May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a good time to ask yourself, “How good is my mental health?”  What Is Mental Health? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as a person’s “emotional, psychological and social well-being.” Mental health can impact every area of your life from your interactions with other people to the choices you make and your ability to cope with the stressors in your life.   According to the CDC, mental health issues are one of the most common health conditions in the United States. The CDC estimates that: One in five ad ..read more

During the current war between Israel and Hamas, Iran has used the conflict as an opening to strike at Israel. Iran is attempting to force Israel into opening a second, northern front, using the shared border with Syria and Lebanon. As a small nation with a small military force, Israel prefers to avoid expanding the conflict beyond Gaza. According to AP News, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck an Iranian consulate in Syria where Iranian military leaders were allegedly executing their war plans. Of the 16 people killed in the airstrike, half were representatives of the Iranian Revolutionary ..read more

El Salvador has a long history of violence. During its 1980-1992 civil war, over 75,000 civilians were killed in El Salvador, according to The Center for Justice & Accountability.  The deaths occurred when five large leftist revolutionary organizations merged to form a guerilla army that opposed the government. Since then, powerful gangs have controlled communities throughout El Salvador. These gangs include MS-13 and MS-18, which are known globally for their use of extreme violence. How Gangs Influenced Life in El Salvador El Salvador’s gangs were known for extortion. According to El ..read more

Nabil Rahman in Jordan. Image courtesy of author. Student organizations provide you with the opportunity to maximize your educational experience by participating in extracurricular activities, networking with like-minded peers and acquiring useful skills. But how do you do that in online education? Thanks to technology, joining student organizations and participating in extracurricular activities is very easy. The University offers over 74 different student organizations that meet on a regular basis and are devoted to helping their members develop collaboration and leadership skills. Talking w ..read more

Editor’s Note: This is the twelfth episode in Season 3 of Break the Case. Listen to the first episode. Listen to Episode 12: Subscribe to Break the Case Spotify | Apple Podcasts As the 16-year anniversary of Linda Malcom’s murder approaches, AMU’s investigative team receives hopeful news that police are make notable progress in identifying Linda’s killer. In this episode, Jen Bucholtz talks with Detective Andee Walton, the lead investigator from the Port Orchard PD, assigned to Linda’s case. Detective Walton provides her thoughts and theories on Linda’s murderer, updates o ..read more

Welcome to the world of turning your life experiences into college credits through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) at the University. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a military veteran or someone with a diverse range of experiences, PLA offers you a way to earn academic credit for what you’ve learned outside traditional classrooms. It is a fantastic opportunity for adults to get college credit for the knowledge and skills they’ve gained from life experiences. You get credit for what you know, not just where you’ve been. The Sections of a Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio An important ..read more

By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Ashley Watts, APU Graduate Environmental conservation is important, and quite a few of the University’s students and faculty member have dedicated their efforts toward protecting the environment. One of those conservationists is APU alumna Ashley Watts, whose work in conservation has created a better environment for aquatic animals and people in Michigan. As an animal welfare host and team lead for SEA LIFE in Lansing, Michigan, Ashley has helped to maintain a sustainable model for aquatic animals. Developing a Love for Nature and ..read more

Dr. James Reese, Faculty Member, Practicum Coordinator & Community Relations,  Sports Management & Esports and Amanda Windsor-White, President of Rugby ATL ; APU alumna What’s a career in the major leagues like? How welcome are women, really? And, when they get there, how far can they go? APU’s Dr. Jim Reese talks to APU alumna and Rugby ATL president, Amanda Windsor-White, who answers all these questions, and more. Listen to the Episode: Subscribe to The Everyday ScholarApple Podcasts | Spotify Read the Transcript: Dr. Jim Reese: Hello everyone ..read more

Combating human trafficking should involve nationwide training. Ideally, everyone should be informed of the pervasiveness of human trafficking in communities throughout the United States. Sadly, human trafficking occurs in all 50 states. As a result, U.S. citizens have an essential role in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and taking action, which can save lives. Learning the Signs of Human Trafficking To effectively fight human trafficking, everyone should learn the indicators of human trafficking and how to report their observations to law enforcement agencies. Traffickers commonly ..read more

What do you want to get out of your time at the University? Many students have different answers to this question, but those answers often have a common thread. Most students want to maximize their educational journey. One way to accomplish this goal is to seek out the many extracurricular activities that go beyond classroom learning. For instance, students, alumni, faculty members and University staff can join over 74 student organizations that serve a variety of personal and professional interests. How Extracurricular Activities Helped a Legal Studies Graduate I recently talked with a gradua ..read more