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The Pacific Union College nursing program is pleased to announce that, alongside its latest ranking of #7 for producing the highest-paid nurses nationwide, it has now been ranked #2 on Nurse.org for the accessibility, online and in-person offerings, length, and academic quality of its fast-growing RN-to-BSN program.Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), PUC’s 100% online RN to BSN program can be completed within nine to 18 months at $385 per credit, for a total cost of approximately $15,000. All theory courses are asynchronous and taught by Certified Nurse Educator faculty members who hold Online Teaching Certification and prioritize student progress. The college also offers nursing students an optional 90-hour in-person practicum to obtain a Public Health Certification.“One of the things I appreciate most about our RN-to-BSN program is the way our faculty invest in students as individuals,” said Tamara Tirado, dean of nursing and emergency management. “This recognition is a reflection of the care, commitment, and excellence that our faculty bring to their work every day, and I am grateful for the impact they have on the nursing profession.”Grounded in rigor, consistency, and flexibility, this program is designed for students at any stage of their career...

A few weeks prior to the annual Angwin to Angwish race held on May 3, Pacific Union College Enrollment Counselor Abraham Garrido partnered with 45 participants from the Redwood Trail Alliance and the St. Helena Thunderbird mountain biking group to clear leaves, trees, overgrown grass areas, and bushes throughout the trails adorning the college’s 1,100 acres of forest.Offering 35 miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, running, and horseback riding, the PUC Forest is protected by a conservation easement in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) and the Land Trust of Napa County. This opportunity helps PUC students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members, enjoy this stretch of recreational nature.As the race organizer, Garrido received feedback from frequent runners, bikers, and community members that the openness of the trail enhanced their overall experience, as they did not have to worry about poison oak or maneuvering under or over trees or branches.Garrido and his wife, Isabella, frequently enjoy the trails because they allow them to feel close to God while decompressing from the stresses of everyday life and staying healthy. He specifically enjoys embarking on long mountain adventures and running ultramarathons, taking advantage of...

In May, Pacific Union College was ranked #7 for its bachelor’s program in nursing, with graduates earning a median annual income of $141,000. PUC's RN-to-BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is designed to prepare registered nurses for leadership, graduate education, population health, evidence-based practice, and professional nursing roles in today's healthcare environment.This flexible 100% online RN-to-BSN program is designed for working registered nurses throughout California, enabling them to advance their education while serving their patients, families, and communities, and emphasizing compassionate care, critical thinking, clinical judgment, and service to diverse populations.“We are honored to see Pacific Union College recognized among the nation’s top bachelor’s nursing programs for graduate earnings,” said Tamara Tirado, PUC dean of nursing and emergency management. While salary is only one measure of success, this recognition reflects the strength of our fully online BSN program, the dedication of our faculty, and the exceptional commitment of our students.”Following the completion of the BSN degree, many graduates pursue leadership roles, specialty practice, graduate education, and advanced nursing roles, building upon their nursing knowledge through coursework in leadership, community and public health, research, informatics, and evidence-based practice.“Our goal is to prepare nurses...

On Sunday, April 19, Pacific Union College’s aviation program hosted its annual Air Expo at the end of Homecoming Weekend alongside the Angwin Disaster Airlift Response Team (DART), creating a well-rounded and enjoyable experience that brought students, faculty, staff, and community members together.This event featured a pancake breakfast and PUC club activities from the Black Student Union, Psychology and Social Work, SOL, business, and other campus clubs, which provided treats, snacks, and fresh meals. A local food vendor also sold homemade and authentic Indian food by popular demand within the community. The climbing wall was well-received as a popular activity by the younger audience as well. The aviation program takes pride in involving its students and other students across campus in its events to not only share the joy of aviation but also highlight the mission of service.This expo showcased a large selection of aircraft, some of which are owned by community members who keep their aircraft in hangars at the Virgil O. Parrett Field, bringing an exciting variety to the event each year. A highlight for many visitors was the discovery flights, offered in some of the department’s fleet. Other attendees enjoyed flying PUC’s new full-motion, virtual reality flight...

On the weekend of April 17 to 18, Pacific Union College welcomed 220 graduates and attendees across generations to engage in events, honor proud and successful alumni, and come together in worship– just like old times.Kickstarting Friday afternoon activities, alumni enjoyed the pickleball tournament alongside PUC students and alumni. Following the games, they were invited to attend a Pioneer Dinner, mingling and catching up with each other on their old stomping grounds. Welcoming the Sabbath during Friday night vespers was Dwight Nelson, former Andrews University lead pastor, evangelist, and author, who was finishing up the PUC Spring Week of Worship service that evening. His message directed students and alumni to be willing to pick up their own cross and to serve God on a larger scale, trusting in His will for them, no matter where they go.“Every year, I meet new alums. Incredible people with amazing stories. PUC created an amazing spiritual, educational, and social experience then,” said PUC President Ralph Trecartin. “I am inspired and reassured that we are building on a great foundation and carrying forward a pattern for current students of what the PUC experience is supposed to be. My pride for alums from 25, 50, or...

From April 13 to 17, Pacific Union College held its Spring Week of Worship service led by former Andrews University pastor, evangelist, and author Pastor Dwight Nelson.He passionately started off the week by sharing his appreciation for the beauty across campus. “This [place] is just absolutely heavenly. I love this college, your president, your professors, and I am going to get to love you. I can tell just by looking at you.”Kickstarting his sermon, he assured the audience that they are not alone if they feel deep hurt and don’t experience healing. “We are going to go to the cross five times together this week– Jesus says, 'Come to me, and I will give you rest.”Holding a blank death certificate, Pastor Nelson directed the audience’s attention to the reality of being issued this piece of paper if Jesus doesn’t come soon enough. He told a story of a 22-year-old student who passed away in a car accident, someone who had her whole life ahead of her. Life is not certain, but it does have a purpose, pertaining to why Jesus died for all of humanity. He then asked, “What killed Jesus? Three Roman nails? How about the centurion’s lance that...

During the 2026 California Association of Colleges of Nursing Conference (CACN) in Palm Springs, CA, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of the RN to BSN Program, Sandra Ringer, and former PUC Dean of Nursing, Kimberly Dunker, won the Most Distinguished Poster award for exploring emotional intelligence among PUC senior nursing students.The purpose of the project was to evaluate how senior student nurses perceived their emotional intelligence, which is critical to the nursing program as it prepares them for their transition to nursing practice. Ringer began her work by investigating and understanding the problem with graduate surveys and community partners’ feedback, which showed critical gaps as students enter the workforce. This feedback served as a basis for understanding how nursing schools ensure that their graduates are well-equipped for nursing practice. Some of the most concerning areas of research within this project focused on stress management, communication concerns, and their ability to handle conflict. Using the BlueEQ emotional intelligence tool, the presentation discussed two years of student feedback in the classroom environment and its impact on students’ scores at the end of the program, along with awareness and training.The research spanned the 2023 to 2025 school years, beginning in fall 2023...

On Monday, February 23, Pacific Union College’s aviation program’s newest addition to its fleet, affectionately known as Charlie, landed at its new home at Virgil O. Parrett Field.Many students, faculty, staff, photographers, and PUC board and community members waited in excitement for Charlie’s arrival, eagerly tracking the aircraft’s tail number on the FlightAware app and monitoring the skies.Upon its landing, everyone warmly applauded Assistant to the Flight Center Director Andrew Hosford as he climbed out of the aircraft, marking the day a momentous occasion for the aviation program and the community.Because of Hosford’s experience in mechanical and avionics skills, he helped complete the refurbishment of Charlie. After receiving an airworthiness certificate, he, alongside Lead Mechanic Kyle Kennedy, flew the aircraft from Andrews Airpark in Michigan to Oklahoma Academy. There, they gave students and staff a few joyrides over the weekend before flying west to Porterville, CA, on Sunday morning. Flying the last leg, Hosford circled low around the PUC campus before touching down at Virgil O. Parrett Field.This Cessna 206 has faithfully served in some of the most remote and challenging corners of Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Vanuatu since it was brand new in 1976, accumulating nearly 2.4 million...

Over the past few years, Pacific Union College has enthusiastically expanded its graduate degree programs in education, nursing, communication, and business, offering flexibility, small class sizes, experiential learning, and most importantly, a Christian environment that empowers students with opportunities within the Seventh-day Adventist world and beyond.Having offered the Master of Education program for some time, the college decided to broaden its offerings in other high-demand fields in an online setting, which has ultimately allowed PUC to expand its reach to more students in California and Hawaii. Currently, the M.Ed. degree is a summer-based program that exposes graduates to teaching skills and technological proficiency, scholarly research, and leadership development while observing classroom trends and issues.Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Professions, Milbert Mariano, emphasized the need to reach students beyond PUC. “We are adding to our list of online graduate programs providing much-needed training for busy professionals who want to advance their careers through master's degrees,” he said.To keep up with the high demand for nurses in the job market, PUC now offers a Master of Science in Nursing, a 100% online program that provides core, specialty, and practicum courses to students who already hold a BSN. Two areas...

This past fall quarter, Pacific Union College Aviation Program Director Nathan Tasker taught the AVIA-402: Simulation Innovation course for the first time. The purpose of this class was to further the program’s two prototype simulators. One group focused on the full-motion, six-degrees-of-freedom platform purchased with funds from the 2025 VersaCare grant. This platform is a highly respected, cutting-edge device that is currently marketed for realistic, immersive simulation.Throughout the quarter, aviation students have worked diligently and collaboratively to adapt this platform for use in a virtual reality full-motion trainer to help beginning flight students progress more rapidly and affordably. In the initial analysis of the program, the students attempted to validate the motion characteristics of the full-motion base. Students took measurements, made calculations, and analyzed the data to determine how well the platform simulated an aircraft hurtling through a large 3-D space, a complicated prospect. Unfortunately, they found that the original software did not accurately reflect washout and load factor, which are crucial factors for achieving a realistic result.After they followed up with the manufacturer, the students learned that their goal was beyond the scope of the manufacturer's development team, prompting them to develop their very own motion platform software under...