One of PUC’s newest students this year was pre-nursing student Alejandra Cuellar. Growing up in Modesto, CA, attending PUC was always her top choice, as many people in her community attended the college. Although Alejandra’s family no longer lives in California, she still wanted to be near her hometown to feel connected to her roots.

“There were many obstacles where I thought I wouldn’t be able to attend,” she said. “But I ultimately decided to come here because everything ended up working out at the last minute, and I felt it was God’s plan for me to be here. It was also financially the best option, with lots of aid offered!”

Within her first year at PUC, Alejandra has learned a lot of things about herself–things she didn’t know she was capable of. “Coming here all the way from Guatemala by myself was something that took a lot of courage I didn’t know I had,” she shared. “I’ve discovered that as time goes on, I’m stronger than I thought. I’ve always been an extremely introverted person, and being here has really helped me come out of my shell, and I’ve found myself trying things I never thought I’d be doing.”

PUC is glad to have Alejandra as a student and a part of the community, and looks forward to continuing to support her journey. 

What do you like the most about your program?

I like how supportive the learning environment is. Even while working through my generals and prerequisite courses, I’ve felt encouraged by professors and classmates to stay motivated and focused on my long-term goals. 

What has been your favorite class or professor so far?

My favorite class and professor so far is English 101 with Professor Marina Maher. I took it in my first quarter here, and she was always incredibly supportive and open to helping students. She really made it a light class, which helped me ease into college life. 

Honorable mention goes to Dr. Rachelle Davis with Survey of Music, never a dull moment in her class! 

Where is your favorite place on campus? 

When the weather is nice, I love studying outside or just sitting in the sun, so I usually hang out by the benches near the fountain or outside the Grind. When it’s cold—which is most of the time for me—I prefer being inside the library or the cafeteria, since those are places where I can really focus and get work done.

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

My favorite part is how supported I feel. Everyone here genuinely wants each other to succeed. There is also a big sense of community here that makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger. 

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? 

I would love to go to Guatemala, New York, or South Korea. New York has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I am a huge Korean culture enthusiast. From the great music to the fascinating language, I would love to experience it all firsthand. Guatemala is where my family is from, and where my parents currently live, so visiting would be especially meaningful to me.

What is something you’re passionate about?

One of the things I’m very passionate about is anything fitness and gym-related. I love working out, moving my body, and learning about how to take care of it properly. 

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the Napa Valley? 

I haven’t had the chance to go out much and explore Napa Valley yet, so I don’t know many places, but if I had to choose, I would say either Gott’s Roadside or La Prima Pizza. I’m totally open to other recommendations, since I haven’t had the chance to try new places! 

How would you describe your perfect weekend at PUC? 

My perfect weekend at PUC probably starts with going to vespers Friday night and having out with friends afterwards; it’s always a nice way to unwind after a long week. On Saturday, I enjoy going to church in the morning, then hiking and spending time with friends, and end the day having dinner and hanging out with them. I like having slow Sundays, where I take time to clean, do laundry, and catch up on studying.