20 Grand Canyon University Interview Questions and Answers

Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that offers on campus and online degree programs. The university is regionally accredited and is known for its rigorous academic programs. When applying for a position at Grand Canyon University, you can expect to be asked questions about your Christian faith and how it would impact your work at the university. Other questions may focus on your academic achievements and your experience with online learning.

Grand Canyon University Interview Process

The interview process at Grand Canyon University can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will involve a phone screening with HR followed by one or more in-person interviews with the hiring manager. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a project or presentation as part of the interview process. Overall, the interview process is fairly straightforward and typically takes 1-2 weeks to complete.

1. What is your experience with higher education?

This question is an opportunity to share your academic background and discuss how you’ve used your degree in the past. If you’re a recent graduate, talk about what inspired you to pursue higher education. If you have experience working with students, describe some of the ways you helped them succeed.

Example: “I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration last year. Throughout my undergraduate career, I was active in several clubs and organizations that helped me develop leadership skills. In my senior year, I served as president of the student government association. This role gave me valuable experience managing projects and delegating tasks.”

2. How do you think the future of education will change?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the education industry and how you can adapt to change. You can use this question to discuss a recent development in education or share your thoughts on what you think will happen in the future.

Example: “I believe that online learning will continue to grow as more people are looking for flexible options. I also think there will be more opportunities for students to learn from each other, rather than just their professors. For example, I would love to see more MOOCs (massive open online courses) where students can interact with one another.”

3. Why do you want to work at Grand Canyon University?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their organization. When you answer, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the university and understand what makes it unique. You can also mention any personal connections you have with GCU or its students.

Example: “I want to work at Grand Canyon University because I believe in the mission of the institution. I am a Christian myself, so I know how important faith is for many people. I think it’s great that GCU offers an education that focuses on both academics and spiritual growth. I would love to be part of a team that helps students find their purpose.”

4. Tell us about a time when you had to solve a complex problem, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you used critical thinking and analytical skills to solve the issue.

Example: “In my previous role as an admissions counselor, I had to work with students who were struggling academically. One student in particular was failing two classes and needed to make up those credits before they could graduate. I met with the student and discussed their options for making up the credits. They decided to take summer courses so that they could graduate on time.”

5. Do you have any experience teaching or counseling students?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with students and can apply your skills in a classroom or counseling setting. If you do not have any teaching or counseling experience, you can talk about other experiences where you’ve helped others learn or grow.

Example: “I worked as a tutor for several years while I was in college. I enjoyed helping my students understand concepts they were struggling with and seeing them succeed. I also volunteered at a local youth center where I led weekly art classes for children. It was rewarding to see their creativity flourish as they learned new techniques.”

6. Which classes would you like to teach?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your knowledge of GCU’s curriculum. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer to a specific course description and explain why you would enjoy teaching that class.

Example: “I have taken several business classes at my current university, including accounting and marketing. I really enjoyed learning about these subjects because they are so applicable to real-world situations. If I were accepted into the program at Grand Canyon University, I would like to teach one of your marketing courses. Marketing is such an important skill for any professional, and I think I could help students learn how to apply their skills in a practical way.”

7. Describe your experience working in sales.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your sales experience and how you approach selling. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when you successfully sold something or helped someone make a buying decision.

Example: “In my previous role as an admissions counselor, I was responsible for helping students choose the right program for them. I would meet with prospective students and their families in person and over the phone to answer questions and address concerns they had about our programs. In these conversations, I always tried to emphasize the benefits of attending GCU.”

8. If you were an enrollment counselor, what tactics would you use to enroll prospective students?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of GCU’s enrollment process and how you would help students enroll in the university. You can use examples from previous experiences or explain what you would do if you were a new employee at GCU.

Example: “I would first make sure that I was familiar with all of the programs offered by Grand Canyon University, including majors, minors, certificates and online courses. Then, I would contact high school guidance counselors and teachers to learn about their students who are looking for colleges. I would also reach out to local churches and youth groups to find students interested in attending college.”

9. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals. It also allows you to see if they are committed to their current field and whether or not they have plans for growth in the future. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include your short-term goals as well.

Example: “I hope to be working toward my doctorate by five years from now. I would like to continue teaching at Grand Canyon University while pursuing my advanced degree. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to work hard and provide excellent service to students.”

10. We are looking for someone who can handle stressful situations well. Can you give an example of a time when you handled stress well?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle stress and if you have any experience with handling it. When answering, try to think of a specific example that shows your ability to manage stressful situations well.

Example: “In my last position as an admissions counselor at Grand Canyon University, I had the opportunity to work with students from all over the country. One day, one of our students called me in tears because she was having trouble finding housing for her family while attending school. She was very stressed about the situation and wanted to know what we could do to help. I talked to her about some options and offered to call around to find her a place to stay. After talking with her, I realized that she just needed someone to listen to her concerns and offer advice on how to solve them. By listening to her and offering advice, I helped her feel more confident in her abilities to find a solution.”

11. Would you be able to travel to meet with high school counselors and other professionals?

Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that offers on-campus and online degree programs. The school also requires students to meet with high school counselors, teachers and other professionals before enrolling in classes. This question helps the interviewer determine if you are willing to travel for these meetings. In your answer, explain how you would be able to make this commitment.

Example: “I am happy to travel to meet with high school counselors and other professionals. I understand that it’s important to have face-to-face conversations about my academic history and goals. I will do everything I can to ensure that I’m prepared for these meetings.”

12. How do you feel about making outbound calls to prospects?

Prospecting is a key part of the sales process, and GCU may ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with it. If you have experience making outbound calls, explain how you feel about them. If you don’t have much experience, you can talk about your willingness to learn.

Example: “I’ve made outbound calls in previous positions, so I’m familiar with the process. However, I prefer to focus on cold emails and social media outreach because they are more scalable and cost-effective. I would be happy to do some prospecting if that’s what the job requires.”

13. How many hours per week would you be available to work as an adjunct faculty member?

The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your availability and commitment level. If you are currently working as an adjunct faculty member, be sure to mention the number of hours per week that you work. If you have never worked as an adjunct faculty member, consider mentioning how many hours per week you would be available to work if hired.

Example: “I am currently working as an adjunct faculty member at a community college in my area. I typically teach two classes per semester for 12 hours per week. However, I can commit to teaching three courses per semester if needed.”

14. What does customer service mean to you?

Customer service is an important part of working in a university setting. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of providing excellent customer service to students, faculty and other staff members. In your answer, try to explain how you would use your interpersonal skills to help others solve problems or address their concerns.

Example: “Customer service means making sure that everyone I interact with feels valued and respected. Whether it’s helping a student find the right class or answering questions for a professor, I want to make sure that everyone who interacts with me leaves feeling like they were heard. I believe that by showing people respect, I can build strong relationships and create positive experiences.”

15. What were some challenges that came up while working on your last project?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can overcome challenges and still complete projects on time. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example from your previous job where you overcame a challenge. Explain what the challenge was and how you solved it.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I had to work with several different software programs. This made it difficult for me to find information when needed. To solve this issue, I created a database system that allowed me to store all of the information in one place. This helped me save time by not having to search through multiple files.”

16. Provide an example of a time when you worked closely with a team of people.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in many jobs, including those at Grand Canyon University. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. To answer this question, think of a time when you worked on a team project or helped someone else work on a project. Explain what your role was and how it contributed to the overall success of the project.

Example: “In my previous job as a marketing specialist, I worked closely with a group of other specialists to create a new campaign for our company’s product line. We met regularly to discuss ideas and plan out the best ways to reach our target audience. Each person had their own strengths that they brought to the table, which made us stronger as a whole.”

17. How comfortable are you using Microsoft Office programs?

Microsoft Office is a suite of programs that includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These are the most commonly used programs in business settings, so it’s important to be familiar with them. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience using these programs or if you need additional training. In your answer, let the interviewer know which Microsoft Office programs you’re comfortable using and how often you use them.

Example: “I am very comfortable using all three of the Microsoft Office programs. I’ve been using them for five years now, both at my current job and when I was working as an intern. I find that they make completing projects much easier because I can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations quickly.”

18. Could you describe a situation where you used good judgment and logic to solve a problem?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering, try to describe a situation where you used logic and reasoning to solve a problem or challenge.

Example: “In my previous position as an admissions counselor at Grand Canyon University, I had to help students who were having trouble with their financial aid applications. One student was having issues submitting his application online because he didn’t have access to a computer. He called me on the phone asking for help, so I asked him questions about his situation to determine what we could do to fix it. After talking with him, I realized that he needed someone to go to his home and submit the application for him. So, I contacted our financial aid department and explained the situation. They told me they would send someone over to his house to complete the application.”

19. What was one thing you learned while earning your degree?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have gained valuable knowledge and skills from your degree. You can use this question to highlight a specific skill or attribute that helped you succeed in your academic career.

Example: “One thing I learned while earning my bachelor’s degree was how to manage my time effectively. In order to complete all of my coursework, projects and exams on time, I had to learn how to balance my work life with my personal life. This skill has been very useful throughout my professional career because it allows me to stay organized and focused.”

20. What is your favorite part of being an educator?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you enjoy your job and are passionate about teaching. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience or event that made you love being a teacher.

Example: “My favorite part of being an educator is seeing my students succeed. I remember when one of my students was struggling with a concept in class, so I stayed after school for an hour to help them understand it better. After working on it together, they finally understood the material and were able to move forward in their coursework. It’s moments like these that make me realize why I chose this career.”