Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

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Office of Public Relations & Community Engagement

Mark Mitsui at the podium speaking to the media.

Part of College Advancement, this district office directs comprehensive, college-wide public relations, media relations and community engagement services for Portland Community College. This includes service for strategic initiatives of the college president; planning and capital construction; workforce development and continuing education; government relations; marketing communications, and the PCC Foundation.

In addition, the office supports college and campus programs and events through PCC’s Community Relations Managers at all four main campuses. These localized professionals are charged with campus outreach to surrounding neighborhoods, city and county affiliations, non-profits,  as well as promoting campus community endeavors to their local media and interest groups.

Responsibilities of this office includes local and national media relations; writing op-eds and byliners; creating speaking opportunities and developing high-level speeches and talking points; leveraging relationships with local and national organizations, agencies and associations for potential public relations or community engagement opportunities; community sponsorships; crisis communications; and college-wide communications.

Contact the Public Relations & Community Engagement Office for assistance with:

Community Engagement

We are active in fostering relationships with business and industry, government offices, and community and non-profit organizations.

Media Relations

For college faculty and staff, If you have a story idea for an article, news release, media pitch, or an event you’d like covered or publicized, we are here to help. If you receive a call from a member of the media, please contact us for assistance.

For media members, PCC faculty and staff can serve as subject experts for you, depending on the topic. Our PR staff are happy to connect you with the right individual to address your topic, issue or interview/photo request. We can also provide official PCC statements through our office.

Crisis Communications

The Public Relations & Community Engagement Office is the lead for all external emergency messaging to the public. Working with the Department of Public Safety, we help communicate emergency situations to the broader public through FlashAlert, local media outlets. social media and PCC Alerts, an instant messaging service.

What We Do:

Who We Are:

  • Kate Chester – Director of Community Engagement & Public Relations, SY CC 234F, (971) 722-8233, kate.chester@pcc.edu
  • James G. Hill – Public Relations Manager, SY CC 234E, (971) 722-4376, jghill@pcc.edu
  • Sarah Rose Evans  – Public Relations & Government Relations Program Specialist, SY CC 234, (971) 722-4378, sarah.roseevans@pcc.edu
College Advancement Offices
Government Relations

The government relations director Emma Kallaway plans and executes a comprehensive, proactive government affairs strategy that advances the college’s mission and goals with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials. Learn More.

Marketing Communications

The Office of Marketing and Communications leads the branding and various marketing outreach to promote programs at PCC. It offers guidelines, tools and services to help you meet your communication goals. Learn More.

PCC Foundation

The PCC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that expands access to education through need-based scholarships and program funding. Learn More.