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.
TORI APOLINAR
Job title: Skills lab coordinator, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Job location: Main campus, CAS 6-340
What attracted you to GCU? I was a student at GCU for my BSN and wanted to be part of the team that makes the program so good.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I like new experiences and change. If there are new adventures, I pursue them wherever I might find them. I love travel, hiking, skydiving, new job challenges and volunteer events.
What are you passionate about? Nursing and change go hand in hand, and I couldn’t have found a better profession to facilitate my passion. Helping someone and being part of their life when it is good and bad is a privilege, and supporting patients and family is my passion. I love change in everything I do and all around me — even my hair color and the clothes I wear.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? The first romantic thing my husband tried to do when we started dating was take me to see a sunset. His idea of romantic is a truckstop halfway up to Prescott called Sunset Point. That’s one of my favorite places to visit. Anywhere north of Phoenix is good, including Payson, Flagstaff and Sedona. I love to eat at La Pinata, an amazing Mexican restaurant just south of campus (19th Avenue and Osborn Road), and visit Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. They have hosted the an exhibition by glass artist Dale Chihuly, with live music, mini bars and glass sculptures embedded in the desert landscape, lit up. It’s amazingly beautiful.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: If I told you I would lose my mystery.
What are you most proud of? I am the first to graduate from college in my family, am pursuing a master’s degree and have plans to conquer my world.
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ERICA BAILIN
Job title: Curriculum developer, College of Education
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? When I attended a meeting as a subject-matter expert for the College of Education, I enjoyed the brilliance, enthusiasm and collaboration of the team I was working with so much that I decided that I needed to be a part of it. The people really brought me to GCU.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I love trying new restaurants, traveling, game nights and playing tennis and sand volleyball. I can be doing pretty much anything with my family and friends and find it fun and full of laughs.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about providing equitable and accessible opportunities for underrepresented populations. I don’t believe we have to settle for the world we’ve inherited. I thrive on challenging the status quo and bringing about innovative and creative initiatives for the greater good.
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? My favorite places include the state's luxurious spas and beautiful brunch spots.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I love analyzing the social dynamics of reality television. I even have taught a class on the subject.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of being the type of person that other people want to spend time with.
