A Dynamite Friendship Flourishes At PCC | News at PCC PCC Athletics' Tony Broadous and Tyrone White are building a culture that student-athletes want to join

At PCC, 🏀 is about more than the scoreboard. Tony Broadous and Tyrone White are helping student-athletes build confidence, earn degrees, transfer, and prepare for careers. From Rip City roots to brighter futures, the Panthers are creating opportunity on and off the court.
@trailblazers.bsky.social

Music Prodigy Was Born to Strum | News at PCC For PCC student Grace Stramel music classes make the grade as she turns one elective into a four-year music pathway

Music programs boost grads: ~90% vs ~73% without—and research links music to stronger math + language. 🎶 PCC student Grace Stramel proves it: one guitar class sparked a passion, performances, and a Spring 2027 goal—plus dreams of studying guitar in Spain. @portlandmercury.com

Big Give Day 2026 Help make student success possible by making a gift on Portland Community College’s Big Give Day!

Big Give Day is back! 🎉 March 4–5 (noon Wed–11:59pm Thu), the PCC Foundation’s 36-hour giving event aims to raise $150K for scholarships + essentials—food support, immigrant/refugee resources, military-affiliated, Native & Indigenous students. Give any amount: pcc.edu/biggiveday

CTE Month: PCC’s Healthcare Talent Draft Day | News at PCC Students meet 20 healthcare employers at Sylvania Campus to get connected to careers in nursing and medical imaging

🩺 Healthcare students packed PCC’s Sylvania Campus for our Nursing & Medical Imaging Job Fair. We hosted 12+ employers and 20+ orgs total to help students find the right job. Recruiters praised PCC’s job-ready grads. Report: $2.3B added income by PCC, supporting 25,314 jobs; $1 invested → $8 back.

HBCU Band Showcase Returns to PCC | News at PCC On Thursday, Feb. 19, PCC will host a free performance in the Cascade Campus gymnasium, featuring the bands of Southern University and the Prairie View A&M

PCC Athletics + the Portland Trail Blazers bring HBCU band magic to Cascade! Free community show Thu, Feb 19, 4:30pm in the Cascade gym featuring Southern Univ. Human Jukebox + Prairie View A&M Marching Storm. Kickoff to #HBCUToThePros 🎺🥁 @trailblazers.bsky.social

CTE Month: Newberg’s Rising Star Gets the NKBA Nod | News at PCC Newberg’s Emma Winn turned pandemic-era online classes into national honors, global travel opportunities and a fast-rising NKBA leadership role

Big congrats to PCC Interior Design alum Emma K. Winn who was named to NKBA’s #ThirtyUnder30 after starting her program during the pandemic. Even better: PCC has TWO honorees this year (with Bethany Broussard), a first for our chapter and a national record. @koin6.bsky.social

Connecting Multilingual Learners | News at PCC ESOL instructor Rachel Skinner earned the ORTESOL Award of Excellence in Teaching for student-centered, equitable instruction

Huge congrats to PCC ESOL instructor Rachel Skinner on the ORTESOL Award of Excellence in Teaching! Her student-first approach, from “Literacy Hour” tutoring to culture field trips, helps multilingual learners build confidence, connection & community. 🎉 #ESOL @oregonian.com

Mission Implausible: Student Saves PCC $143K | News at PCC Dual-enrolled PCC and PSU student Eric Brurud found substantial savings for the college after water audit

PCC student intern Eric Brurud went hunting for water-bill savings—and delivered: $143K/year ongoing + $50K credits by fixing billing errors, retiring “dead” meters, and securing stormwater discounts. Real impact for taxpayers, real runway for his water-career path. 💧📉
@councilordunphy.bsky.social

African Film Festival Brings Global Stories to PCC | News at PCC PCC's Cascade Festival of African Films is the longest running African film festival in the US and celebrates 36th season with 18 films

Celebrate African cinema at PCC! The Cascade Festival of African Films marks year 36 with 18 films from 16 countries—FREE. Kickoff Feb 5 (PAM CUT), opening Feb 6 at Hollywood Theatre, then PCC Cascade through Mar 7. Theme: cultural connection. @wweek.com
www.pcc.edu/news/2026/01...

Pictured (l-r): Meghan Valley, Matthew Chase, Karen Kervin, and Erin Kane

Celebrating Karen Kervin’s retirement from U.S. Bank (Dec. 31, 2025) and her service on the PCC Foundation Board since 2015. Thank you, Karen, for your leadership—and thank you, U.S. Bank, for the generous gift made in her honor to support PCC students. 💙 pcc.edu/foundation

Panel Discusses AI's Impact on Art | News at PCC PCC event is presented in conjunction with Hannah Newman’s exhibition, ‘Neural-Lithic Harvests’

PCC hosts “Thinking Machines: Art, Authorship & the Future in the Age of AI” Sat Jan 17, noon–1, North View Gallery (Sylvania, CT 214). Free public panel w/ Hannah Newman + artists/scholars on copyright, deepfakes, and AI’s footprint.

@portlandmercury.com @wweek.com @orartswatch.org

Honors Keep Rolling In For Interior Design | News at PCC The PCC Interior Design community sweeps national recognition with 'Top Innovator' and '30 Under 30' honors at its national conference

PCC Interior Design is gaining national visibility! Instructor Betsy Brandenburg was named a 2025 Innovator by Kitchen & Bath Design News. Alumni Allison Hedrick won NKBA’s Student Kitchen Design competition, and Bethany Broussard + Emma K. Winn made NKBA Thirty Under 30 (2025). @wweek.com

Merced trailer views

PCC unveiling its trailer with a chain cutting.

Our Mobile Welding success has inspired Merced County, CA! PCC’s Mobile Welding Outreach team helped launch a 24’ trailer with real + VR welders for high school students there. Excited to see this lab hit the road and spark new CTE pathways. 🔥🚛

Big Win For Basic Needs at PCC | News at PCC The MamaBerries Nonprofit Foundation donated $5,000 to the Student Basic Needs Center to provide seasonal assistance gift cards to single parent students

At PCC’s Free Food Market, the Student Basic Needs Center received a $5,000 gift from The MamaBerries Foundation & Shades by Shan to fund holiday assistance cards for single parent students facing basic needs insecurity. 💙
@portlandmercury.com @wweek.com

Habitat For Humanity And Sustainability | News at PCC Rock Creek Campus instructor Val Brenneis is supporting students and honoring the cultural and ecological heritage of the campus

This fall, PCC Rock Creek honored environmental studies instructor Val Brenneis with the Galbraith Teaching Excellence Award for 14 years of community-engaged teaching, stewardship and student mentorship at the Environmental Studies Center. @multcosustain.bsky.social
www.pcc.edu/news/2025/12...

Being Green Brings In The Gold | News at PCC Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education awards PCC with 'Top Performer' and 'Gold' status in sustainability performance reporting for higher education

PCC is a sustainability rockstar 🌱 Named a top performer in AASHE’s 2025 Campus Sustainability Index and earning STARS Gold, PCC is updating its Climate Action Plan and leading in green buildings, procurement, waste and innovation. #PCC #sustainability @multcosustain.bsky.social @salinas.house.gov

PCC Expands First-year Experience | News at PCC The new initiative pairs new students with coaches for personalized guidance on academics and resources to provide more than 5,000 students with out-of-the-gate success

At PCC we’re turning challenge into opportunity. Our new First-Year Experience pairs every first-time student with a dedicated coach, weekly check-ins, and wraparound support so first-gen and low-income students can thrive.
#orleg @wweek.com @multco.bsky.social

Bliss Calderón Bridges Language Gap | News at PCC Amber Bliss Calderón uses her world experiences to connect with Newberg's non-native English speakers to boost careers and lives

Language is a bridge. At PCC’s Newberg Center, ESOL instructor Amber Bliss Calderón—20-year Newberg resident, global teacher—helps working adults find their voice. Integrated, real-life skills. Local access. Dignity, better jobs, stronger families. One class at a time.
@yamhilladvocate.bsky.social

Rock Creek Hosts Important Regional Conference | News at PCC PCC's Veronica Sandoval is organizing the NACCS Pacific Northwest conference at Rock Creek, which highlights Chicana/o studies, culture and empowerment

📚 Portland Community College hosts the NACCS Pacific Northwest Foco Regional Conference Nov. 7–8 at Rock Creek Campus! Explore student & faculty work, film, music & research on fighting bias & systemic oppression. Free & open to all. @portlandmercury.com @washcodems.bsky.social

Longtime Welding Faculty Honored | News at PCC Matt Scott earns the American Welding Society's Lifetime Membership Award, rewarding decades of teaching, mentorship and workforce leadership

👏 PCC’s Matt Scott earned an AWS 35-Year Lifetime Membership at FABTECH! A welding mentor for 32 years, he’s launched generations into great careers—reminding us that AI/robotics are tools, not replacements. Big need ahead: 330k welders by 2028. @fox12oregon.bsky.social

Sam Barbara Is In Concert With His Students | News at PCC Barbara, who has performed with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Barry Manilow, leads the Rock Creek Choir into a packed fall schedule

At PCC, choir director Sam Barbara has stories: Manilow vs. the Stones (he once stood feet from Mick at Staples!), USC gigs from Glee to Leno, and a peak night performing Lauridsen with the composer at piano. Catch PCC shows 7pm: Nov 5, Dec 3, Dec 6, Dec 10. @wweek.com

New Women's Coach Is a Slam Dunk | News at PCC PCC selects Chelsea Stocks to lead women's basketball after a stint as assistant coach at Cal State-Fullerton

Only 24% of NCAA teams are led by women—and just 4/10 women’s squads have women head coaches. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Chelsea Stocks as PCC Women’s Basketball head coach, fresh from D-I Cal State Fullerton. Catch the season opener Nov 13–15 at Cascade. @portlandmercury.com

Alum Returns As Accomplished Author | News at PCC Emma Pattee will discuss ‘Tilt’ and engage in a lively conversation with PCC educators, students and the public about the novel’s themes

📚 Join us for an author talk with Emma Pattee—PCC alum and author of Tilt—on Thu, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. at PCC Southeast Library (2305 SE 82nd & Division)! Celebrate her novel, enjoy refreshments, connect, and learn about earthquake preparedness. Free & open to all! 🌎💬 @oregonian.com @multco.bsky.social

Photography Symposium Slated For Oct. 10-11 | News at PCC The two-day photography symposium titled, 'Agency and the Image,' will occur on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Southeast and Cascade campuses

📸 Portland Community College & Blue Sky present Agency and the Image, a 2-day photo symposium Oct 10–11. Workshops, panels, and keynotes on identity, community & photography’s future. Join us at PCC SE & Cascade! @koin6.bsky.social @portlandmercury.com

Newberg Center Raises Curtain On New Direction | News at PCC The open house on Oct. 14 will highlight what is new this fall term, including the center’s strategic vision, new classes, events and partnership opportunities

📢 The Newberg community is invited to PCC’s Open House at the Newberg Center (135 Werth Blvd) on Tue, Oct 14, 11 AM–1 PM! Explore new fall classes, events, and partnerships, meet staff, share feedback & enjoy refreshments. Discover PCC’s future vision! @yamhilladvocate.bsky.social

Taking Brain Science to New Level | News at PCC After completing the Beaverton Early College High School, Leah Blankenship is now a neuroscience doctoral candidate at the University of Oregon, studying the brain's lesser-known regions

From PCC’s Early College to a PhD track, Leah Blankenship turned challenges into purpose. Now a UO neuroscience doctoral student, she studies brain circuits tied to addiction while leading the Neurodiversity Alliance to build inclusive communities in STEM. @ohsunews.bsky.social @oregonian.com

Local teachers Get Schooled In Careers | News at PCC PCC externships connect educators with career pathways, preparing students for higher education and workforce success

PCC hosted 60+ high school educators for hands-on externships exploring career pathways in healthcare, tech, and more. These partnerships help teachers guide students toward futures in high-demand industries. 🌟 @repbonamici.bsky.social

New Affordable Housing at OC42 Dazzles | News at PCC The college, along with Home Forward, NAYA, Metro and others, celebrated the grand opening of the newly named 'chaku kumtuks haws' affordable housing complex

PCC’s new Opportunity Center at 42nd Ave is more than a building—it’s a hub for career training, workforce services, affordable housing & early learning. A holistic model helping families learn, grow & thrive. #CareerDevelopment #Community @oregonian.com @multco.bsky.social

College Names López Sánchez Permanent VP | News at PCC Portland State graduate and Hillsboro resident Vicky López Sánchez takes over as PCC's Vice President of Student Affairs

Portland Community College is proud to announce Vicky López Sánchez as our permanent VP of Student Affairs! 🌟 Vicky’s leadership focuses on belonging, equity, and student success—guiding more than 35 programs that support the full student journey. Congrats, Vicky! 🎉 @oregonian.com

Ninth Annual Jade Market Night In The Books | News at PCC Thousands attended the annual Jade International Night Market at PCC's Southeast Campus to enjoy entertainment, eat great food and connect with community resources

🌙✨ The Jade International Night Market returned to PCC Southeast on Aug 16! 🎶 Showcasing food, crafts, music & dance from over 100 vendors. It was fun for everyone! See you next year! @apanoaf.bsky.social #JadeDistrict