Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS)

At Pacific University, we sincerely believe in helping our students succeed in their area and choice of study.  The academic programs we have are designed to help students find the right pathway but everyone can always use a little help along the way.

We are proud to announce the relaunching of our tutoring program.  Known as the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS), students can now get peer support and tutoring Sunday through Thursday until 10:00pm.  Appointments can be made ahead of time to work around class schedules or students may also go to the kiosk located in the Tran Library on a walk-in basis.
 

Future additions to the program such as conference capability and workshops will also be available for students such as time-management, how to set attainable goals as well as study skills and habits.

CLASS is located on the second floor of Tran Library.  For more information contact, Josie Ragolia, our Student Success Librarian at JRagolia@pacificu.edu.

Visit campus today and get a tour of our beautiful school including Tran Library and the newly launched CLASS.  

Explore the Pacific Northwest and earn College Credit!

At Pacific University, we are proud to say students can explore the many different options nature has to offer.  Students can learn about sustainability and the environment while taking on leadership roles. Take such courses through rock climbing, sea kayaking, rafting and use the skills learned and apply them to everyday activities or future careers.

Our students who minor in Outdoor Pursuits have been able to transition their experiences to fields such as education, psychology, environmental science, business and more.
Tailor Dolguin (Class of 2018), recent Pacific graduate, talks about her experience as an Outdoor Leadership minor and her time here.

Explore the Galapagos Island!

At Pacific University, we offer short-term study abroad opportunities that range from theater programs in England, education programs in New Zealand to environmental sciences in the Galapagos Island. Senior, Wyatt Eng, spent this past winter on the islands and shared his experience.

  

Name: Wyatt Eng

Major: Bioinformatics

Year: 2019

Hometown: Los Altos, California

What brought you to Pacific?

The family atmosphere and personal care that the faculty members provide for us initially attracted me to Pacific University. During the admissions process, Pacific University was the only school that valued me as a person.  I felt like an individual, not just a number.

What got you involved in the trip to the Galapagos Island?

The biology courses that my major requires gave me the proper background to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. I also love exploring the outdoors and thought this trip fit me perfectly.

Do you have to major in biology to be able to go on this trip?

No, we had both major and non-major students on the trip. I took this course to fulfill an upper division major requirement for biology, but you do not have to be a natural science major to go.  

How many credits is it worth?

The class is worth a total of four credits.  The first two credits is a prep course on campus and the last two credits is the trip itself, which took place during the winter term.

Was there a lot of preparation for the trip?

Besides the prerequisite courses, we spent the first two days of our trip in Ecuador to acclimate to the culture, climate and elevation.  All of the meals were provided for so we didn't have to worry about packing extra food. The food was amazing especially all the fresh fish we got to eat.

What was a normal day like on this trip?

We spent most of our time exploring the different habitats and nature on the islands. We island hopped every few days so there was always something new to see.

Did you have a lot of assignments?

We had a few, but they were all relevant and really interesting. There was about 15 of us on the trip, including two professors. We would read primary literature articles assigned to us every day and gather in the evenings to discuss the material as well as a brief recap of the day. We also had to maintain a journal and sketches of the different animals and plant organisms that we encountered. 

What was the most awe inspiring moment?

The whole trip was amazing. The only thing I would change, if I could, would be the duration of the stay. I wish it could have been a longer program. However, all of the abundant plant and animal life on the islands was extremely intriguing. Since Ecuador is located on the equator, the mere thought of exploring the center of the planet was absolutely fantastic. While on the Galápagos Islands, I got to see first-hand how evolution affected different organisms. We also got to see historical landmarks, including the first cove that Charles Darwin himself stepped foot on when he first discovered the Galapagos Islands. Overall, I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone considering the experience.

What were some of your favorite moments?

While we were moving to a new island, our boat got surrounded by a pod of dolphins, which then led us to a pod of whales. This particular moment was simply breathtaking and surreal. Some other moments I loved include getting to spend time at a tortoise preservation center, exploring the Cloud Forest, and connecting with all of the people I went on the trip with. In the end, I got to experience what I learned in the classroom and apply it to real life, showing how this incredible trip could be useful throughout my life

Would you study abroad again?

Hands down, I would! Word of advice: The additional cost was worth every penny. If you have the resources, go for it! Live your dreams!

Check out Wyatt's video of his experience!

Schedule a visit today to learn how you can join the next trip!

Academic Highlight 008: 3+3 Pharmacy

College is a great time to explore the many different programs and opportunities life has to offer.  Some students will take their time before declaring a major, others have a clear vision in which career field they will be going in. 

For those who know Pharmacy is the way to go, Pacific University’s 3+3 pathway may be a great fit.  The curriculum is rigorous but those who enter into the School of Pharmacy through this pathway will be able to receive a doctor in pharmacy in six years instead of the traditional seven or eight years.

Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology and pharmacology the first three years in our undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences.  During this time, students will also attend workshops, work with mentors and professors to build a portfolio and receive a conditional admission to Pacific University’s PharmD program.  Maintain a cumulative weight GPA of a 3.0 or higher and have a guaranteed interview to save an early seat in the School of Pharmacy. 

Pacific’s PharmD program is the only school in the northwest that offers a 3-year program.  Through this program, students can prepare for many different careers such as pharmacists, health systems, drug research and many more.

Learn more by scheduling a visit to our campus! 

Forest Grove: Home of the oldest chartered university in Oregon!

After visiting Pacific University, many comment on how friendly our staff, faculty and student are.  The uniqueness of our campus does not stop within our campus but extends to our small town of Forest Grove, Oregon.  Home to roughly about 24,000 residents, the city and university have a long-standing history of not just working together but also growing.

Students have the advantage to walk onto Main Street, about a 3-minute walk from campus, to enjoy the local mom and pop restaurants.  Residents and visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the local Willamette Valley’s famous Pinot Noir, watch a show at the local theater, enjoy Hagg Lake and other outdoor nature trails or simply enjoy the live music during the community Farmer’s Market. 

Although Forest Grove is small, the town is proud of its rich culture and diversity.  Forest Grove boasts small town feel but also brings in rich culture and diversity.  Adelante Mujeres is “among the leading nonprofit organizations working to education and empower low-income Latina women and families in the state of Oregon.”  One of the results of their hard work is the Forest Grove Farmer’s Market and the Dia de los Muertos.   Partnering with them is the non-profit Valley Art Gallery that hosts the annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival. 

Swing by to hear the International Quartet Champions and have a chance to take a photo next to the world’s tallest barber pole located in our football field.  Or stay at the local McMenamins Grand Lodge that offers a restaurant with handcrafted drinks, theater and live music and events.  The location is an eclectic mix or something for everyone in the family, just like Forest Grove.

Oregon Private College Week 2018

With the school year coming to an end, we are seeing an influx of prospective students and families visiting and touring different campuses.   Organizing and coordinating the numerous times and appointments can be tricky; especially when there is more than one school involved. 

The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities has worked together with private universities and colleges throughout the state of Oregon to find an easy solution to help with scheduling. 

Participate in the annual Oregon Private College Week, July 23^rd through the 27^th!  Registration is free and open for all families and students.  During Oregon Private College Week, 11 private institutions across the state of Oregon will have two sessions each day for families to easily register and visit.   Morning sessions will begin fromr9:00 am to 11:30 am and afternoon sessions will be from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.  Get a side by side comparison of these amazing institutions and learn about academic programs, campus life and much more.

The eleven institutions participating are:

Visitors can go to as many as you would like to or as few as you would like. Register today!

The “Right” Fit

Often families will hear about finding the “right” fit; that perfect university that embodies everything the student wants in a university experience.  So, what exactly is the right college and how do you know if it is right for you?

As each individual is different, the types of criteria one looks for in a university experience will be vastly different.  Just as Goldilocks found, trying on a school by experiencing the campus in person is the best way to find your new school.  Here are just a few common criteria students look at and questions to ask yourself when looking for the right school.

Location:  Is the student looking to attend school in state or out of state?  Some students want to be close enough to be able to drive home on the weekends while other students are happy to explore a new state and its surrounding areas.  It is also common for other factors such as geography, climate to play an important role in a student’s list of schools.  For example, a student may feel that it is critical to have access to a nearby coast, or to have ready access to the city, the forest and the mountains.  Looking at states in the same time zone is something to consider.  What may be an easy phone call home, will become a little more difficult or inconvenient with even just an hour time difference.

Size: What size school is the right size?  Larger, public universities versus smaller private schools have very different environments on campus.  Depending on the campus, lectures will be more like classes.  Is it important for students to get to know their professors?  If so, attending a smaller campus will offer opportunities for personalized support that a larger institution may not be able to provide.  Some students prefer anonymity.  If being noticed by professors might make students feel uncomfortable and confined, a larger school might be a better fit.

Tuition and scholarships:  Being able to afford a college education is one of the biggest struggles many families face.  Attending a college is expensive but do not walk away without asking about the different scholarships that are available.  While the price tag may seem high, schools will offer scholarships and grants to help offset the cost of attendance.  Families will make decisions based on one year’s tuition cost.  Remember to think long-term about what the value of the education will be.  Private education may carry a higher price tag but the number of students who are able to graduate within four years are likely going to be higher than students who attend public universities.  It is important to take a step back, look at the whole picture, and think about how this will affect not only finances but future career and internship opportunities.  One of the greatest things about Pacific University is that we have a 4-year graduation guarantee and offer amazing merit-based, need-based and talent based scholarships.  With our smaller class sizes, students get to really know their professors and are able to ask them to write letters of recommendation for many important milestones post college graduation (internships, job or graduate school).

Feel/Intuition: One factor we cannot ignore at Pacific University, is the number of students who have told us they knew the minute they stepped onto campus that this was the school for them.  Being able to find a place where they can call home away from home is not easy so this is not something to overlook.  The campus will be where students become adults and transition, for many, on their own for the very first time.  That gut feeling shouldn’t go ignored.

There are many ways for students to find the right fit.  Visiting a campus is the first step!  Schedule a visit to Pacific University and get a chance to tour the campus and meet with an admissions counselor.