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Throughout his 31 years at AdventHealth, becoming CEO of a major health system was not necessarily a role David Banks aspired to hold — but his leadership roles in hospital administration, divisional oversight, and as chief strategy officer prepared him well when the CEO opportunity emerged. For Banks, the timing aligned with where he was in life and career — and where the organization was heading.“I'm really grateful to work with a mission-driven Board of Directors and AdventHealth team, and to have the partnership of our sponsor organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, within our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ through whole-person care," said Banks. "For me and many others at the organization, I see the ways Adventist education prepared us for today's work, which requires a strong foundation."Banks regularly meets with leaders, caregivers, the Board, and team members in the service of AdventHealth's mission. He invests time connecting with church sponsors, who are an essential part of AdventHealth, and talks with team members to ensure the company is advancing its mission, meeting industry needs, and advocating for those they serve who need access to care, ranging from rural to more populated communities.Originally from Sonora, CA, Banks immersed...

Holding these titles is very special and significant for PUC, especially for the women’s team, which placed in the conference despite having a hard time having a whole team last year. While the team’s season came to a close, three students moved on to the National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, FL, on Friday, November 21, breaking personal records.Senior Andrea Maidan and freshman Manami Uyeyama advanced for the women’s team, leading the 6K race, with Maidan speeding to first, finishing in 25:02.78, over three and a half minutes ahead of the other 28 racers, and Uyeyama soaring in right after Maidan in second place with a winning time of 28:37.91. Both new to the team this year, they earned spots in the national qualifying round.Representing the men’s team was senior Andrew Baluyot, who came in sixth place in 31:32.07, and was the only non-Simpson University student to qualify for Nationals. Baluyot earned a spot on the CalPac All-Conference Team and was awarded the league's Champion of Character Award alongside Maiden, who was the CAL-PAX Cross Country Solo Champion. He was also celebrated by representing PUC on the CalPac All-Academic Team as a chemistry major with...

During a discussion of ways to better support Pacific Union College's mission and culture, a group of faculty, staff, and church pastors expressed interest in further developing the campus community. “We knew we wanted to be able to share campus stories with our colleagues specifically, and we started brainstorming ways we could potentially do that,” said Becky St. Clair, director of Paulin Center for the Arts and office manager for the department of music.When Tara Hargrove, chair of the departments of communication and world languages, mentioned the newly created podcast studio in Irwin Hall—built thanks to the support of a passionate donor—the group knew they’d found their outlet.The studio was fully functional and already supported a student-led podcast, so the group now had a storytelling format and a space to use it. Thus, the Unchart(Ed) podcast was born. A team of podcast hosts was created, comprising Hargrove and St. Clair, alongside Department of Theology Chair Jim Wibberding and Associate Pastor for Worship and Administration Lem Garcia.Coming from different areas of campus, the hosts bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas, while sharing a common goal: cultivating a campus culture of growth and inspiring innovation, collaboration, and creativity. To support each other’s...

Pacific Union College continues to welcome more students for another year, following a pattern of positive enrollment growth. For the 2025-2026 academic year, 1,080 students are enrolled at PUC, including 228 first-time college students, 166 transfer students, and 45 graduate students. With residents in the dorms also increasing for the second year in a row, this year’s enrollment is the highest since the 2017-2018 school year, marking the fifth of the last six years with an increase.With new programs created on and off campus, partnerships with health care institutions, and enhancements to existing departments over the last few years, around 350 students are enrolled in undergraduate-to-master’s programs to further their careers. PUC Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communication Gene Edelbach credits the changes and delivery of these new programs in making a significant difference in enrollment.One of the departments that was rebuilt was Aviation. What was once a program with 10 students grew to over 30 applicants, thanks to new directors, instructors, curriculum reconstruction, and financial aid. They also work to acquire new plans and resources as aviation continues to improve and grow. PUC’s new MSN and MBA programs have also drawn 45 students just starting recently, and the...

Throughout California, 12 academies competed at the girls' volleyball tournament at Pacific Union College from October 2 to 4. As schools began to arrive on October 1, PUC students greeted them with snacks, and tournament shirts.Competing this year were student-athletes from Glendale Adventist Academy, La Sierra Academy, Newbury Park Adventist Academy, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy, Mountain View Academy, Monterey Bay Academy, Lodi Academy, Sacramento Adventist Academy, Kolbe Trinity Academy, PUC Preparatory, and Pine Hills Adventist Academy.Games began at 9 a.m. on Thursday, with PHAA vs. MVA and SAA vs. TPA starting the tournament and going well into the afternoon before the cross-pool tournament play began in the evening. On Friday, 12 games determined which schools would advance to the semifinals on Saturday night. With a much-needed break to fellowship and worship together, academy students attended Vespers and Afterlight, hosted by PUC’s Campus Ministries, and also participated in a Bible Bowl on Saturday afternoon.PUC Executive Assistant and Enrollment Counselor Andrianna Massena and PUC Preparatory Athletic Director Matthew Lee organized the tournament. From providing free snacks and coffee at the gym every day and having PUC students staffed in the dorms on-call to assist with any needs, Massena...

From photography to design to writing, 11 academies attended the 35th Annual Publication Workshop at Pacific Union College from September 7 to 9. A total of 107 participants had the opportunity to learn practical skills for publication work and explore team bonding and management. This event offers a valuable opportunity for students and their teachers to explore new methods to enhance their work, network with editorial creatives and staff, and draw inspiration.Students attended from Tualatin Valley Academy and Roseburg Christian Academy in Oregon, as well as from various schools throughout California, including Redlands Adventist Academy, San Fernando Valley Academy, Central Valley Christian Academy, Lodi Academy, Mesa Grande Academy, Mountain View Academy, Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy, Sacramento Adventist Academy, and PUC Preparatory School. Being on campus gave them a glimpse into life at PUC, as they stepped into the world of the college’s visual arts and communication departments, learning from professors and receiving their support with projects.Milbert Mariano, PUC dean of arts, humanities, and professions, and director of the Publication Workshop, hopes that students will apply what they have learned to their school yearbooks and newspapers. Helping plan this event were Visual Arts Chair Brian Kyle, who taught photography during the...

With students back at Pacific Union College, the ambiance has been electrifying. New and returning students have added vibrance back on campus, expressing their highly energetic and positive energy for the 2025-2026 school year.On September 17, freshmen arrived on campus for Fusion. From the moment students entered the campus, PUC Director of Student Involvement Sharleen Bouit aimed to create an inclusive environment where they felt a sense of belonging. “We also wanted students to experience the spiritual heartbeat of our campus—knowing that if they wished, they could find a vibrant spiritual life here and grow in their connection with God,” she said. “Fusion was designed to help students recognize that PUC is a place where both community and faith can thrive.”As Bouit met the newest Pioneers, she noticed a friendliness and spark in this particular group, showcasing their eagerness to get involved, which made her anticipate their helpfulness in shaping PUC. “What has been especially encouraging is their willingness to experience God and learn about Him,” she shared. Seeing how open they are to community and faith has given Bouit hope for how they will grow and even lead during their first year at PUC.Alongside Bouit in executing a successful...

In June, Parfait Migisha became the second student to graduate from the MBA program at Pacific Union College. Before attending, he was deciding on his next career step as a nurse. At the same time, his friend at PUC mentioned the MBA program after considering nurse practitioner and anesthesia programs when they brought up healthcare leadership as a possibility. When Migisha researched the program, he was intrigued by PUC’s online format and small class sizes, and he heard that instructors are easily accessible.In 2023, Migisha began his two-year journey with PUC as the second student to enroll in the newly established MBA program. While earning his MBA, Migisha worked as a full-time nurse. After 10 years out of school, the program pushed him out of his comfort zone. He recalled returning to studying and writing essays, which he found challenging, and the program's courses were tough, but it helped rebuild his confidence in tackling complex problems.“Living in Oakland, CA, for six years, I'd met many PUC undergrad alumni who spoke highly of their experience,” he said. “During the pandemic, I realized healthcare needs more clinically minded people in management, and with 13 years of bedside experience, I wanted PUC's Christian...

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...

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...