Live Your Best Life

Your experience at PennWest California is much more than your courses—it’s about living your best life. Let’s go, Vulcans!

Our campus promotes healthy lifestyles and boasts some of the best university housing in the nation. With countless opportunities to get involved in student clubs, events, and activities, it's easy to connect at PennWest California. You'll be fully immersed in campus life, whether you live at PennWest California or commute to school.

 

Elmo Natali Student Center

Student Center

As the vibrant heart of PennWest California's campus, the Elmo Natali Student Center is renowned as one of the best student centers in the United States. Rededicated in 2016 following a comprehensive renovation, it offers a welcoming space for meals, study sessions, or relaxation between classes, while also housing numerous student services.

Student Center Hours

  • Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Saturday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 12 a.m.

What you'll find at the Student Center

Explore all of the resources the Elmo Natali Student Center has to offer.

The Student Club and Organization Suite serves as a vibrant hub for campus engagement, providing a dedicated space for student groups to thrive. Each organization is required to hold regular office hours, fostering accessibility and encouraging collaboration among members. Additionally, the suite offers meeting spaces equipped with essential resources, allowing clubs to plan events, strategize initiatives, and strengthen community ties. This environment not only promotes leadership development and teamwork but also enhances the overall student experience by creating opportunities for connection and involvement.

  • The Information Desk serves as the central hub for student resources, offering services such as PennWest OneCard printing, the university switchboard, event reservations, and billiards equipment sign out.
  • The Career Center provides essential guidance and resources to help students explore, prepare for, and apply their skills for career success. Accessible 24/7 at career.pennwest.edu, each student is paired with a career coach who assists with major exploration, job searches, resume development, and interview preparation. The center also offers workshops for classes and student organizations on various career topics, encouraging students to engage early and frequently throughout their college journey.
  • The Office of Student Development offers key resources, including Volunteer Programs and Service Learning to connect students with community projects, the PennWest California Pantry for food and essential supplies, and Commuter Services. It also organizes New Student Orientations and major campus events like Homecoming and Family Weekend, enhancing campus life.
  • The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs & Institutional Effectiveness functions as the central hub for student affairs on the California campus. It oversees a range of crucial areas, including Auxiliary Services, Budgeting, Project Management, and Compliance within the Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, and University Police divisions.
  • Student Association Inc. (SAI), a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by the students of PennWest California. Active since 1937, SAI supports the activities of student clubs and organizations.

Located in PennWest California's hub of student life, the Natali Student Center, the University's campus ministry engages and supports students through character development, prayer, learning, service, and social interaction. Campus ministry chaplains represent various faiths and can put students in touch with priests, ministers, clerics, or rabbis of their chosen denomination in California, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area.

Student Organizations
  • Cal Catholic fosters fellowship and learning opportunities among Catholic students at PennWest California. The group offers weekly Bible study Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in Natali 321. Keep up to date on Instagram @calcatholic
  • New Life Christian Fellowship provides an opportunity for students to explore their faith, build friendships, study God's Word, and enjoy their college experience together. New Life is a Baptist-supported ministry and is open to students of any denomination. They meet Tuesday evenings for Bible study and fellowship. Check out their Instagram for more information @newlifecalu
  • STAND (Students Taking a New Direction) is an interdenominational ministry that helps students explore Christianity, deepen their faith, and connect with fellow students.  STAND’s Large Group meets on Wednesday’s at 9:00 p.m. in the Vulcan Theatre.  They also offer a wide variety of fun and educational activities. Follow STAND on Instagram @Standcal for current events and activities.
Campus Ministry Office – Natali 123

  • The Performance Center is a versatile meeting and performance space used for a variety of campus activities.
  • The Vulcan Theater is a 104-seat multipurpose space. The theater can be booked for clubs and outside events. Sound, lights, and projector are available.
  • Conference Rooms (206/207, 319, 321, 333) are equipped with classroom-style seating, presentation screens, and Zoom capabilities via OWL or webcam.
  • Board Rooms (311, 313) feature a board table with chairs, presentation screens, and Zoom capabilities through a webcam
  • The Gail Artyth George Lese Heritage Lounge, also known as the Rotunda, provides a stunning environment for group projects or socializing and events throughout the year.

  • ESports Zone is designed for students to play video games together on state-of-the-art consoles and PCs. It also includes a TV so students can stream Twitch — a service that focuses on video game livestreams, including broadcasts of esports competitions.
  • Corner Pocket Billiards Room is where you can play a casual game with friends between classes or brush up on your skills—equipment is available to sign out at the info desk.
  • Student Media Suite, home to CUTV, the campus television station; WCAL, the campus radio station; and the Cal Times student newspaper. Students of all majors are welcome to participate.
  • Commuter Pods are located behind the Energy Zone and in the Student Club and Organization Suite, offering convenient spaces for commuters to recharge and relax. Amenities include charging stations and a kitchenette with a microwave, refrigerator, and sink. Lockers are available in the Energy Zone pod.
  • The PennWest California Pantry assists our students by providing food, academic supplies and personal hygiene items, so they can continue on the path toward graduation. Students in need can ask to receive food or non-food supplies (personal hygiene items or school supplies) online.
  • The PennWest California Campus Store is your go-to destination for purchasing textbooks, computer hardware and software, school supplies, and PennWest California apparel and gear. With a wide selection of essential items, you’ll find everything you need to support your academic journey. Visit their website at PennWest California Bookstore for more information and to shop online.

1st Floor Dining
  • Flatz is the perfect destination for breakfast or lunch, offering a wide range of options including coffee, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and more. Enjoy Starbucks brewed beverages to complete your meal.
2nd Floor Dining
  • Gold Rush Culinary Center, is the primary dining option for PennWest California students and offers all-you-care-to-eat dining in a relaxed setting. Students can choose from a variety of meal plans.
  • Agave serves Mexican-inspired favorites, including build-your-own burritos, bowls, tacos, and nachos, with flavorful proteins, fresh toppings and salsas.
  • The Vulcan Express micro market, located on the second floor of the Natali Student Center, features vending machines offering a variety of snacks and beverages, including select machines that accept meal plan payments.
  • The Forge Food Court serves classic favorites like burgers, pizza, and fries, along with specialty drinks from Botrista, including boba chillers, energy drinks, milk teas, aguas frescas, and smoothies. Open daily during the evening hours.

See More Dining Options

A PSECU ATM is located on the first floor of the Natali Student Center for convenient access to cash while on campus. For information about additional banking services, visit the PSECU website.

 

 

Come visit PennWest California!

Experience the fun in person.