LAPU SEARCH RESULTS

Joanna Vance teaches Health Sciences at LAPU. A PhD-holding educator focused on STEM access, she enjoys supporting students entering health science fields. Health Sciences Joanna Vance Education: MS Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder PhD Science Education Colorado State University Professional Experience: Professor, Los Angeles Pacific University Courses Taught BIO 230, BIO 240, HSCI 305, HSCI 491, HSCI 497 My Passion: I enjoy helping students achieve their goals. It is an honor to be able to support students getting into health sciences fields who will make a difference in the lives of others. Hobbies: Running, mountain biking, skiing, golfing

Erik Dahnke teaches Liberal Studies / Education at LAPU. An EdD-holding social science teacher and coach, he helps teams perform beyond what they expect. Liberal Studies / Education Erik Dahnke Education: EdD, Azusa Pacific University Professional Experience: AP Government Teacher, Redlands East Valley High School; Varsity Swimming Coach Redlands High School. Teaching Social Science and coaching swimming are my main areas of educational focus. Courses Taught LIBS 401, HIST 203 My Passion: I love helping a team to perform at levels that they did not believe possible. This applies to both educational and athletic teams. Hobbies: Home improvement and athletics

Devin MacLellan teaches Liberal Studies / Education at LAPU. A special education specialist, he helps students apply learning to everyday life. Liberal Studies / Education Devin MacLellan Education: MA, Chapman University Professional Experience: I am currently a Middle School Learning Center Education Specialist for Ontario Christian Schools in Ontario, CA. Prior to that, I taught for 16 years in a Moderate/Severe Special Education class for Chino Valley Unified School District. Courses Taught LIBS 302 My Passion: My passion for teaching students with exceptional needs has been placed within by the Lord long ago. It brings great joy to my heart to nurture and teach my students how to navigate school, community, and family in their lives. Witnessing my students learn and activate the knowledge learned in everyday situations is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. Hobbies: Hiking, being outdoors, running, being active

Kimberly Nelms Smarr teaches Psychology at LAPU. A PsyD-holding faculty member, she is committed to student-centered education and engaging learning. Psychology Kimberly Nelms Smarr Education: PsyD, University of Arizona Global Campus Professional Experience: Psychology Faculty Houston Community College Psychology Faculty Houston Christian University Psychology Faculty Grand Canyon University Psychology Faculty Los Angeles Pacific University Psychology Faculty University of Arizona Global Campus Psychology Faculty Wesleyan College Psychology Faculty University of the Cumberlands Psychology Faculty Southern New Hampshire University Courses Taught PSYC 105, PSYC 325, PSYC 330, PSYC 430, PSYC 450, PSYC 455, PSYC 460, PSYC 520, PSYC 530, PSYC 540, PSYC 590, PSYC 650 My Passion: My passion for teaching is demonstrated in my commitment to student-centered education for their evolvement into productive individuals. My passion entails: (1) creating a positive learning environment (2) sharing knowledge (3) engaging students (4) implementing practical application (5) assessing student learning (6) improving course instruction Hobbies: Quiet time

Amber McKee teaches Liberal Studies / Education at LAPU, drawing on years as a teacher and Certified Athletic Trainer to mentor students toward their goals. Liberal Studies / Education Amber McKee Education: MS, American Public University Professional Experience: Teacher and Certified Athletic Trainer, Ontario Christian High School; I have been teaching physical education, health, and anatomy while also working to keep athletes healthy at every level, from high school to the university throughout my career. Courses Taught LIBS 510 My Passion: I love to see students work with the material until the light bulb turns on and they now own that knowledge! It is a calling on my life to use my God-given gifts to mentor others as they follow the path God has for them. Hobbies: Camping, working out, fishing, cooking, gardening

Matthew Womack teaches Humanities at LAPU. A higher education manager, he helps students understand themselves as learners and build academic confidence. Humanities Matthew Womack Education: MA, Azusa Pacific University College Professional Experience: Manager of Support Central. I have had diverse working experience in various departments within higher education. I have managed teams of financial aid counselors and academic advisors. I have also worked in Enrollment helping students with the initial admissions process. Prior to my time in higher education, I worked in corporate sales working with mid-market businesses. Courses Taught MO 101 My Passion: Having a chance to partner with students through their degree is a special opportunity. I enjoy helping students gain an understanding of who they are as learners as well as who they are beyond the classroom. I find great joy in helping students gain confidence in their abilities throughout the academic journey. Hobbies: Hiking, reading, listening to music, spending time with family and friends.

Meet Tara Lopez, Associate Director of Student Success at LAPU, guiding students with academic planning, encouragement, and support to graduation. Tara Lopez Associate Director of Student Success

Ray Crum teaches Liberal Studies/Education at LAPU. A NASA spacecraft manager and aerospace engineer, he shares the real-world applications of the math he teaches. Liberal Studies / Education Ray Crum Education: Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering Professional Experience: 35 years of engineering and engineering management experience at Lockheed, Honeywell, and NASA JPL. Supported the following projects: Hubble Space Telescope, Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, and Europa Clipper. Courses Taught MTH 099, MTH 105, MTH 125 My Passion: I love helping people learn! With mathematics, I love to share the practical, real-world applications of the math I am teaching. One of my biggest thrills is to see the student comprehend the material being taught. Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, baseball, cycling, reading

Ronda Jantz teaches Business / Management at LAPU. An economics instructor and quantitative analysis evaluator, she teaches subjects that aid better decisions. Business / Management Ronda Jantz Education: MS Economics Professional Experience: Instructional Mentor and Economics Instructor, Liberty University Healthcare Economics Instructor, UNCW Evaluator, Quantitative Analysis, WGU Courses Taught ECON 203, STAT 280, BUSN 340 My Passion: I love teaching students! The subjects I teach help us to make better decisions. Hobbies: Home Restoration, Reading, Traveling, Homeschooling

Sheiveh Jones teaches Liberal Studies / Education at LAPU. An EdD-holding education director, she meets students where they are to move learning forward. Liberal Studies / Education Sheiveh Jones Education: MS Electronic Commerce, National University EDd Organizational Leadership, University of LaVerne Professional Experience: Director, San Diego County Office of Education. Professional area of expertise: Teacher preparation programs, teacher evaluation, California Standards for the Teaching Profession, Accreditation, Cognitive and Instructional Coaching Courses Taught Math 302 My Passion: I am passionate about always doing the right thing by students, understanding that we have to meet students where they are to move them forward in their learning. Hobbies: Exercising, hiking, skiing, crocheting, family and puppy time!

Discover the mission, faith, and values that define Los Angeles Pacific University. Learn about our commitment to faith, life, and learning, as well as our dedication to diversity, inclusion, and academic freedom. What We Believe At Los Angeles Pacific University, those who learn together form the fabric of our Christ-centered university community. Mission-Driven Community Shared values, mutual respect, and hospitality are cherished attributes that each member helps build and works hard to safeguard. We do not take this responsibility lightly and remain grateful to be part of the educational plurality of the great state of California. Faith integration, student care, service, diversity, and religious expression combine to form the essence of our mission-driven community. Commitment to Faith, Life, and Learning Los Angeles Pacific University teaches and serves from a Christian worldview through a holistic understanding and practice of promoting faith, life, and learning. We believe the entire LAPU community is called to contribute to cultivating hope through learning and we accomplish this through our core values of being Exemplary, Caring, and focused on Learning. We are committed to preparing individuals not only with the skills and attitudes to thrive in their community and workplace, but also to point the way to something bigger — to the ultimate hope that is in Jesus Christ. As it relates to students, LAPU conceives the promotion of faith, life, and learning as engaging students in learning (through curriculum design, instruction, and student support) that reflects the Christian worldview of LAPU and culminates in the realization of hope in our students. As a result of this process (through their interactions and study at LAPU) our students will be able to: apply a Christian worldview to their life and work in the world; articulate how and in what ways their life journeys connect to God’s story; engage with diverse faith perspectives within the learning community at LAPU; and, recognize God’s work in the world through all academic disciplines. Learn more about Faith, Life, and Learning at LAPU. Religious Expression The precious freedom to express our religious tenets is recognized by the United States and California Constitutions. Other federal and state laws likewise support the opportunity for Los Angeles Pacific University and other religious higher education institutions to weave religious beliefs into all aspects of university life. For example, exemptions in Title IX (20 U.S.C. section 1681(a)(3)) and the California Equity in Higher Education Act (Cal. Ed. Code section 66271) support Los Angeles Pacific’s efforts to operate consistently with its religious tenets by maintaining faith-based standards of behaviors that all community members voluntarily agree to follow as a condition of living and learning in our community. These laws provide Los Angeles 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. Statement of Faith As an educational institution with a Wesleyan tradition at its core, it seems natural to us to embrace a statement of faith that is common among many Christian traditions. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative word of God. We believe that there is one God, creator of heaven and earth, eternally existent in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, and in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return to power and glory. We believe in the fall and consequent total moral depravity of humanity, resulting in our exceeding sinfulness and lost estate, and necessitating our regeneration by the Holy Spirit. We believe in the present and continuing ministry of sanctification by the Holy Spirit by whose infilling the believing Christian is cleansed and empowered for a life of holiness and service. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved to the resurrection of life and those who are lost to the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. Statement of Academic Freedom At Los Angeles Pacific University, we believe that all truth is God’s truth and that God has made it possible for humankind to access, discover, and understand truth. We also affirm that the knowledge of truth will always be incomplete and that people, including those with educational credentials, are fallible and may interpret data and ideas imperfectly. Therefore, academic freedom from a Christ-centered perspective must be carried out with civility, mature judgment, and the awareness of the broad representation of Christian faith that exists within this institution. Accordingly, LAPU affirms its commitment to freedom of inquiry and expression in academic endeavors. The university recognizes that academic freedom has historically been defined both by broadly accepted academic standards and by the mission and character of the institution in which it is practiced. LAPU seeks to maintain an academic community in which lecturers are free to engage in rigorous scholarly inquiry and expression within an intellectual context shaped by the evangelical Christian tradition. In addition to this freedom, LAPU seeks to pursue scholarly inquiry and expression in a way that extends and enriches the academic disciplines from the unique resources provided by the institution’s identity. Thus, at LAPU, academic freedom is defined both by the commonly accepted standards of the academy and by those commitments articulated in the documents that are central to the university’s identity as a Christian university. These documents articulate the central commitments which shape the academic community, and thus the practice of academic freedom, at LAPU: a belief in God as the Creator of all things, in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, in the Holy Spirit as teacher and guide, in Scripture as God’s authoritative and infallible revelation, and in the Christian community as an expression and vehicle of God’s redemptive work in this world. The university follows these principles in its practice of academic freedom: Lecturers are entitled to the rights and privileges and bear the obligations, of academic freedom in the performance of their duties. Specifically, lecturers are free to pursue truth and knowledge within their disciplines in the classroom, in their research and writings, and in other public statements in their field of professional competence. At all times lecturers should strive for accuracy, exercise appropriate restraint, and show respect for the opinions of others. Lecturers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject. Lecturers should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to the subject. While lecturers are members of the global community, as scholars and members of the LAPU community, lecturers should remain cognizant that the public will form perceptions of their profession and their institution by their utterances. In the practice of the academic vocation, complaints against lecturers may be generated. Lecturers shall be protected from any request to retract or modify their research, publication, or teaching merely because a complaint has been received. Only complaints alleging lecturers’ violations of professional standards of the discipline or of advocating positions incompatible with the central commitments of LAPU as a Christian university shall be considered, and then only when the evidence supporting the allegation is more substantial than a rumor, inference, or hearsay. In the event that a lecturer believes his or her academic freedom has been unduly restricted, he or she may pursue resolution of this issue through the existing lecturer grievance procedure as articulated in the Academic Handbook. Apply Today The online application is free and only takes a few minutes. Get Started Get in Touch We’d love to hear from you. We’re here to help. CONTACT US

Jacqueline Vara teaches Humanities and Liberal Studies / Education at LAPU. A PhD-holding Spanish professor, she encourages students in their God-given purpose. Humanities, Liberal Studies / Education Jacqueline Vara Education: PhD, Biola University; MS Counseling (MFCC), California State University, Fullerton Professional Experience: Spanish Lecturer; Spanish Adjunct Professor; Spanish teacher; Academic-Matriculation Counselor in Higher Education; Vice-President & Executive Director of a non-profit organization. Courses Taught SPAN 101, SPAN 102 My Passion: I enjoy partnering and encouraging students in learning and to live out their God-given life purpose. Hobbies: Dedicated to serving LAPU students and serving the community as an advocate for homeless women, children, and families; spending time with family; avid reader.