NORTH PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Community College Foundation is announcing one of its largest gifts by an individual donor at an event on June 12. The $1 million gift pledge will be fulfilled at $200,000 per year for the next five years to help build and expand the First-Year Experience initiative within the Future Connect Scholarship Program.

WHAT:

A celebration of a million-dollar gift by a local philanthropist for the expansion of Future Connect Scholarship Program’s First-Year Experience initiative to serve more students. Speakers and guests include State Senator Rob Wagner, PCC President Dr. Adrien Bennings, Future Connect Program students and Brigid Flanigan, founder and principal of Tenfold Senior Living.

WHERE:

Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue
4299 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, OR
Map & Info

WHEN:

Program begins at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 12.

WHO:

Brigid Flanigan is used to building things up and serving those often underserved. She comes from a philanthropic family dedicated to the value of education. A developer of senior living communities since 1992, Flanigan’s focus has been on building senior living communities in California and the Northwest. She founded Tenfold to develop a model for senior living that offers programs, amenities and a lifestyle to address unmet market demand. Prior to starting Tenfold Senior Living, Flanigan developed several assisted living projects in Northern California and in Portland. She will join the PCC Foundation Board of Directors, starting July 1. Learn more: https://tenfoldseniorliving.com/about-tenfold/

ABOUT THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE INITIATIVE:

This fall, Future Connect will reach more students than ever by piloting the First-Year Experience. The initiative will offer new students a connection to a coach, regular contact for career guidance, and support navigating college resources and targeted curriculum in college success. Flanigan’s gift will be used to expand Future Connect’s First-Year Experience initiative to a broader group of students at PCC.

• Initial Year: Serve approximately 1,500 first-year, first-generation high school students.
• Following Years: Serve approximately 2,500 first-generation students starting college regardless of age.
• Final Goal: Serve all new-to-college students (approximately 5,000).

For more details: https://www.pcc.edu/first-year/

ABOUT FUTURE CONNECT:

Since 2016, Future Connect has welcomed approximately 330 new students annually with more than 4,000 students served since 2011. Future Connect will continue to provide full wrap-around support, including coaching, mentoring, and scholarships, with the help of public and private partners. This program works to eliminate the barriers for first-generation college students, and supports them throughout their college education so that they can reach their potential as active and productive members of the Portland metro area. Learn more: https://www.pcc.edu/future-connect/

EVENT RSVP:

James Hill, Director of Public Relations, at jghill@pcc.edu or 503-933-2664.

About the PCC Foundation: The PCC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that enriches lives and strengthens the region through support of education at PCC. The Foundation’s vision is that all students in the region have access to an excellent education at PCC and the support needed to succeed, regardless of their ability to pay. A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the PCC Foundation mobilizes private support for student scholarships and educational programs. To find out more, call (971) 722-4382 or visit 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 50,000 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/