WIN-ning Formula: PCC Auto Collision Repair Student Earns National Scholarship (Photo) -07/08/25

HILLSBORO, Ore. – There are many skills an auto body repair technician needs to have to be effective at their job – attention to detail, elite technical skills, color matching and painting, problem solving, knowledge of safety procedures and being a good communicator.

 

For Portland Community College student Jackie Nguyen, she has the entire skill set in her toolbox. As a result, Nguyen has been awarded the distinguished Legends Scholarship by the Women’s Industry Network (WIN). 

 

A first-year student in PCC’s Auto Collision Repair Program and a Hillsboro native, Nguyen is among a record-breaking cohort of 40 students out of nearly 120 applicants nationwide to receive the 2025 WIN Student Scholarship Award. The initiative provides awardees with financial assistance and high-value tool kits to support their education and future careers.

For Nguyen, who previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Oregon State University in 2018, the award is a pivotal moment.

 

“Receiving this scholarship is a meaningful milestone for me that shows it’s never too late to change direction and pursue new goals,” she said. “It’s the first scholarship I’ve ever received, and I’m truly grateful to be recognized for my commitment to entering the auto collision industry.”

 

Her decision to transition into the hands-on world of collision repair is rooted in a lifelong passion for cars and creativity. A kinesthetic learner with a fascination for JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles inspired by “Initial D” and the “Fast & Furious” series, Nguyen found her calling in a program that offered both technical challenge and personal fulfillment. PCC’s Auto Collision Repair Program provided the ideal launchpad for her new career path.

 

“I plan to begin my career as a collision repair technician to gain hands-on experience with various types of damage,” Nguyen said. “This foundation will help me become a more accurate and efficient estimator in the future, with a deeper understanding of the repair process.”

 

Nguyen credits the PCC community, particularly program staff and advisors. When she began the program last fall, each instructor took the time to learn about her background and goals, offering both encouragement and practical advice. Christopher Mayo, auto collision repair instructor, said Nguyen has been an outstanding student in her time at the college. 

 

“She’s brought a high level of professionalism, and has a real passion for cars,” Mayo said. “So far, she’s learned how to disassemble and reassemble vehicles, weld, measure and repair vehicle frames and repair dents. Her positive attitude and professionalism will take her far in life, and lead to a successful career within our industry.”

 

Nguyen said program staff’s knowledge, passion, and sincere investment in student success have made a lasting impression. 

 

“Their ongoing support has played a major role in my drive to stay committed and push forward in the program, especially when the coursework gets challenging,” Nguyen said. “Knowing that they genuinely care about helping us succeed has motivated me to put in the effort every day.”

 

Since its establishment in 1970, the college’s Auto Collision Repair Program has grown into one of the largest and most reputable programs on the West Coast. Faculty implement class projects to help students understand current industry practices. The 17,000-square-foot Rock Creek Campus shop contains four frame benches and computer measuring systems, two state-of-the-art downdraft paint booths, and welding and prep areas.

 

Looking ahead, Nguyen hopes to bring both technical insight and customer-focused service to her future workplace. And she credits PCC for her success.

 

“PCC has shown me the true value of accessible education,” she said. “It’s a place where you can discover your direction and build a foundation with confidence.”

For more information on the PCC Auto Collision Repair Program, visit https://www.pcc.edu/programs/auto-collision/

 

 

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 Student Named 2025 Cooke Foundation Scholar, Bringing Family To Tears (Photo) -06/10/25

PORTLAND, Ore. – When your family cries tears of joy, you know it’s a big deal.

 

Portland Community College’s Diego Lobato has been named a 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, joining a cohort of 90 students nationwide recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and perseverance. It's the fifth time in the past 20 years that a student from PCC has earned the honor.

 

The Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most competitive and generous in the nation, designed to support high-achieving community college students with financial need. Each recipient is awarded up to $55,000 annually to complete their bachelor's degree, with support covering tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. Scholars also receive extensive educational and career advising, access to internships, and funding for graduate studies.

 

“Earning a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship means the world to me,” said Lobato. “It eases my financial worries tremendously and affirms that I am on the right path. I called my mom the moment I found out – she cried.”

 

Originally from Chula Vista, California, Lobato is a nontraditional student who was raised in a single-parent Hispanic household in San Diego. Now living in downtown Portland, he is completing his Oregon Transfer degree with a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focus, centered on mathematics and computer science. 

 

Lobato will be attending New York University in the fall, where he plans to pursue a joint bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science. His long-term goal is to build a technology business focused on creating large-scale positive social change.

 

“PCC has been instrumental in my journey, and I could not have done this alone,” Lobato said. “I’ve been fortunate to build an amazing support system that has propelled me toward my goals.”

 

He also expressed gratitude to faculty and mentors who played a key role in his success.

 

“PCC offers outstanding resources which I was able to use to build a strong transfer application — it’s an incredible institution,” he added. “PCC has forever changed the trajectory of my life and made my dream of higher education a reality.”

 

It is one of the largest groups of scholars in the Foundation’s 25-year history, with more than 1,600 applicants from community colleges across the country. The 90 scholars were selected from a semifinalist pool of 467 students based on academic excellence, leadership, persistence and unmet financial need.

 

“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Giuseppe ‘Seppy’ Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”

 

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has invested nearly $304 million in scholarships and $136 million in grants since 2000, dedicated to advancing the education of exceptional students with financial need. For more information, visit www.jkcf.org. 

 

PCC Commencement

 

Thousands of PCC grads like Lobato 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.