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Interested in Study Away?
Carrie Ullmer, M.Ed.
Director
cullmer@apu.edu
Growing up in Azusa, Carrie never dreamed her journey would develop into the career she has today. Hoping to boost her college application, she volunteered at APU in 1997 as a high school student. While volunteering in the School of Intensive English (now American Language and Culture Institute), Carrie gained a heart for international students, their cultures, and APU. Entering APU as an International Business major, she quickly realized studying away would be out of financial reach, and decided to change her major to Business Administration. Carrie continued to involve herself in local and international ministry all four years at APU, also holding leadership positions on campus which gave her a true passion for higher education and student development. After graduating in 2002, Carrie left for a short time to pursue a “business job.” Quickly, Carrie realized she felt called back into higher education. She completed her Masters of Education in College Student Affairs at APU, and immediately started her career as an Administrative Assistant for the Office of Honors and Study Abroad at APU in May of 2005. Through a lot of change and growth at APU, Carrie is now the Director for the Center for Global Learning and Engagement. What gets Carrie out of bed each morning is making APU a place for all students to have a global education. Knowing that she herself could not afford study away until she was taking doctoral courses, she is adamant that equivalent global opportunities are offered at APU without ever stepping foot on a plane. Currently, Carrie lives in San Clemente with her husband Chris, daughter Olivia, and son Archer.
Erin Thorp, M.A.
Assistant Director, Academic Development
ethorp@apu.edu
Erin comes from a background in faith-based international service and cross-cultural adult and K-12 education. Her prior teaching focused on primarily Spanish speaking adults in the Southern California area and children in K-12 public schools as a teacher and teacher trainer. She also has a Multiple-Subject Credential with Cross-Culture Language & Academic Development from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Serving in church ministry led her to working with the impoverished in multiple domestic and international settings including development of an NGO for orphaned and abandoned children in East Africa where she is currently serving on their U.S. based board. Receiving her MA in TESOL through APU has built upon her love of languages, global education, and cultural identity formation. As the CGLE’s Assistant Director for Student Development and Operations, she loves being a part of students’ journeys to incorporate experiential learning around the world as part of their college experience in order to help graduate the next generation as well-trained Christ followers ready to engage a diverse world.
Kate Kimanzi, M.A.
Assistant Director, Communication and Recruitment
kkimanzi@apu.edu
Kate is from Los Angeles, California. She has had multiple opportunities to study, live, and work around the world. She has partnered with national non-profit orgs in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles to pursue her interest in arts reflecting mixed identity and social justice. She has lived and worked in Kenya, Uganda, Cambodia, and Haiti serving with local grassroots orgs serving in community development. As an APU Global Studies major, she participated in Global Learning Term and completed research on street children and a thesis on values of indigenous cultures in Cochabama, Bolivia. After graduating from APU, she continued her studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, earning a Master's degree in Theology and Ministry with an emphasis in International Development and Urban Studies. Kate completed an international practicuum in Karen, Kenya at Africa International University, taking up an interest in African ethics/theology and African church history. Kate's role in CGLE as an Assistant Director of Communication and Recruitment is to equip the student community with the resources, knowledge and values to participate in global education. Her passion is to see students value the local community and their campus just as they value people across the world.
Asti Altenritter
Program Coordinator
aaltenritter@apu.edu
Born and raised in Longmont, Colorado, Asti moved to Southern California in 2012 to pursue higher education at Azusa Pacific University. Upon completing her Bachelor’s degrees in both Global Studies and Spanish, she began working within the CGLE Team as the Program Coordinator of the L.A. Term and Global Learning Term programs. Her experience learning and working, locally and internationally, has given Asti insight to understanding multiple cultural perspectives and community development in a variety of settings. Through this position, she is able to structurally improve the programs and foster relationships with students and families around the world. It is in this way that Asti strives to breakdown stereotypes and develop socially conscious individuals. In addition to exploring the city, Asti loves to gain perspective through the lens of a camera and experience all the flavors of the local cuisine.
Allison Smith
Program Coordinator
allisonsmith@apu.edu
Allison Smith received her BA in Liberal Studies with a Spanish concentration and a TEFL Certificate from Azusa Pacific University. She is the Program Coordinator for Graduate and Short-Term Programs and assists faculty in designing department-specific trips that allow students from a variety of majors take one to four classes toward their degree. During her time as a student at APU, she studied away in Ecuador and participated in mission trips to Mexico and Japan. These experiences were formative in her life and she desires that all students have an opportunity to learn beyond the walls of APU, encountering God in a new context and widening their worldview. She enjoys working in an office that both supports and understands her desire to engage with the world and provides opportunities for other students to do the same. She hopes to one day share the hope of Christ with students in Japan, and in the meantime engages and serves with the Japanese community around Azusa.
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