Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Community connection in Newberg is a priority – and key to PCC’s success

Photos and story by Christine Egan

Portland Community College’s efforts in Newberg – where the College is building its new education center – continue to soar. Construction on the new facility, to open in fall 2011, is in full swing; meanwhile, community outreach is just as busy. A snapshot of that activity includes:

• Arrangement of a shuttle to transport would-be PCC students and their parents from the Sherwood, Newberg and Dundee areas to and from PCC Sylvania so they could participate in the College’s Financial Aid Day, January 29.
• A presentation on February 2 to the “Early Bird” Kiwanis Club.
• Participation in an orientation for Newberg High School freshmen and their parents on February 8.
• Attendance at the February 10th meeting of the Community Coalition, a local group to which PCC belongs.
• A tour on February 22 of the newly renovated Sherwood High School, led by the school district’s new superintendant.
• A presentation to Newberg High School juniors on February 24, oriented toward post-high school options – especially lower division transfer programs – for students interested in pursuing bachelor’s degrees at four-year universities.
• Participation in the “Main Event” fair at the Chehalem Cultural Center on February 26.  The fair highlighted educational offerings provided by PCC, the Chehalem Cultural Center and Chehalem Park and Recreation District.
• Community meetings led by PCC with the PCC Newberg Advisory Committee on March 1; with neighbors immediately adjacent to the new facility on March 14; and with the chamber of commerce at a lunch on April 11.
• Participation in the Camellia Festival, taking place March 26, in which PCC faculty and students will offer a Japanese calligraphy demonstration.
• Planning for marketing and promotion surrounding the summer course offerings, which showcase both college guidance and career exploration classes.

  

“Our outreach to the communities in Newberg, Dundee and Sherwood – with city officials, school districts, chambers of commerce, the parks and recreation district, and the general public – has been a priority for the past three years,” said Barb VanAmerongen, Director of PCC Newberg.

Such public relations momentum isn’t likely to slow down – even after the building is constructed.

“We’ve become a real part of the community – part of the fabric that makes Newberg and the surrounding area what it is,” said VanAmerongen. “Our outreach efforts here will continue for the long-term.”