborate with other choirs around the country. It definitely went down as one of my favorite childhood memories.
What are you most proud of? I have two younger sisters. Allison is two years younger and Chelsea is 16 years younger — yes, 16 years. We are huge sci-fi fans in my family, and we like watching anything from "Doctor Who" to "Star Trek." The proudest moment of my life was when I taught Chelsea, when she was 4, to sound like Chewbacca from "Star Wars." Thanks to me, she will go down in history as the most talented kid this world has seen.
