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Pioneer Connect is the result of roughly two years of brainstorming, planning, and organizing by members of PUC’s alumni and advancement office. When asked to describe the background and reasons for Pioneer Connect, Nic Miller, a database manager for PUC, leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Two summers ago, we really started thinking about a platform or point of connection for our alumni to get in touch with junior and senior students preparing to enter their professional careers. We are located only 70 miles north of all the amazing tech innovation in the Bay Area, and that realization really sparked the idea of connecting with our alumni, not just there but in all fields,” he explained. In seeking out methods to bring Pioneer Connect to life, Miller explained they came across Graduway, a vendor that provides predeveloped platforms for alumni management. It was perfect. In avoiding development costs, PUC was able to invest in the platform and officially began piecing together what would ultimately become Pioneer Connect. “Once the site was up, we decided to run a pilot program with a select group of alumni, and their initial reactions have all been positive,” Miller smiled. Similar to sites like...

The Rasmussen Art Gallery on the campus of Pacific Union College welcomes Wendy Liang as the guest artist for November. Her exhibit will open with a reception and artist talk from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, which is free and open to the public.In 2018, Liang has won the California Watercolor Association’s 48th National Exhibition, The Artist’s Magazine’s 35th Annual Art Competition, and Southwest Art Magazine’s Artistic Excellence Competition. In 2017 she received the most meaningful recognition yet for her artwork, when she won the competition of Splash 19, The Illusion of Light.“I became interested in art as a child when I first noticed colors of objects would change depending the type of weather and the different time of the day,” says Liang. “My inspiration comes through interesting lighting, water and its reflections, and scenes that feel dreamlike or somehow ethereally familiar.” Referring to her art style as “impressionistic realism,” Liang most enjoys painting scenes which create “otherworldly or mysterious atmospheres.” Her show at the Rasmussen will include such scenes as this.Liang’s exhibit will remain in the Rasmussen Art Gallery through December 9 (note that the Gallery is closed for Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 16-25). Gallery hours: 1-5 p.m., Thursday-Sunday....

Thursday, October 25 marked PUC’s workshop with Marcie Hronis, self-proclaimed public-speaking enthusiast and former Miss America contestant trainer. In just over an hour, Hronis explained the keys to successful conversations with potential employers, providing tips, tricks, and real life examples of how to excel in the arena of corporate interviewing. In her presentation, titled, “Interview Training: How to Stand out From the Rest,” Hronis detailed the steps of preparation needed to swing any discussion in the interviewee’s favor. She began by highlighting the importance of creating what she termed an “awesome list.” “How do you make any employer fall in love with you?” she asked. “You put together ten amazing, unique things about yourself, and weave them into the interview. The goal is to be able to answer any question using at least one of the things on your list.” Hronis emphasized these qualities need not be related to your academic career or workplace goals. “It can be anything that makes you stand out, whether it is something special about your family heritage, a charity you’re involved in, or volunteer work.” In addition to creating an “awesome list,” Hronis encouraged students to come up with three words that best described...

It’s always a bit sad when a beloved professor moves on to another experience or retires, but the good news is the opening left behind in the department means a chance to meet a new beloved professor. Five new faculty have joined the ranks at PUC this year: Julianna Boydston (nursing), Tara Hargrove (communication), Kiwon Kwak (exercise science), Willy Logan (history), and Sandra Ringer (nursing). Name: Julianna BoydstonTitle: Assistant Professor of NursingEducation: BSN and MSN from University of San FranciscoProfessor Boydston is a Napa Valley native, accustomed to the beautiful scenery surrounding PUC. After welcoming their first child into their lives, Boydston says she had been looking for a career closer to home. “I decided the time was now to begin a career in academia,” she says. “I have always loved education and teaching in the hospital setting; I am now excited to have the opportunity to educate our newest generation of nurses.”Prior to coming to PUC, Boydston was a registered nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, working as a bedside nurse in the pediatric cardiac ICU taking care of critically ill infants, children, and adults with congenital heart defects. “Nursing is not only a profession, but a...

Thursday, October 18, marked the return of PUC’s annual grad school fair. Professionals from nearly twenty graduate schools filled the dining commons side rooms from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet with students and answer any questions the prospective applicants might have raised. Olivia Nash, a representative from the University of the Pacific, explained their graduate programs are ideal for PUC alumni, as the schools share many similarities, including class size, strong faculty interactions, and the small college environment. “We come to PUC every year because we know their students are focused, engaged, and very motivated to learn,” explained Nash. She also mentioned of all the characteristics they look for in future UOP students, they especially seek out those who are willing to collaborate with faculty and driven to achieve. Diane Sus of Saint Mary’s College of California mentioned this was the institution’s first time visiting PUC, as they are looking to broaden their horizons and expand the pool of students that attend the school. Sus listed a number of programs Saint Mary’s hopes will attract PUC applicants, including their master’s program in counseling, along with courses in teachers education. She also mentioned their school offers specializations that allow,...