Rainbow Graduation+ Awards Ceremony
Rainbow Graduation + Awards Ceremony is an annual event occurring in the Spring honoring LGBTQ+ graduating students and allies and celebrating the contributions of the queer and trans community at PCC. All members of the PCC community are invited to attend and nominate! The first Rainbow Graduation + Awards Ceremony in 2017 was attend by over 100 people, celebrated 15 graduates, and 6 outstanding individuals and departments.
Save the Date: 2019 Rainbow Graduation!
Thursday June 6, 2019
3:30-5:30pm
SE Community Hall
Information for Graduates
If you are a LGBTQ+ student who would like to be honored in the ceremony, please fill out our graduate information form by May 14. To participate, students must be graduating from PCC with a degree or certificate in Winter 2019, Spring 2019, Summer 2019, or Fall 2019.
Graduates will receive a rainbow stole. We encourage you to wear your stole with pride at the official PCC commencement ceremony!
Important Notes:
- Attire is open to graduate’s discretion. Rainbow Graduation does not replace the official PCC commencement ceremony; no caps and gowns please.
- You will not receive your diploma at this event.
- Rainbow Graduation is a public ceremony, therefore we cannot guarantee privacy of those participating, as graduates may be in pictures or videos our office takes or that other attendees take.
To attend as a graduate: tinyurl.com/rnbwgrads. Please fill out our graduate information form by May 14.
To attend as a guest: tinyurl.com/rnbwrsvp. Please fill out our RSVP form by May 20.
Awards Ceremony
The Portland Community College Queer Resource Centers are excited to announce a new annual awards ceremony recognizing the successes and contributions of the queer and trans community at PCC.
To submit an award nomination: tinyurl.com/rnbwawards. Please submit award nominations by May 14.
All members of the PCC community are invited to nominate individuals, departments, and organizations for the following awards:
- OUTstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
- Gender Justice Award
- Bridge Builder Award
- Instructor of the Year Award
- Alumni Award
- Ally of the Year Award
Selected recipients and their nominator will be invited to attend PCC’s Rainbow Graduation + Award Ceremony, held on Thursday, June 6th from 3:30pm-5:30pm in the SE Campus Community Hall.
Important Dates
- Nominations Deadline: May 14
- Awardees Notified: May 25
- Awards Ceremony: June 6
Award Descriptions
Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
This award celebrates a PCC student whose exemplary leadership has made a lasting contribution to the PCC community through advocacy, education, or programming for students with marginalized genders and sexualities resulting in a more inclusive and intersectional campus climate promoting gender justice, sexual liberation, and equity for all.
*Eligibility Note: Anyone enrolled as a PCC student during the 2018-2019 academic year may be nominated—a student needn’t be enrolled during Spring Quarter to be eligible.
Gender Justice Award
This award recognizes the contributions of an individual, department, or organization in the advancement of gender justice through the creation of inclusive, equitable environments for trans and gender diverse folks at PCC.
Bridge Builder Award
This award honors an individual, department, or organization with a proven track record in creating meaningful partnerships with the LGBTQ+ community, addressing intersections of identity, and working to dismantle multiple systems of oppression.
Instructor of the Year Award
This award honors an instructor who actively improves the campus climate for queer and trans individuals at PCC through LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, expanding LGBTQ+ knowledge and research in their field, advocating for more equitable campus policies or procedures, or otherwise going above and beyond to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for queer and trans individuals at PCC.
*Eligibility Note: Anyone teaching during the 2018-2019 academic year may be nominated—an instructor needn’t be teaching during Spring Term to be eligible.
Outstanding Alumni Award
This award celebrates the ongoing successes and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community of an outstanding PCC alum who serves as an exemplary role model for PCC students past, present, and future.
*Eligibility Note: Anyone who completed a degree or certificate program at PCC prior to Fall 2018 may be nominated—current students are not eligible for this award.
Ally of the Year Award
This award honors an individual, department, or organization who uses their position to create real change and offer meaningful support to the LGBTQ+ community at PCC through individual interactions, advocating for more equitable campus policies or procedures, or otherwise going above and beyond to create a safe and welcoming campus community.