PCC Expansion Could Bring Free Preschool To More Multnomah County Families (Photo) - 06/03/26

PHOTO: Early Childhood Education classroom at the Sylvania Campus.

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College’s Child Development Center is moving forward with plans to expand early learning access for local families through a new partnership opportunity with Multnomah County’s Preschool for All Program.

PCC's Child Development Center is planning broad expansion of its early learning programming for the 2026-27 school year after conversations with Preschool for All about increasing preschool capacity. As part of that expansion, PCC intends to add 20 Preschool for All seats, including 16 seats in the center's upcoming licensed outdoor nature-based preschool program. PCC is also preparing to launch a new infant classroom with PFA infant/toddler support funding as part of its continued investment in early learning services for families.

This creates a pathway for PCC to serve more children, strengthen its early childhood education programs and secure approximately $400,000 in ongoing support. The $400,000 in funding, which comes entirely from Preschool for All, includes per-child allocations, startup funds and infant/toddler stabilization resources.

“This is an exciting opportunity to expand access to high-quality early learning while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the Child Development Center,” said Velvet Cooley, director of PCC’s Child Development Center. “By partnering with Preschool for All, PCC can respond directly to the needs of local families and create new learning opportunities for both children and college students preparing for careers in early childhood education.”

With the addition of 20 new seats, PCC will have a total of 40, allowing the center to offer free preschool to eligible children who live in Multnomah County and will be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1. 

The expansion aligns with PCC’s Child Development Center’s ongoing work to become a licensed outdoor nature-based provider. Outdoor nature-based programs became officially licensable in Oregon through House Bill 2717, passed in 2023, and are regulated by the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care under specialized rules. Unlike traditional programs, these programs use natural outdoor environments as the primary classroom, supported by trained teachers and intentional planning around weather, wildlife, site-specific hazards and risk-benefit play.

“Preschool for All is entering its biggest year of growth yet with over 7,000 available seats. We are proud to partner with Portland Community College to open the first certified outdoor preschool in the Portland metropolitan area,” said Danisa McLean, director of Multnomah County’s Preschool & Early Learning Division. “The families we serve value the variety of learning environments Preschool for All offers, and this partnership gives children a unique opportunity to learn and grow in nature while expanding access to free early childhood education.”

The PCC program is set to be the first certified outdoor preschool in the Portland metropolitan area. The model will also provide PCC Early Childhood Education students with hands-on experience in a fully outdoor learning environment, giving practicum students the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world practice in child development, play-based learning and nature-based education.

The Child Development Center, located at PCC’s Sylvania Campus, serves as both an early learning environment for children and a training facility for PCC Early Childhood Education students. The center is licensed by the State of Oregon and provides students opportunities to apply early childhood best practices under the supervision of mentor teachers. 

For more information, visit https://www.pcc.edu/child-care/development-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 57,000 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 Board Of Directors Announces College Leadership Transition - 05/14/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, the Portland Community College Board of Directors announced that the Board and PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings have entered into a mutual separation agreement, with Dr. Bennings utilizing family medical leave benefits until her employment concludes at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2026.

“We are grateful for Dr. Bennings’ service and leadership at PCC over the past four years, particularly her passion for strategic planning, her work to strengthen curriculum alignment with Oregon’s workforce needs, and her role as a champion for student success through programs like Drive to Thrive, ensuring PCC students have the supports they need from day one through degree or program completion,” said Board Chair Tiffani Penson. “We appreciate the professionalism and shared commitment to the future of PCC and the students we serve during this time of transition. We know that Dr. Bennings will continue to effect change for the better in her next endeavor.”

Dr. Bennings said, “I am thankful for the opportunity to serve PCC during a period of significant change and impact. I remain proud of the work accomplished along with so many dedicated employees, students, and community partners. I leave with gratitude for the opportunity to serve PCC and with continued belief in the transformative power of community colleges.” 

Dr. Bennings’ current contract ends June 30, 2028, which, if terminated early, includes a full year’s salary and benefits. The separation agreement includes nine months of salary with health benefits, and entitles Dr. Bennings to the $25,000 retention benefit provided for in her employment contract.

The Board also announced today that PCC Executive Vice President Dr. Katy Ho will serve as Acting President, effective immediately. By resolution, the Board transferred all the President's authorities and duties to Dr. Ho. She will also continue to oversee her current portfolio of strategic leadership for Operations, Strategic Planning & Policy, Information Technology, Brand Management, and People Strategy. Dr. Ho has requested that she maintain her current salary and compensation at this time even as she takes on this larger role. 

“Dr. Ho is exactly the kind of leader we need for the next phase of PCC,” said Chair Penson. “Her educational background, professional experience, approach to leadership, and commitment to PCC’s mission will provide a stabilizing presence across our campuses. We ask the entire community to welcome her in this important role as a leader and a partner in building our future at PCC together.” 

At tonight's public meeting, and in a message to the PCC community, the Board emphasized its confidence in Dr. Ho to provide continuity of leadership and student-focused progress, while also looking forward to rebuilding for the future. The Board will provide updates as they become available on plans for identifying the next president, but those plans will be informed by community engagement at all levels, which is the immediate focus and priority for Dr. Ho and the Board of Directors in the coming months. 

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 57,000 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 Earns $1.2 Million State Grant To Grow Semiconductor Workforce Pathways (Photo) - 05/12/26

PHOTO: Quick Start Grad and Intel Operations Manager Atalie Mitchell.

PHOTO: Atalie Mitchell, close up.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. – As Oregon works to meet the growing demand for highly skilled semiconductor workers, Portland Community College has earned a $1.2 million state grant to expand access to training and connect more students to high-wage careers in one of the state’s most critical industries.

The money is part of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s $8.5 million in awards from Oregon’s Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund to eight institutions and organizations working to build workforce pathways in the semiconductor industry.

PCC’s award will support increased dual-credit and pathway engagement for semiconductor training while sustaining and expanding the college’s Quick Start Semiconductor Technician Training Program. The funding will be used to sustain industry-aligned programs and expand dual credit pathway engagement programs for secondary partners, including externships, student supports and an AI module.

“This investment is a powerful affirmation of Portland Community College’s role in building Oregon’s semiconductor workforce,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings. “Thanks to this funding, we can connect more students, especially those historically underrepresented in the industry, to life-changing opportunities in this critical industry.”

PCC is one of eight grantees receiving Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund support, along with Chemeketa Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Oregon STEM, Portland State University and the University of Oregon.

All grantees are active members of Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology, or FAST, a partnership led by Oregon State University that includes 95 organizations across industry, higher education, government and the nonprofit sector. FAST is also a finalist for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine award that could bring major federal investment to Oregon over the next decade.

Governor Tina Kotek said, “Oregon is a global leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation, and these critical investments will keep powering us forward. These funds will help unlock the potential of our colleges and universities to meet our growing workforce demands and elevate future talent across Oregon."

PCC’s Quick Start Program is based at the college’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center, a hub for career and workforce development. Developed through partnerships with Intel, Worksystems, the City of Hillsboro, Washington County and other regional partners, Quick Start is an intensive 10-day course designed to prepare students for entry-level semiconductor manufacturing positions.

Since launching in 2022, the program has graduated nearly 650 students and has become a cornerstone of PCC’s advanced manufacturing workforce development efforts. Quick Start also plays an important role in diversifying the semiconductor workforce by encouraging women, people of color and other underrepresented communities to explore careers in advanced manufacturing.

For more information, visit pcc.edu/semiconductor. 

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 57,000 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.