A Transformative Student Experience: Personal and Professional Growth at GCU

Hello! I’m Brooklyn Cox and I graduated in April 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Broadcasting and New Media, a minor in Digital Design and a Graduate with Leadership Distinction (GLD).  

I can still vividly picture the day my parents finished settling me into my freshman dorm. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and sadness as I hugged them goodbye and walked back up the stairs to my room, tears in my eyes and feeling the weight of what independence really meant. It was up to me — to make new friends, get involved, stay on top of school and figure out my career path. Although I was excited for what was to come, the months ahead were filled with unknowns.

Now, as I pack up my college apartment and prepare to move off campus, I look back on that moment and the entirety of my student experience with gratitude. That leap of faith and my commitment to four years at GCU led to immense personal and professional growth, thanks to my community, studying communications, being involved in student leadership and more.

In This Article:

• My GCU Student Experience and Community
• The Impact of Student Leadership and Career Preparation
• Overcoming Challenges, Key Turning Points and Personal Transformation
• Advice for Future Students

My GCU Student Experience and Community

In my first semester, I explored several activities and attended all the major events, such as Silent Disco, intramurals, Chapel and men’s basketball games. I moved from Nebraska, not really knowing anyone coming in — but by being involved on campus from the beginning, I quickly got to meet new people and felt less alone. As the months went on, I focused on the relationships I valued most and started regularly attending the events that left an impact on me.

One of these was the Spiritual Formation workshops, which taught students various spiritual practices to equip them with a more vibrant faith. It was unlike any other faith event I’d attended in my 18 years of life and truly transformed me, as it encouraged me to personalize my spiritual life and gain the tools to do so. The program also gave me a community that felt like family, caring for my needs in ways I’d never imagined.

In my sophomore year, I began volunteering with Hopewing, a local outreach ministry that builds community with survivors of human trafficking — a cause I’m deeply passionate about. This was a beautiful opportunity to serve the community outside the campus gates and helped shape me into a more compassionate individual and a stronger advocate in society. 

This last year, my roommates and I also started re-selling secondhand clothing at student markets. This has been an enjoyable way to connect with girls just beginning their college journeys while also engaging in one of my creative hobbies.

Whether big or small, light-hearted or deeply meaningful, immersing myself in GCU campus life was the catalyst for all the other opportunities that followed and transformed my student experience.

The Impact of Student Leadership and Career Preparation

Starting my second year at GCU, I had the honor of being accepted onto the inaugural Spiritual Formation student leadership team. With the program being only one year old, I was given unique opportunities to develop it further and leave a legacy. For instance, I launched its Instagram page from scratch in 2022 as well as the podcast this spring semester. After two years of dedication to the program, I was graciously offered a senior leadership position in my third and final year as the marketing and hospitality team lead. In this role, I continued to create Instagram content, design promotional materials and manage all aspects of the podcast — writing scripts, scheduling, recording, editing and publishing. 

Additionally, I took on a new responsibility of overseeing collaboration with other team members in carrying out hospitality initiatives — coming up with creative ideas and implementing ways to uniquely serve those involved in the program and beyond. 

I am thankful for how my leadership role aligned well with my area of study. The skills I developed in my communications courses (i.e. Conflict and Negotiation, Small Group Communication, Digital Media and Culture, and Design Thinking) were sharpened as I found ways to apply them directly to my role. I even was able to center my capstone multimedia project around the program, incorporating some of my existing work on the team. 

Beyond fulfilling my creative responsibilities, my years on Spiritual Formation also grew my professionalism in other practical ways. Through training sessions, personal assessments, meetings with my exceptional supervisor and interviews with prospective team members, I got a unique glimpse into the professional world. I learned proper time management, effective verbal and written communication, humility, how to care for team members and the value of going above and beyond what’s expected.

Along with student leadership, during my junior and senior years, I worked remotely as a part-time student digital content specialist for Grand Canyon Education (GCE), GCU’s service partner. In this role, I refined my writing and editing skills, learned SEO best practices and successfully managed multiple projects with competing deadlines. 

These experiences have equipped me with the skills, confidence and work ethic needed to thrive in both personal and professional settings after graduation.

Overcoming Challenges, Key Turning Points and Personal Transformation

Along with student leadership, there were other moments — both challenging and rewarding — that contributed to my personal and professional growth.

My sophomore year was particularly difficult for me, as I battled with mental health struggles. Even though I was surrounded by a close-knit community and engaging in meaningful opportunities, depression and anxiety began creeping in. Balancing the demands of friends, school and leadership became increasingly challenging. My relationships shifted from freshman year, and the initial excitement and adrenaline began to subside. As hard as it is to admit, I actually failed a class for the first time in my life. Although it’s a tough period to reflect on, I gained valuable lessons from it. 

This failure became an opportunity for me to:

• Discover my career interests
• Switch my major
• Seek help from GCU’s no cost counseling services
• Deepen my faith
• Make the necessary changes to become a better friend, student and leader 

Things also took a turn when I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad the following summer — another pivotal time in my college journey. I studied Travel Writing at Florence University of the Arts, where I was able to enhance my education, immerse myself in a new culture, create new connections and grow personally. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone once again proved extremely rewarding, as Italy now holds some of my most cherished college memories. 

Although GCU provided me with a strong community and substantial knowledge in studying communications, my time abroad offered a unique learning environment. It not only honed my writing and professional skills but also produced a newfound independence, confidence and zeal for life that I don’t know if I would’ve found elsewhere. 

Looking back on the past four years, every challenge and joyful memory has played a key role in shaping who I am today. College has been a journey of transformation, self-discovery and resilience and I’m grateful for each lesson that has prepared me for the future.

Advice for Future Students

From freshman to recent graduate, I feel I have lived out the student experience in full and have gained valuable insight each year. Here is some of my best advice as you navigate your own college journey:

• Find your passion: Coming into college, I certainly had hobbies and things I cared about, but through my exploration of campus activities and willingness to try new things, my true passions were revealed. I encourage you to find even just one thing that stirs something inside of you. There are so many ministries, clubs and programs available on campus because we are all created with different passions. Find yours and build your involvement on campus around that.
• Apply for student leadership: I strongly encourage many people to become student leaders on campus because I believe it accelerates one’s professional growth. Although I attained valuable skills from studying communications, I believe my professionalism grew the most through my time on Spiritual Formation. Being on a team and leading others can stretch you, bring out your talents and help you in all other facets of your college career and beyond.
• Focus on your personal journey: I can’t stress enough the importance of focusing on your own path in college — personally, professionally and spiritually. Although it’s a gift to be surrounded by others in the same life stage, it can also make it easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to your peers. Remember, your identity isn’t defined by your friend group, relationship status, job title, GPA or anything else. Work hard and seek good things, but keep your eyes fixed on God, and let His purpose for your life be your guide.

The ultimate goal of attending college is to earn a degree, but I believe that if you apply these things to your student experience, you will come out with so much more. I’ve been very blessed by my community, education, leadership and professional opportunities, and even my hardships. If you are eager to experience a similar transformation, apply to GCU today!