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From a biology lab and media room to flying in the sky, Pacific Union College hosted its annual PacificQuest Programs, PQSeek, PQRise, PQSoar, and new this year, PQFlix, for students in grades 6-12 interested in STEM, aviation, and filmmaking. Students travelled from Hawaii and different parts of California to attend a week-long program to explore their interests and participate in challenging hands-on learning and team-building exercises. Not only did they get a glimpse into potential future careers, but also earned one unit of college credit from PUC.PQSeek and PQRise began their programs, focusing on STEM topics, with 22 students working with several professors from the School of Sciences. PUC Associate of Kinesiology and Health Sciences Professor Wayne Borin taught the interaction of the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and nutritional energy systems. In contrast, Biology Professor Bryan Ness taught the students about planetary health, and Chemistry Professor Robert Wilson taught them about thermochemistry.From July 6-11, PUC Flight Center Director Nathan Tasker and his team worked with seven students, with two students completing the private ground school. Students learned about aerodynamics and visited Mike’s Aero, an aircraft maintenance facility at Angwin Airport, and the Napa Control Center, where they met with air traffic...

Known for its excellent and high-quality, service-oriented degrees on campus and online, Pacific Union College is happy to announce that it has been ranked #12 in Regional Colleges (West) and #3 in California in the same category in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List.The college continues to offer hands-on, experiential learning tools and skills across many degrees, emphasizing preparation for careers and beyond.PUC now holds the #12 spot in the Overall Rank, #7 in Best College for Veterans, and #16 in Top Performers on Social Mobility– all in the Regional Colleges (West) classification.The college takes pride in the diverse array of students, faculty, and staff who come from different backgrounds and hold many skills, which enrich the campus’s atmosphere, variety, and success.“Our climb in this year’s rankings is another strong sign of PUC's growing momentum. We see it and feel it on campus every day, but it's a testament to our faculty and staff to see this upward trajectory reflected in national rankings, too,” said Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka.Another tangible reason for the college’s achievements can be witnessed in the dedication of faculty and staff who continue to make PUC...

The Emergency Management Program at Pacific Union College, tucked away in Fisher Hall, has been an important and well-known program. The number of times students have heard the school’s siren go off, as members of the EMP rush off to their cars for a drill, has been a constant, thrilling reminder of its existence. In previous years, the department has only offered an associate’s degree, but now things are shaking up for a new and brighter future. This coming school year, EMP will be offering a new online program with an A.S. to B.S. degree.Ever since EMP graduated its first baccalaureate class nearly a decade ago, they have been constantly fine-tuning its curriculum to make it both more relevant for today’s job market and to further the reach and effectiveness of its classes. Just this past academic year, three new courses were added to the program: Foundations of Homeland Security, Technology in Emergency Management, and Continuity Operations, all of which taught EMP majors valuable lessons and broadened their horizons on what emergency management could be, and different opportunities that might present themselves in their given field.This new online Bachelor’s degree is just the latest in this series of innovations and...

Beginning more than 50 years ago, Pacific Union College’s science departments have had a longstanding math and science workshop. To introduce a first-of-its-kind, PUC collaborated with Loma Linda University to create a STEM and health professions-focused workshop for high school students, grades 10-12, interested in those areas to learn and engage in activities outside their classrooms while working with professionals from both institutions.From February 23-24, 35 students from Monterey Bay Academy, Mountain View Academy, and Vegas Valley Academy attended five workshops focused on sleep, air pollution, dental chemistry, performance, and anatomy and imaging, while also hosting a college and graduate fair and a contest filled with tests and challenges, all within two days."My students had a positive experience," said Andres Ruiz, Mountain View Academy athletic director and chaperone. "They were engaged and excited by the hands-on activities, and many commented on how different and fun it felt compared to a traditional classroom setting. The workshop benefited my students by introducing them to potential career paths in the healthcare profession. Several students said they gained an interest in pursuing healthcare or science in the future.”With PUC preparing students for admission and professional studies at LLU, both schools have worked together for...

From exploring the treasures of Florence to the coastal villages of Cinque Terre to the canals of Venice, and roaming the historical streets of Rome, eight honors students from Pacific Union College spent four weeks in Italy as part of their course, Renaissance: Truth and Beauty. This course explored art and science from the Italian Renaissance with the places and works that shaped Western culture.PUC’s Honors Program began taking international tours in the early 2000s, with England being the first country visited. Throughout the years, students have had the opportunity to learn in France, Spain, and Italy.Alongside PUC Honors Director and Dean for the School of Arts, Humanities, and Professions, Milbert Mariano, and Chemistry Chair Kent Davis, Music Chair Rachelle Davis also joined the honors study tour from June 29-July 24, starting in their home base in Florence at PUC’s sister school, Villa Aurora College.Beginning their immersive experience into the Italian Renaissance era in Florence, students had the opportunity to see breathtaking figures by Michelangelo at the Galleria dell'Accademia, rich paintings by Botticelli and da Vinci at Uffizi Galleries, and gain insight into Galileo's scientific mind at the Museo Galileo. They also visited the Bargello Museum, the Basilica of Santa...