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Portland Community College

Portland, OR

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Quick Facts

1961
Founded
Public community college
Type
18,365
Total Students
$5K
Tuition (In-State)
$10K
Tuition (Out-State)
$10K
Avg Net Price
Associate's Colleges
Classification
President: Adrien Bennings

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Portland Community College

Portland Community College: Empowering 50,000 students with accessible education and sustainable innovation.

Portland Community College stands as Oregon's largest post-secondary institution, a dynamic public community college dedicated to providing accessible and high-quality education to a vast student body of 50,000. For prospective students and their families, PCC represents a gateway to future success, offering a supportive environment from its humble beginnings to its current expansive reach.

Established in 1961 as an adult education program, PCC quickly evolved to meet the growing educational needs of the region. By 1968, voters recognized its critical importance, approving the establishment of an independent district. This historical significance underscores PCC's deep roots in the community and its commitment to continuous growth, evident in the opening of key campuses like Cascade in 1971 and Rock Creek in 1976, expanding its footprint and offerings across the greater Portland area.

PCC is not just about scale; it's also about forward-thinking innovation and a commitment to sustainability. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including the Willow Creek Center, which earned a platinum LEED certification, and the Newberg Center, a groundbreaking LEED platinum-designed building that stands as Oregon's first net-zero higher education facility. This dedication to environmental stewardship, combined with a robust academic framework, ensures a modern and responsible learning experience for all who choose to begin or advance their educational journey at Portland Community College.

Key Highlights

  • Serves an impressive 50,000 students annually, making it Oregon's largest post-secondary institution.
  • Transitioned from an adult education program in 1961 to an independent community college district by 1968.
  • Features multiple modern campuses, including Cascade, Rock Creek, Willow Creek, and Newberg.
  • Committed to sustainability, evidenced by its Willow Creek Center achieving LEED Platinum certification.
  • Showcases the Newberg Center, recognized as Oregon's first net-zero higher education building with LEED Platinum design.
  • Demonstrated significant community support with a $374 million bond measure passed in 2008 for facilities improvement.

Timeline

1959
Began operating an adult education program out of the former Failing Elementary School
1961
Founded as an adult education program and renamed Portland Community College
1968
Voters approved the establishment of an independent district for the college
1971
Cascade Campus opened in North Portland
1976
Rock Creek Campus opened in Washington County
2008
District passed a $374 million bond measure
2009
PCC's $25 million Willow Creek Center opened
2010
Willow Creek Center earned a platinum LEED certification
2011
Newberg Center opened, becoming Oregon's first net zero higher education building
🏛️
65 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Adrien Bennings
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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