Episode Summary

What if assessment was less about earning points and more about understanding what students have actually learned? In this episode, we talk with PUC chemistry professor Kent Davis about why he moved away from traditional approaches to grading and testing—and what he does instead. We explore how his methods have evolved, what he’s learned from students along the way, and why rethinking assessment can change the way students engage with learning.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why professor Davis began rethinking traditional grading and testing
• What his alternative approach to assessment looks like in practice
• How assessment can encourage learning rather than simply measure it
• The role of experimentation, feedback, and adjustment in teaching
• What other educators might learn from questioning familiar approaches

Why Listen

You don’t have to teach chemistry—or even teach at all—to consider how the ways we measure success shape the way people learn. This conversation is an invitation to question familiar systems, stay curious about what could work better, and keep the goal of meaningful learning at the center.

Episode Summary

In this episode, we sit down with a PUC kinesiology professor who believes some of the best learning happens when students get out of their seats and put ideas into practice. We talk about his creative approach to teaching—from grocery-store field trips and scavenger-hunt exams to personal health assessments—and why applying concepts in real time can make learning more meaningful and memorable.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why hands-on learning is central to his teaching philosophy
• Creative approaches to lessons, field trips, and even final exams
• How students apply health and fitness concepts to their own lives
• Why understanding health means looking at the whole picture
• How real-world experiences can spark curiosity and new possibilities

Why Listen

This conversation is an invitation to rethink what learning can look like. Whatever your role on campus, it offers a reminder that creativity, application, and a willingness to try something different can help students connect more deeply with what they’re learning.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Unchart(Ed), we welcome Carlos Garcia, PUC's new Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations for a conversation about relationships, community, and connection. Carlos shares his professional journey, what drew him to PUC, and how he views alumni as an important part of the college's ongoing story. Together, we explore the opportunities and challenges facing advancement work today and discuss how meaningful relationships can strengthen the PUC community and support students for generations to come.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• Carlos’ journey into advancement and higher education leadership
• What attracted him to PUC and its mission
• How he views the role of alumni in the life of the college
• Challenges and opportunities in alumni engagement and fundraising
• His vision for building stronger connections within the PUC community
• The impact advancement can have on students and the campus experience

Why Listen

Advancement and alumni relations are about more than fundraising—they're about building relationships that sustain and strengthen a community over time. This episode offers insight into how alumni, employees, students, and friends of the college all contribute to PUC's story, and why connection, belonging, and shared purpose are essential to a thriving campus community.

Episode Summary

In this episode, we sit down with Floyd Hayes, professor of biology, whose local research on Grebes offers a glimpse into the world of field biology and the role of observation, curiosity, and discovery in scientific work. Floyd shares how his research informs his teaching, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with the natural world while developing critical thinking skills. From time spent in the field to moments of discovery, this conversation highlights how hands-on learning shapes both scientific understanding and student growth.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• An overview of his research on grebes and what drew him to this field
• How fieldwork and observation play a role in student learning
• Ways students can get involved in hands-on scientific experiences
• The impact of mentorship in shaping future scientists

Why Listen

This episode offers a window into how research and teaching come together to create meaningful learning experiences. Whether you work in the sciences or not, it’s a reminder of the value of curiosity, exploration, and mentorship—and how faculty help students engage deeply with the world around them.

In this episode, we sit down with PUC’s academic dean to talk about women in leadership and what it means to lead well within higher education. Drawing from her own journey, she reflects on the importance of visibility, mentorship, and support for women, while also challenging the idea that leadership only comes with a title. Together, we explore how leadership can be practiced from anywhere on campus.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Her path into academic leadership and lessons learned along the way
• Why leadership isn’t limited to formal roles or titles
• Common challenges women face in leadership—and how to navigate them
• How faculty and staff can encourage and support women leaders
• The role of mentorship, representation, and everyday influence

Why Listen

This conversation offers thoughtful insight for anyone shaping campus culture. Whether you lead from a formal position or through daily influence and service, this episode invites faculty and staff to reflect on how leadership is modeled, shared, and supported—and how we can create space for women to lead with confidence and purpose.

In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Sollanek, PUC’s newest biology professor, to talk about what it’s like to join the campus community, step into the classroom, and begin shaping student experiences. Our conversation explores his journey into biology, how he approaches teaching and learning, and the ways he hopes to support students both academically and personally. We also talk about collaboration, mentorship, and the excitement—and challenges—of starting fresh at a new institution.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• What drew him to biology as a discipline and a teaching vocation
• The courses he’s teaching and the strategies he’s excited to use in the classroom
• How he connects lab and lecture work to real-world application
• His approach to mentoring students and supporting their growth beyond academics

Why Listen

This episode offers a thoughtful introduction to a new faculty voice on campus and a reminder of how teaching, mentorship, and collaboration shape the student experience. Whether you work directly with students or support learning behind the scenes, this conversation highlights the shared work of helping students find confidence, direction, and meaning in their education.

Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with a new member of the PUC community whose work bridges music education and student recruitment. As a faculty member in the music department and part of enrollment and marketing efforts focused on music students, our guest shares what it looks like to support students both inside and outside the classroom. We talk about rebuilding the symphonic wind ensemble, navigating today’s recruitment landscape, and the role music plays in shaping confident, connected students—and a vibrant campus culture.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How this dual faculty/recruitment role came to be
• Restarting a symphonic wind ensemble after a two-year pause
• Recruiting music students in a shifting higher-ed landscape
• Music as both a discipline and a transferable skill set
• Why outreach and collaboration matter for creative programs

Why Listen This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how programs are rebuilt and students are supported through collaboration, adaptability, and advocacy. Even if you don’t work in music, the episode highlights how faculty and staff across campus play a key role in helping students thrive.

In this episode of Unchart(Ed), we sit down with Victoria Wambua, one of PUC’s newest math professors to explore her journey into mathematics, what drew her to teaching, and why math is about far more than equations. She reflects on mentors, meaningful classroom moments, and the creativity and beauty found in mathematical thinking—while sharing what excites her most about joining the PUC community.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Her path into mathematics and the experiences that shaped it • How she helps students who feel anxious or intimidated by math • Why math matters beyond the classroom—and where it shows up in everyday life • Misconceptions about math and what she wishes more people understood

Why You Should Listen

Whether math has always been a favorite subject or a lingering challenge, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how thoughtful teaching can transform students’ confidence and curiosity. It’s also a chance to get to know a new colleague.