PCC, Willamette University Expand Access To A Four-year Degree With New Transfer Partnership (Photo) - 10/27/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College is the newest partner of Willamette University's Bearcat Pathway, a transfer program that shows community college students how to get into Willamette and supports them every step of the way. The pathway is open now to current PCC students planning to transfer in fall 2027. 

Nationally, about 80 percent of community college students aspire to a bachelor’s degree, yet only 16 percent earn one within six years of starting college. The Bearcat Pathway is designed to close that gap for community college students. It ensures credits count, makes a private university education financially within reach, and gives every student a plan from day one. 

“This partnership with Willamette University gives PCC students another clear pathway to completing a bachelor’s degree,” said Bridget Jones, PCC’s Dean of Enrollment Management. “By simplifying the transfer process, we’re helping students build on their success at PCC and confidently take the next step toward their educational and career goals.”

Since Willamette created the Bearcat Pathway Program two years ago, pathways have been established with some of the state’s largest community colleges, including Chemeketa in 2024 and Clackamas last year. 

Community college students often face challenges when transferring to a four-year institution due to credit transfer complexities, unfamiliarity with navigating university systems, and limited access to resources. Enter Willamette University’s Bearcat Pathway, a partnership that facilitates a streamlined transfer process through clear academic plans, financial aid opportunities, comprehensive advising, and an integrated campus experience. 

“We want students who know that Willamette is the right fit for them to have a clear understanding of how to get here, and provide the support they need along the way,” said Willamette University Dean of Admissions Sue Corner. “Transfer students bring a unique perspective with them and a rich set of experiences that add tremendous value to our academic community.” 

This agreement provides support to students as they consider their next steps in higher education. Many people may not be prepared to commit to a four-year university when they begin their post-secondary education. The Bearcat Pathway is ideal for students who may be unsure about what they wish to study, do not feel ready to join a university environment, or wish to explore if college is right for them before continuing on their journey to a bachelor’s degree.

This comes on the heels of PCC and Portland State University signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025 to create a seamless transfer pathway from PCC to a PSU degree. PCC maintains four formal co-admission agreements with four-year universities that allow students to be simultaneously admitted, seamlessly share financial aid, and take classes concurrently at both institutions. 

For more information on Willamette's Bearcat Pathway, visit www.willamette.edu, or check out the Bearcat Pathway webpage.

Willamette University is the leading private liberal arts institution in the Pacific Northwest with a mission to prepare graduates to turn knowledge into action. Addressing known barriers to students serves the university’s long-standing desire to increase access and create an inclusive academic community that reflects the full diversity of the region it serves. Its historic Salem campus is located across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and features an undergraduate liberal arts program and its campus in downtown Portland is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Graduate programs in Salem and Portland include business, law, art and design, and computing and information sciences. Learn more at willamette.edu or pnca.willamette.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.

PCC Names Karen Paez Interim Vice President For Academic Affairs (Photo) - 10/26/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College is welcoming a new leader for its Academic Affairs Division.

PCC recently named Karen Paez interim vice president for Academic Affairs, effective Oct. 21, 2026. A former psychologist turned educator and experienced college administrator, Paez will guide PCC’s academic priorities while strengthening connections among instruction, student success and workforce needs.

The Wilsonville resident and Albuquerque, New Mexico native served as associate vice president for Academic and Career Pathways, a position she has held since January 2021. Her appointment comes as PCC works to provide stability within Academic Affairs and align its academic vision with enrollment, financial planning and the changing needs of students and the region.

“Karen will bring experienced, steady leadership to PCC’s academic mission at a critical time for our college,” said Katy Ho, PCC’s interim president.

In her most recent role, Paez oversaw a portfolio representing approximately 2,600 employees across the college’s academic credit programs, academic non-credit programs, community education program, and workforce development programs. Her work connects industry and education, supports inclusive academic programs and helps align curriculum with community and workforce needs.

“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the entire ACP division,” said Paez. “Serving alongside such a passionate, student-centered team has been an extraordinary privilege. As I step into my new role, maintaining close connections with this community remains a top priority.”

Ho highlighted Paez’s work across disciplines to strengthen programs, support faculty participation in shared governance and keep students’ experiences central to college decisions.

“I have tremendous confidence that Karen’s knowledge of PCC, strong relationships across the college, and commitment to student-centered decision-making will be especially valuable as we navigate both immediate priorities and important questions about PCC’s academic future,” the president said.

Previously, Paez served as dean of instruction at PCC’s Sylvania Campus, overseeing instructional programs, learning support services and a $95 million biennial budget. She also served as division dean of Student Support Services and interim dean of student development, supporting programs ranging from adult basic education and counseling to career services and veterans’ resources.

Paez earned a doctorate and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Human Services from the University of Oregon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Auburn University.

The president said Paez’s appointment will help advance an academic vision that informs institutional decisions and responds to the evolving needs of PCC’s communities.

“This work will require listening as much as leading,” the president said.

For more info, visit https://www.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.

Portland Community College Statement – Sylvania Campus Gas Line Incident - 10/20/26

SOUTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland Community College temporarily closed the CT Building at its Sylvania Campus (12000 SW 49th Ave.) today (around 4 a.m.) after contractors accidentally damaged a gas line while performing construction work on a wall. No classes or PCC employees were affected at that time of day due to the campus being closed.

The gas supply to the building was immediately shut off, and PCC Facilities Management Services, Public Safety and local fire crews responded to assess the situation. Emergency responders confirmed no detectable gas on the building’s first floor and only minimal readings on the second floor, which were dissipating.

The situation is stable, and there have been no reported injuries. As a precaution, the CT Building, which is the process of being renovated, will remain closed for the day, with affected classes canceled or relocated. All other campus operations are continuing as scheduled.

PCC Facilities Management Services and Public Safety personnel continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with contractors to ensure the building is safe before reopening and construction work continues.

The safety of our students, employees and campus community remains PCC’s highest priority. The college appreciates the prompt response of emergency personnel and the patience and understanding of those affected.

PCC Crosses Hispanic-Serving Institution Threshold As Latine Student Success Grows (Photo) - 10/06/26

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon’s community colleges are bringing students back this fall. Portland Community College is working on the harder question: What will help them stay?

This fall term, PCC will transition from Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution to Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status after reaching the enrollment threshold associated with becoming a HSI school -- 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment. Federal HSI grant eligibility is measured in full-time equivalents, alongside other requirements, including offering strategic initiatives focused on Hispanic student enrollment, retention, and success.

PCC’s Latine student enrollment grew by over 33% from 2021 to 2025 and the college's new credit students this fall are 32.1% Latine. Achieving full HSI status unlocks federal funding to strengthen bilingual support, culturally responsive teaching, and equity initiatives designed to help Latine students thrive.

“Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution is about much more than reaching an enrollment threshold,” said Efraín Rivas-Flores, dean of College Access Programs. “It means looking closely at how we teach, advise and support students so Latine students and ultimately all students have equitable opportunities to belong, succeed and complete their goals.”

For PCC, the broader goal is changing how students experience college, from their first enrollment question through graduation or employment. PCC’s HSI Task Force is using the Seal of Excelencia framework to connect student data, effective practices and leadership accountability.

“We are examining the entire student experience, from the first application through graduation or transfer, to better understand where barriers exist and how we can remove them,” added Rivas-Flores.

Its College Access Latinx Initiative, known as CALI, demonstrates what that support can look like. Launched in 2022, CALI has served 122 students, all identifying as Latine, including 30 during the 2024–25 academic year. The cohort-based program combines bilingual family engagement, advising, emergency resources, academic planning and peer mentoring for Latine, first-generation, DACA and mixed-status students.

According to the program, participants completed 78% of attempted credits over three years, compared with 69% among Latine students outside CALI. First-year retention reached 100% for the first two cohorts, compared with 52.6% for Latine nonparticipants. The program also reports an average graduation rate of 92%.

“CALI shows what is possible when we intentionally design support around students’ experiences,” said Liz Mota, DREAMers and Latine Student Success coordinator. “We have seen students go from being the first in their families to navigate college to becoming paid peer mentors who now help the next generation find their own path forward.”

CALI was named a finalist in Excelencia in Education’s 2026 Examples of Excelencia. Former participants now return as paid peer mentors, helping students navigate financial aid, registration and college resources.

“Some of our strongest work is happening through programs that combine culturally responsive support with personal relationships,” Rivas-Flores said. “When students have trusted peers, advisers and community partners helping them navigate college, financial aid and other challenges, they are much more likely to feel that they belong here.”

Other efforts address barriers beyond the classroom. PCC formalized a partnership with SOAR Immigration Legal Services and the City of Portland for campus legal assistance and educational workshops. It secured a combined $267,000 in funding, $150,000 directly from the City Council and $117,000 from the Office of Civic Engagement, to support PCC students through immigration legal services and culturally responsive programming.  

Through La Bienvenida, 15 student leaders helped 45 students complete enrollment steps and connect with resources.

PCC is also examining financial aid access, achievement gaps and belonging while developing a framework that follows students from discovery and enrollment through completion and employment. Faculty and staff development will support more culturally responsive teaching and services.

“Our goal is to build a culture of ‘servingness’ across the entire college,” he said. “This cannot be the responsibility of one program or one division; it has to become part of how PCC designs its policies, curriculum, services, hiring practices and community partnerships.”

Learn more at: https://www.pcc.edu/unity/

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.