Pacific Union College Receives Six-Year Accreditation Reaffirmation, Marking a New Chapter

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 efforts were reflected in several commendations from WSCUC, which recognized PUC’s:

• Commitment to educating the whole student in a faith-centered environment
• Dedicated faculty and staff in providing exceptional care and support for students
• Visionary leadership and strategic planning fueling the college’s progress
• Resilient campus community
• Innovation and leadership in expanding high-quality online education

With this milestone complete, PUC is looking ahead to an exciting new chapter—transitioning to the  semester system and pursuing university status.

"This outcome is an invitation to keep moving forward,” Hayasaka said. “We have been through a rebuilding period over the past six years, but the best chapters of PUC’s story are still being written. Now, it's time for us to fly.”