Portland Community College
Encyclopedia
Portland Community College (or PCC) is Oregon
's largest community college
, located in Portland
, United States. It serves over one million residents in the five county area of Multnomah
, Washington
, Yamhill
, Clackamas
, and Columbia
. PCC enrolls over 83,000 (55% female, 45% male) students annually in this 1500 square miles (3,885 km²) area in northwest Oregon.
program for the local public school system, operating out of the former Failing Elementary School. Voters approved the establishment of an independent district for the college in 1968. Amo DeBernardis (ca 1914-2010), former assistant superintendent of Portland Public Schools, was the founding president of the school, serving from 1961 to 1979.
In 1971 the Cascade Campus opened in North Portland, and the Rock Creek Campus in Washington County opened in 1976. The district passed a $374 million bond measure in 2008. PCC's $25 million Willow Creek Center opened in 2009 and earned a platinum LEED certification the next year.
There are several centers throughout the metropolitan area
, which are smaller facilities offering more limited or specialized programs:
PCC is a member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges
, with its men's and women's basketball teams competing against those from the community colleges of Chemeketa
, Clackamas
, Mount Hood
, Lane
, Linn-Benton
, Southwestern Oregon
, and Umpqua
.
program. Every year, PCC Community Education offers more than 4,000 non-credit and continuing education courses and enrolls over 30,000 students in those courses. Courses are offered in five general subject areas: Creative Arts, Home and Garden, Language and Culture, Recreation and Wellness, and Work and Life Balance.
In addition to classes held at PCC campuses and centers, PCC Community Education partners with local business, schools, community centers, churches and parks to offer classes in neighborhoods throughout the PCC district. Hundreds of classes are also held online.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
's largest community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
, located in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, United States. It serves over one million residents in the five county area of Multnomah
Multnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
, Washington
Washington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
, Yamhill
Yamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
, Clackamas
Clackamas County, Oregon
Clackamas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county was named after the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, who were part of the Chinookan people. As of 2010, the population was 375,992...
, and Columbia
Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was named for the Columbia River, which forms its eastern and northern borders. As of 2010, its population was 49,351. The county seat is St. Helens.-Economy:...
. PCC enrolls over 83,000 (55% female, 45% male) students annually in this 1500 square miles (3,885 km²) area in northwest Oregon.
History
The college was founded in 1961 as an adult educationAdult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
program for the local public school system, operating out of the former Failing Elementary School. Voters approved the establishment of an independent district for the college in 1968. Amo DeBernardis (ca 1914-2010), former assistant superintendent of Portland Public Schools, was the founding president of the school, serving from 1961 to 1979.
In 1971 the Cascade Campus opened in North Portland, and the Rock Creek Campus in Washington County opened in 1976. The district passed a $374 million bond measure in 2008. PCC's $25 million Willow Creek Center opened in 2009 and earned a platinum LEED certification the next year.
Facilities
There are three main campuses, which are larger facilities offering two-year degrees and a range of typical student services:- Sylvania, opened in the Far SouthwestFar Southwest, Portland, OregonFar Southwest is a neighborhood in the Southwest section of Portland, Oregon. It's bordered on the west by I-5; on the north by I-5, SW Pasadena St., and SW Pomona St.; on the east by SW 49th Ave. and Kerr Parkway; and on the south by SW Kruse Ridge Dr. and the southern border of the Portland...
neighborhood of Portland in 1968 and serves over 26,000 students annually - Rock Creek, a 256 acres (104 ha) suburban campus, opened in 1976, near HillsboroHillsboro, OregonHillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
; also home to the Washington County MuseumWashington County MuseumWashington County Museum is a history museum located in unincorporated Washington County, Oregon, United States at Portland Community College's Rock Creek Campus. Opened in 1975, the museum is operated by the Washington County Historical Society with a mission of preserving the history of the area... - Cascade, an urban campus, opened in 1971, and located in the heart of North Portland
- Southeast Center, in the former home of the local U.S. Corps of EngineersUnited States Army Corps of EngineersThe United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
headquarters
There are several centers throughout the metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
, which are smaller facilities offering more limited or specialized programs:
- Central Portland Workforce Training Center, located near OMSI
- Portland Metropolitan Workforce Training Center
- Willow Creek Center, opened in 2009 in Hillsboro
- Hillsboro Center, which serves about 500 students and moved to the Hillsboro Intermodal Transit FacilityHillsboro Intermodal Transit FacilityHillsboro Intermodal Transit Facility is a parking garage with extensive bicycle facilities located in Hillsboro in the U.S. state of Oregon. Located next to Tuality Community Hospital, the facility has nearly 800 parking spaces, including 13 that have charging stations for electric vehicles, as...
in 2010.
PCC is a member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges
Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges
The Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, commonly called the NWAACC , is a sports association for community colleges in the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia....
, with its men's and women's basketball teams competing against those from the community colleges of Chemeketa
Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College is a community college located in Salem, Oregon, with smaller campuses in McMinnville, Dallas, Brooks, and Woodburn, and the Northwest Viticulture Center in Eola...
, Clackamas
Clackamas Community College
Clackamas Community College is a community college located in Oregon City, Oregon, United States. It is located at the junction of Oregon Route 213 and Molalla Avenue, nearly at the southern edge of the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area...
, Mount Hood
Mount Hood Community College
Mt. Hood Community College is a public community college in Gresham, Oregon, United States, named after Mount Hood. Opened in 1966, MHCC enrolls nearly 26,000 students each year and offers classes at the main campus in Gresham, the MHCC Maywood Park Center, and evening education centers at area...
, Lane
Lane Community College
Lane Community College is a two-year college located in Eugene, Oregon. Its slogan is "Transforming Lives Through Learning."-Education:Lane Community College offers a variety of Associate's Degrees, such as:...
, Linn-Benton
Linn-Benton Community College
Linn-Benton Community College is a two year junior college, located in Linn County, Oregon.-Accreditation:LBCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities...
, Southwestern Oregon
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Southwestern Oregon Community College is a college in Coos Bay, Oregon, United States. It is Oregon's oldest community college, founded in 1961...
, and Umpqua
Umpqua Community College
Umpqua Community College is a community college located approximately north of Roseburg, Oregon, United States. The college has sixteen campus buildings located on bordering the North Umpqua River. The campus also features a track, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool...
.
Community education
PCC operates one of the largest non-credit life-long learning programs in the nation through its community educationCommunity education
Community education, also known as Community-based education or Community learning & development, is defined by the Scottish Government as learning and social development work with individuals and groups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods...
program. Every year, PCC Community Education offers more than 4,000 non-credit and continuing education courses and enrolls over 30,000 students in those courses. Courses are offered in five general subject areas: Creative Arts, Home and Garden, Language and Culture, Recreation and Wellness, and Work and Life Balance.
In addition to classes held at PCC campuses and centers, PCC Community Education partners with local business, schools, community centers, churches and parks to offer classes in neighborhoods throughout the PCC district. Hundreds of classes are also held online.