Fall 2025 College Days

From November 14 to 17, Pacific Union College welcomed 16 academies from across California and one from Florida for its annual College Days.

Approximately 300 high school students from Walker Memorial Academy, Loma Linda Academy, La Sierra Academy, San Diego Academy, San Fernando Valley Academy, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, Armona Union Academy, Fresno Adventist Academy, Pine Hills Adventist Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy-Sonora, Lodi Academy, Monterey Bay Academy, Mountain View Academy, Sacramento Adventist Academy, PUC Prep, and Redding Adventist Academy were all greeted by PUC Executive Assistant and Enrollment Counselor Andrianna Massena and PUC students with snacks, dorm necessities, and shirts.

College Days at PUC are nothing short of eventful. Massena’s enrollment team works with Student and Spiritual Life and the campus pastors, professors, and students to ensure visiting students, chaperones, and parents get the most out of the PUC experience in four days.

Academy students get a glimpse of all the benefits PUC can offer, from academics to social and spiritual life. Their experience entailed attending a variety of classes across the nursing, science, art, humanities, and professional programs, and meeting the professors during the academic and service fair after each class. They also had the chance to participate in various events and meet other students during game nights, indulge in late-night dessert bars, explore St. Helena, and so much more.

While academy students always have a lively time at Fall Fest, this year included two new activities: a mix-and-mingle circuit and bowling. PUC Vice President for Student Life Aimee Leukert hosted the mix-and-mingle circuit on Saturday afternoon, where students rotated through four sections: worship, Bible bowl, games, and sharing their plans. Later that night, the enrollment team took the students bowling, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Teachers and chaperones expressed their gratitude, sharing how much their students loved the activities organized for them and their appreciation for providing a fun and interactive way to experience and learn about PUC, with some of their students already considering attending. One chaperone also acknowledged Massena for her excellent communication and team. “PUC’s hard work made for a wonderful event that their students will be talking about for a while,” they said.

PUC’s main goal for College Days is to create long-lasting connections with academy students and help them feel connected to the campus and community. Whether it was through a program, a professor, a pastor, current students, or even other academy students who picture themselves attending, they will find a familiar face as they begin their journey at PUC.

After a successful weekend, Massena and her team hope these high school students envision themselves at PUC and, even if they don’t, gain clarity about whether it could be a place where they spend their college years.

"Students should consider attending PUC for various reasons," said Massena. "The community here on campus among students, faculty, and staff is one of the biggest reasons. You will have an amazing support group and more intimate classes that allow you to learn in a personal, relaxed setting. Everyone here cares about each other, and that’s hard to get from bigger universities or colleges. Having a team of spiritual leaders on campus, like our pastors, is also a big plus, helping you not only achieve your academic goals but also your spiritual ones."

PUC will host their next College Days from November 13-16, 2026. Academies are encouraged to register once they receive registration forms from PUC. Individuals who want to inquire about attending separately may contact Massena at visit@puc.edu. The registration deadline will be in October.