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In September 2022, Pacific Union College faculty, staff, and students began collaborating with the Upper Napa Valley Blue Zones Project, engaging in community gardening at Calistoga Junior-Senior High School. After implementing these healthier food practices on campus, PUC is honored to receive a Blue Zone certification of its own.The Blue Zones Project is a partnership between Blue Zones and Adventist Health, aiming to promote health and wellness by increasing access to education and healthy food choices.“After dedicating months to Blue Zones’ best practices across campus—ranging from health education to improved built environments—PUC earned official approval under Blue Zones Project’s criteria for schools and larger organizations,” said Adventist Health Philanthropy Manager Fabio Maia.Blue Zones Vice President of Operations and Community Transformations and PUC alumnus Mark Ishikawa emphasized PUC’s long-held commitment to the health and well-being of its students, faculty, staff, and campus community, embracing wellness as reflected in the Adventist heritage. Ishikawa graduated from PUC with a degree in religion in 2001 and has since pursued leadership roles in Adventist institutions, including Adventist Health, Loma Linda University, and PUC. His most recent role at Adventist Health involved supporting Community Well-Being Directors across 25 hospitals, leading systemwide strategies for well-being.“Some of my...

Pacific Union College awarded Assistant Professor of Nursing and Student Success Coordinator Nicolette Piaubert the 2024-2025 Educator of the Year Award during Community on Thursday, May 22.Surrounded by proud faculty members and inspired students, Piaubert wore a cape commemorating her years of service and her famous million-dollar smile.Piaubert joined PUC as a family nurse practitioner in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience in the nursing field. Piaubert has always been deeply passionate about nursing, using the opportunity to serve others as a reflection of her love for God.Dean of Nursing and Emergency Management Kimberly Dunker introduced Piaubert as a dedicated nurse, professor, Director of Pathfinders Club, and published author who is passionate about equipping future nurses with the knowledge and skills to thrive academically and professionally.As Dunker spoke about the impressive educational background Piaubert holds, she also highlighted Piaubert’s dedication to being a partner in her students’ and community’s success.“The PUC nursing faculty and staff are incredibly proud of Nicolette. She exemplifies the spirit of excellence that drives our program, inspiring both students and colleagues to strive for greatness in healthcare," Dunker said.Piaubert teaches the Introduction to Nursing classes at PUC, exposing students to the nursing profession before beginning the...

On the brisk morning of Thursday, May 15, Pacific Union College staff and community members collaborated with Napa FireWise, CAL FIRE, and the Prescribed Burn Associations of Napa, Yolo, and Solano counties in conducting a prescribed burn in the beloved PUC forest.A year in the making and waiting, the weather was conducive to conducting this planned forest fire in contribution to a CAL FIRE Forest Health Project, promoting fire resilience and a more balanced forest ecosystem.Napa FireWise and CAL FIRE personnel were present at the site for weeks as they set up burn lines and hoses and conducted other site prep. Weather, fuel, and topography had to be monitored and measured as unmodifiable environmental factors before performing such a significant project.To preserve the forest as a hotspot of diversity located on the Howell Mountain ridgeline, PUC began fire resiliency work in 2019 when it established a ridgeline fuel break that protects against wildfires coming in from the east through Pope Valley, a vulnerable path due to the tendency of fires to climb up slopes.Peter Lecourt, owner and forester of North Bay Forestry and former PUC forest manager, maintains important relationships with organizations like the Napa Communities FireWise Foundation, whose primary...

After an intense search and countless prayers, Pacific Union College is happy to appoint Tony Nakashima as the new Athletic Director.Nakashima graduated from PUC with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing in 2010. Coming back to PUC was a full circle moment for Nakashima, as he truly enjoyed his student experience and is devoted to influencing students’ lives in the same way.“I am committed to developing the student athlete as a whole, equipping each team with the tools they need to thrive spiritually, academically, athletically, and personally,” states Nakashima.Nakashima brings 11 years of coaching experience across multiple levels of collegiate athletics. Before joining PUC, he served as the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Walla Walla University, where he was named the winningest coach in the program’s history.Prior to Walla Walla, Nakashima held positions as assistant coach and coaching video coordinator in various collegiate institutions across the country. One of his greatest accomplishments was winning the NAIA National Championship in 2019 while serving as the assistant coach at the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana.Nakashima highlights the importance of using athletics as a form of ministry, where sports serve as a platform to impact lives...