FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE (FAR)
The Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) is the person designated by the university for its faculty in dealing with the Office of the President, the NCAA and the Pacific West Conference and other affiliated conferences regarding the intercollegiate athletics program of the university. The FAR serves as the liaison between the Athletics Department and the faculty and APU administration and advises the President and others on NCAA and conference issues from the faculty’s perspective. In addition, the FAR reviews NCAA self-declarations, assists students on appeals, investigates NCAA violations, and understands and follows all NCAA rules, regulations, and policies. The FAR has three main roles:
1. Ensure a quality student-athlete experience and the well-being of student-athletes;
2. Ensure the academic integrity of the athletics program; and
3. Provide institutional control of the athletics program.
Courtney Wong DavisPh.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Davis is an associate professor of communication management at Azusa Pacific University, where she also serves as program director and teaches communication in organizational, small group, and professional settings.
His research interests include organizational belonging, specifically focused on organizational entry and exit, in addition to intergenerational communication and organizational identification. His scholarship has been published in the Western Journal of Communication, Communication Quarterly, and The Handbook of Intergroup Communication. Her first book, Leading Small Groups that Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level (Zondervan, 2020), is grounded in social science research and translated to provide practical input to equip small group leaders to facilitate individual spiritual growth.
A committed researcher, Dr. Davis also coaches and consults with executives and organizational leaders to explore creative solutions to complex challenges, clarify individual values, understand organizational culture, and facilitate confidence in new directions.
ATHLETICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Athletics Advisory Committee serves as a liaison between the Athletics Department, faculty, staff, and administration and exists to help the University develop and maintain the best possible intercollegiate athletic program consistent with integrity. academic environment of the institution and the academic, social and spiritual environment. development of student-athletes.
Committee members
Dr. Angela RoblesAssociate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Christine R. GuzmanMSW, LCSW, Coordinator, Title IX
Denis BeckwithM.Ed., Director of Gifts and Estate Planning, University Advancement
Dr Eric SorensonChair and Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Jeff PostlmayrExecutive Director of Operations, School of Nursing
Dr John ThorntonPresident and Professor of Accounting, School of Business and Management
Dr. Keith HallVice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Dr Mark ArvidsonPh.D., Professor, Department of Mathematics and Physics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Pastor Ta’Tyana LeonardMA, Associate Director of Corporate Worship, Campus Pastor
Ex-officio members
Gary Pinesports director
Bethany BlomquistMA, Senior Female Administrator, Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations
Paolo Flores IIAssistant Director of Athletics, Compliance and Academic Support
SAAC representatives
Alex Lowden
Allie Brooks
FACULTY ATHLETIC BINDINGS (by sport)
The Faculty Athletic Liaison (FAL) program is designed to enhance the integration of athletics and academics by creating a culture of support for student-athletes, as they pursue academic and athletic excellence. The intention of the FAL program is to strengthen the bonds between student-athletes, coaches and teachers. Additionally, the FAL program enables faculty members to discover and understand student-athlete commitments to succeed in their academic and athletic endeavors.
Acrobatics + Tumbling: Dr. Courtney Davis, Communications Management
Baseball: Dr. Courtney Davis, Communications Management
Men’s basketball: Dr Mark Arvidson, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics
Women’s basketball: To be determined
Cross Country (men and women): Dr. Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science; Teacher. Doug Hume, Political Science
Men’s football: Dr. Eric Sorenson, Kinesiology
Women’s football : To be determined
Soft ball : Dr. Angela Robles, Kinesiology
Swimming/Diving: Dr. Angela Robles, Kinesiology
Tennis (men’s and women’s): Dr. John Thornton, Accounting
Athletics (men and women): Dr. Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science; Teacher. Doug Hume, Political Science
Volleyball: To be determined
Water polo: Dr. Catherine Heinlein, Nursing
FACULTY ACADEMIC ADVISORS (by department/program)
Faculty Academic Advisors are faculty and/or staff members who serve and counsel student-athletes in their academic programs. Faculty advisors can help student-athletes plan their curriculum, progress through degrees, and engage in conversations about career and post-graduate projects.
Paramedical health, biology, biochemistry: to be determined
Commercial management: Miriam Martinez for all SAs. x2848.
Communication Management: Dr. Courtney Davis
Psychology: Dr. Brian Collisson
Kinesiology: Dr. Eric Sorenson
Accounting: Ms. Raelyn Adelante
Criminal justice: to be determined
Liberal studies: to be determined
Day: to be determined
Biochemistry, Chemistry: to be determined
English: to be determined
Comp Sci: to be determined
Sociology: to be determined
