Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Become a Student Educator

Recruitment posterNow recruiting for the 2025 Student Educator cohort!

The PCC Illumination Project recruits students to participate in our peer education social justice theater program for the next academic year. The 2025 cohort starts winter term 2025 and runs through the end of spring term 2025.

The program meets in person at the Sylvania Campus.

Applications are due by June 3 at 5pm. We encourage you to apply early as the program fills up.

What is the Illumination Project?

The Illumination Project is an exciting student leadership program based on the PCC Sylvania Campus. The program is designed to address issues of social justice including racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism utilizing interactive theater. Student Educators enter the program at the beginning of fall term and continue through the end of spring term.

What is the Illumination Project’s purpose?

Illumination Project studentsThe Illumination Project has a dual purpose. First, the project provides participating students with an opportunity to learn about social justice issues and interactive theater, and to develop skills as educators, actors, activists, and leaders. Student Educators then teach other students, staff, and faculty audiences how to confront stereotypes, negotiate conflict, and promote racial, gender, and economic equity.

What will you learn as a Student Educator?

The Illumination Project training is highly interactive and we will base our work on the life experiences of the students involved. Students in the program gain skills in writing, acting, facilitating, event coordination, activism, education, public relations, and community organizing. Students also build a close community of friends and colleagues.

Student Educators receive a total of 12 tuition-free credits – four free sociology credits each term (214 A, B, and C). These credits are college transferable and meet general education and cultural literacy requirements.

Program commitments

To be eligible you need to commit to a process that includes:

Winter term

Class time is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-12:50pm on the Sylvania Campus. There will also be a mandatory retreat on the first weekend of winter term on the Sylvania Campus. The retreat schedule is as follows:

  • Friday: 2-6pm
  • Saturday: 9am-8:30pm
Spring term

Ten to twelve hours per week which includes class time, homework, committee work, rehearsals, and theater performances around Sylvania, other PCC campuses, and community organizations. Class continues to meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-12:50pm with additional class time on Fridays from 10am-12:50pm.

Requirements

During the current academic year, you will need:

  • To be a PCC student in good standing.
  • To have a 2.5 GPA or above. This may be waived with instructor approval.
  • To meet standard prerequisites (WR/RD 115 and Math 20). These may be waived with instructor approval.
  • To be enrolled at PCC with at least 2 credits per term besides the Illumination Project.
  • During Winter and Spring terms, IP Student Educators may not take more than 13 credits in total.
  • To have a flexible enough schedule to meet outside of class time.

We are also looking for the ability to:

  • Follow through on commitments. This includes time commitments.
  • Work collaboratively in a diverse group.
  • You do not need any previous theater or social justice training!

How to apply

  • Limited space is available in the program so we encourage you to start the application process early!
  • Complete the online application
    • You will need to include your name, phone number, student ID #, and email address.
    • Answer a few essay questions.
      • Applicants with a few thoughtful sentences or a short paragraph to each question will be contacted for an interview.
  • Applications are due by June 3 at 5pm.
  • Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via their PCC email address for scheduling.

What students are saying

"When I first entered IP I was unclear on how this class and the plays could teach me about oppression, since as a woman of color I live this life everyday. I was wrong what I didn’t realize was for the first time I would see how good the world could be without shame.

The IP creates a classroom that is truly "hate free". To say that The Illumination Project has changed me is an understatement. In truth seeing my community work together to end racism and domestic and sexual violence has changed me.

The Illumination Project has allowed me to learn with my brain and act with my heart. I am privileged that I was part of a group that can confidently say we are more enlightened today and we have created and will continue to create positive social change."

– Erin-Aja Grant, IP Student Educator