Tag Archives: student profile

Faces of PUC: Ashley Castro-Rodriguez

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Ashley Castro-Rodriguez is studying theology and minoring in communications. Coming from Salem, Oregon. She chose PUC because she received scholarships and guidance from her advisor, Pastor and Professor Wibberding. He explained and showed her how the Theology program worked and made her feel welcome. Ashley shared that the admissions team was also super welcoming and helped guide her through the entire application process. Living in the PNW, she found the campus pretty and reminded her of home.

What is your dream job? 

Anything relating to Pastoral Ministry, knowing I am making an impact being able to help people.

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

I never really knew what I wanted to be as a kid, it always changed. It wasn’t until I understood how my mom had studied Theology and was going to be a pastor for the Oregon conference, that I realized that was even an option.

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

How easy it is to be involved in things, and the people you get to meet because of it. Being able to go from class to working at the grind to working at the campus ministries office to running to orchestra practice and seeing so many different familiar faces makes my day.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Anywhere as long as I’m with my friends and family

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

Eternals, because a) ancient history, b) the music (more specifically the song “Friends”), c) super cool superheroes (and Harry Styles). But as a main character, I wouldn’t want to be an innocent bystander who doesn’t know what’s going on. 

What is something you’re passionate about?

Music! I listen to a lot of music styles, and I love live music and the impact it can have. Whether I’m leading, playing bass for worship, or simply listening. Ministry and Jesus too, they tie together and are a big part of my life.

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

The Petrified Forest in Calistoga is pretty cool and makes for a nice hike

Faces of PUC: Beldina Opiyo 

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Beldina Opiyo is a pre-nursing student from San Pablo, CA. She originally wanted to be a doctor, but now wants to be a neonatal nurse or a child therapist to help kids flourish. She chose to attend PUC because she wanted to grow intellectually and spiritually, and felt PUC would guide her through her journey. We are very happy Beldina is a part of our Pioneers family!

What is your dream job?  

I want to be a neonatal nurse if not I want to be a child therapist, I love to help the little ones and watch them grow. I want to help them flourish.  

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

I wanted to be a doctor when I was young but only for the money. I did not know what being a doctor entailed and what I wanted to specialize in.  

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

Everybody genuinely is here to grow and have a fun time and the way I see people support each other every day is very heartwarming.  

Where is your favorite place in the world?  

I have not been to many places yet but I love nature a lot. I think the place that I enjoyed nature the most was Yosemite.  

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

Emma by Autumn de Wilde   

What is something you’re passionate about?  

Dancing  

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

Golden Gate Park  

Faces of PUC: Adam Parker 

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Adam Parker comes to us from our town of Angwin. He is majoring in Emergency Management Paramedic, which is a great fit since it combines his love for helping people and wanting to make a difference. Adam loves being a part of the Pioneers family because of the effort to make sure students have a good experience here and how welcoming the campus is.

What is your dream job?

For now, my goal is to be a paramedic working for a fire department somewhere in the mountains.

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

I’ve wanted to be in medicine for as long as I can remember. The reason I went with EMS is that I like the idea of being one of the first people to make contact with the patient. To me it’s a perfect way to combine my love for helping people, my wanting to make a difference, and my adrenaline-seeking nature lol.

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

I would say the effort that goes into making sure students have a good experience here. I also like how welcoming the campus is.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Oh, man, hard question. Too many good ones to choose from so here’s a couple: The beach, a good snowboard run, a good bike trail, or at the lake with my friends.

What show are you bingeing these days?

I’m not super into watching a lot of TV shows but I’ve been watching Brooklyn 99 on occasion. I really like that show, it’s pretty funny.

What is something you’re passionate about?

A hotdog is a sandwich, sorry. On a real note: I love music, playing guitar, and drums are two major joys in my life. I also like getting outdoors and doing stuff like climbing, biking, and running/hiking.

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

Tiburon is a cool little town, there are some good places to eat there and they have a ferry you can take into San Francisco or over to Angel Island. Mount Tamalais is also a pretty cool place if you’re down for a hike.

Faces of PUC: Madison Nelson

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Madison Nelson is from Kaneohe, HI., and finished her first year of college last month. She shared that she chose PUC because it aligns with mud-Christian values and will help her achieve her goals. Madison also heard the community was close-knit, which she now knows to be true.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be to be an Athletic trainer. I would love to work in a job that involves both health care and sports.

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

When I was younger I wanted to be a hairstylist, which is very different compared to a Athletic trainer.

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

My favorite thing would be the community that is here. Everyone is very supportive and sweet which makes being at PUC easier.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

My favorite place would be the beach. Specifically back at home because of the ocean and weather while being out.

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

I would want to be trapped in any Harry Potter movie, especially The Goblet of Fire.

What is something you’re passionate about?

I am passionate about photography and basketball.

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

I would recommend going to Muir Beach. 

Faces of PUC: Karina Saavedra 

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Karina Saavedra is a nursing student from American Canyon. She is a driven student who aspires to have a career that will always challenge her and feels like nursing is a perfect choice. Karina also enjoys doing calligraphy and spending time with her friends during her free time. 

 What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to one day be a CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I love to challenge myself, and I have always aspired to have a career that will constantly challenge myself every day. I want to care for and save my patients’ lives. I want to be an advocate for them. I love working with people and giving them a reason to see another day! 

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

As silly as it may sound I wanted to work at Target. As a kid, I was obsessed with the idea of being a cashier at Target.  

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

The Pioneers family is naturally very welcoming and loving—I love this the most about being a part of the Pioneers family. From the moment I arrived on campus, I instantly felt at home with the numerous people that made me feel like I had a new family.  

 Where is your favorite place in the world? 

My favorite place in the world is the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. I went island hopping on all six islands of Phi Phi, and it was the most beautiful site in the world. I love nature as well as being in the water. I was able to swim in the ocean and the lagoons of various islands.  

What show are you bingeing these days? 

I am currently bingeing on Avatar. I love the show so much, this is my second time watching the entire series! 

What is something you’re passionate about? 

I love to do calligraphy in my free time, so writing is something I am personally passionate about. Writing/calligraphy is something that’s helped me cope with my stress in college.  

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

Growing up around San Francisco, I do have some personal favorite places to go to. If you love to walk around and enjoy the scenery, I recommend taking a walk around Bernal Heights Park, Fort Point, or walking around Sausalito. If you love sweets and coffee like me, I recommend Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. There are also many countless shopping areas and restaurants all over the Bay Area!  

 

Faces of PUC: Dannica Roberts 

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Coming to PUC from Honolulu, HI, Dannica Roberts is studying physical education. As an older sibling, she’s always been a nurturer and is really passionate about helping people which makes her a great fit here at PUC where students are encouraged to join service projects. Dannica is well-known for being “super sweet” so when you see her on campus don’t hesitate to say hello! 

What is your dream job? 

My dream job would be to become a pilot and a dentist for children. 

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

When I was young, I wanted to become a teacher, so my dream jobs have not happened yet. Eventually, I would love to learn how to fly a plane and maybe get some experience in the dentistry field. 

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

I receive so much love and support from the Pioneers family. 

What is your favorite place in the world? 

My favorite places in the world are either the beach where I would be surfing or in another country, like Taiwan or Peru where I would want to help with community service projects. 

What show are you bingeing these days? 

I have been binge-watching Criminal Minds and I am so close to finishing all 12 seasons of it. 

What is something you’re passionate about? 

I am passionate about going out into the community and helping with service projects. 

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

I would recommend buying a ticket to go riding on the cable car around San Francisco and of course, visiting Ghirardelli Square. 

 

Faces of PUC: April Medel 

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April Medel is a senior from Stockton, Calif., majoring in psychology with an emphasis in Spanish and pre-medicine. She is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to making changes in how the medical field treats minorities. April was sweet enough to answer some questions for us. We are truly blessed to have students like April on our campus!

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a doctor. Personally, it does not really matter to me what kind of doctor I end up being as long as I am able to make a difference in someone’s life physically and emotionally and being able to use my knowledge and resources to try and fix parts of the system that are broken, like the prejudice many minorities face while seeking medical care. 

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

I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was in the first grade!  Having the ability to help others and using the resources I have to help those in need is something I wanted to do since I was a kid and I am glad that my priorities have not changed. 

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

My favorite thing about being part of the Pioneers family is that I am given the opportunity to worship God at the end of a stressful week. Many schools do not offer that opportunity, and I feel like it is great how PUC students can all get together, praise God, and give thanks for another successful week. 

Where is your favorite place in the world? 

My favorite place in the world is definitely Yosemite. Yosemite is basically my second home and I have been going there since I was born. It is a place where I can shut out the world and just thank God for all the blessings in my life. 

What show are you bingeing these days? 

I have been watching Space Force and 100 Humans on Netflix. Space Force is such a cute show and I just love Steve Carell. 100 Humans is extremely interesting so if you are interested in research and random human behaviors, then you should definitely check it out! 

What is something you’re passionate about? 

I am really passionate about standing up against racism and making sure everyone is treated equally and with respect. The Black Lives Matter movement, standing up for women and LGBTQ+ rights, and helping immigrants and DACA recipients are stuff that I am really passionate about. 

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

I recommend going to Napa or to Pier 39 in San Francisco with your friends. If you want a bit more adventure, definitely check out Alcatraz in San Francisco or the Manchester House in San Jose. 

 

Faces of PUC: Dylan Gray

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Meet Dylan Gray, a marketing communication and emergency services major heading into his junior year at PUC. We asked Dylan what made him choose PUC, his answer made us proud to be Pioneers!

“I love PUC for many reasons but one of the biggest is the people. I love the friends I’ve made and memories we’ve created and I can say with full confidence I am where God wants me to be. I chose PUC mainly for financial reasons but once I got here I knew I really had no choice in the matter. God had already made the choice for me and I realized if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill and he’s going to place me where I’m supposed to be.”

Dylan is a friendly guy and was happy to share a bit about himself. If you see him around campus, say hey!

What is your dream job?

To be honest I don’t really have one. One day I would like to work in fundraising and coordination with non-profits for disaster relief programs. There are a lot of things could do with my degrees but I just haven’t figured out a path I want to travel after college. I’m not worried about it though because ultimately it is not my decision, it’s all in God’s hands!

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

Quite a bit. When I was younger I wanted to go into Oceanography and marine biology. I love the ocean still but I can’t imagine myself in the field doing research all-day. I love the outdoors and I want to incorporate that into my work somehow as I move forward in life.

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

My favorite part of being in the Pioneers family is that I never feel excluded anywhere I go. No matter where I go on campus I am always running into people I know and finding different events to go to. It seems like no matter where I am on campus I am always greeted with a smile. I have made some of my best friends here. Not just the type of friends that you enjoy hanging out with then don’t talk to after you graduate, I mean the type of friends that I want at my wedding one day if I ever get that lucky. Truly good people.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

I grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Lake Tahoe in a little town called Cromberg. Living here for most of my life has left me with an affinity for the mountains and being out in the wilderness. one of my favorite places is a little lake up in the Plumas-Eureka National Forest called Wades lake. This lake is about twenty miles from any type of civilization along the Pacific Crest Trail. I love this place because when I go there it’s just super relaxing and offers a great time to reconnect with God through nature.

What show are you bingeing these days?

Well, I don’t have too much time to watch anything at the moment, but when I am not so busy you will definitely find me watching How I Met Your Mother. 

What is something you’re passionate about?

Worship and Ministry. The most important thing in my life is my relationship with God and I will take almost any chance to worship. I love worshiping with my friends and supporting them through the prayer group that we have started on campus. Click the link to read more about the group! https://blog.puc.edu/2020/02/13/prayer-in-numbers/ 

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

I am not much of a city guy but one of my favorite places is Coit Tower in SF. The views from the top are absolutely phenomenal! If you like the outdoors a little more, I recommend heading out to Point Reyes, it’s a gorgeous area and it’s right on the beach.   

 

Faces of PUC: Emily Smith 

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This lovely lady is Emily Smith. Emily comes to us from Lake City, Florida, and just finished her freshman year studying biology and management for medical professionals while and next year will be taking on the role of event coordinator for the Pre-Med/Dent Club. After an unusual ending to the school year, Emily kindly answered some questions about herself. 

What is your dream job? 

I would love to be a doctor! Currently choosing between being an OBGYN, ER, or surgeon. 

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

I have always wanted to work in the medical field. I had a phase where I wanted to be a nurse because a lot of people in my family are nurses. Then I switched to wanting to be an esthetician because I love skincare! 

What is something you’re passionate about? 

I am really passionate about health and that includes skincare, fitness, diet, and overall wellness. God gave us our bodies and we owe it to him to keep it in the best shape we can! 

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

I love how inclusive the Pioneers family is. The campus is not very big, so it feels like one big family. Everyone is super friendly, and it feels like a second home. 

What is your favorite place in the world? 

Costa Rica! I lived there for 8 months when I was 7, and I loved it! It is such a beautiful place with loads of culture! 

What was the last book you read? 

The last book I read was “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom. A very inspirational book! I highly recommend it! 

What is your favorite type of food? 

I love any type of food, as long as it is vegan and full of flavor! 

What is your favorite Bible verse? 

My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I love this verse because it comforts me when I have big decisions to make. It is comforting to know that God is in control and that he has my best interest at heart. 
Thank you, Emily, for sharing a bit about yourself with your Pioneers family! We can’t wait to see you soon!

It’s OK Being A Super Senior

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By: Ally Romanes

A person can make all types of plans for their perfect college experience, but sometimes things turn out differently than you planned, life’s funny like that. One plan most students enter college with is the idea that you’ll finish your degree in four years. For a lot of people, this is totally doable. However, some students take longer. It’s actually very common to take a fifth year to finish your schooling. 

As a fifth-year senior or a super senior as we are often called, I just wanted to take a moment to say, it’s okay to be a super senior! 

When I realized I needed to stay a fifth year to finish my degree, I felt a little upset and embarrassed. A lot of people are ashamed of taking a bit longer to finish school. There’s almost a stigma to it, like taking an extra year means you’re not as intelligent or didn’t take school seriously or just didn’t plan well. But I was wrong. My personal experience shows having extra time in college can actually be a positive thing. It gives you more time to prepare for the real world and to figure out plans for after you graduate. 

For me personally, this extra year has been a true blessing. It’s allowed me to figure out who I am as a person and what I want to do with my life. It also allowed me an opportunity to work in the marketing office helping with social media and various marketing tasks, which is great since that’s what my degree is in. I’m not sure I would have had this opportunity had I not been an older student, as fifth-year seniors tend to be more mature and given more responsibilities. (My boss told me to say that last part, I swear I’m not bragging!)

There’s a perk too. Student discounts are a fantastic way to save some money and I’m definitely not sad about still getting them!

So whether you’re on track to finish in four or you end up sticking around a little longer, just know, it’s ok! Everyone’s journey looks a little different. It doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as you work hard for your goals.