Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Fall Signals Change in Seasons and New Opportunities at PCC Campuses and Centers

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College may be 40 years old, but there is plenty of newness on its campuses this year. Asking a mere $40 a credit, Portland Community College will venture into the 2001-02 school year this fall with an annual student population of more than 98,000, yet still offering an accessible and affordable education to all. The fall term will commence on Monday, Sept. 24. The college has a new president, programs and services, and new facilities. Here’s an overview of what is new in the 40th school year for PCC.New PresidentPCC heads into the 2001-02 year with a new president at the helm – Jesus "Jess"Carreon. Carreon, 52, came from Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, Calif., where he served as superintendent and president, overseeing a two-year institution that enrolls 15,000 students each semester. In his six-year tenure at Rio Hondo, Carreon increased business, education and government partnerships by 300 percent, improved the delivery of services and programs, helped to increase enrollment and provided critical leadership to guide a remodel of the college’s science facilities.On why he chose PCC Carreon said, "The reputation of the college, which is well recognized nationally for doing innovative and creative things to support students and the community. (Also), the reputation of the board, which works well together and works on what is best for the college ? the strong faculty and the reputation of Portland, which I’ve found out, is a great place to live."Carreon is PCC’s fourth president.New FacilitiesThanks to the passage of a $144 million bond measure last November, PCC is in the process of planning construction at campuses and centers. Remodeling will be completed on the 24,649-square-foot dining room at the Sylvania Campus by the start of the fall term. The $3.4 million updated kitchen and serving area will have a more fluid serving section with a variety of ethnic food choices. Also, the entrance to the campus on 49th Avenue is being reconfigured to assist the increased vehicle traffic and create a safer entryway. In total, $42 million will be used for these projects, which include a new classroom building and a distance learning facility.At the Cascade Campus, $57 million of the bond will be used to expand the campus and construct new facilities in the future. Currently in the planning phase, work is expected to be completed in six years and will include five buildings – an advanced technology building; a physical education facility and community center; a science facility; an emergency services training and general-purpose classroom; and a humanities building.At Rock Creek, $35 million is earmarked for a new library; new labs for the science/technology building; updated labs around campus including diesel, welding and landscape technology; and renovated technical training facilities. At the Southeast Center, a new site could be purchased on 82nd Avenue to move the center to a more spacious lot.New ProgramsThe first formal fiber optics training program in the Portland metro area will be located at the college’s Southeast Center and will offer four training courses, starting this fall. The four-credit modules are scheduled for two weeks each for students to train to install, repair and maintain fiber optic equipment for this fast-growing industry.In addition to this program, PCC offers about 80 degrees and certificates in a variety of career fields, from nursing to diesel, graphic arts to biotechnology. The most popular college transfer degree is the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree (AAOT), a two – year general studies degree which guarantees PCC graduates junior status in the Oregon University System. But the courses don’t stop there – the college gives the community a chance to take everything from cooking to personal and professional development classes in a variety of fields of study to literacy and high school completion courses.Another option at PCC that has students excited, particularly college-transfer students, is the recent dual enrollment programs with four-year universities. The programs provide students the opportunity to be enrolled both at PCC and at Portland State University, Oregon State or Oregon Institute of Technology. It allows access to both schools for the students with one application.Students at PCC will also have an opportunity this fall to serve the community and learn at the same time. They can earn credits through expanded service-learning offerings in more than 50 courses.New ACT CenterThe Southeast Center will also be the site for the opening of a new American College Testing Center. The ACT Center will deliver self-paced computerized non-credit classes to people looking for additional training for their profession, or who are seeking pre-employment development. The center will use computer-based technologies like the Internet to help users complete their coursework, as well as offer assessment testing. PCC will be one of seven functioning ACT Centers nationwide. For more information, call 503-533-2893.New Event: Harvest FestivalMark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Rock Creek Campus transforms itself for its first fall harvest fair, with the campus’ pumpkin patch in the spotlight. For several years, the campus has been cultivating its front field for pumpkin growing. Last spring, the college planted 1,600 hills of pumpkin seeds for harvest this fall. In addition to pumpkins, PCC will team with the Washington County Historical Society to give the festival an old-time feel. There will be wagon rides, butter churning, quilt-making displays, pumpkin and face painting, crafts and food vendors, and much more. For information on the event, contact Mandy Ellertson at 503-614-7261.Stop by any of the college’s three main campuses at Sylvania (located at 12000 S.W. 49th Ave.), Rock Creek (17705 N.W. Springville Road) or Cascade (705 N. Killingsworth) to begin your education, or access the PCC Web site at: www.pcc.edu. Students are welcome to walk in and register, or use PCC’s automated touchtone telephone registration system, TRAIL at 503-977-5000; on the Web site at the PCC Online Services link; by fax at 503-977-4988, through the mail, or consult the PCC schedule of classes, mailed to district residents in August.