New Labor Department-funded Scholarships Help PCC Fast-track ‘work-ready’ Talent (Photo) - 02/11/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – A new U.S. Department of Labor-funded scholarship initiative at Portland Community College is helping students move faster into high-demand careers in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and welding, all fields that are essential to Oregon’s economic growth and where employers continue to struggle to find skilled workers.

The grant-funded scholarships will support 40 PCC students this academic year, distributed evenly across four programs aligned with regional workforce needs: Electronic Engineering Technology, Machine Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Welding. Ten students in each area have been selected to receive awards of $2,062.50 to cover tuition and fees for up to 13 credits, reducing financial barriers that can slow or prevent entry into technical training.

“Those companies don’t just need workers: they need workers with the specific, high-level technical training found in our Electronic Engineering Technology and mechatronics programs,” said Christiaan Desmond, dean for PCC’s Advanced and Applied Technologies Pathway. 

Desmond noted that the region’s labor shortage is expected to intensify as semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investment expands. 

“By funding 10 students in each of these four disciplines, we are delivering a balanced, work-ready cohort that hits the ground running,” he said.

Each scholarship supports students preparing for technician and production roles central to modern manufacturing operations. In PCC’s Machine Manufacturing Program, student-machinists use computer-aided manufacturing software to control and manage precision computer numerically controlled machines, producing high-tech components and tools. 

PCC’s Mechatronics, Automation, and Robotics Engineering Technology area of concentration builds on the college’s historically strong Electronic Engineering Technology Program, developing technicians through hands-on training in electronics, digital systems and automation, with pathways to bachelor’s degrees.

“Partnerships like this with support from the Department of Labor are at the heart of how we respond to workforce needs in our region,” said Sage Learn, PCC executive director of College Relations. “By working closely with employers and investing in targeted training, PCC is helping students move quickly into high-need, high-wage careers while giving local industries the skilled talent they need to grow. These scholarships are about opportunity for students, for employers and for the long-term economic health of our community.”

The initiative arrives as funding pressures mount statewide. Oregon has documented worker shortages across key sectors, and legislators are considering mid-biennium cuts to community college budgets due to a poor economic forecast, reductions that could affect the very Career Technical Education programs relied upon to fill in-demand roles. PCC’s impact is significant: an economic impact analysis found the college generates $2.3 billion in added income and 25,314 jobs in the region, and students see an estimated $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in education.

For students, scholarship support can also help cover the upfront costs of required gear. In welding, for example, personal protective equipment and tools can total $1,300 to $1,600. 

With strong hiring outcomes in semiconductor-focused programs, including nearly 100% hiring for Microelectronics Technology graduates with employers such as Intel and Lam Research, PCC leaders said maintaining training pipelines is vital. Starting salaries for many of these programs typically range from $56,000 to $65,000, with schedules that can offer compressed work weeks and improved work-life balance.

“This was a super cool scholarship for welding,” said Matt Scott, PCC welding instructor and high school liaison. “The students can easily use their financial aid or grants and they get it so quickly.”

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.

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PCC Hosts Advancing Diversity In Manufacturing Industry Panel At OMIC R&D (Photo) - 02/10/26

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. – Portland Community College is hosting an informative panel discussion on Thursday, Feb. 19 at the OMIC R&D facility.

PCC's OMIC Training Center is hosting an industry roundtable and panel discussion as part of the Advancing Diversity in Manufacturing event, spotlighting how inclusive workplace cultures strengthen innovation, workforce sustainability, and long-term business success in Oregon’s manufacturing sector. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

The panel will bring together leaders from labor, industry, and workforce development to share practical strategies for expanding access to manufacturing careers, developing local talent pipelines, and fostering inclusive growth across the region. Designed for employers, educators, policymakers, and community members, the discussion will focus on actionable approaches that organizations can implement to build stronger, more resilient teams.

The discussion will be moderated by Amy James Neel, PCC Capital Construction Workforce and Contracting Equity Manager.

The panel follows an event designed to introduce students to high-wage, high-demand manufacturing and skilled trades pathways through live demonstrations and interactive stations featuring technologies such as machining, automation, welding, robotics and digital design.

The industry panel and roundtable discussion will take place:

• 1-2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19

• OMIC R&D Conference Room (33701 Charles T. Parker Way)

• Advance registration can be completed online at:
  https://www.pcc.edu/events/advancing-diversity-in-manufacturing/

The event comes at a time when the Oregon Legislature is making mid-biennium cuts to the budgets of higher ed, including community colleges. PCC’s Lightcast-based impact analysis reports $2.3 billion in added income and 25,314 jobs supported in PCC’s primary economic region. The same study found students see about $5.10 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their education.

Community colleges are where Oregon trains the people employers cannot do without, especially in the field of advanced manufacturing. PCC’s OMIC Training Center is located at the Columbia County Center in Scappoose and is part of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) initiative to build that strong workforce pipeline for Oregon's economy. This is a partnership model that brings together industry, academia, and government to support applied R&D and workforce training for Oregon manufacturers.

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.

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ESOL Instructor Rachel Skinner Wins Statewide Teaching Excellence Award (Photo) - 02/04/26

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. – Instructor Rachel Skinner of Southwest Portland has received the Oregon Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Award of Excellence in Teaching, recognizing her student-first approach in Portland Community College’s ESOL Program.

“Being chosen for the ORTESOL Award of Excellence in Teaching is truly an honor and deeply meaningful to me,” Skinner said. “ORTESOL is a community I admire for its generosity, collaboration, and commitment to multilingual learners, and I am grateful to be recognized by colleagues I respect so much.” 

While Skinner is a relatively new instructor, she is already making a significant and positive impact on the program, according to colleagues who have noted her "passion, creativity, and commitment" to her students.  

Skinner shared that a bilingual journey of living in Brazil deeply shaped her view of language and culture. Nowadays, she uses that experience as fuel in supporting learners as they navigate new languages, communities, and ways of seeing the world. In her U.S. culture class for international students, she organizes field trips that support cultural integration, including basketball games at the Moda Center, as well as on-campus visits to the PCC Maker Lab and other outings.

“It is evident Rachel goes above and beyond in several projects she has initiated or collaborated on,” said fellow ESOL faculty Luciana Diniz. “She is an inspiration to both instructors and students within our department."

The ESOL faculty serves as the new editor of The Ambassador, the ESOL department’s tri-annual magazine, encouraging students to contribute and helping showcase their work. Colleagues said Skinner’s focus on equitable, student-centered learning, particularly for vulnerable learners who benefit from extra time and individualized instruction, is a difference maker.

She launched “Literacy Hour” at Sylvania Campus to provide extra reading and writing support for Level 1 students, then expanded it to other ESOL learners who needed additional practice. She recruited and trained volunteers for one-on-one tutoring and worked with local literacy groups to connect tutors with multilingual learners.

Skinner received seven independent nominations, higher than the typical one or two, according to ORTESOL’s Grants and Awards Committee. This committee evaluates candidates on meeting student needs, strong instruction, innovation, equity and inclusion, and leadership among peers.

“This award affirms the joy and purpose I find in teaching and reminds me why I am so passionate about supporting learners as they grow in language, confidence, and connection,” she said.

Skinner holds a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Portland State University and has taught English for more than three years. She volunteered with the Beaverton Literacy Council and assists with tutor training at Portland Literacy Council. Along with a certificate, Skinner received a $100 cash prize and selected a free ORTESOL membership for next year.

For information about PCC ESOL classes, visit pcc.edu/esol.

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.

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PCC To Host Chris Bendle Memorial Games Vs. Lane CC To Raise Scholarship Funds (Photo) - 02/02/26

NORTH PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College will host memorial basketball games Saturday, Feb. 7, honoring late PCC student-athlete Chris Bendle and raising funds for the Chris Bendle Basketball Scholarship.

PCC’s teams will play Lane Community College at the Cascade Campus gymnasium in Portland with the men’s game starting at 2 p.m., followed by the women at 4 p.m. 

"Chris Bendle was loved at Portland Community College," said PCC Athletics Director Tony Broadous, who coached Bendle. "A hardworking, confident competitor, and honor student, he earned his role with hustle and toughness. He redshirted to improve, chasing a great breakout season. He won’t be forgotten." 

The fundraiser supports the scholarship foundation established in Bendle’s memory to honor his passion, drive and dedication to the sport he loved. Bendle, a Scappoose native, was an all-star athlete for Scappoose High School, earned a spot with the PCC Panthers and was known for his work ethic and three-point shooting. The 6-0 guard competed for PCC during the 2018-19 season and was known for his relentless work ethic. Bendle was just 20 when he died on May 28, 2020 in an automobile accident near his hometown. 

During halftime of both games, Panthers fans can participate in a three-point shooting contest with goodies like candy and T-shirt for prizes. A 50/50 raffle will also be held, with tickets available for $1 each.

Organizers said last year’s event raised $600, and the winner’s half of the raffle was donated back to the scholarship foundation. This year's aim is to grow the fund even more.

Supporters can also donate directly through the Chris Bendle Foundation Basketball Scholarship website or for fans who want an ongoing way to give can enroll in the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program and select the Chris Bendle Foundation as their designated organization. The rewards program allows participating organizations to receive donations based on customer spending tied to a linked rewards account.

Event details

• What: Chris Bendle Memorial Games (fundraiser doubleheader)

• When: 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7

• Where: Cascade Campus Gymnasium (600 N. Killingsworth St.)

• Who: PCC vs. Lane Community College

• Extras: Halftime 3-point contests (both games), 50/50 raffle ($1 tickets)

Learn more, or find additional details at panthers.pcc.edu.

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.

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Mission Implausible: SE PDX Student Uncovers Major Water Cost Savings, Saving PCC $1 Million (Photo) - 01/27/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – A student intern at Portland Community College was given one mission – find savings on the college’s water usage and billing. The result? Mission accomplished and then some.

Eric Brurud’s deep dive into the college’s water billing system is delivering big results for students and taxpayers: $143,000 in ongoing annual savings and $50,000 in one-time credits, after the intern identified billing errors, streamlined accounts, and helped PCC qualify for stormwater-related discounts. 

While utility rate increases offset some of these gains, the reductions combined with other utility cost controls prevented more than $1 million in additional utility expenses for PCC this fiscal year.

“I didn’t know how much I’d be able to move the needle,” said Brurud, who resides in Southeast Portland. “I knew I was making progress, but when I finally put everything together in my end-of-year presentation, I was shocked at the total.”

Brurud is a dual-enrolled PCC and Portland State University student preparing to transfer into PSU’s Environmental Engineering Program. Brurud expects to graduate in Spring 2027. He joined the internship after meeting with Adam Holzschuh, PCC’s Strategic Energy Management lead, to explore opportunities that aligned with Brurud’s career interests in water systems and management. 

“When I told Adam I wanted to focus on water, he was thrilled,” Brurud said. “He had a real need for help organizing water bills and meters, and that became the foundation for everything that followed.”

In his position, Brurud worked as the Strategic Energy Management (SEM) associate, a position funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon. The college has had this casual position dating back to at least 2017.

“Eric's interest in water and sewer infrastructure while pursuing a civil engineering degree stood out as an ideal way for both of us to learn more about PCC's water and sewer infrastructure,” said Holzschuh. 

His first major task was a comprehensive cleanup of PCC’s water meter inventory, mapping meter locations, working with staff, the Portland Water Bureau, and Bureau of Environmental Services to document and understand the billing line items.

“By digging into each billing line item across more than 60 bills, he was able to identify excess charges and additional discounts which PCC qualified for,” Holzschuh said.  

He then helped PCC secure discounts through the City of Portland’s Clean River Rewards Program, which reduces stormwater charges when properties demonstrate on-site rainwater management. Brurud analyzed green space coverage, reviewed past construction documents, collaborated with GIS resources, and used web-based tree canopy tools to document eligibility and enroll most applicable bills. He also identified “dead” meters associated with buildings that no longer exist, helping PCC avoid unnecessary fixed monthly charges going forward.

In one of the most significant findings, Brurud discovered the Cascade Campus’ billed area was overstated by about 12%. After providing documentation, the city corrected the measurement, resulting in approximately $50,000 in backdated charges being waived.

“Especially in the current budget environment, realizing savings is crucial, and the dollars he found last year provide financial relief not only this year, but for years to come,” Holzschuh said.

Beyond the audit, Brurud gained experience attending construction meetings and learning how major capital projects are managed. He also worked with Environmental Health and Safety staff on Department of Environmental Quality reporting requirements, and collaborated with PCC’s sustainability team to understand programs and incentives that support the college’s environmental responsibility.

“This is exactly the kind of work I want to do,” Brurud said. “It’s technical, it’s collaborative, and it has a real impact on the community.”

Learn more about PCC's Strategic Energy Management by visiting its webpage.

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.

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Cascade Festival Of African Films Celebrates 36th Season With 18 Films And Endless Entertainment (Photo) - 01/20/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Cascade Festival of African Films, the longest-running African film festival in the U.S., is set to celebrate its 36th year at Portland Community College with a lineup of 18 films from 16 countries.

The free film festival raises its curtain at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, at the Hollywood Theatre and runs through March 7 in celebration of Black History Month. Subsequent film screenings are in the Moriarty Arts and Humanities Auditorium on PCC's Cascade Campus (705 N. Killingsworth St.).

“This festival is cherished by the community because it showcases stories from African people and its diaspora,” said Festival Director Eugénie Jolivett Fontana. "We invite people to celebrate brilliant African cinema and create moments that will linger long after Black History Month.”

CFAF launches with a pre-festival kickoff Thursday, Feb. 5, at PAM CUT at The Whitsell on Free First Thursday, transforming the newly redesigned Portland Art Museum into a lively gathering space where African cinema, art, music, and education intersect within the Black Art and Experiences (B.A.E.) Galleries.

On Friday, Feb. 6, the festival grand opening at the Hollywood Theatre features the screening of “The Bride Price” by local filmmakers Ime Etuk (director) and George N. Faux (writer and producer), who are West African. The film explores an age-old practice of paying a bride’s family for marriage and explores its misuse, concluding with a community discussion. Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is first come, first served for the 7 p.m. show.

“This year’s theme of ‘cultural connection’ reflects how the featured films examine migration, displacement and reinvention, and the universal search for safety, purpose and belonging,” said Jolivett Fontana. “The selections are appropriate for most audiences and showcase filmmakers from across the diaspora. Often, women’s voices take center stage, offering intimate, bold, and deeply resonant portrayals of strength, vulnerability and leadership.” 

One such highlight is the centerpiece film: “Black Tea” (Mali) at 7 p.m., Feb. 20 in the Hollywood Theatre. This cross-cultural, romantic drama by renowned Malian director Abderrahmane Sissako follows an Ivorian woman, Aya, who leaves her wedding in Ivory Coast for China, only to fall in love with Cai, a middle-aged tea shop owner. Their relationship unfolds against cultural bias, buried histories and societal judgment. 

The festival offers something for most everyone:

• Documentary Series Nights: Every Thursday at the Cascade Campus, select documentaries will be shown, including "The Man Who Plants Baobabs" (Burkina Faso) on Feb. 12.

• Family Fest: On Saturday, Feb. 28, “The Wall Street Boy” (Kenya) and “The Village Next to Paradise” (Somalia) are family-friendly features shown at the Cascade Campus

• Marketplace Day: Also on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 2–6 p.m., explore local and regional African diaspora vendors featuring crafts, art, and more at the Moriarty Auditorium on the Cascade Campus

• Women Filmmakers Week: From March 5-7, three films spotlight African women directors and their powerful storytelling. Closing night is March 7 at PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater, featuring "Hanami" a coming of age story directed and co-written by Swiss-Cape Verdean filmmaker Denise Fernandes. It explores themes of migration and identity through young Nana's life on Cape Verde's volcanic island of Fogo.

• Literature-to-Screen Spotlight: This celebrates the powerful intersection of African literature and cinema, featuring films inspired by landmark texts and enduring voices. Highlights include the heralded book-to-film, “So Long a Letter” (Mariama Bâ); “The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka"; and “Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions” that re-imagines “Macbeth” in Africa.

   

“In a time that calls for understanding and connection, CFAF’s 36th year invites you to gather, learn, and engage through film. Join us—and bring someone who also believes in the power of shared stories,” said Jolivett Fontana. 

For a schedule and more information, visit african film festival.org. 

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.

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