Monthly Archives: January 2023

A High School Senior’s Checklist Before College 

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If you or your teenager is a senior heading off to college soon, we know how extra busy the last year of high school can get. That’s why we created a checklist before starting college.

Take the ACT/SAT 

If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT yet, make sure to check with your school when the exam dates are. Once you receive your scores, send them to the college or universities you are applying to. 

List Potential Colleges 

If you haven’t committed to a college yet, make a list of potential colleges you are interested in attending. It’s okay if you haven’t chosen a school yet, it’s a big decision and takes time to make. 

Research Programs 

Research the programs from the colleges interested in or are committed to. Check the courses they offer, who the professors are, and even check their department’s social account if they have one. 

Visit Colleges 

If you can visit the schools of your interest. Even schools you’ve seen in the past, you might have a different perspective now as a prospective student. Look up when their hosting college fairs, weekly or weekend visits, and contact the admissions counselor, current students, or alumni with questions you have. 

Sign-up on our website to get your PUC experience at College Days from February 5-7, 2023. 

Have A Career in Mind 

Think about what career path you want to take. You don’t need to know the right one right now but have an idea. Brainstorm different occupations you think you would be good at and enjoy doing every day. 

Learn & Organize Financial Aid 

As you learn about your financial aid options, such as FAFSA, grants, and scholarships, take it one step at a time. Talk to your financial advisor to see what financial plans are available for you and ask them every question you have so you can be on the same page and understand your financial plan. 

PUC’s financial advisors understand how overwhelming financial planning can get, which is why they are committed to helping you and your family make higher education possible for you. Learn more about financial aid at PUC on our website. 

Apply For Scholarships

There are millions, if not billions, of scholarships online ranging from interests, and majors, to creative writing topics for you to earn free money for college. Free sites such as Fast Web and Niche have lists of scholarships anyone can apply for. 

Every student at PUC receives one or more forms of financial aid. Check out our scholarships to learn more. 

Update Your Resume 

Make or update your resume even if you have little to no job experience. More than half of college students get a job while attending school to help pay for tuition, earn money, and gain skills. Employers know college students don’t have much work experience, so it’s okay if you don’t have a lot to show. That’s why you’re getting a job to build up your resume and get work experience. 

Q&A with First-Year Aviation Student Noah Noble 

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Noah Noble is a freshman aviation student from Lemoore, California. Ever since Noah was a kid, he always wanted to be in Aviation, which is why he chose this program. One of the reasons he particularly chose to attend PUC is because the program would allow him to make his dreams come true and train in an environment that will prepare him for his future.  

Noah answered a few questions for us to get a glance at his first year in the aviation department.  

What made you decide to attend PUC? 

I chose to come to PUC because it was close to my grandparents, so it gave me a close connection to home. Another reason was because PUC’s aviation program allowed me to pursue my aviation dreams and train in an environment that will prepare me well for my future career.

What has been your favorite class, and why? 

My favorite class is AVIA 176. This is the beginning flying class, where you will learn the basics of flying your airplane. This is my favorite class because it allows me to explore the areas around Angwin from a view that not many get to see. We get to travel to new areas and airports, such as Yolo County, Santa Rosa, and more. 

What do you like the most about the program? 

The part I love most about the program is how helpful and close-knit the Aviation community is. The instructors are extremely helpful and are always willing to help you with whatever you need, even if it’s not aviation related. Not only that but being in the program gets you great exposure to the aviation industry. 

What are some valuable things you’ve learned from your program? 

The most valuable thing that I have learned from this program is attention to detail. In aviation, 99% isn’t enough. You always want to make sure you give 100% to everything, not only to ensure safety but also proficiency.

Can you give any advice to high school students who are interested in pursuing your major? 

For anyone hoping to be in aviation, I would say be mentally prepared to dive into a lot of work and a very fast pace. The aviation program moves quickly, and there is a ton of information to learn in a short amount of time. Another thing that people should expect is cost. Earning your private license and other pilot ratings costs a lot of money. The average price for your private pilot’s license can range from $11,000 to $15,000. 

Outside of classes, what activities or events does the program hoat during the school year? 

There is an Aviation Club called Angwin Flyers. They host many outings such as dinners, movies, and other hangouts for students to participate in. 

What is your favorite thing about being in the Pioneers family? 

My favorite thing about being in the Pioneers family is the close-knit community. You get to know almost everyone here, and they are all extremely kind and friendly. It allowed me to gain new friends quickly and build new relationships. 

Faces of PUC: Christian Junior De Jesus

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Sophomore student Christian Junior De Jesus is a BBA finance major and communication minor from Manchester, New Hampshire. He dreams of being the CEO/Founder of a Fortune 500 company and is passionate about entrepreneurship. His favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family is being an RA, the friendships he’s made, and events at PUC.

What is your dream job? 

CEO/Founder of a Fortune 500 company

How does that compare to what you wanted to be when you were young? 

I wanted to be a computer engineer like my father, but as I grew older I realized that it wasn’t my life purpose.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family? 

The RA life, friendships I make, and events I participate in.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

New York City because the skyscrapers remind me of what I can accomplish in life.

 If you had to be trapped in a movie for a day, what movie would you choose?

The 300

What is something you’re passionate about? 

Entrepreneurship and Personality Systems 

Recommend a place to go in the Bay Area on a weekend 

Santa Clara

Continue Your Athletic Career at PUC

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The PUC athletics department is always looking for new athletes to join our Pioneers men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, soccer, and volleyball teams. The coaching staff takes pride in representing PUC by creating a talented, driven team made up of athletes who are passionate about their sport, have good character, and are committed to their education. 

Being in a Christian environment, we make sure our faith plays a part in who we are and what we do on and off the court. Our coaches and athletes serve in the community by giving back and helping others. Through giving and prayer, we share our faith with those we meet. As well as our competitors, we assure good sportsmanship, play fair, and pray together after our home games. 

PUC supports student-athletes and wants to help them continue their dreams. We offer scholarships specifically for athletics, along with other financial aids. Our financial counselors are committed to assisting you and your family in making an Adventist college experience possible. 

Visit our website to learn more about the Pioneers. To speak to one of our financial counselors, you can email them at admissions@puc.edu or call them at (800) 862-7080, option 2. Don’t hesitate to look into our teams or contact our coaches. We’d love to have you continue your athletic career at PUC! 

Alumni Highlight: Dr. Carlyn Ferrari, Author of ‘Do Not Separate Her From Her Garden: Anne Spencer’s Ecopoetics

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PUC alumna Dr. Carlyn Ferrari (English, writing emphasis B.A. ’06) wrote a book titled, Do Not Separate Her From Her Garden: Anne Spencer’s Ecopoetics, where she shows how Anne Spencer used nature symbolism in radical and innovative ways to express her Black womanhood, politics, and worldview. Being drawn to her poetry and fascination with Anne Spencer’s life, Dr. Ferrari saw no books about her in print- so she wanted to write one. 

Please tell us about your book. What inspired you to write it? 

My book is about Anne Spencer, who was a poet and civil rights activist. She was active during the New Negro Renaissance of the 1920s—also known as the Harlem Renaissance—and her home served as a literary salon during the period. The critics of Anne Spencer’s day misunderstood and dismissed her poetry because she often wrote about nature, so they thought her poetry was stereotypically “feminine” and not political enough. In my book, I show that she was using nature symbolism in very radical, innovative ways to express her Black womanhood, politics, and worldview. Even though she was an important figure, she is still relatively unknown. I wanted to write a book about her because I was drawn to her poetry, I was fascinated by her life, and there were no books about her in print. I wanted to do my part to make sure that this incredible Black woman would not be forgotten.

Fun fact: PUC has a special connection to the New Negro Renaissance because poet Arna Bontemps attended PUC and graduated in 1923. He and Anne Spencer had many mutual friends, including Sterling Brown, James Weldon Johnson, and W.E.B. Du Bois.

What did you enjoy the most about your writing process? What was the most challenging? 

I genuinely enjoy thinking and writing—I’m often lost in my own thoughts—and I enjoy Anne Spencer’s poetry, so I looked forward to working on this project. The challenging part for me was finding the time to write and edit! I work full-time as a professor, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I spent many, many late nights working on this book.

What do you hope readers will learn from your book? 

I want people to fall in love with Anne Spencer as much as I did and see what an incredibly dynamic, fascinating, and brilliant human being she was. Ultimately, I hope that people will be curious about Anne Spencer and want to read her poetry and learn about her life. I also hope that people will visit her home, The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum, in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Who is your favorite writer? Why? 

This is a tough question, and I can’t pick just one writer because I have favorite writers for the various moods I am in or what I might be experiencing at any given moment. Of course, I adore Anne Spencer. Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones, Nella Larsen, Audre Lorde, and Edwidge Danticat are some of my favorites because I see myself in their work. I learn about myself through their work. It’s healing. Their prose is so gorgeous, elegant, and powerful.

Who impacted you the most at PUC?

John McDowell encouraged me to become an English major, and his classes really taught me how to think critically and analytically. 

I’ll be forever grateful to Marilyn Glaim for encouraging me to become a professor, and it’s no surprise that, like her, I study American literature. Her classes were always so engaging, and I loved how she provided so much historical context for the texts we read. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, and she saw something in me that I didn’t see and helped guide me into the career I have today.

Can you share a favorite memory from your time as a PUC student?

I made some wonderful friends during my time at PUC, and I have fond memories of Friday afternoons at Pizzeria Tra Vigne and Giugni’s.  Oh, and, of course, the Friday morning biscuits and gravy. So delicious!

What advice do you have for students interested in writing and publishing a book? 

I think Toni Morrison says it best: “If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” An important lesson I learned from Anne Spencer is that writing doesn’t have to be published to matter. Anne Spencer was a woman who wrote furiously every single day, but most of her writing consists of undated, unpublished prose written on ephemera. She probably wrote thousands of poems but published only about thirty in her lifetime. Publishing was not a priority to her, and she never published a book of poetry. She wrote and was committed to the craft of writing because it was important to her, not because she was seeking external validation. So, my advice is to listen to both Toni Morrison and Anne Spencer: write the things you want to read, but also write because you want to and are committed to writing, not because you simply want to be published.

Can you share what projects you have next? Are you planning on writing and publishing another book? 

Yes, I do plan on publishing again. I’m currently working on a Black women’s history project. I’d also love to venture into the world of creative non-fiction and write a memoir someday. 

A Guide To Visiting PUC

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You are welcome to visit PUC any time, either on campus or through our virtual experience. Whether you’re a parent or student, we want to make the most of your tour and be there for you every step of the way. As we get ready for College Days, we wanted to share some tips for visiting PUC. 

Be Sure To Sign-Up 

Before coming on campus, make sure to sign up for a tour. Each year we hold two College Days for high schoolers and families to visit. This year our college days are scheduled for February 24 and March 11. If you’re coming to college days with your school, they’ll get everything set up for you. If those dates don’t work for you or you’d prefer a private tour, sign-up to schedule a tour.  

Research PUC Before Your Visit 

Research PUC before you come to visit. Check out our programs, financial aid, and life at PUC. This will help you focus on what you’re interested in to make the most of your visit. If you have any questions while researching, make sure to write them down so you don’t forget to ask during your tour. 

Take Notes & Photos 

Take notes and photos during your tour. A lot of information will be shared with you, so it’s good to write down important information, and questions or concerns you may have. You also want to remember your time visiting PUC, so take lots of photos around campus and our beautiful town. 

Ask Faculty & Staff Questions

When visiting academic departments, ask our faculty any questions you have. Our professors are happy to meet with you and answer any questions you have. They will gladly give you a rundown of their program, what courses are available, and the activities their departments do every year. 

In addition to academic departments, if there are other areas you’re interested in such as campus ministries, music, athletics, or other organizations, bring those interests up to your tour guide and they will connect you with people in those areas you can meet with. 

Check Out The Dorms 

Pay attention to dorms- from the room sizes, closet space, showers, laundry room, and other utilities the dorm offers. PUC has multiple dorms, so if you are interested to see other ones ask your tour guide. 

Eat At The Dining Commons 

Have a meal at our dining commons and get a taste of what PUC offers. With a variety of healthy, vegetarian options, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Our menu also includes organic, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. If you have any food allergies, please let our staff know.  

Stop By The Campus Center 

Take a nice break during your visit by stopping at the campus center (aka The Grind) for coffee, tea, or a pastry. You will also find different snacks, bottled drinks, and our tv center and pool table.  

Read The Campus Chronicle 

What you can also find at the campus center are copies of our school newspaper: The Campus Chronicle. Grab a copy to read about what is going on at PUC and learn more about our school through our students’ perspectives. 

Talk With Current Students 

One of the most valuable resources when visiting PUC is talking to the students. They will give you all the ins and outs of campus life and their major. Don’t be shy to talk to students because our study body is kind, welcoming people who will share their experiences with you. 

Explore The Napa Valley

Top off your visit by exploring the Napa Valley. Stroll through downtown St. Helena and indulge in a burger and milkshake at Gott’s Roadside or pick up some baked goods at Model Bakery. It’s an endless food adventure when you’re in the Napa Valley, so check out some restaurants while you’re in town and soak in the serene views along your drive.

We also provide individual and personalized group visits. If you are interested in these options, you can sign up today and speak with our visit coordinator at 707-965-6313 with any questions you have. We hope to see you soon!