Your Support Makes a Difference
Education has always played an important role in facilitating personal growth and helping individuals to unlock their full potential and realize their goals. Portland Community College (PCC) is a community where anyone can thrive through education, like Paula, a Management and Supervisory Development major who will be graduating this fall.
Paula had taken a five-year break between graduating from high school and starting her educational journey at PCC. At first, she was feeling uncertain about her decision to return to school. She didn’t know anyone that went to college who could guide her, so she had to figure things out on her own. Determined, Paula explored the PCC website and registered for her first courses. She was thankful that her classes were online at the time, allowing her to work at her own pace. The online platform was user-friendly and intuitive which helped her as she adjusted to her class load.
What truly made a difference for Paula was the supportive and welcoming community she discovered at PCC. The instructors genuinely cared about her progress and offered valuable assistance whenever she needed it. Now, coming full circle, she is excited to graduate from PCC and nervous about continuing on to a 4-year university to work on her Bachelor’s degree.
As Paula reflects on her journey at PCC thus far, she recognizes the growth she has experienced. When she first started her studies, she had no idea that working toward her degree would have such a profound impact on her. Her experience at PCC gave her a newfound sense of self-assurance, allowing her to tackle challenges with greater confidence. Through her studies, Paula has deepened her knowledge and expanded her skillset, equipping her to navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology.
Paula received financial assistance through a scholarship from the PCC Foundation, which helped cover her tuition, fees and textbooks. The scholarships she received will have a lifelong impact on her. Not only did PCC Scholarships reduce her financial stress but also allowed her to fully immerse herself in her studies enabling her to focus on her education without constant worry about expenses. She is grateful to the donors that believed in her and supported her education through their generous donations.
Looking ahead to her future, Paula plans to leverage her education to propel her career forward. She aspires to assume leadership and managerial roles within her current job, confident that her education has equipped her with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed. Without PCC, Paula believes her career progression would have been significantly slower, and her education has accelerated her professional growth.
After she attains her bachelor’s degree, Paula is considering pursuing a master’s degree. Paula also plans to nurture her creative side and return to PCC to work toward a graphic design certificate sometime in the future.
As a self-proclaimed cheerleader for PCC, Paula serves as an inspiration to others who may be thinking about a college education. Paula enthusiastically shares her experiences at PCC with others. She encourages those around her to pursue a college degree or explore additional classes, assuring them that PCC offers a top-notch learning community that is accessible and affordable.
As she prepares to graduate in Fall 2023, Paula is grateful for the support she has received and aspires to pay it forward someday, acknowledging the profound impact that scholarships, resources and education has had on her life.
Big Give Day Oct. 3
It is support like this that is made possible by donors to PCC Foundation events, like the upcoming “Big Give Day.”
From noon on Tuesday, Oct. 3 to midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 4, the PCC Foundation will host its annual “Big Give Day” to raise more than $100,000 to support scholarships, emergency aid and college programs to help students like Paula during their educational journeys at PCC.
This year, 20+ PCC Foundation scholarships and college programs will participate in “Big Give Day,” which uses networking and crowdfunding to raise money. In 2022, 537 donors raised over $129,000 to support students. The funds were used for equipment, emergency grants, support services and scholarships.
Have questions?
Call the PCC Foundation at 971-722-4382, or email pccfoundation@pcc.edu.