Graphic design and pre-dental freshman student Riley Ramirez is one of PUC’s Maxwell Scholars. From her hometown of Simi Valley, she feels the college is the perfect distance from home and helps her achieve her career goal of becoming an orthodontist. 

Riley feels incredibly blessed to be a Maxwell Scholar at PUC, and is honored and grateful for the opportunity. “I hope to do my best to represent the Maxwell Scholars, and this college as a whole, to the best of my ability throughout the next four years here,” she shared.

What do you appreciate the most about your department?  

Since my major is Graphic Design and Pre-Dent, I have two departments. For the art department, I really appreciate how available and open it is. I love going into my classrooms and working on my design assignments and how generous the professors are with their materials. 

As for the science department, I find the professors helpful and willing to explain difficult concepts to you multiple times. That is incredible to me, and that’s definitely my favorite part of that department! 

What kind of support do you receive from faculty and staff?  

The staff and faculty here are very helpful. They always make an effort to help me if I am confused about a subject or have questions about how things work here at PUC. If you reach out to them, they are happy to help you with whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask for help because it is readily available to you! 

How do you balance school and social life?  

Of course, balancing school and social life is difficult. Especially since I am a freshman, coming to college and learning how to manage everything on my own was a huge adjustment for me. I found staying on top of my studies allowed me more time with friends. I also make an effort to combine my social life and schoolwork by going out to study with a friend or two. This is always a nice experience for me and makes studying more fun.

What responsibilities come with being a Maxwell Scholar? How do you handle that?  

As a Maxwell Scholar, I feel it is important to keep my grades up and represent PUC well. I strive to be a good example for the students here at PUC and people in general. This can be a lot of pressure at times, and I sometimes catch myself starting to slip up. However, even when I begin to slip up or get down on myself, I always get back up on my feet and do my best to get back on track. I find that this is the best way to handle that responsibility.  

How do you get yourself out of a funk of not feeling motivated? 

I have definitely struggled with this a lot. Especially with the start of this winter quarter, I’ve found it hard to find the motivation to study lately. Usually, to get out of this funk, I let myself take a little break and then change my scenery. I study in a different place to change my mentality and reset. There are many ways to find motivation again, so figure out what works for you! 

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

I feel very well supported in this community, which is especially important in college. For most of us, this is the first time we are on our own and responsible for everything. Being a part of the Pioneers community has given me a sense of family and support during this time, where it is very easy to feel alone, and that has been a huge blessing to me.  

When you’re not studying, what do you enjoy doing? 

I enjoy spending time outdoors and in nature, going to cute cafes and shopping, doing crafty things, laughing with friends, and writing letters to family back home. I also love exploring the areas around PUC. We are so lucky to be close to Calistoga, Santa Rosa, and Napa Valley. I highly recommend going out to one of those places when you get the chance! 

What advice do you have for high school students considering PUC? 

Absolutely come visit and see the campus! PUC is so beautiful and is surrounded by some super fun areas and things to do, not to mention all of the amazing people here. Come see it for yourself!