2020

Pacific Union College (PUC) began classes this fall quarter with an increase in enrollment, breaking the nationwide trend of enrollment decreases. The college saw a 4% increase in overall headcount, while higher education institutions across the country saw an average 3.8% decrease.The census date headcount for fall 2020 stands at 966, compared to 929 last year, and is the first enrollment increase that PUC has seen in six years. This is especially notable because of the global COVID-19 pandemic that is putting a strain on schools. Although the causes of the increase are due to many factors, some of the more notable contributions to PUC’s increase can be tied to an increase in transfer students, nursing students, students from the local area, and former students who had taken a break but have now re-enrolled."I'm proud of the significant efforts done by our admissions and marketing teams, as well as the support they received from the entire campus to create this increase. During the 2019-2020 school year, Pacific Union College began a well-thought-out, three-year turnaround plan. This plan, supported by the board, employees, and administration, is beginning to yield results. These positive results not only represent the hard work of our...

The local evacuation order was lifted for the Angwin community on Tuesday and we are so happy to welcome our PUC family and neighbors back home! We are very blessed that our campus remained safe and untouched during the Glass Fire and are grateful for the amazing firefighters and other first responders who work so hard to keep our campus and community safe. Students who were residing on campus before the evacuation will be able to join us on campus again on Sunday, October 11 and have received details on the return to campus directly. PUC would like to thank everyone who said a prayer for us or made a donation to help support our displaced students families! ...

On August 4, a huge blast struck the Lebanese capital city of Beirut, killing at least 135 people, wounding more than 5,000, and leaving more than 300,000 people homeless. Across the world, Pacific Union College students Alex Nelson and Gilund Fayard were spending their summer working as guides for the outdoor adventure company, Way to Moab in Moab, Utah, and had no idea their lives would change in just a short few days. When given the opportunity to join relief efforts in Beirut, both young men jumped at the opportunity. Fayard admits the decision to travel to a foreign country with little planning and notice was a bit reckless. They were unable to confirm accommodations before they departed and arrived in Beirut in the middle of the night and slept on the airport floor but both students called it providential as they watched answers to their many challenges fall into place one after the next. Before even leaving the airport they were offered housing from a friend of a friend and met strangers who offered rides, wifi, food, and lots of prayer.What made you decide to travel to Beirut?Gil: I decided to go based on my personal connections, my skill...

PUC offices are open as normal and the campus is under no threat from wildfires in Northern California at this time. Classes will begin as normal on Monday, September 14 via remote learning with exceptions for essential services students and some others. For more information on PUC’s fall campus plan, please visit puc.ed/fall2020.The PUC family is praying for all those affected by the wildfires and for the firefighters and others responding to the emergency.If you are looking for details on the overall wildfire situation, please visit Cal Fire.For the latest on the local Angwin community, please visit Angwin Volunteer Fire Department.To subscribe to urgent notifications from Nixle, text your zip code to 888-777.Visit the interactive air quality map at PurpleAir.com....

Pacific Union College has launched three new academic programs available for the 2020-2021 school year. The Global Health, Data Science, and Paramedic programs are especially timely for students looking for ways to serve their communities in meaningful ways.PUC's Bachelor of Science in Global Health is designed for those interested in improving the health and wellness of communities worldwide. The study of global health stems from the need to educate and keep large groups of people healthy in a way that individualized medicine cannot. A student who is fascinated by health and well-being, driven to helping others, and enjoys research and education makes an excellent candidate for this degree.The B.S. in Emergency Services, Paramedic is a unique hybrid program that allows students to complete three years at PUC in the Emergency Services Program and then take their paramedic training at any accredited (CAAHEP) program. Upon completion, they will be awarded their degree from PUC.The Data Science major will prepare students to be employed to work with data and analyze it in a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, entertainment, and political and social science. The B.S. degree also provides a background for further graduate study in data science or related fields....

Learn Local. Grow Local. Serve Local. Those heartfelt words are the motto for Howell Mountain Farms at Pacific Union College, which was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Adventist-Laymens Services & Industries (ASI.) The farm was established as an outlet for students at PUC to learn about agriculture and business through hands-on experience, but the inspiration came from Ellen White. “I was reading the Spirit of Prophecy,” said farm manager Doug Helmer. “[Ellen White] talked about how we preach too much and we teach too much, that we need to have our students experiencing things more.”In addition to practical experience, the farm will provide a valuable connection between PUC and its students with the local community through an active produce stand. The college will also feature produce from the farm in their dining commons, and the farm hopes to supply local restaurants as well.The generous ASI grant will allow Howell Mountain Farms to expand with a propagation house where seedlings can start to grow before being moved outside. The new facility will be fully automated with a sprinkler system, rolling tables, building sides that automatically roll up at certain temperatures, and a shade cloth for the summer sun. The farm...

Dear PUC Family, I take responsibility and apologize for the delay in PUC's response to the current issues of racism and injustice that are tearing at the very fabric of our society and impacting many in our campus family. There have been a lot of difficult conversations happening on our beloved college campus, and as a result, the message that I'm sharing with you today is different from the message that I would have written even a few days ago. As a college, we have celebrated our diversity, been recognized and awarded for our diversity, and marketed our diversity. But we have failed to understand the actual needs that come with our diversity.I never want PUC to be a school that only stands up for you when your pain hits the headlines. I want us to be the school that supports you every single day and prepares you to be the leaders that our communities, our churches, and our country need more than ever. If we expect tomorrow to be better for future generations, we have to behave differently today.Judging from the stories that have been shared with me over the last several days, it is clear that we have...

Pacific Union College received $569,112 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency financial aid grants directly to PUC students affected by the COVID-19 crisis.The college received the funds on April 28 and by mid-May, close to $300,000 had already been distributed to 394 students. PUC estimates around 400 students are eligible to receive grants from this federal fund, which is intended to support those who are experiencing unforeseen hardship from the COVID-10 global pandemic. This includes students who need additional support for their education.“We are grateful we received the CARES Act funds and that we can reach so many students with the additional assistance,” said J.R. Rogers, PUC’s Associate Vice President of Student Life. “Some students couldn’t do online learning because they didn’t have computers and some have parents who are now out of work and needed to help support their families. Almost anything you can imagine being an issue is the reality for our students right now.”Another avenue of support for PUC students affected by the pandemic has come from the college’s Coronavirus Student Emergency Fund. The fund was started early in the crisis as the needs of PUC students started to become...

Pacific Union College’s associate nursing program has been granted continuing accreditation through 2027 by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). “Congratulations on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to continued successes for your nursing program,” the formal notification from ACEN’s Chief Executive Officer, Marsal P. Stoll, read. “On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we thank you and your colleagues for your commitment to quality nursing education.”The college’s associate nursing program is part of the department of nursing and health sciences, PUC’s largest department. The college also recently received a Top 25 ranking by Gradreports for undergraduate nursing schools.“We are very pleased to receive this long-term continuation of our accreditation,” said Milbert Mariano, PUC’s Academic Dean. “This achievement speaks to the excellence of the program and the trust that ACEN has in our longevity. Most importantly, it validates the commitment we have to our nursing students today and into the future.”...

In response to Pacific Union College's (PUC) most recent accreditation report to WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the college received a Notice of Concern from the accreditation commission and has responded accordingly by notifying WSCUC of recent financial updates. PUC has already begun the implementation of a two-year turnaround plan, which will address the concerns outlined in the Notice.The letter of concern was triggered when the college self-reported its financial challenges to WSCUC in November 2019. The Notice, which was received by the college's administration in March 2020, praised PUC for its transparency to candidly address the financial difficulties the college has undergone. The college also received praise for already taking steps for improvement, engaging the entire campus, including the Board of Trustees, in financial and enrollment planning, and adhering to the college's mission even when responding to challenges.PUC President Bob Cushman said, "We take this very seriously. A notice of concern from one's accrediting body is an alert to an institution that, if current trends continue, the institution will be out of compliance with one or more accreditation standards. In our case, this relates specifically to PUC's financial situation, which we are aggressively working to address."PUC has...