PCC

Emergency Messages as of 10:11 AM, Wed. Jul 30

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from PCC.

News Release

PCC, MHCC Launch Collaborative CDA Program To Train Next Generation Of Preschool Teachers (Photo) -07/29/25

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College have collaborated on a 12-month program to help build the local workforce of preschool educators.

The Child Development Associate: Preschool (CDA) Program, with support from the Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County (CCR&R), WorkSource Portland Metro and WorkSource Gresham, is a 12-month certificate designed to equip students with the essential skills, training, and support needed to become effective preschool educators. The program blends PCC’s workforce preparation courses with MHCC’s Vocational English for Speakers of Other Languages (VESL) instruction, using an Integrated Education and Training (IET) model and CCR&R providing the CDA training courses. 

A key part of this support is WorkSource Gresham providing a dedicated Career Pathways Specialist for the recruitment, intake, ongoing support, support services, and regular check-in's with all of the students and a VESL instructor at MHCC and PCC.

“This flexible, part-time program is tailored to meet the needs of busy students, providing wrap-around academic, employment, and support services throughout the journey,” said Bryan Jones, PCC’s manager of Career Pathways & STEP programs. “It is demanding, but it truly prepares students for a successful teaching career. Students graduate ready to enter the workforce and grow in the field.”

A key highlight is the program’s real-world application. Students complete 480 hours of hands-on fieldwork in preschool or in-home childcare settings, reinforced by paid internships through PCC’s Opportunity Center PDX Metro Works program. These internships allow students to earn income while gaining professional experience in early childhood education. 

“By leveraging local and state expertise and resources, the program is designed to meet the specific needs of our region, while offering a portable national credential to students,” said Kristen Kulongoski, Manager for Adult Basic Skills and Career Pathways at MHCC. “It also establishes a long-term educational and career pathway for both new and current early childhood education professionals.”

Participants also benefit from one-on-one support through Career Pathways, Workforce Gresham & STEP coaches at both colleges. 

Upon completion, graduates earn a national CDA certification that is recognized and portable across states. 

The graduates begin their careers with competitive wages ranging from $17–$19 per hour, with opportunities to earn up to $22 per hour in full-time positions. The program also provides a clear pathway to continued studies in early childhood education. After completing the program, they can continue their education and career pathway in an early childhood education degree program of their choice.

For more information on STEP and Career Pathways at PCC, visit https://www.pcc.edu/career-pathways/

 

 About Mt. Hood Community College: MHCC offers a variety of unique, flexible education options to a highly diverse student body. Situated in the beautiful foothills of Mt. Hood, we empower students to accomplish short- and long-term goals with regionally unique degree programs, public classes and events, high-contact advising, and an array of resources for students’ basic needs. As a community hub for cultural, economic, recreational, and intellectual enrichment, we’re committed to advancing equity, building responsible partnerships, and supporting every student’s personal and professional growth. Visit our website to learn more about how we Elevate student success at www.mhcc.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 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.

Welding Training At PCC Provides A Career Spark For Native American Women (Photo) -07/16/25

NORTH PORTLAND, Ore. – At Portland Community College’s Swan Island Trades Center, the clang and bright sparks of welding tools gave way to a different kind of activity — one of celebration, accomplishment and new beginnings. 

The Maritime Welding Program’s recent completion ceremony honored a group of students who didn’t just earn certificates in maritime welding and shipfitting — they forged a path forward in a challenging, high-demand industry, many overcoming personal challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

The celebration was more than ceremonial. It marked a transition from training to opportunity where students emerged with the confidence, skill, and direction to transition successfully into the workplace. Through PCC’s Career Pathways initiative and student scholarships provided by WorkSource, the Maritime Welding Program does more than teach a trade.

“It dismantles barriers,” said Patty Hawkins, program dean for Electronics, Mechatronics, Advanced Manufacturing and PCC's OMIC Training Center. “The program supports education and training opportunities in maritime welding and the college provides support, including English language acquisition and housing stability. It welcomes adults who have been in custody, individuals in recovery, and those who served our country. Through the training and support, the Maritime Welding Program offers an essential lifeline.”

One example is Mis Ter Rae Two Crow, who hails from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in New Town, North Dakota. She said her upbringing was grounded in both community and labor.

“I’m Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara on my mother’s side and Anishinaabe on my father’s,” she said. 

As a child, while her mother and aunts encouraged time in the kitchen, she gravitated to outdoor work alongside her uncle, who was a carpenter, plumber, electrician and one of her earliest mentors. Her early exposure to carpentry, plumbing and electrical work sparked a passion that simmered under the surface for years.

“I always wanted to be outside doing hard manual labor,” Two Crow said with a smile. 

That early exposure to the trades planted a seed, even if it did not immediately blossom into a career path. After high school, she enrolled in automotive and wood-shop courses, then began a years-long journey across the country — searching not just for work, but for meaning. 

She landed in Los Angeles in 2018, taking on a role as a project coordinator in construction, which offered exposure to a range of trades. Though she loved the experience and soaked up knowledge from seasoned professionals, a sense of incompleteness lingered.

Then came the pandemic.

With construction halted and bills piling up, Two Crow returned home. She briefly worked in road construction and earned a heavy equipment certification. Yet, once again, she felt the pull toward something else. When a former boss suggested welding, she remembered the spark her aunt — a welder herself — had lit years ago. The idea took root.

By 2022, Two Crow was enrolled at Lynne’s Welding School in Fargo, working as a tank welder for True North Steel. Her experience was “insightful and gratifying,” exposing her to the diversity and depth of the welding profession. 

“I met people from all different backgrounds and experiences,” she said. “It was at this time in my life where I was finally starting to feel content.”

But it was Portland, where she had previously attended PCC, that called her back. 

“Portland is my home away from home,” she explained. “My friends are my family, and my peers are my friends.”

Two Crow began exploring opportunities that went far beyond her initial dream of underwater welding. The turning point came when she joined PCC’s Maritime Welding Program. Guided by instructor Todd Barnett — whom she credits with breaking down complex skills like blueprint reading into digestible lessons — Two Crow found not only technical mastery but also personal clarity. 

“The most challenging part for me was understanding the blueprints but with time and patience my understanding has evolved tremendously, and now I feel more confident than I did at the beginning,” she said. “After being here and learning about all the different opportunities, I feel like my options are endless.”

She praises the program not just for its technical rigor, but for its emotional and educational support. Central to her success, she says, has been the guidance of Barnett. 

“He’s challenged me mentally in the best way possible,” she said.

Two Crow isn’t content to specialize in one technique or one domain. 

“If it’s metal, I want to weld it,” she declares. “GMAW, FCAW, stick, flux, dual shield — on land or at sea.”

Two Crow is also a passionate advocate for women in the trades, especially in welding — a field traditionally dominated by men but rapidly diversifying. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of female welders rose by 30%. As of 2025, women now make up more than 6% of the welding workforce — a significant shift that reflects broader societal changes and the efforts of programs like PCC’s.

“It’s always growing, and the opportunities are limitless," she said. “This program means a great deal to me and my future. My journey started on a foggy path but coming to the end of this chapter, I’m finally starting to see things clearly. I know that welding is what I want to do.”

For more information on welding at PCC, visit https://www.pcc.edu/programs/welding/

 

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.

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.