PCC Unveils State-of-the-art Teaching Cleanroom At Willow Creek Opportunity Center (Photo) - 09/15/25

VIDEO PACKAGE: Cleanroom ribbon-cutting event recap.

HILLSBORO, Ore. – The future is here at Portland Community College’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center (241 SW Edgeway Drive) in Hillsboro.

PCC opened its “Technology Innovation Spaces” at the center, which includes the Teaching Cleanroom, Artificial Intelligence Lab and a Manufacturing Lab. PCC programs and staff will work with Silicon Forest companies and the community to provide career exposure and develop skilled workers in the region through these advanced manufacturing training spaces.

“The Technology Innovation Spaces at our Willow Creek Opportunity Center represents PCC’s commitment to preparing Oregon’s workforce for the future,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien L. Bennings. “With spaces like the Teaching Cleanroom and AI Lab, we are bridging education and industry, ensuring students gain the hands-on experience and skills needed to thrive in high-demand and high wage fields like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. These investments are about more than facilities; they are about supporting people, strengthening the communities talent pipeline, and fueling innovation across the region.”

The goal of the Teaching Cleanroom, which opens this fall, is to simulate a production cleanroom. The facility will help credit and non-credit students, community-based organizations, high school dual credit students and incumbent workers train on gowning procedures and requirements, safety protocols and a variety of wafer-handling processes. 

The state-funded cleanroom is 1,152 square feet and features two Lesker Vacuum Training Systems donated by Intel and a Festo Simulated Automated Manufacturing System. The simulated cleanroom environment allows the Microelectronics Technology and Electronic Engineering Technology students to learn and train for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing jobs.

“Oregon’s future depends on the strength of our economic resilience and workforce,” said State Sen. Janeen Sollman. “Portland Community College’s new Technology Innovation Spaces are exactly the kind of investment that keeps Oregon competitive, prepares students for high-demand careers, and strengthens our economy for years to come.”

Opened for use last January, the Artificial Intelligence Lab is a flexible space focused on emerging technologies. This new 1,900-square-foot lab supports hands-on exploration of all things involving artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), projection mapping, robotics and machine learning. Supported by a Congressional Community Funding Project, the lab has an upgraded power infrastructure to support a variety of technology such as audiovisual systems, and matrix switching and two audio zones for ease of presentations and technology uses by students.

“The AI Lab at Willow Creek serves as a key site for developing digital fluency and innovation skills,” said G.D. Iyer, program dean for Computers & Engineering. “This space reflects PCC’s commitment to expanding access to high-tech learning environments and preparing students for careers in the AI-driven economy.”

The Mechatronics Lab opened in 2021 has been the focal point for Quick Start Semiconductor Technician Training and Microelectronics Technology Program training. Quick Start, a partnership with Intel, has hosted 30 cohorts with 421 students graduating with an impressive 66% job placement rate. More than 64% of the program’s graduates identify as under-represented or female.

“Semiconductors are at the heart of innovation, and Oregon plays a critical role in shaping the future of this industry,” said Courtney Martin, director of US State Government & Community Affairs for Intel. “Portland Community College’s Technology Innovation Spaces will equip students with the expertise needed in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor technology. Intel is proud to partner in this effort to ensure Oregon continues to lead the world in semiconductor innovation. Working together, we are building pathways that empower students to shape the future of technology right here in our backyard.”

Oscar Rodriguez is a second-year Microelectronics Technology Program student, who has experienced PCC’s Willow Creek’s Technology Innovation Spaces firsthand. Thanks to financial support and the high-tech learning environment, Rodriguez is pursuing an associate degree as he works at a new job at Jireh Semiconductor in Hillsboro.

“I started in another program, but once I learned about the semiconductor training, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” Rodriguez said. “With the help of a scholarship and support from staff who guided me through the process, I was able to step into a new career. Now, just a few months into my new role, I feel confident about the future I’m building.”  

For more information about the Willow Creek Opportunity Center, visit https://www.pcc.edu/locations/willow-creek/

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/

MEDIA ADVISORY: PCC To Unveil New Teaching Cleanroom And ‘Technology Innovation Spaces’ At Willow Creek Friday, Sept. 12 (Photo) - 09/09/25

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Portland Community College invites the media to celebrate the grand opening of its new Teaching Cleanroom and “Technology Innovation Spaces” at the Willow Creek Opportunity Center in Hillsboro. 

This state-of-the-art floor houses the new Teaching Cleanroom, the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Lab, and the Manufacturing Lab—spaces designed to prepare Oregon’s workforce for careers in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.

The event will feature remarks from PCC leadership, elected officials, industry partners, and alumni, followed by a ribbon cutting and guided tours of the new facilities.

WHEN:

• 10 – 11:50 a.m., Friday, Sept. 12

WHERE:

• PCC’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center (241 SW Edgeway Drive, Hillsboro)

WHO:

• Dr. Adrien Bennings, President, Portland Community College

• Senator Janeen Sollman, Oregon State Senator

• Courtney Martin, Director (Oregon) of U.S. Government & Community Affairs, Intel

• Oscar Rodriguez, PCC Microelectronics alumnus and Jireh Semiconductor employee

SCHEDULE:

• 10 – 10:20 a.m.: Refreshments & mingling

• 10:20 – 10:45 a.m.: Speakers

• 10:50 – 11:00 a.m.: Ribbon cutting

• 11 – 11:50 a.m.: Tours of Cleanroom, AI Lab & Manufacturing Lab

WHY:

Funded in part by a $1.677 million state workforce grant, PCC’s Teaching Cleanroom strengthens the Silicon Forest’s talent pipeline and ensures local students, workers, and partners gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies.

CONTACT:

For information on the event or to RSVP, contact James Hill at jghill@pcc.edu or 503-933-2664.

VIDEO:

Mikulak introduces the Teaching Cleanroom Amenities. (WeTransfer available on request)

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/

PCC Welcomed Westside High School Teachers For Multi-day Externship Experience (Photo) - 09/03/25

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. – In these classrooms, the teachers were the students.

Portland Community College welcomed more than 60 high school teachers, administrators and counselors from three counties for its annual educator externships that aim to develop the future workforce by educating local teachers and their students on career pathways in the area. The hands-on experiences were developed through collaborations between PCC, the Portland Area Career Technical Education Consortium (PACTEC), Northwest Regional Education Service District and the Portland Metro STEM Partnership. They offered teachers insights into high-demand career fields that could be of interest to their students.

“Everyone who engages in this process benefits from it,” said Lisa Regan-Vienop, PCC program dean for Health and Emergency Professions. “When we meet together, we come to a common understanding of how to help students and communities. Today's high school students are tomorrow's college students. We are all guiding them on this journey together.”

Katrina Stein, PACTEC program coordinator and college lead for the event, said the externships strengthen connections between schools, colleges and employers while preparing students for real-world career paths. The goal is to connect students with the community, careers and college through current PCC pathways. According to PACTEC, high school students who completed at least two career and technical education (CTE) credits had a 95% graduation rate across the region (2023 data).

“PCC works with educators in Multnomah, Washington and Columbia counties to produce externship experiences that allow high school and middle school staff to collaborate on continuous improvement in career and technical education,” Stein said.

The first session at PCC’s Sylvania Campus welcomed 17 high school teachers and counselors. Participants toured the Health Technology Building, connecting with faculty in healthcare and emergency professions programs. They explored career trends and learned how to prepare students for competitive admissions in programs such as nursing, radiology and medical and dental assisting.

The tour included medical imaging labs, nursing simulation rooms, exercise science spaces and remodeled classrooms. Participants tried out hands-on demonstrations, including proper hand sanitization and balance and flexibility tests. After lunch, the group visited the Kaiser Beaverton Medical Clinic to see how it all connected to industry.

“The partnerships with high schools strengthen students' abilities to gain marketable skills and industry-recognized credentials," said Regan-Vienop. "Students who are engaged and excited by future opportunities have better outcomes. This translates to a benefit to local businesses as well in helping to strategically meet workforce needs."

Beyond healthcare, participants could join externships in natural resources, energy production, art and communication, STEM and technology, architecture and construction, and cybersecurity. Tours included industry visits to Clean Water Services, Flexential Data Center, Palo Alto Networks, Perlo Construction, Portland General Electric (PGE), Grey Raven Art Gallery, LSW Architects and the Rock Creek Campus Environmental Studies Center.

For many participants, the externships provided valuable knowledge to engage students. Naseem Saremi, a counselor at Westview High School in Beaverton, said the healthcare-focused day gave her tools to better advise students.

Vicky López Sánchez Named Vice President Of PCC's Student Affairs (Photo) - 08/26/25

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Portland Community College announced the appointment of Vicky López Sánchez of Hillsboro as the permanent Vice President of Student Affairs, effective immediately.

López Sánchez, who had been serving as interim VP of Student Affairs this past year, holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Portland State University. She previously served as PCC’s Executive Dean of K12 & Community Partnerships, where she championed initiatives to strengthen pathways between schools, communities, and the college.

“This is an incredible honor, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving PCC students and our community,” López Sánchez said. “My priorities include strengthening student belonging and well-being, improving how we guide and support students through their journey, and ensuring our services reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.”

The Office of Student Affairs oversees the full spectrum of the student experience — from admissions, advising, counseling and financial aid to student leadership and career services. The VP of Student Affairs leads PCC’s student support services and provides strategic leadership and direction for more than 35 departments, programs and services across the entire college.

“Vicky has served in the interim role with dedication, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to student success,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings. “Her deep understanding of student needs, collaborative leadership style, and vision for equity-centered support services have made a significant impact across the college. I look forward to her continued leadership as we work together to create a supportive and thriving environment for all students.”

López Sánchez is excited to continue leading in a role that is student-centered and outcomes-based.

“The best part of this role is uplifting others; students, staff, and communities,” she added. “I look forward to working with our team to remove barriers, reimagine what’s possible, and help students achieve their dreams.”