Student Advocacy
Your Voice Shapes PCC
Student advocacy is at the heart of ASPCC’s mission. Every student has the right and the opportunity to influence decisions that shape academic policies, campus resources, statewide legislation, and the overall student experience at Portland Community College. Whether you want to raise a concern, participate in shared governance, or join the Student Council, this is where your voice becomes action.
Meet Your Student Council
Students just like you advocate for your rights.
The Associated Student Council (ASC) is the decision-making body of ASPCC and represents all PCC students. Councilors advocate for student interests, elevate student concerns, shape the Student Activity Fee, and work across campuses to ensure students are heard.
The ASC is empowered to:
- Represent and advocate for the rights, issues, and needs of PCC students
- Allocate the Student Activity Fee in alignment with Oregon law
- Serve as the official voice of PCC’s student body in institutional and statewide matters
Who They Are
Each year, up to 15 student leaders are selected to serve on the ASC. These are students from a variety of majors, backgrounds, and campuses, students like you who want to make PCC better for everyone. These student leaders:
- Meet publicly twice a month to make decisions
- Serve on internal and external committees
- Partner with faculty, staff, and community members
- Facilitate spaces for student feedback
- Build campaigns and initiatives based on student needs
Your Council is here to listen, represent, and act on what matters most to you.
Campus Advocacy
PCC is stronger when students speak up. Campus advocacy gives you a direct role in improving programs, fixing issues, and making sure that PCC’s decisions center student needs.
You can:
Your experiences help guide PCC’s direction and your voice matters here.
State Advocacy
Student voices don’t stop at campus boundaries. PCC students have played a key role in statewide campaigns that address higher education funding, basic needs support, textbook affordability, and more.
With ASPCC, you can:
- Join lobbying trips to Salem
- Participate in statewide student coalitions
- Track education legislation that affects community college students
- Engage with organizations like OCCSA and USSA
- Submit testimony or meet with lawmakers
You don’t need prior experience in advocacy, we’ll support you every step of the way. Follow us on PantherHub to stay in the loop about upcoming opportunities!
Leadership opportunities
Leadership at PCC isn’t about titles, it’s a way to build skills, serve your community, and create lasting change.
Opportunities include:
- Serving on the Student Council (paid leadership positions)
- Participating in shared governance committees
- Taking part in workshops and leadership development programs
- Becoming a liaison for the Student Council
Every leader has a different background. If you care about helping other students, you belong here.