Tag Archives: PUC enrollment

Q&A with PUC’s Director of Enrollment, Pauline Cidro 

Coming from Manila, Philippines, is PUC’s Director of Enrollment, Pauline Cidro. Pauline started working at PUC in 2020 as a part-time enrollment counselor and enjoyed it so much that she continued as a full-time. One of the perks of her job is getting to travel around the country for work- but the best part is interacting with students and their families—sharing with them what PUC has to offer and providing them assistance from the beginning until they officially become part of the PUC family.

How does PUC stand out from other colleges and universities?  

We are located in the very beautiful town of Angwin in Napa Valley, CA. Our campus is surrounded by great spots for outdoor activities and tourist attractions, and we have nice weather up here in Angwin with very low air pollution, so you definitely have clean air to breathe! Lastly, and most definitely, our students and faculty are able to build personal relationships that make it easy for the students to live away from home but still feel at home with the community they are part of here at PUC.

What’s the average amount of financial aid students receive? 

Last year, PUC awarded over $30 million in financial aid with the average award of about $23,000 per student.   

What health and academic support services are available for students?  

PUC offers a free health clinic, counseling, disability, and tutoring services to our students. These resources are available to all PUC students to make sure they are physically and mentally healthy and striving academically.

Why should high school students consider attending PUC?  

We have small class sizes with an average of 12:1 student-faculty ratio. I find this beneficial to the majority of students because I believe it helps improve their learning. We also have a one-on-one advising system which many students find very helpful as their advisors would walk them through each step in achieving their academic goals.

How do you support your students during their enrollment process?  

As their main person during the enrollment process, I walk my students through the steps they need to complete and connect them with the vital people they will be interfacing with when they start attending PUC: financial aid advisor and academic advisor.

What advice do you have for students applying to PUC? 

My advice is to understand there are many resources and help available to them, especially during the enrollment process. Their enrollment counselor (like myself) is their number-one resource when finding answers to their questions regarding anything. Our enrollment counselors always look forward to talking with the students and having authentic conversations with them to understand what they really need so we can continually support them while they go through the decision-making process. 

Meet Enrollment Counselor Janae Bowman

We have a great team of enrollment counselors here at PUC, ready to help you and your family with any questions you have, at any point throughout the admissions process. For the next few weeks, every Monday we’ll be introducing each one to you, to help you get to know them a little better.

This week, meet counselor Janae Bowman!

What made you decide to recruit for PUC?
I experienced PUC. I was a student and saw all of the opportunities it gave me. Whether it was spiritually, academically, or just life tips. I had a fantastic experience and by recruiting for PUC I get to share what I love about it.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled for work?
I would say the most interesting place I have travel for work is to Miami. It’s such a beautiful place with amazing food!

What is the most rewarding thing about recruiting?
When I bump into my students that I have recruited and they tell me about how they love PUC! I love hearing all the stories and fun experiences they have!

If you were choosing a movie to be shown at New Student Orientation, what would you pick? Why?
“The Parent Trap” (1998) because part of it was filmed in the Napa Valley!

What is your favorite part about living here?
I’m so lucky to call this place home. I feel like it’s a community where you know everyone. There is always something to do; whether it’s going to the beach or San Francisco for the day or staying local and hiking or trying out one of the local restaurants.

What is your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is right outside the Campus Center. When it’s sunny outside it such a nice area to grab lunch and soak up some sun.

What is your favorite place to eat in the valley?
That changes monthly … but I guess this month it would be Bistro Jeanty. They have an amazing tomato soup!

What is the last book you read?
I’m currently in graduate school so it would be my last class textbook, which was a book on operations management.

What’s one thing you would like to accomplish in 2018?
I’ve started something called the two-minute rule. So any action that can be carried out in two minutes or less is completed right away. I want to accomplish a full year of doing this to help to maximize my time and help with procrastination.

What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Get involved and enjoy every moment! This is a place where you make lifelong friends and memories.

Meet Enrollment Counselor Chris Romero

We have a great team of enrollment counselors here at PUC, ready to help you and your family with any questions you have, at any point throughout the admissions process. For the next few weeks, every Monday we’ll be introducing each one to you, to help you get to know them a little better.

This week, meet counselor Chris Romero!

What made you decide to recruit for PUC?
I wanted to share my college experience with students. It was a crazy journey from beginning to end!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled for work?
Oklahoma, I was in the middle of nowhere. First time in “The Dust Bowl” and just at the airport alone it had signs for tornado warnings. I’m a SoCal guy so that freaked me out a little the first time I saw those signs. I am used to earthquakes, fires, riptides from the ocean while at the beach … stuff like that, not tornados!

What is the most rewarding thing about recruiting?
Being able to see student’s faces as I say they have been accepted to Pacific Union College. Also, the after-expression of students who are worried about not knowing what to do with their life and me just saying “Trust me, I didn’t know either, but it’s alright.”

If you were choosing a movie to be shown at New Student Orientation, what would you pick? Why?
Disney’s “Hercules”—I can say because it shows the adversity of going from nothing to something, and how it can relate to a student going from freshman year to senior year and the growth of those years … But mostly because it’s my favorite movie!

What is your favorite part about living here?
The trees and nature. I can’t count the amount of times I have walked out my door in the morning and was greeted by a couple of deer.

What is your favorite spot on campus?
That last step after going up those stairs in front of flagpoles of Irwin Hall. *Cue the Rocky Balboa montage*

What is your favorite place to eat in the valley?
Gillwoods Cafe in St. Helena for breakfast, Giugni’s for lunch, and Pizzeria Tra Vigne for dinner, and then pistachio macaroons from Bouchon Bakery in Yountville for dessert.

What is the last book you read?
Comic books count too right? “Flashpoint” by Geoff Johns & Andy Kubert.

What’s one thing you would like to accomplish in 2018?
Travel around more of California! Go to more national parks, food joints, etc.

What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Don’t be a hermit! Socialize with people! Devote one day (whether Sabbath or not) to not doing any homework or classwork. Eat breakfast! Changing your major isn’t the end of the world! Make an effort to contact family at least once a week even if it’s through texting. Enjoy your college experience, go bowling in Napa, watch movies in Santa Rosa, go on late night In and Out runs every once in a while. Most importantly though, do not and I repeat DO NOT try and do a 12-page paper at 3:00 a.m. the day the paper is due … trust me it doesn’t work.     

Merry Christmas from Your Enrollment Counselors!

(From left to right) J.R. Rogers, Janae Bowman, Avery Lay, and Chris Romero.

As 2017 winds down to a close, we’re taking time to reflect back on the past year and look forward to what the new year will bring. We asked your four enrollment counselors to share with us what they’re giving thanks for this holiday season and what they’re looking forward to in the new year.

What are you most grateful for this past year?

“I’m thankful and grateful for five wonderful years with my wife (as of Dec. 16). We have been very blessed with family, work, and a super awesome year and a half old Great Dane.” – J.R. Rogers

“Continued life, health, family, and loved ones. All that God has allowed me to accomplish.” – Chris Romero

“I often put a lot of thought into what I’m thankful for each year, but this year I am most thankful for the intangible things, the things that have helped me grow. One of the biggest things I’m thankful for is the support from my friends and family to continue my education and start graduate school.” – Janae Bowman

“Getting to see my grandmother one last time during the Columbia Union tour. She lives in Virginia so I almost never see her, and she passed away just last week. There was just enough time to go visit her nursing home before my flight back from Richmond.” – Avery Lay

What are you most looking forward to in 2018?

“I’m looking forward to whatever God decides should happen to my 2018. We have some fun trips planned personally and some great ideas for PUC.” – J.R.

“All of the above listed plus whatever God has in store for me next this upcoming year.” – Chris

“Opportunities! I am looking forward to the opportunities, whether it be with my job or grad school! I always look forward to seeing what God has in store for me.” – Janae

“Looking forward to volunteering with Berkeley Homeless Ministry and St. Anthony’s Dining Room again. I don’t get to do it in the fall when all the visits and college fairs are happening.” – Avery