2026

On June 12, Elizabeth (Libett) Muñoz Beard stepped into the role as Pacific Union College’s new Registrar in the Records Office, following Craig Philpott’s retirement after 40 faithful years at PUC. Coming to campus from Riverside, CA, Muñoz is a distinguished and experienced educator with a deep passion for the Seventh-day Adventist mission and education– a valuable contribution that PUC is delighted and proud to have.She faithfully served in the education sector for 33 years, including 28 in Adventist education, where she served as principal at La Sierra Academy for the last six years, after beginning her career at La Sierra University, followed by Loma Linda University and Cal State San Bernardino. With roots grounded in LSU, Muñoz earned a BBA in accounting and both an MA and an Ed.S. in educational leadership and administration. She has also been working on her Ed.D. this past year and is actively completing her dissertation.Muñoz brings a wealth of experience in leadership, higher education, program, staff, and curriculum development, and community outreach. She is passionate about the Seventh-day Adventist mission within academia, where God wholly impacts each student because her greatest reward is “seeing students grow, flourish, and later return to share how...

Led by Pacific Union College Scientist in Residence, Dr. Scott Butterfield, a new grebe monitoring project has literally taken "flight" over Clear Lake. Funded by a multi-year grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, and in collaboration with the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, Redbud Audubon Society, Robinson Rancheria, Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Lake County Land Trust, Anderson March Interpretive Association, California State Parks, and Upper Lake, Lower Lake, and Clear Lake High Schools, the project is focused on developing new drone-based methods that will allow Dr. Butterfield and high school students from across Lake County conduct annual monitoring of grebes, their nests, eggs, and hatchlings at Clear Lake and to help tell the story about how restoration efforts currently happening at Clear Lake are impacting these iconic bird species.This year, like many in the past, the grebes of Clear Lake are tucked into channels and within and behind wetland vegetation that is hard to access, even with kayaks and boats. Over the Memorial Day weekend, American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) Board members Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein used their pontoon boat to carefully guide Dr. Butterfield and his collaborator Donna Mackiewicz from Redbud...

Since 2022, 49 Pacific Union College alumni, and counting, have been involved with Pathways in Science, an alumni seminar series created by PUC Dean of the School of Sciences Aimee Wyrick. When the program was first formed, it only involved the biology department, but over the last two years, it has grown to support all the departments under the School of Sciences: chemistry, global public health, kinesiology and health science, mathematics, and psychology and social work. With four seminars each quarter, Wyrick has connected PUC students with alumni to learn about their careers and broaden their understanding of what the future may hold beyond college.With psychology and social work newly added to the seminar series, alumni Ben Silber, a licensed clinical psychologist, was the first to speak on behalf of his former department in April. As one of 12 alumni speakers this school year for Pathways in Science, Silber was also one of 11 alumni who spoke in person, despite living out of state. For the last four years, Wyrick has welcomed alumni from across the country to speak on campus or remotely, covering careers ranging from biology and biochemistry to biomathematics and environmental sciences.During this school year, several alumni...

From June 15-28, seven students from Pacific Union College joined Loma Linda University’s Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) program for a medical mission trip in Manaus, Brazil. In collaboration with the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists and other Adventist universities, such as La Sierra University, Southern Adventist University, and Washington Adventist University, the Manaus Adventist Conference partnered with these institutions to provide medical and dental patient care, health fairs, and Vacation Bible School to the communities living along the Amazon River.“The locals, especially the children, were so happy to see us,” said PUC Marketing and Communication Videographer Josue Hilario. “Many of the locals took advantage of the medical clinic, and we were able to help out so many people. There would be a long line of people waiting for us in the morning every day, before the medical team even arrived.”Hilario had the great opportunity to join the mission trip as the students’ chaperone and helped out in the clinics, while also working behind the lens to capture the 13-day trip. “I was blessed to have a group of great students who were passionate about serving, learning about the culture, and being there for each other,” he...

From June 9-19, Pacific Union College Signal Security Site Supervisor Jennifer Schooley and the campus safety department organized a Green Move-Out for students to donate any items they no longer needed or couldn’t bring back home. From donation stations outside both the women's and men’s dormitories to Dauphinee Chapel and Brookside Park, donations piled up, including kitchenware, household appliances and furniture, blankets, school and cleaning supplies, sports equipment, and clothes, some with tags still attached.For years, Schooley saw many items students no longer needed at the end of the school year go to landfills, when they would have been better off sent to a thrift store. As she thought about why there was no donation program yet organized on campus, Schooley remembered her mother telling her not to complain if there was a problem, but instead to be the solution. That is when she decided to take matters into her own hands.While collecting donations outside Winning Hall, Schooley shared that a student’s father thanked her for organizing the Green Move-Out and expressed his frustration at seeing dorm appliances and clothes, all in great condition, being thrown out at the end of each school year.“It was a wonderful experience to see...

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...