This content was published: May 26, 2023. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Groundswell Conference celebrates cross-discipline, compelling student work
Photos and story by Misty Bouse
Over 50 students will be presenting their work at the annual Groundswell Conference of student writing with the opening ceremony Friday, June 9 at 8:30 a.m. in Terrell Hall, Room 122, at the Cascade Campus. Students will present their original, creative and academic writing on a range of topics, including homelessness, disinformation, gender bias, social justice activism, and neurodiversity.
Conference organizers created Groundswell to expand into a major event, celebrating PCC students’ writing from all disciplines and giving students the opportunity to share their compelling work from the classroom with the college and the Portland community. So, it is free and open to the public, and the panels will run from 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in both Jackson and Terrell halls. Refreshments will be served: Light breakfast snacks, coffee, and tea in the morning and more refreshments will be served during the second half of the event as well. Groundswell includes poetry reading, a rap performance by Ricardo Bravo, and keynote speaker Monze Jimenez Baez. 
“It’s a truly unique event that honors and showcases our students’ work from any and all disciplines,” said the event’s organizer, PCC English instructor Melissa Manolas. “Coming out of the pandemic and the new college restructuring, this event is a unique opportunity to bring our students, faculty, and greater community together for one day to celebrate our students and engage in conversation.
“I didn’t want it to be only for scholarly or academic writing but for any and all work that is thought-provoking or compelling. Groundswell submissions come from across disciplines and take many forms beyond just writing,” she added.
The event began in 2017 as a way to recognize the captivating student work that faculty regularly receive in their courses every term but do not have the opportunity to share with others. Groundswell is sponsored in partnership with the Rock Creek English department and the PCC English Program.
Check out the Groundswell program details.
About Misty Bouse
A Portland Community College public relations specialist, Misty Bouse has been working in college advancement for a decade. A graduate of University of Oregon, Misty has worked as a managing editor for BUILDERNews Magazine and as a contribu... more »