This content was published: April 27, 2009. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
National Kitchen, Bath Assoc. gives PCC thumbs up
Photos and story by James Hill
Portland Community College has received accreditation from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a professional association that is dedicated to ensuring quality standards in kitchen and bathroom construction and remodeling.
The accreditation covers the associate’s degree in building construction and design through the Building Construction Technology program based at the Rock Creek Campus (17705 N.W. Springville Road) and the certificate in kitchen and bath design through the Interior Design program at the Sylvania Campus (12000 S.W. 49th Ave.). In order to receive the accreditation, each program submitted student work samples for two kitchens and two baths, including drawings – complete with specifications. In November 2007, representatives of the association visited both campuses and confirmed that PCC’s curriculum met their requirements.
Building Construction Technology chairman Spencer Hinkle said that his program will be the second U.S. college construction program to be accredited, with the other 39 accredited programs in interior design. The association has 14,000 member firms across the country and $65,000 in annual scholarship opportunities for building and design students.
“Being an accredited school makes all the association’s resources and expertise available to students and faculty,” Hinkle said. “Having their oversight insures that our classes are relevant and our graduates are the best they can be.”
PCC currently has 10 students in its NKBA student chapter, which gives the chapter access to $500 in seed money and $200 from the college’s student government. Students are able to access this money for professional development opportunities and club gatherings. Last year, students raised an additional $4,000 to send four students to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago. This year, students are raising travel funds so they can go to New Orleans and, in partnership with Catholic Charities and The Building Science Corp., help build a green home in New Orleans for a family left homeless by Hurricane Katrina.
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 »