A Faith and Learning Community - Azusa Pacific University
Source: https://www.apu.edu/about/faithandlearning
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
A Faith and Learning Community - Azusa Pacific University
A Faith and Learning Community
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A Faith and Learning Community
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Mission-Driven Community
Selecting the right college represents a significant decision for all students. Making
that choice encompasses many considerations, from degree offerings and faculty, to
financial aid, research and service opportunities, the character of campus life, and
even location. Students determine which schools best meet their educational goals
and align with personal beliefs.
At Azusa Pacific, those who live and learn together are an integral part of the fabric
of our Christ-centered university community. Shared values, mutual respect, and hospitality
are cherished attributes that each member contributes to and works hard to safeguard.
As a leader in Christian higher education, we do not take this responsibility lightly
and remain grateful to be part of the educational landscape of the great state of
California. Faith integration, student care, service, biblical grounding, and Christian
tenets combine to form the essence of our mission-driven community.
Azusa Pacific University is an institution that is Christ-centered, with a deep commitment
to academic excellence, a global Great Commission mindset, and a passion to touch
the lives of our beloved and diverse student body.
Adam J. Morris, PhD, president of Azusa Pacific University
Faith Integration
Since the university’s founding in 1899, APU has incorporated our religious beliefs
into every aspect of university life. We are transparent about our
God First
approach to higher education and Christ-centered academic excellence as it reflects
our mission-driven identity, including our commitment to diversity. All curricula
across our academic disciplines integrate faith. In classrooms, residence halls, chapel,
and discipleship groups, students discover their higher calling and witness His transformation.
To uphold this distinction, APU employs faculty and staff who share the Christian
faith across denominations.
Student Care
With Christ as our example, we seek to create space for dialogue and engagement that
upholds our commitment to mutual respect. Should concerns arise, the university’s
Student Belonging team comes alongside struggling students to offer assistance. We
also offer a Bias Reporting System that empowers students and community members to
make reports and seek recourse if an intentional or unintentional act or behavior
occurs. That sets in motion a process of accountability, resolution, and reconciliation.
In addition, the university’s Student Belonging division offers the campus ongoing
education and resources that foster the kind of community we aspire to be. The university
also provides grievance processes for students and employees to resolve disputes as
they arise. Each day, the university community strives to create an environment where
students and employees can flourish.
Open modal
In high school, my only Christian friends were at church. When I came to APU, I discovered
other Christian students and professors wanting to dive deep into conversations and
community. I am able to make meaningful relationships with brothers and sisters in
Christ—people I can pray with and go to in times of need.
Charlie Reynolds ’25
discovered his calling to go into ministry and has grown his faith through APU’s Christian
community. Read more of Charlie’s story.
Service
28,360 service-learning hours
102 chapel services each year
34 mission teams sent to 20 countries
We believe love and creativity changes oppressive minds and systems. When people create,
they can embody justice, beauty, and hope. Music and the arts provide a powerful avenue
for healing, restoration, and empowerment. We’re giving students channels of connection
where they can realize their potential and have a better future. I catch a glimpse
of the story God is weaving, and I love seeing how God’s love changes people’s hearts
and lives.
Eileen O’Neall ’12
built a nonprofit in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia dedicated to helping restoration
from human trafficking. Creative Hope International offers musical, dance, and artistic
training. Read more of Eileen’s story.
Diversity
68% of APU’s more than 7,000 students are ethnically diverse
813 of the more than 3,000 undergraduates receive Cal Grants
79.6% of Cal Grant recipients come from underserved families
61.3% six-year graduation rate
1 of 117 Hispanic-serving institutions in California
1 of 19 AAPI-serving institutions in California
Thanks to my Master of Social Work classes at APU, I came up with the idea for Shoes4Grades,
a nonprofit dedicated to motivating kids to do well academically and to developing
a lifelong love of learning. If you can get a good education, you can break the cycle
of poverty and set an example for the next generation to follow.
Randall Trice ’19, MSW ’20
has donated more than 2,000 pairs of shoes to foster youth in Southern California
and beyond. Read more of Randall’s story.
Religious Expression
The precious freedom to express our religious tenets is recognized by the United States
and California Constitutions and honored by the U.S. Department of Education. Other
federal and state laws likewise support the opportunity for Azusa Pacific and other
religious higher education institutions to weave religious beliefs into all aspects
of university life. For example, exemptions in Title IX
1
and the California Equity in Higher Education Act
2
support Azusa Pacific’s efforts to operate consistently with its religious tenets
by maintaining biblical standards of behaviors that all community members voluntarily
agree to follow as a condition of living and learning in our community. These laws
protect the rights of Azusa Pacific and other religious institutions with the discretion
to thoughtfully make policies and build community expectations around our mission
to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence and to help students
develop a Christian perspective on truth and life. A full statement of APU’s mission
and community expectations for faculty, staff, and students can be found at:
What We Believe
Undergraduate Student Handbook
Graduate and Professional Student Community Expectations
Residential Student Policies
Employee and Faculty Handbooks
(current employees only)
My parents came here to give a better life to their children. Graduating from college
is what they dreamed of for my sister and I—we’re their living wish. I may be the
first in my family to graduate from college, but I certainly won’t be the last.
Eimee Ponciano ’24
was able to come to APU because of financial aid from the GEN1 Scholars program and
guidance from her mentor in the TRIO program. She has served as an Alpha leader and
a resident advisor at APU. Read more of Eimee’s story.
For more information or a hard copy of the Faith and Learning brochure, download the
PDF below or contact the relevant office with your mailing address:
Admissions
| (626) 815-2020
Human Resources
| (626) 815-4527
Los Angeles Pacific University
| (855) 527-2768
Download the Faith and Learning Brochure
Footnotes
20 U.S.C. section 1681(a)(3).
Cal. Ed. Code section 66271.
©
A Faith and Learning Community
Home
>
About Azusa Pacific
>
A Faith and Learning Community
Related Links
Campus Locations
Visit APU
Mission-Driven Community
Selecting the right college represents a significant decision for all students. Making
that choice encompasses many considerations, from degree offerings and faculty, to
financial aid, research and service opportunities, the character of campus life, and
even location. Students determine which schools best meet their educational goals
and align with personal beliefs.
At Azusa Pacific, those who live and learn together are an integral part of the fabric
of our Christ-centered university community. Shared values, mutual respect, and hospitality
are cherished attributes that each member contributes to and works hard to safeguard.
As a leader in Christian higher education, we do not take this responsibility lightly
and remain grateful to be part of the educational landscape of the great state of
California. Faith integration, student care, service, biblical grounding, and Christian
tenets combine to form the essence of our mission-driven community.
Azusa Pacific University is an institution that is Christ-centered, with a deep commitment
to academic excellence, a global Great Commission mindset, and a passion to touch
the lives of our beloved and diverse student body.
Adam J. Morris, PhD, president of Azusa Pacific University
Faith Integration
Since the university’s founding in 1899, APU has incorporated our religious beliefs
into every aspect of university life. We are transparent about our
God First
approach to higher education and Christ-centered academic excellence as it reflects
our mission-driven identity, including our commitment to diversity. All curricula
across our academic disciplines integrate faith. In classrooms, residence halls, chapel,
and discipleship groups, students discover their higher calling and witness His transformation.
To uphold this distinction, APU employs faculty and staff who share the Christian
faith across denominations.
Student Care
With Christ as our example, we seek to create space for dialogue and engagement that
upholds our commitment to mutual respect. Should concerns arise, the university’s
Student Belonging team comes alongside struggling students to offer assistance. We
also offer a Bias Reporting System that empowers students and community members to
make reports and seek recourse if an intentional or unintentional act or behavior
occurs. That sets in motion a process of accountability, resolution, and reconciliation.
In addition, the university’s Student Belonging division offers the campus ongoing
education and resources that foster the kind of community we aspire to be. The university
also provides grievance processes for students and employees to resolve disputes as
they arise. Each day, the university community strives to create an environment where
students and employees can flourish.
Open modal
In high school, my only Christian friends were at church. When I came to APU, I discovered
other Christian students and professors wanting to dive deep into conversations and
community. I am able to make meaningful relationships with brothers and sisters in
Christ—people I can pray with and go to in times of need.
Charlie Reynolds ’25
discovered his calling to go into ministry and has grown his faith through APU’s Christian
community. Read more of Charlie’s story.
Service
28,360 service-learning hours
102 chapel services each year
34 mission teams sent to 20 countries
We believe love and creativity changes oppressive minds and systems. When people create,
they can embody justice, beauty, and hope. Music and the arts provide a powerful avenue
for healing, restoration, and empowerment. We’re giving students channels of connection
where they can realize their potential and have a better future. I catch a glimpse
of the story God is weaving, and I love seeing how God’s love changes people’s hearts
and lives.
Eileen O’Neall ’12
built a nonprofit in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia dedicated to helping restoration
from human trafficking. Creative Hope International offers musical, dance, and artistic
training. Read more of Eileen’s story.
Diversity
68% of APU’s more than 7,000 students are ethnically diverse
813 of the more than 3,000 undergraduates receive Cal Grants
79.6% of Cal Grant recipients come from underserved families
61.3% six-year graduation rate
1 of 117 Hispanic-serving institutions in California
1 of 19 AAPI-serving institutions in California
Thanks to my Master of Social Work classes at APU, I came up with the idea for Shoes4Grades,
a nonprofit dedicated to motivating kids to do well academically and to developing
a lifelong love of learning. If you can get a good education, you can break the cycle
of poverty and set an example for the next generation to follow.
Randall Trice ’19, MSW ’20
has donated more than 2,000 pairs of shoes to foster youth in Southern California
and beyond. Read more of Randall’s story.
Religious Expression
The precious freedom to express our religious tenets is recognized by the United States
and California Constitutions and honored by the U.S. Department of Education. Other
federal and state laws likewise support the opportunity for Azusa Pacific and other
religious higher education institutions to weave religious beliefs into all aspects
of university life. For example, exemptions in Title IX
1
and the California Equity in Higher Education Act
2
support Azusa Pacific’s efforts to operate consistently with its religious tenets
by maintaining biblical standards of behaviors that all community members voluntarily
agree to follow as a condition of living and learning in our community. These laws
protect the rights of Azusa Pacific and other religious institutions with the discretion
to thoughtfully make policies and build community expectations around our mission
to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence and to help students
develop a Christian perspective on truth and life. A full statement of APU’s mission
and community expectations for faculty, staff, and students can be found at:
What We Believe
Undergraduate Student Handbook
Graduate and Professional Student Community Expectations
Residential Student Policies
Employee and Faculty Handbooks
(current employees only)
My parents came here to give a better life to their children. Graduating from college
is what they dreamed of for my sister and I—we’re their living wish. I may be the
first in my family to graduate from college, but I certainly won’t be the last.
Eimee Ponciano ’24
was able to come to APU because of financial aid from the GEN1 Scholars program and
guidance from her mentor in the TRIO program. She has served as an Alpha leader and
a resident advisor at APU. Read more of Eimee’s story.
For more information or a hard copy of the Faith and Learning brochure, download the
PDF below or contact the relevant office with your mailing address:
Admissions
| (626) 815-2020
Human Resources
| (626) 815-4527
Los Angeles Pacific University
| (855) 527-2768
Download the Faith and Learning Brochure
Footnotes
20 U.S.C. section 1681(a)(3).
Cal. Ed. Code section 66271.
©