One of the main reasons that Grand Canyon University is special is because of students who desire to bring joy to others. One of those students is Hanna Hordan, a junior who is studying Communications at GCU. Hanna is from Kent, Washington, and while she misses the seasons that the Pacific Northwest provides, she loves waking up to the sunshine each morning in Phoenix! She is currently serving as a life leader and spends her days drinking coffee, watching movies with friends, and diving into genuine relationships.
Q: What do you love most about GCU?
A: The thing I like most about GCU is that it’s a Christian campus. I always went to a public school, but I always wished for an opportunity to learn in a community that shared the same beliefs as I do. Coming to GCU, I loved having professors open up about their faith – that has been a really cool experience. Although it’s hard being away from home, I think this experience has taught me a lot; the Canyon community has supported me through all of my struggles, and that will stay with me.
Q: What is your dream job?
A: My dream job would be to work on a college campus whether that be as a professor or in the corporate office. Other than that I would love to work in human resources! As a Communications major, I really love to get to know people and talk to people one-on-one! HR does that within any company and I think it would be a really great match for my personality.
Q: Why did you apply to be a life leader?
A: Most of my life, I have worked as a leader in a church small group; I wanted to continue to do that at school. Unfortunately, my lack of faith in myself and God caused me to not apply for it the summer between my freshman and sophomore year. This really weighed on my heart sophomore year, so I decided to apply for the upcoming school year. I didn’t want my insecurities to get in the way of what God had planned for me. So if He wanted me to get the position, I would. With that realization came another realization – maybe the season of leadership had ended for me. I needed to leave it up to God to show me His will for my life.
Q: What is the hardest thing about being a life leader?
A: The hardest thing about my job is being honest about where I am in my walk with God. When you’re not in a place of leadership, you don’t always have to be reading your Bible or going to church; you can just “use” God when you’re going through a hard season. But when you’re called to lead girls that are relying on you to know your stuff, there are a lot of conversations that happen between you and the Lord. “Normally I wouldn’t be talking to you, but because I have a job I have to.” However, this has been the best thing for my walk with God. I can’t just take breaks from Him. I can’t walk away from Him because I got a bad grade on my exam or I’m not getting where I want to in life. The position of life leader has reaffirmed my anchor in Him. I need Him every day, even when I don’t want to need Him.
Q: What is the best part about being a life leader?
A: The most rewarding part of this job is the process of building relationships with the girls in my hall. Sometimes I’m talking with them and they will say the most incredible things about religion that I have never thought of before. Being a life leader, I get to learn from my girls every single week. I’ve also been able to build real friendships with these girls – I want to hang out with them and get coffee and go off campus with them. It’s been great to get to know girls that I would’ve never met before this role.
Q: If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?
A: I would be something really delicious. I’d be caramel-y and have pecans. Because I’m sweet, a little different, and just a tad nutty!