Portland Community College
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Portland Community College
@pcc.edu
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Oregon’s largest higher-education institution | Training our community's workforce, preparing students for success, and enhancing the vibrancy of Portland’s economic community
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
January 26, 2026 at 7:40 PM
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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...
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
www.pcc.edu
January 21, 2026 at 10:04 PM
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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
Pictured (l-r): Meghan Valley, Matthew Chase, Karen Kervin, and Erin Kane
January 12, 2026 at 6:46 PM
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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
Panel Discusses AI's Impact on Art | News at PCC
PCC event is presented in conjunction with Hannah Newman’s exhibition, ‘Neural-Lithic Harvests’
www.pcc.edu
January 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
December 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
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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. 🔥🚛
Merced trailer views PCC unveiling its trailer with a chain cutting.
December 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
December 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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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...
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
www.pcc.edu
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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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
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
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November 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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📚 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
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
www.pcc.edu
October 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
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👏 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
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
www.pcc.edu
October 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
October 20, 2025 at 9:31 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
October 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM
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📚 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
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
www.pcc.edu
October 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
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📸 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
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
www.pcc.edu
September 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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📢 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
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
www.pcc.edu
September 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
September 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
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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
Local teachers Get Schooled In Careers | News at PCC
PCC externships connect educators with career pathways, preparing students for higher education and workforce success
www.pcc.edu
September 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
August 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
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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
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
www.pcc.edu
August 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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🌙✨ 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
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
www.pcc.edu
August 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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PCC’s College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI) has been named a national finalist for the 2025 Examples of Excelencia! 🎉 This honor highlights CALI’s impact in creating culturally responsive pathways for Latiné and all students. @oregonian.com @wweek.com @portlandmercury.com
Excelencia in Education Recognizes PCC | News at PCC
The college's College Access Latinx Initiative is honored for expanding access to higher education through culturally responsible support and learning
www.pcc.edu
August 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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🎉 Join us for the 9th Annual Jade Night Market at PCC Southeast on Sat, Aug 16 (3–10 PM)! Celebrate “Our Families, Our Homes” with global eats, 100+ vendors, cultural shows & Jade Dollars for qualifying guests. Free & family-friendly! 📍2305 SE 82nd Ave @oregonian.com @portlandmercury.com
PCC Hosts 9th Jade International Market Night | News at PCC
From 3-10 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 16, the Southeast Campus will come alive once again with thousands of people celebrating vibrant cultures, food, entertainment and activities
www.pcc.edu
August 7, 2025 at 9:38 PM