FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE (FAR)
The Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) is the university designee for its faculty in the relationship to the Office of the President, the NCAA, and the Pacific West Conference and other affiliated conferences regarding the university’s intercollegiate athletics program. The FAR is the liaison between the Department of Athletics and APU faculty and administration and advises the president and others on NCAA and conference issues from the faculty perspective. In addition, the FAR reviews NCAA self-reports, assists in student appeals, investigates NCAA infractions, and understands and adheres to all NCAA rules, regulations, and polices. The FAR exercises three primary roles:
1. Ensuring a quality student-athlete experience and student-athlete well-being;
2. Ensuring the academic integrity of the athletics program; and
3. Ensuring institutional control of the athletics program.
Courtney Wong Davis, Ph.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 about communication in organizational, small group, and professional contexts.
Her research interests include organizational membership, specifically focused on organizational entry and exit, in addition to intergenerational communication and organizational identification. Her 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 make a practical contribution to equip small group leaders to facilitate individual spiritual growth.
An engaged scholar, Dr. Davis also coaches and consults with executives and organizational leaders to explore creative solutions to complex challenges, clarifying individual values, understanding organizational culture, and facilitating confidence in moving in new directions.
ATHLETICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Athletic 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 the academic integrity of the institution and the academic, social, and spiritual development of student-athletes.
Committee Members
Dr. Angela Robles, Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Christine R. Guzman, MSW, LCSW, Coordinator, Title IX
Dr. Eric Sorenson, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
Jeff Postlmayr, Executive Director of Operations, School of Nursing
Dr. John Thornton, Chair and Professor of Accounting, School of Business and Management
Dr. Keith Hall, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Dr. Mark Arvidson, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Mathematics and Physics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Pastor Ta’Tyana Leonard, MA, Associate Director of Corporate Worship, Campus Pastor
Ex Officio Members
Gary Pine, Director of Athletics
Bethany Blomquist, MA, Senior Women’s Administrator, Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations
Paul Flores II, Assistant Athletics Director of Compliance & Academic Support
SAAC Representatives
Alex Lowden
Allie Brooks
FACULTY ATHLETICS LIAISONS (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 both academic and athletic excellence. The intent of the FAL program is to strengthen connections among student-athletes, coaches, and faculty. In addition, the FAL program allows faculty members to experience and understand the commitments of student-athletes to achieve success in both their academic and athletic endeavors.
Acrobatics + Tumbling: Dr. Courtney Davis, Communication Management
Baseball: Dr. Courtney Davis, Communication Management
Men’s Basketball: Dr. Mark Arvidson, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics
Women’s Basketball: Dr. Cindy Tanis, Kinesiology
Cross Country (men’s and women’s): Dr. Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science; Prof. Doug Hume, Political Science
Men’s Soccer: Dr. Courtney Wong Davis, Communication Management
Women’s Soccer: Dr. Courtney Wong Davis, Communication Management
Softball: Dr. Angela Robles, Kinesiology
Swimming/Diving: Dr. Angela Robles, Kinesiology
Tennis (men’s and women’s): Dr. John Thornton, Accounting
Track + Field (men’s and women’s): Dr. Aisha Chen, Engineering and Computer Science; Prof. Doug Hume, Political Science
Volleyball: TBD
Water Polo: Dr. Catherine Heinlein, Nursing
DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC ADVISORS (by department/program)
Department Academic Advisors are faculty and/or staff members who serve and advise student-athletes in their degree programs. Department Academic Advisors may assist student-athletes in curriculum planning, degree progress, and engaging conversations about vocational and post-collegiate endeavors.
Accounting: Ms. Realyn Adelante, Program Coordinator (radelante@apu.edu)
Allied Health, Biology: Ms. Michelle Pilch, Administrative Assistant (mpilch@apu.edu)
Biochemistry, Chemistry: Ms. Michelle Pilch, Administrative Assistant (mpilch@apu.edu)
Business Management: Ms. Miriam Martinez, Student Success Coordinator (miriammartinez@apu.edu)
Communication Management: Dr. Courtney Davis, Associate Professor (cwdavis@apu.edu)
Criminal Justice: Dr. Louis Tuthill, Assistant Professor (ltuthill@apu.edu)
History & Political Science: Prof. Doug Hume (dhume@apu.edu)
Journalism: Dr. Ismael Lopez Medel, Professor (ilopezmedel@apu.edu)
Kinesiology: TBD
Liberal Studies: Dr. Paul Flores, Professor (pflores@apu.edu)
Psychology: Ms. Chloe Yin, Undergraduate Program Coordinator for Psychology (chloeyin@apu.edu)
