Academics

From April 9-12, students from the visual arts department at Pacific Union College attended the annual Sonscreen Film Festival in Loma Linda, CA, to celebrate their work with their department and other fellow filmmakers from Adventist colleges and universities throughout the country. This year, nine films by PUC students were showcased, with one student winning their category and another receiving film funding again.Senior Kateryna Popravkina featured her film Albedo in the dramatic short category, which received financial support at last year’s Sonscreen through a pitch competition. As the North American Division hosts the festival, they have committed to funding Popravkina again for her film festival run. PUC visual arts alumnus Josue Hilario served as cinematographer on Albedo and had a great experience collaborating with Popravkina. “It was a project that pushed her in many different ways, and it took a lot of time and effort to get it ready for Sonscreen,” shared Hilario. “I'm glad I was able to be a part of this journey with her.”Double major film and communication sophomore student Jacob Capiña won the Special Jury Award for Musical Storytelling for his short film, Phantom’s Lament, which focused on a lonely ghost who performs a tune haunted...

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 March 19 to 29, 23 students and two nursing professors from Pacific Union College traveled to Mana, Fiji for a medical mission trip. Accompanied by physicians, dentists, and nurse practitioners from Loma Linda University, they treated 271 medical patients, 101 dental patients, and 53 optical patients.During their 10 days in Mana, the most needed service was dental care. Jeff Joiner, PUC associate professor of nursing and emergency services, shared that they could have seen twice as many total patients in dental appointments as their team did. In addition to dental care and exams, PUC students had the opportunity to conduct medical screenings, treat skin infections, and provide eye exams and corrective lens fittings. They also educated and treated over 100 patients with acute and chronic pain and provided home visits to local residents.While this was a medical mission trip, the team took half a day to enjoy the island by snorkeling. Surrounded by fish and sea turtles, this was a wonderful opportunity for students to take a break and experience Fiji before returning to their mission in the clinics. In addition to providing medical services, PUC students hosted Vacation Bible School every afternoon, which was an impactful time for...

For the third year, Angwin to Angwish sold out, with about 160 participants from the community, the state, and some flying in from Tennessee, Arizona, and Oregon to compete in the event on May 3 at Pacific Union College. Runners ranged in age from 5 to the 60s to compete in the 10k, 26k, and the kids' 1-mile race.Running among the forest trails of the college, PUC senior Andrea Maidan won first place at 2:40:16 in the women’s race, with Tegan Henry coming in second at 2:58:56, followed by Haley Wight coming in third with a time of 3:13:41. For the men’s 26K, PUC alumni Pablo Garrido won first place at 2:12:30, with Menso De Jong coming in second at 2:16:32, and David Pillard placing in third place at 2:20:07.Since 2023, PUC alumnus and Enrollment Counselor Abraham Garrido has been the director of Angwin to Angwish and has been looking for ways to enhance the event each year. This year, he and his team encouraged additional community support at the line to rev up and support the runners and included more course signage throughout the forest to provide clearer direction for runners on their route. This year’s event also had...

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...

Dr. Monica Allen has worn many hats as a working professional: a preschool teacher, public health practitioner, and professor at a state university. While her career path has wound around with several detours and pit stops, Monica has always been clear that wherever she was, whatever she was doing, she was called to a life of service. “That’s Adventist education,” she said emphatically. “Service was modeled for us not just at home, but also at school.”Neither of Monica’s parents were raised Seventh-day Adventist, but when Monica was young, they converted and subsequently fully committed to the church. “My mother told me that the church loved us right in,” Monica recalled. While still new to the faith, her parents were adamant that their children would receive an Adventist education, regardless of cost. She attended 1st-3rd grade at Glenview Adventist School in Phoenix, Arizona, and then Los Angeles Union and San Fernando Valley Academy for the rest of her elementary and high school years.When I talked with Monica about what I was writing on – the impact of Adventist education on our lives – she didn’t even really need to stop and think before speaking confidently. “I was taught that I was...

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...

Pacific Union College has achieved great success in its Paramedic to RN program, allowing up to 9 EMT-P students annually to join its already well-established LVN/Med-Tech-to-RN program, and will graduate the third cohort this June. Since the program’s launch in 2022 and enrollment increase in 2023, it has filled a significant need in the job market, enabled PUC to expand its services, and also bridged the gap for paramedics looking to advance their education and careers.A key figure in this development is Cori Carlson, a paramedic who earned a Master of Science in Nursing and started teaching in a local paramedic program. Recognizing a significant gap in educational opportunities for paramedics seeking to transition into nursing, she approached PUC to explore the possibility of creating a dedicated pathway. Her vision was instrumental in bringing the EMT-P to RN program to life. Today, Carlson continues to play a vital role as an adjunct faculty member, teaching the required seven-day EMT-P to RN Bridge course that prepares incoming students for the expectations of the nursing curriculum.PUC is one of only two colleges in Northern California to offer EMT-Ps an advanced-placement pathway to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), with the...

From musical performances to personal poetry to tai chi, the faculty and staff talent show on February 26 at Pacific Union College left the audience wildly entertained. Many community members of all ages gathered at the Paulin Center for the Arts to celebrate the diverse talent of PUC’s faculty and staff, talent they may never have known they had. This was also a chance for students to see their professors on stage, in a different light, showcasing a side of themselves their students don’t see every day in the classroom.When the idea came to Vice President for Student and Spiritual Life, Dr. Aimee Leukert, at the beginning of the school year, she knew she would have to mention the talent show to staff and faculty very early on to get participants and make it happen. Through constant reminders, mass emails, and support from the academic deans, Leukert was dedicated to securing representation from faculty and staff across departments. As people began signing up, she knew that it was going to be a great show.“I love, love, love, the faculty and staff here,” expressed Leukert. “Being new, I have felt so welcomed and valued — really from day one. Everyone has...