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Pacific Union College is celebrating a significant milestone after receiving a six-year accreditation reaffirmation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a decision that recognizes the college's academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and years of intentional progress.As part of its decision, WSCUC also removed the Notice of Concern previously issued to the college, affirming PUC is operating with greater stability, stronger systems, and a sustainable foundation for the future.Upon receiving the news, Lindsay Hayasaka, PUC’s Accreditation Liaison Officer, felt a flood of gratitude.“Milestones like this don't happen because of one office or one committee—they happen because hundreds of people faithfully do their work every day with excellence and a shared commitment to our mission,” she said. “This outcome is something we can all be proud of."Throughout the process, Hayasaka clearly saw God’s leading in the people He continuously brought together.“At every critical point, the right individuals stepped forward with the expertise and willingness to serve at the moment required,” she said.The accreditation reaffirmation follows a comprehensive review of PUC, examining everything from academics and student success to governance, planning, finances, and institutional effectiveness. It marks the culmination of years of collaborative efforts involving faculty, staff, administrators, and the Board.Those...

On May 24, Pacific Union College honored 120 of its student-athletes at the Athletic Awards Banquet, with 38 receiving CAL-Pac awards and 29 receiving PUC Team awards. Held in the Fireside Room, this year’s banquet was extra special as CAL-PAC Commissioner Dr. Don Ott joined the event for the first time to present two Conference Awards: the Dr. Jim Davies Scholar Athlete of the Year Award and the Sportsmanship Award.For the first time in PUC history, cross-country senior biology student Andrea Maidan was the first female athlete to win the Dr. Jim Davies Scholar Athlete of the Year Award for standing out within the CAL-PAC for her exceptional contributions in academics, athletics, and the community. She was part of PUC’s Cross Country team that sent two female athletes to Nationals this school year, with Maidan placing first in the CAL-PAC Championships. She was also named All-Conference First Team and CAL-PAC Runner of the Year, all while keeping a 3.9 GPA, which also awarded her this year’s CAL-PAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and team Most Valuable Player.“Receiving these awards is an incredibly rewarding achievement,” said Maidan. “To me, these awards demonstrate my work ethic and grit, which I take...

Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, Pacific Union College Assistant Professor of Psychology Libna Arroyo invited guests to her psychology courses to give students real-world learning experiences through the college’s experiential learning opportunities.For the PSYC 235: Child Development class, Professor Arroyo invited two families, one of whom is PUC Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Matt Evans’ family, with children under five, to participate in age-appropriate activities with college students during the child development lab.PSYC 264: Social Psychology featured a Holocaust survivor, Anita, who was a hidden Jewish child during World War II. She has been sharing her story for five years and is currently 93 years old. Also, National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplain (NAVAC) Board Certified Chaplain and Air Force Chaplain Jonathan Arroyo spoke to the students about altruism.Arroyo invited two families from the community who have adopted children through foster care in California to her PSYC 335: Adolescent Psychology class to share their experiences with adolescents. These families shared their experiences in parenting children who have suffered trauma. The parents also shared their relationships with professionals who work with their children, such as social workers, school counselors, and teachers, and provided tips for interacting with families in their future careers.Arranging...

On July 1, Sam Heier transitioned to his new role as Vice President of Financial Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Having served as the Executive Director of Financial Administration since 2023, he has since established strong financial rapport across campus, bringing a wealth of experience, strategic thinking, and a vision to keep PUC moving forward.Heier’s story began long before he settled in Angwin with his wife, Jodel, whom he met during his time at PUC, and their two sons, Rylan and Luke. After moving to PUC from his hometown near Stuttgart, Germany, in 1996, he was a determined ESL student in a completely new environment, working at the Howell Mountain Market to support his education. Heier credits his work experience there and the manager he worked under with influencing the management philosophies he holds and practices today.“I think what makes PUC unique is not that we are here to teach students in the classroom alone, but we really help them grow as human beings and future leaders,” he said. “Students are mentored by amazing educators and pastors. That was my experience back then as an international student, and it still holds true today.”Heier described his time at PUC as a...

As part of an initiative to enhance the pre-law program at Pacific Union College, Intro to Law will be offered to students starting in the fall 2026 quarter. This 100-level course will be offered not only to PUC students but also to the College Early program for high school students. PUC is also thrilled to announce that Deputy District Attorney Shashawnya Worley of the Napa County District Attorney's Office will be teaching the class on campus. In addition to educating students about the profession, the course will focus on criminal law and its constitutional aspects, as well as on preparing for a mock trial to be held at the Napa County Courthouse. Students interested in Intro to Law can register for the class now.The minds behind forming this course were a committee of pre-law advisors from PUC’s business, communication, English, history, and honors departments, and they have also partnered with Ruthe Ashley of the California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC). Although formed recently, they have already begun creating opportunities for students, such as establishing their honors society, offering internships, and inviting law school representatives to serve as guest speakers.“Intro to Law, as well as the other work being actively promoted by...