Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Class of 2025: Erick Tovar and his family use PCC as springboard to career success

Photos and story by Misty Bouse

Erick Tovar never imagined that college would be part of his future.

“No one had ever approached me with the idea of school or college as a thing,” he said.

That all changed when Tovar crossed paths with David Poole, a coach at Portland Community College’s Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Center in Scappoose. Poole saw potential in him due to his interest in computers, and with one simple offer, he altered the course of his life: “I can get you on a path to wherever you want to go, and I’ll support you. You just have to do the work.”

Tovar’s response? “I can work, man!”

Poole recalled that, “(Tovar) is an example of both a fantastic leader and student. He’s truly concerned about others and helps them; like the natural leader he is. About 70% of our students complete their training. We help people not just find hope but real jobs with good futures.”

With that fire lit, Tovar dove into PCC’s Pre-Apprenticeship and Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Certificate Program, and before long, he landed an internship. That opportunity, coupled with the skills he gained, was the spark that propelled him forward.

Now, he’s progressing through the rigorous Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) Program with his sights set on a bachelor’s degree at Oregon Institute of Technology. Not only has he secured full-time employment at Microchip Technology in Gresham, but he’s also achieved a feat he never thought possible: straight A’s.

“I didn’t know I could be a good student,” said Tovar, concerning his 4.0 GPA. “That’s something I learned from OMIC, and I carry that attitude with me.”

He is an equipment engineering technician with Microchip, a position he initially held as a paid intern before being hired. After earning his associate degree, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or mechatronics at Oregon Institute of Technology. Tovar credits his success to the instructors at PCC, especially those in the EET Program, such as Sanda Williams, Scott Lowrey, Scott Williams and Spencer Poff.

“They all really take the time to make sure you understand the material and help you think about how to apply it outside the classroom,” he said. “My mentors at PCC have gone above and beyond and that’s the biggest assistance: someone looks at my strengths and welcomes me.”

From DREAMer to Trail Blazer

In 2003, nine-year-old Tovar and his family arrived in Oregon from Guadalajara, Mexico. Shortly after, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher gifted them a computer. While his family worried about it breaking, the teacher encouraged his excitement and told him to explore it.

“That’s the earliest I remember being interested in working with computers,” he recalled.

Tovar grew up in Lake Oswego in a small apartment building with extended family and now lives in Cornelius near his wife’s family. He started his studies at PCC in 2013 after high school but paused in 2014 due to financial challenges. During this time, he worked various jobs, including construction and a call center, where he met his future wife. He later worked as a digital shopper at Walmart.

His DACA status allowed him to work and study initially, but he faced difficulties when his work permit expired in 2021. Despite setbacks, he regained his permit in 2022 and decided to continue his education with the support of a scholarship and mentoring from the OMIC Training Center.

“OMIC gave me hope,” Tovar said.

He completed the Pre-Apprenticeship and Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Certificate  at OMIC in 2023 and then enrolled in PCC’s Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) Program, where he is scheduled to graduate in June 2025.

Though he initially struggled with his grade-point average due to juggling multiple jobs upon returning to school in 2023, Tovar achieved straight A’s and raised it to over 3.5. He attributes much of his success to mentorship and support.

“David Poole at OMIC has been an outstanding mentor,” he said. “He has a passion for seeing his students succeed and has helped me in numerous ways.”

Financial assistance from the PCC Foundation has been crucial in his journey, earning four scholarships that included one specifically for DREAMers. However, balancing work and school is still a challenge, as costs go beyond tuition, including books and supplies.

“More than anything, my scholarships have given me hope,” said Tovar. “They allow me to focus more on my studies and worry less about making ends meet.”

Family Plays Big Role

Tovar’s parents returned to Mexico in 2021, and they are proud of his educational journey. His wife, Floricel, is a licensed practical nurse who studied nursing at PCC. She has been his biggest supporter through his entire educational journey. His brother-in-law, Ricardo, completed the PCC EET Program with a biomedical emphasis and now works at Kaiser Permanente. 

With the support of family, mentors, and the PCC Foundation, Tovar has overcome significant challenges and is on a path to success in the semiconductor industry. 

“In their eyes, this is part of the American dream,” he said. “My dad is very interested in the trades and skills I’ve learned at PCC, and my mom is proud of the hard work and dedication I’m putting into my degree.”