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News Release

A Blueprint For Big Dreams: PCC Grad Is Designing Across Cultures And Building A Global Career (Photo) -05/21/25

TIGARD, Ore. – For Portland Community College student Yuriko Ose, interior design is more than an aesthetic pursuit — it is a cultural expression. As she prepares to graduate with honors from PCC this June with an associate degree in Interior Design, Ose is already applying her skills in the real world, blending international perspectives with local expertise.

“Culture shapes the spaces we inhabit,” Ose said. “This cultural influence has had a lasting impact on my approach to design, inspiring me to pursue a career where I can blend these principles with contemporary design solutions.”

Born in the United States and raised in Japan since the age of seven, Ose brings a unique global outlook to her work. She first earned a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literature at Sophia University, the oldest Catholic university in Japan, and studied abroad in France before deciding to pursue her passion for design at PCC.

From Tokyo to Tigard: Designing for the Pacific Northwest

As part of her PCC experience, Ose is currently interning with Ichijo Technological Homes, one of Japan’s largest homebuilders — but with a twist. Their focus isn’t Tokyo or Kyoto. Instead, they’re building sustainable, energy-efficient homes right here in Tigard and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In her role, Ose works closely with the firm’s lead architect, translating designs into CAD layouts that balance individual lot requirements, neighborhood design standards and homeowner preferences. The goal: energy-efficient homes that are both functional and beautiful.

“Yuriko is working diligently and learning every day," said Ichijo USA Vice President Masaki Narita. "I am confident that she will become an excellent designer."

Narita added that it is a challenging position, but one that speaks to her strengths — blending technical skill, artistic vision, and an understanding of how design serves people.

Finding the Right Fit at PCC

Ose found PCC’s Interior Design Program online while researching U.S. colleges. The program stood out to her for its clear curriculum, sample schedules and defined career pathways.

“I appreciated the small class sizes, as they allowed for more meaningful interactions with both my classmates and professors,” she said. “Although I’d never been to Oregon before, the program felt like the right fit.”

Originally planning to enroll in 2020, Ose postponed her start due to the COVID-19 pandemic and arrived in Portland two years later. Since then, she has immersed herself fully in student life — balancing design studio classes with part-time work as a food server and Japanese language teacher, along with her internship.

Despite a full schedule, Ose has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and earned a place on PCC’s President’s List. 

“These smaller classes were beneficial because they allowed me to focus more on projects,” she said. “Additionally, students typically take the same classes each term, which fosters strong connections and a sense of community.” 

Robin Rigby Fisher, department chair for interior design, said Ose has been a standout student from the beginning.

“She shares thoughtful ideas and brings a strong creative perspective,” Fisher said. “Yuriko is always supportive of her classmates, offering encouragement and contributing to a collaborative atmosphere. Her design work is both original and deeply informed by her cultural background and personal experiences.”

Designing for Well-being

Her passion for interior design deepened during the pandemic, as the world collectively reconsidered the importance of home environments.

“Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by floor plans and enjoyed envisioning how to optimize limited spaces,” Ose said. “But during the pandemic, I realized how much our environments affect our mental and physical well-being. That inspired me to pursue design professionally.”

At PCC, students in the Interior Design Program spend the first year developing foundational skills — from hand drafting to digital design tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp and Chief Architect. In the second year, the focus shifts to preparing for the industry, with portfolio development, internships and networking opportunities.

“Personally, this approach was valuable, as it allowed me to gain real-world experience and get ready to apply for jobs before graduation,” Ose said.

A Global Perspective, A Local Future

As a next-generation designer with a multicultural background, Ose embodies the kind of student the college hopes to attract — driven, creative and globally minded. She encourages others, especially international students, to consider PCC as a stepping stone to a fulfilling design career.

“The support I received from everyone played a significant role in helping me succeed in my courses,” she said. “My career vision is now much clearer, and I have a stronger sense of the direction I want to pursue.”

With graduation quickly approaching, Ose is actively exploring interior design roles that will allow her to combine her technical training with her cross-cultural perspective. Her dream? To specialize in commercial interior spaces that support both functionality and well-being.

“Understanding that each individual has unique needs for design and comfort inspired me to pursue interior design professionally,” she said. “I want to create environments that help people feel good — spaces that work beautifully and reflect the people who use them.”

For now, Ose is focused on finishing the term strong and walking across the graduation stage in June. But her journey is just beginning.

Wherever her career leads — in Japan, Oregon or beyond — Yuriko Ose is poised to make her indelible mark in the world of interior design.

For more details on the Interior Design Program, visit the https://www.pcc.edu/programs/interior-design/

2025 Commencement

Thousands of PCC grads like Ose will be honored as part of the class of 2025. The college’s commencement ceremony takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, June 13 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum where thousands of newly minted graduates will celebrate their degrees and certificates with family and friends.

Learn more: https://www.pcc.edu/commencement/

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 53,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

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PCC’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center Hosts Return Of Summer Youth Summit (Photo) -05/15/25

HILLSBORO, Ore. – A collective effort to help youth find their path this summer is underway at Portland Community College. The Washington County Youth Opportunities Summer Summit returns to the Willow Creek Opportunity Center (241 SW Edgeway Drive, Hillsboro) from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, May 28.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through a collaboration with WorkSource Oregon, event sponsor Worksystems Inc., and other partners. Organizers will offer students – and prospective students – information on PCC short-term training options, plus, resume workshops, summer jobs, paid internships and introductions to local employers.

“We’re offering a range of exciting opportunities tailored specifically for youth ages 17 to 24,” said DaNene Dwyer, director of the Willow Creek Opportunity Center. “Whether they are searching for a summer job, an internship, or exploring career and technical education, we have resources available to help them make an informed choice.”

This summit was last held before the pandemic in 2019. Organizers anticipate about 200 students from Washington County high schools will attend, along with community members. The event will include a showcase of employers, training providers and career consultants in fields such as health care, technology and manufacturing.

PCC’s Opportunity Centers serve as local hubs that bring together people, employers and community partners to transform lives. The expert team at Willow Creek is committed to helping individuals explore careers, build skills, gain confidence, and succeed in their education and career goals.

For more information, visit pcc.edu/opportunity-center.

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 53,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

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PCC’s Sky-High Makeover: New Livery Gives Training Aircraft An Elevated Look (Photo) -05/12/25

HILLSBORO, Ore. – That’s a wrap! Literally.

Portland Community College recently unveiled the new livery for its training aircraft – a Bombardier Q400 commercial propeller plane – just in time for the Oregon International Air Show. In 2022, Horizon Air flew the Q400 to the Hillsboro Airport and donated the former commercial aircraft to the PCC Foundation to provide students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) Program with real-world training.

The airplane will be open for tours on both Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18 of the airshow and hosted by PCC and Horizon Air.

Soon, the Q400 will be used for hands-on instruction on modern engine and avionics technologies. The aircraft will provide PCC students with the chance to conduct – system servicing, wheel, brake, and tire changing, turbine engine run/ops check, airframe inspections, power plant inspections, ice and rain protection, air conditioning and pressurization, indicating and recording, autoflight (autopilot systems) and auxiliary power unit operation, inspection, and servicing.

“It is rare for an aviation maintenance school to have such a modern commercial aircraft for training,” said Tom Laxson, faculty chair of the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program. “It exposes students to technologies that are otherwise exclusive to tenured professionals of commercial aviation. Even just the aircraft’s maintenance manuals have had a significant modernizing effect on our offered training.”

PCC, and schools like it in the country, is the primary means by which the aviation industry gains new aviation maintenance workers in the region. The Oregon Employment Department reports Portland area aviation service technicians can earn a starting annual salary of $85,993, and a report by Boeing indicated a dire shortage of trained workers in the field.

“It’s critical to have hands-on experience for our students, and we’re doing that with this donation for aviation maintenance,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings. “Collaboration and partnership with the community make great things happen.”

The plane’s presence at the airport is a continuation of strong industry and community partnerships PCC has developed to strengthen its career-technical education (CTE) training. In 2020, the college partnered with the Hillsboro School District, Oregon Air Show Charitable Foundation and other key partners to create the dual-credit Oregon Aerospace Careers for Everyone (O-ACE) Program for high school students interested in careers as aviation maintenance technicians, avionics technicians or professional pilots. 

In 2021, AMT entered into a partnership with Horizon Air called the Horizon Technician Development Program, providing students with industry-relevant training and employment opportunities.

“Our relationship with PCC is extremely strong,” said Archie Vega, Director of Line/Base Maintenance and Student Development with Horizon Air.

Wendy Wright, a senior graphic designer for the foundation and a graduate of PCC's Graphic Design Program, created the livery. Her creative design took between 150-200 hours to develop and included a fuselage wrap and a new blue color scheme for the tail.

"People don't realize all of the 'behind the curtain' things that happen to make something so incredibly complex look so simple," Wright said. "I also loved the collaboration that it took to get to this point. This plane not only helps one of our many programs at the college but is a huge gift to the entire college."

Wright's involvement symbolizes how involved the PCC Foundation is with providing resources for CTE programs like AMT. The foundation has three aviation-related scholarships to fund student success and program training, and has collectively awarded $24,400 to AMT students during the 2024-25 academic year.

For more information on PCC's Aviation Maintenance Technology, visit https://www.pcc.edu/programs/aviation-maintenance/ 

 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 53,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

PCC's Multimedia Program Adds New Degree Thanks To LAIKA Partnership (Photo) -05/06/25

NORTH PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College’s relationship with LAIKA Studios is in full motion.

PCC’s Multimedia Program announced a new associate degree in Animation and Motion Graphics that has just been approved by the state of Oregon and accreditors, which will be available to students beginning fall term of 2025.

Last year, a collaboration between PCC and LAIKA was announced that included a two-year $60,000 pledge from LAIKA to the PCC Foundation. This contribution supports PCC’s LAIKA scholarship and program funds that provide a stop motion lab, equipment and supplies like software and tools for puppet making fabrication. Another key component is the Oregon Film Office/LAIKA Summer Internship that is open to PCC students.

LAIKA funding also supports the curriculum and the new associate degree in Animation and Motion Graphics that will enhance educational opportunities for aspiring animators in Oregon. The degree provides students a comprehensive curriculum offering that blends traditional and digital animation techniques. Through co-created studios and industry-standard facilities, students gain hands-on experience and practical skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.

“We are so excited to be partnering with LAIKA and its innovative production studio,” said Erik Fauske, PCC multimedia instructor. “The scholarship donations and program funds will provide financial support to incoming students and equitable access to cutting edge industry tools.”

In addition to financial support, LAIKA provides valuable insights and feedback to shape the program’s direction and curriculum. Through annual updates and advising sessions, the studio plays an integral role in guiding students towards industry success.

In April, the college and the studio hosted a portfolio review at the Cascade Campus to advise the students' creations. Aspiring student filmmakers, animators, and digital storytellers -- many dreaming of a future with LAIKA -- are a segment of aspiring workers that the studio can recruit and hire from.

“LAIKA’s curriculum feedback, portfolio support and guidance on workflow will impact students to be job ready with relevant skills,” Fauske added. “At Multimedia, we provide an eclectic array of classes in many areas of production and we are so excited to enhance our animation, visual effects, and motion graphic curriculum.”

LAIKA assistant cameraperson and PCC alum Anna Terpening represented LAIKA to assist in inspiring the current crop of students. Just two years ago, the Banks native was a multimedia student at PCC, balancing assignments and work. Her break came during a competitive three-month production internship with LAIKA where she obtained up close access to all the departments and met co-workers from all around the studio.

 

“I was really blessed by folks that helped me and gave me opportunities to learn,” said Terpening, who earned her associate degree in Multimedia in 2023. “They believed in me. And I worked really hard to learn about anything that I didn't know, or had questions about, and tried to be as helpful as I could with my position.”

 

Terpening credits PCC for giving her the tools to succeed.

“I got hands-on experience with lighting, dollies, jibs—real-world skills,” she said. “I even picked up paid gigs while still in school, which helped build my resume and confidence.”

Her advice to aspiring creatives who want a way into the field: “It's not glamorous, but being diligent in what you are doing, treating people well, and being an eager learner leaves a bigger impact.” 

For more information, visit https://www.pcc.edu/programs/multimedia/

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 53,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

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PCC Foundation Hosts Reinvented ‘Party At PCC’ Event On May 17 (Photo) -04/30/25

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Community College Foundation is reinventing a classic – its annual gala.

The PCC Foundation is debuting its reimagined signature event, "Together for Tomorrow," from 5:30-9 p.m, Saturday, May 17, at the Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave. Designed to reflect the heart of PCC’s mission and community, the event will raise funds for student scholarships while celebrating the transformative power of a PCC education. Tickets are $100 with proceeds supporting PCC student scholarships and parking will be free.

After years of hosting traditional fundraising galas, the PCC Foundation is embracing a new approach centered on connection, celebration and impact. “Together for Tomorrow” invites guests to enjoy a relaxed and vibrant evening on campus, featuring food, drinks and meaningful opportunities to connect. Entertainment includes music by DJ Aspen, who is a PCC student and spins for the Portland Timbers, Thorns and Trail Blazers.

“We wanted this event to reflect the values of our community: access, success, and a shared commitment to creating opportunity for PCC students,” said Executive Director of the PCC Foundation Christina Kline.

The PCC Foundation will present this event with longtime partner Comcast, which has supported the gala for the past six years and continues to invest in student and community success.

 

“At Comcast, we believe in the power of education and opportunity to transform lives, and we’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the PCC Foundation,” said Senior Director of Community Impact for Comcast Pacific NW Region Rebecca Brown. “We’re honored to be part of this meaningful event that helps create opportunity and builds a stronger future for our community.” 

The event will take place in Sylvania's Performing Arts Center courtyard. At 7 p.m., guests will move into the theater for a program highlighting stories from students and PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings, celebrating donors and community partners, and underscoring the vital role scholarships play in helping students thrive. The event will close with dessert and dancing.

To purchase tickets and learn more, visit https://www.pcc.edu/foundation/events/together-for-tomorrow/ 

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 53,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

For B-ROLL footage, visit PCC campus and student life highlight reel.

 

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