Tag Archives: admissions counselor

PUC’s Newest Admissions Counselor​: Nicholas Borchik

Nicholas Borchik graduated from PUC in 2019 and has recently found his way back to our favorite College on the Mountain only this time, his role is a little different. After receiving a degree in social studies, Nic decided to join the Admissions team as a counselor. Now Nic spends his days sharing his love for PUC and higher Adventist education with future students, helping them make intelligent decisions about their college journey.

Note: If you’re interested in attending PUC or have any questions, you can reach out to Nic at Nic@puc.edu or any of our other counselors at admissions@puc.edu.

What brought you to PUC? Why did you decide to work here?

I initially came to PUC as a student because I had already built such a strong community here through my brother and some of my best friends who were a little bit older than me. I have chosen to stay in the area because I have grown to care so much for this school and what it can do for students looking to grow their education and their faith, and I am looking forward to seeing how God will use me in this position.

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

For me, it has always been the relationships that you can develop across pretty much every aspect of life, from education to food, fun, and faith.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley and why?

Gott’s Burgers will always be one of my favorites. Nothing beats a Gott’s burger and shake after a long day!

What is something you can do/want to do that might be surprising for people to learn?

I have always been really into DIY projects. One of my goals for the future is to build most of the furniture in my house!

What is one song or album you’re listening to a ton lately?

I have been listening to an album called Living Room by a band called Lawrence quite a bit recently. Musically it is a super rad album with genius lyrics, giving you something different to focus on each time you listen!

Who is someone you admire and why?

I have always admired Jon Foreman guitarist and singer for the band Switchfoot. First off as a musician and lyricist he influenced me greatly in the way I expressed myself through music when I was first learning to play music. More importantly, as a man of faith, he uses his art and his platform to advocate and stand for things he believes in.

What’s the last book you read for fun?

Recently I have been rereading Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.

Favorite movie to watch?

I love tons of different movies, but one that I am able to re-watch quite a bit and that has become one of my favorites is Knives Out. It is probably one of the best movies I have seen in a long time!

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Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me … 

Honestly probably sleeping in and trying to figure out something delicious to eat for lunch!

Faces of PUC: Judith Mendoza

Meet PUC’s newest admissions counselor, Judith Mendoza. After graduating from PUC, Judith continued her education at Andrews University where she received her MA in youth and young adult ministry. Judith has a passion for Adventist Education and was excited to accept a position that would bring her back to our beloved tree-covered mountain. 

What brought you to PUC? How/Why did you decide to work here?

I first came to PUC as a student in 2011 and it was the trees and community feel that drew me to PUC. Thankfully that decision led to some of my favorite memories and people. After graduation, I felt a call to ministry and headed to Andrews to get an MA in Youth and Young Adult ministry. As I was approaching the end of my time at Andrews, my friend Angel (another Admission Counselor) told me about an opening here in admissions. While it may seem like I diverted from ministry, I find there are so many opportunities where I get to share my two biggest passions, Jesus and Adventist Education. Connect Ministries allows me to share in worship experiences with our youth in local churches and schools, while college fairs will let me share with others PUC and the things that make this place and our education system so special. I’m very happy to be back.

What is something you can do that might surprise people?

I am an amateur ‘master juggler’ in balls and rings, I got close to mastering the hollow bowling pins but I still need some practice. I’m also a decent goalkeeper and love participating in PUC’s soccer intramurals. Look out for my team, ‘Lakers’ (I did not pick the name-Go Portland Trailblazers!), this season.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Napa Valley and why?

I love going to Melted, I have always been a fan of comfort food and grilled cheese always hits the spot. I also feel a little fancy there because it’s not your regular grilled cheese but like an upscale version of it.

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

In the transition from a student to a staff member here at PUC, I’m happy to see I still get to experience the warm community feel which first drew me in. I was already friends with most of the other admission counselors, but the rest have been so welcoming and encouraging as I learn the ropes. Not just the team but other faculty and staff members have also made me feel like a family member who’s finally home from a trip. In a way I feel like that too, PUC was home for me for four years and while a lot has changed, the people are as friendly and this campus is as beautiful as I remember.

What is one song you’re listening to on repeat lately?

If you look at my Spotify account it’s all over the place, there’s an Anthems playlist, a Spanish playlist, an English playlist, and I also have a Disney Channel playlist. I don’t think I can narrow it down to one song, but according to Spotify it’s Hesitate by the Jonas Brothers.

Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me…

Reading. I love reading for pleasure and since I’m no longer reading textbooks every day, I’m taking advantage and getting back into it. You may also find me at brunch, Sunday morning brunch is a big thing in my family and I’d love to continue that with my cousins and brother who are here in Angwin.

 

Meet PUC’s Admissions Counselors

As the fall season gets underway, we want to introduce our team of amazing admissions counselors to you. These counselors represent PUC as they travel across the United States and you just might see one of them at your school sometime soon!

Angel Castillo

Angel Castillo is from Bell Gardens, Calif. He graduated in 2018 from PUC with a degree in communication with an emphasis in marketing communications. When he was a student, Angel was involved with a lot of student activities, including the Senate and Lifegroups, and he served as the vice president of the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) Club and the student world missions coordinator. As an admissions counselor, he travels to Hawaii, Southeastern California, and the Pacific Northwest to recruit for the college. He loves sharing with students about PUC, and his favorite part about attending was the family atmosphere and “how important community is for everyone.”

Mayte Jimenez

Mayte Jimenez comes to PUC from just down the road in Fairfield, Calif. Mayte is a PUC alum and graduated with a B.S.W. in Social Work and an A.S. in Health Science in 2017. During her years as a PUC student, Mayte became heavily involved with the department of social work, the SOL Club, and the Graf Hall Girls, making “friends and memories for a lifetime!” Mayte works with students from Central California, the Atlantic Union, and Mid-America and is excited for PUC’s College Days events when we welcome hundreds of students to campus. Mayte says her favorite spot on campus is the Campus Mall right outside the Campus Center because “being able to study outside and sometimes run into friends as they were passing by to their next class or having them join me as I studied was my favorite thing.”

Nicholas Lapido

Nicholas Lapido was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he lived until he was eight-years-old. From then on, he’s never lived anywhere longer than five years so you could say traveling is in his nature! Nick graduated from Southern Adventist University with a degree in Religious Studies & Practical Theology in 2017. As an admissions counselor for PUC, he works with students from Northern California and several Adventist academies around the state. As a former southerner, he is the perfect counselor to also work with students from the Southern Union, which includes North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. When he’s not on the road, you can most likely find Nick at the caf on pizza days, or enjoying PUC’s back 40 property. He loves everything PUC’s unique location offers, saying, “It has something for everyone. If you’re a nature person, we have the back 40, and you could explore that forever and discover something new each time. If you’re a city person, we have Napa and San Francisco not far from us at all.”

Chris Romero

Chris Romero hails from Southern California; specifically Altadena. He graduated in 2017 from PUC with a degree in Business Administration. Many of the Adventist academies he visits are in Southern California, which allows him to connect back to his roots. He also travels on recruiting trips to the Southwest, Columbia, and Lake unions. His favorite thing about PUC is the community atmosphere, and he also loves hiking with friends to Inspiration Point on PUC’s back 40 property. For all four years of college, Chris worked in the Admissions office, assisting the counselors and helping with College Days, which inspired him to want to be a counselor himself. “I chose to come to PUC because the people are welcoming and the environment is beautiful. I chose to stay and work here because I believe in the product. I believe in the quality Adventist education PUC produces and I love being able to help students figure out what they want to do in life.”