PCC OER Initiative Saves Students More Than $38 Million In Textbooks Costs (Photo) -06/03/25

PORTLAND, Ore. – Students have a lot to worry about: grades, tuition and the climbing cost of living. At Portland Community College, many students have one less thing to worry about – textbooks. 

Since 2015, a partnership of faculty, librarians, administrators and students has saved over $38 million through free open educational resources (OER), $13 million of which is thanks to state funding through Open Oregon Educational Resources. Open educational resources are materials written and released under an open copyright license, which means that students can access and keep them for free, while educators can also update and adapt them for their courses. 

More than 475 PCC instructors and staff have moved away from traditional commercial textbooks, which can cost a student between $100-$300, to free open alternatives, since the program began a decade ago.

“At Portland Community College, we believe that access to education begins with removing unnecessary barriers—and the high cost of textbooks has long been one of them,” said PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings. “Through the dedicated efforts of our faculty, librarians and staff, and with vital support from Open Oregon Educational Resources, we’re creating a more equitable and affordable learning environment. Saving students more than $38 million isn’t just a statistic—it’s a powerful reflection of our commitment to student success and innovation in higher education.”

Unlike commercial textbooks, open educational resources are usually written under a nonprofit model and have been supported with state and local investments from programs like Open Oregon Educational Resources. Some faculty who receive grant funds use them to write new textbooks that are then used in their classes and beyond. Other faculty use the support to adapt existing openly licensed materials to meet the needs of their class.  

Tim Krause, who teaches in the college’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program, has authored more than a dozen OER textbooks and curricula for his students. His materials are available both online for students to download for free and in print for the cost of the paper and ink. 

“It’s been incredibly gratifying to know that the textbooks and materials I've helped write are helping students here at PCC and across the state to learn English," Krause said. “Quality educational materials are an essential tool to help students succeed, and if students are being priced out of them, then that impacts their ability to learn."

So far, state funding for PCC’s OER program has seen a return on investment of 13 to 1 with students saving $13 for every $1 spent on the program. 

“Resources at community colleges are often very tight,” said PCC Executive Dean for Teaching and Learning Support Michael Reis. “To find a program with such a strong return on investment in student savings means that students are able to spend those funds on rent, food, transportation, or take additional classes with a goal of graduating on a faster timeline.”

Instructors have been using open and alternative resources long before it became an initiative at the college. But since Oregon passed legislation in 2015 making it easier for colleges to adopt OER practices, the momentum is surging across the state as well as in Washington and California, which have state-level OER funding and legislation.

PCC continues to add courses to their schedule each term that have no textbook costs associated through OER and aims to continue to increase the number of classes with zero textbook costs. That is music to the ears of Ryan Bonn of Southwest Portland. The second-year biology student is busy balancing work, class and other life responsibilities. The OER program has made him worry about one less thing in his life.

“Last fall, the professor in my ‘Social Change in Cuba’ class used an OER textbook she had written for the course,” Bonn said. “Not only was it free for me to use, but it was the best textbook I had ever had. It was incredibly detailed, full of timely information that related to real-world current events, and incorporated a plethora of outside and interactive resources.” 

To learn more about PCC’s OER initiative, visit https://guides.pcc.edu/oer

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 Class Of 2025: Sofia Nava Ulacio Finds Her Voice And Groove Through Music (Photo) -05/28/25

ALOHA, Ore. – When Sofia Nava Ulacio arrived in Oregon, she brought little more than a love for music, her guitar and a fierce determination to start over. This June, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter, music teacher and graduating Portland Community College student will cross the commencement stage as a President’s List scholar and a standout in the PCC Music Program at the Rock Creek Campus.

A recipient of the 2023 Beaverton Youth Arts Award and the 2024 Best of Beaverton Award, Nava Ulacio is known for her soulful guitar stylings, which has earned her the nickname “the female Latin John Mayer.” She frequently performs at venues like the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts and The Walters Cultural Arts Center where she fronts her original band -- the Sofi Nava Trio.

“I didn’t come here with college in mind,” said the Aloha resident. “I just wanted to learn English. I didn’t expect this journey, but I’m so grateful for it.”

Raised in a tight-knit family with her mother, father, grandmother and sister, Nava Ulacio grew up in Venezuela. As political unrest took over the country, the South American nation was plagued by shortages of food, electricity and clean water. But she was able to find refuge during a time of deep crisis through her love of music.

At age 12, she joined El Sistema, Venezuela’s internationally renowned youth music program. It is the same youth music program that launched the career of Los Angeles (now New York) Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. She first fell in love with flamenco guitar and cello and eventually began composing her own songs.

After landing at Aloha High School, she adapted to her new surroundings by using Google Translate in every class to better understand English and succeed. With the support of her teachers and the school's career center, she joined the drama club, jazz band and choir. She graduated from Aloha with a 4.0 grade-point average and multiple performance accolades, including a nomination for the Signal to Noise Film Festival, Beaverton School District's annual celebration of student-produced media.

“I never thought I’d perform in English,” she said. “But that first performance with my own band, in a language I had just learned—it was so empowering.”

In 2023, Nava Ulacio started at PCC and found support through the Oregon Promise Grant, Future Connect Scholarship Program and a City of Beaverton Youth Arts Scholarship. She quickly distinguished herself on campus, where she made her mark as the president and founding member of the Rock Creek Choir Club, became a volunteer and vice chair of the Beaverton Arts Commission, and worked as a casual staff member with Future Connect. She also organized a campus-wide talent show this spring and teaches youth via private music lessons.

“Sofia is truly one of a kind,” said Samuel Barbara, music instructor and director of the program's choral and vocal music group. “She’s not only a gifted guitarist—her primary instrument—but also plays Venezuelan cuatro, bass, percussion, piano, and sings with precision and professionalism. She’s been the alto leader in my chamber choir for the last two years.”

He said Nava Ulacio has made a name for herself as one of the strongest musicians in the program, performing with choirs and bands and studying private voice, piano and guitar.

“I found teachers who became mentors,” she said. “They helped me believe I could do this professionally. At Rock Creek, it feels like home—the community is smaller, more connected. And the music faculty? They’re incredible and well-known in the music scene and always working so hard for students. I wish they were even more appreciated.”

Nava Ulacio plans to accept a full-ride scholarship to Lewis and Clark University this fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in Music Performance. She envisions a career blending Latin music, pop songwriting and composing for film.

“I used to want to be a civil engineer—just for the money,” Nava Ulacio said. “Now, I know music is where I’m meant to be. Music has no limits.”

As for her advice to other students?

“Don’t set the bar too low,” she said. “PCC helped me raise mine. I came here shy and unsure—and now I’m leaving ready.”

For more on PCC's musical and arts offerings, visit the Music Program.

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 Raises Big Bucks For Student Scholarships At 'new' Celebration (Photo) -05/27/25

PORTLAND, Ore. – The future looks bright -- tomorrow and beyond.

Just ask the Portland Community College Foundation and its supporters. They raised $326,640 during the “Together for Tomorrow” celebration on Saturday, May 17, at the Sylvania Campus. Presented by Comcast, the event marked a new chapter for the college’s annual fundraising efforts. The celebration featured remarks from PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings, Foundation Executive Director Christina Kline, Comcast’s Rebecca Brown, and others.

“The funds raised will have a transformative impact for students,” Kline said. “It’s truly inspiring to be in a community with so many people who believe in the power of education to change lives — people who understand that the future we want is one we build together.”

Replacing the PCC Foundation’s traditional gala, “Together for Tomorrow” offered an on-campus experience aimed at building community and expanding access to education. Guests enjoyed festive party tents, curated cuisine, signature cocktails and music. Proceeds from the event will directly support the foundation’s “Bridges to the Future” scholarships and other essential student needs.

The evening spotlighted powerful student stories that illustrated the impact of scholarships. Attendees heard from aspiring geologist Rachel Diane and scholarship recipients Ricardo Bravo, Luz Zurita Garcia and Mikala Stofiel, who highlighted how PCC’s support network fuels student success and workforce development.

Jonathan Bennett Watson, a PCC alumnus now studying engineering at Oregon State University, shared how scholarship support allowed him to focus on academics and unlock his potential.

“The ‘Bridges to the Future’ scholarship allowed me to reduce my work hours and focus on my education," Watson said. “That time — that space — changed everything for me. This shift in mindset pushed me to reach my full potential.”

About the PCC Foundation: The foundation is much more than a fund-raising organization connected to the college -- it's a nonprofit that expands access to education. The foundation helps students access education by awarding scholarships and building the capacity of PCC to provide vital educational opportunities for the college's community and beyond. Learn more at https://www.pcc.edu/foundation/

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.

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.