Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC expands access to a four-year degree with new Willamette University transfer partnership 

Story by James Hill

Portland Community College is the newest partner of Willamette University’s Bearcat Pathway, a transfer program that shows community college students how to get into Willamette and supports them every step of the way. The pathway is open now to current PCC students planning to transfer in fall 2027. 

Nationally, about 80 percent of community college students aspire to a bachelor’s degree, yet only 16 percent earn one within six years of starting college. The Bearcat Pathway is designed to close that gap for community college students. It ensures credits count, makes a private university education financially within reach, and gives every student a plan from day one. 

“This partnership with Willamette University gives PCC students another clear pathway to completing a bachelor’s degree,” said Bridget Jones, PCC’s Dean of Enrollment Management. “By simplifying the transfer process, we’re helping students build on their success at PCC and confidently take the next step toward their educational and career goals.”

Since Willamette created the Bearcat Pathway Program two years ago, pathways have been established with some of the state’s largest community colleges, including Chemeketa in 2024 and Clackamas last year. 

Community college students often face challenges when transferring to a four-year institution due to credit transfer complexities, unfamiliarity with navigating university systems, and limited access to resources. Enter Willamette University’s Bearcat Pathway, a partnership that facilitates a streamlined transfer process through clear academic plans, financial aid opportunities, comprehensive advising, and an integrated campus experience. 

“We want students who know that Willamette is the right fit for them to have a clear understanding of how to get here, and provide the support they need along the way,” said Willamette University Dean of Admissions Sue Corner. “Transfer students bring a unique perspective with them and a rich set of experiences that add tremendous value to our academic community.” 

This agreement provides support to students as they consider their next steps in higher education. Many people may not be prepared to commit to a four-year university when they begin their post-secondary education. The Bearcat Pathway is ideal for students who may be unsure about what they wish to study, do not feel ready to join a university environment, or wish to explore if college is right for them before continuing on their journey to a Bachelor’s degree.

This comes on the heels of PCC and Portland State University signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2025 to create a seamless transfer pathway from PCC to a PSU degree. The pact reduces transfer barriers, aligns programs and enhances support so more PCC students finish their degrees.

PCC maintains three more formal co-admission agreements with four-year universities that allow students to be simultaneously admitted, seamlessly share financial aid, and take classes concurrently at both institutions. They include Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology and Linfield University.

For more information on Willamette’s Bearcat Pathway, visit https://willamette.edu/admissions/transfer/pathway-programs/

Willamette University is a private liberal arts institution in Salem campus and is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Graduate programs in Salem and Portland include business, law, art and design, and computing and information sciences.