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.