Become a better reader, writer, and speaker.
Study a wide range of voices to become an incisive thinker, effective communicator, and imaginative writer.
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Dr. Carlyn Ferrari
PUC alumna Dr. Carlyn Ferrari (English, writing emphasis B.A. ’06) wrote a book titled, Do Not Separate Her From Her Garden: Anne Spencer’s Ecopoetics, where she shows how Anne Spencer used nature symbolism in radical and innovative ways to express her Black womanhood, politics, and worldview. Being drawn to her poetry and fascination with Anne Spencer’s life, Dr. Ferrari saw no books about her in print- so she wanted to write one.
Quicksilver
Each year, students from the department of English collaborate with those in the department of visual arts to produce Quicksilver, PUC's annual art and literary publication. Majors in each department are editors.
Sigma Tau Delta
PUC’s Alpha Delta Delta chapter of this international English honor society promotes literacy and hosts literary activities throughout the year. Students also attend and present their work at the annual Sigma Tau Delta international conference each year.
Faculty with Perspective
PUC’s English professors all hold PhDs in their fields, none of which are from the same university, thereby bringing multiple perspectives and strengths to the department.
Careers
- Editing/publishing
- PR/Marketing/Journalism
- Library science
- ESL teacher
- Law
- Scriptwriting
- Grant writer
Contact Us
I decided to go into English because my main goal is to become a teacher. Since coming to PUC, I have been welcomed, challenged, and pushed to be a better student. The department is so welcoming and is made up of some of the kindest and most genuine people I know. We’re all close and I know I can always turn to someone and get help or a positive interaction.
- Katie Williams
PUC Hosts 10 Academies for the 34th Annual Publication Workshop
October 10, 2024
For the 34th year, Pacific Union College welcomed back academies around California for Publication Workshop from September 8-10. About 110 participants from Lodi, Mesa Grande, Mountain View, Pine Hills, Pleasant Hill, PUC Prep, Redlands, San Fernando, Tualatin Valley, and Ukiah focused on improving their high schools’ publications through workshops focusing on design, video production, photography, and writing.
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Featured Alumni
Eliana Zacarias: No Direct Path
Since leaving PUC, I’ve been volunteering, interning, and now I am working as the Youth Programs Developer at the San Jose Children’s Museum. During my time in the M.A. program, I was president of my program’s professional student association and helped in planning, curating, building, and opening SFSU’s new museum space, The Global Museum, on campus.
Midori Yoshimura: No Limits
Midori Yoshimura, who graduated from PUC in 2012, never knew her English and Spanish double major would take her to where she is now: working as a digital media associate in the communications office at Stanford University.
Liz Rivera: Dedicated & Persistent
Liz Rivera, who graduated from the department of English in 2008, is the writer behind the abridged children’s version of Disney’s Coco and the Youtube Premium show Me and My Grandma. As a successful freelance TV writer and aspiring TV show creator, Rivera shares that her journey took a lot of trial and error.
Teacher Hero: Laura Helms
We sat down (via email) to ask PUC alumnus, Laura Helms, about her post-undergrad experiences. Laura Helms is a high school English teacher at Mountain View Academy.
Teacher Hero: Britney Daniel
We sat down (via email) to ask PUC alumnus, Britney Daniel, about her post-undergrad experiences. Britney Daniel is now a seventh grade English teacher at a public school.
Andrea Perry: Led by God
A 2009 alumnus of PUC, Andrea Rivas Perry has a passion for teaching. After graduating, she earned her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and taught at Hinsdale Adventist Academy in Illinois for a few years. She then moved to the West Coast and now teaches six classes at Central Valley Christian Academy, and as a previous elementary school teacher and current high school teacher, Perry says that teaching gives her life purpose.
Grace Otieno
English Department graduate, Grace Otieno (2013 graduate) has been teaching English at Everman High School. We caught up with her to ask a few questions about her life.
Working for Justice: Hannah Bollin
I took a year off and ended up teaching preschool (sort of by accident), then went to law school at University of Oregon and graduated last May. Since October, I’ve been working in Coos County, Oregon, as a deputy district attorney. This was always my ultimate goal, and it has really been a dream come true.
Larissa Church
I was a double major; I studied English with an emphasis in writing, and history with an emphasis in American history. So, lots of reading and writing! I mostly enjoyed being able to spend an afternoon reading, even if it was reading required books.