This content was published: June 24, 2004. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Governor to visit lifelong learning programs at PCC's new Southeast Center
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – Governor Ted Kulongoski will visit several innovative "Lifelong Learning"programs at the newly constructed Southeast Center of Portland Community College on Thursday, June 24, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The new $26.3 million complex, located on the corner of SE 82nd Avenue and SE Division Street, brings enhanced opportunities to many area residents who are now able to access an affordable higher education in their community. The college has seen a 14 percent increase in its credit course enrollment at the Southeast Center since the opening of its new campus, and a 40 percent overall enrollment increase during the past year.The governor’s visit will begin with an introduction to the center by PCC District President Preston Pulliams and PCC Extended Learning Campus President Nan Poppe. The governor will then visit three innovative classes that are in keeping with his effort to create a lifelong learning system in Oregon that integrates professional and technical training in high school, workforce development programs, and a revitalized network of community colleges and universities. ‘ The governor will first visit a college-level writing class (Writing 121 10:30 a.m., Mt. Tabor Hall 139), one of a number of lower-division transfer classes the college was able to add to its roster with the development of the new center. ‘ He will then attend a customer service training class offered by the Dislocated Worker Program (10:50 a.m., Mt. Tabor Hall 127). Theclass is one of a handful of short-term, customized training courses to help the unemployed gain new skills and jobs. ‘ The governor will complete his tour with a visit to former high school dropouts who are now enrolled in the college’s successful Gateway to College alternative high school (11:00 a.m., Mt. Scott Hall 207). The program has received national attention and is now being duplicated at other community colleges in the country with a major grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He will talk with students and learn from them firsthand about the resources available at PCC’s new center. Funds to build the new site came from a $144 million bond measure that voters approved in November of 2000 for college construction, repairs and technology upgrades. The facility opened on December 29, 2003.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »