This content was published: July 8, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC to strengthen global education endeavors
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – In an effort to develop increased revenue and provide high quality education, Portland Community College is planning a more structured approach to its district-wide International Education program.“Bill Christopher, executive dean of the Rock Creek Campus, said, “We took a look at schools our size and at international student enrollment and saw that our program is one-third the size of schools of similar size.”During the span of 2003 through 2007, the program aims to increase the number of international students to 500 and retain them through comprehensive student services. Currently, there are 300 students in the program. International students are charged $185 per credit hour to attend PCC.This new initiative is to provide increased revenue for the college; align with the U.S. Department of Education’s involvement in international education activities; and respond to the educational needs of international students, foreign colleges and universities. The goals of the program are to provide high quality and innovative services to support a growing international education program and increase opportunities for PCC students, staff and faculty to travel abroad and to prepare them to meet the changing needs of a global workforce. This expansion will allow the program to host guest speakers, diversity events and stage collaborative cultural events with the community, to name a few.“Through this support, there will be the opportunity to develop internationally-oriented initiatives for students and staff,” said KelleyBrayton, director of the International Program. “It’s exciting to consider the possible outcomes: programming that may further develop an international perspective, awareness of global cultures and the importance and value of an increasingly culturally diverse PCC community.”The program expansion will create increased revenue. The program’s targets include expanding tuition revenue from $1,890,000 next year to $3,150,000 in 2007.Each year, Portland Community College welcomes students from more than 50 countries throughout the world. The students earn credits to transfer to a university as part of a bachelor’s degree, achieve a two-year professional or technical degree, or a combination of the two. PCC has three full-service campuses and other training locations throughout the Portland metropolitan area.Christopher said the PCC program will focus its recruitment on Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
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 »