top of page
Cassidy Thao
Oct 8
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
Jennifer Childers
May 26
SPECIAL
THE CONVERSATION IS STILL OPEN: Navigating Cuts, Uncertainty and Responsibility
Photo by Elijah Camacho Jennifer Childers The Advocate When Mt. Hood Community College President Lisa Skari sat down with The Advocate, she kept things simple. “Call me Lisa.” It is a small thing, but an intentional one — a genuine effort to break down hierarchy and keep conversations open. “I think we have a role beyond just educating students,” Skari said. “Students can get skills without sitting in a classroom. How do we remain relevant, and what’s our role and our space a
Jennifer Childers
Apr 20
GRAMMY ARTISTS SPEAK OUT ON ICE
Chiderah Edeh The Advocate This year, the Grammys became more than an awards show. Immigration, equality and human rights were central themes of the night. Pins, speeches and statements worked together to ensure artists’ voices were heard. The event reminded viewers that music and activism are often connected, and that small gestures can spark conversation and inspire change. It started on the red carpet: artists wearing “ICE OUT” pins — small symbols carrying a powerful mes
Chiderah Edeh
Feb 11
MHCC Policies If ICE Were To Potentially Come to Campus
Malikaih Mulloy The Advocate With recent activity in our communities involving ICE, many students, staff and faculty members may be increasingly concerned about the potential presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on campus. While MHCC Public Safety has indicated that there has not been ICE activity on campus to date, the college recognizes these concerns and has provided information on what to do if ICE were to come to MHCC. Illustration by Leo Decklar (
Malikaih Mulloy
Feb 11
ICE RUN-INS REPORTED IN GRESHAM
Adam Elwell The Advocate In December 2025, three Gresham residents were detained after being lured out of their home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Federal agents cannot enter a home without a warrant; however, this has not deterred ICE or Border Patrol from using deceptive practices to contact residents. Tactics have included fake license plates, Mexican flag bumper stickers and, most recently, posing as utility workers. Despite multiple reports from resident
Adam Elwell
Feb 11
STUDENT VOICES REFLECT FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT ICE
Malikaih Mulloy The Advocate Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Gresham area have drawn increased attention and concern within the Mt. Hood Community College community. Several MHCC students say the presence of ICE, along with uncertainty surrounding its operations, has created a growing sense of fear and distress, even for those who have not directly encountered agents. In interviews conducted by The Advocate, students described a heightened sens
Malikaih Mulloy
Feb 11
The Latest
Jennifer Childers
May 263 min read
EDITORIAL
May 223 min read
advocate19
May 221 min read
Chris Woods
May 223 min read
Advocate Staff
May 221 min read
Cassidy Thao and Malikaih Mulloy
May 222 min read
Morgan McCarraher
May 222 min read
Cassidy Thao
May 222 min read
Chris Woods
May 221 min read
Adam Elwell
May 222 min read
Jennifer Childers
May 222 min read
Malikaih Mulloy
May 223 min read
News
ANSWERING THE CALL
This year, more scholarship recipients attended the gala than in recent years, a shift many guests noted. It changed the energy. It wasn’t just about donors giving to students in theory; they were face-to-face, sharing stories and shaking hands.
Jennifer Childers
May 26
COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, AND COTTON CANDY
Barney Bash Returns to MHCC Barney Bash has become one of Mt Hood Community College most beloved community traditions, drawing more than 1,200 people to campus each spring for a celebration designed to close out the academic year. On May 21, students and community members experienced Barney Bash in full swing. Music and vendors filled campus for this annual event as children enjoyed snow cones and cotton candy. Hundreds of people gathered in the sun—a feat achieved through mo
Jennifer Childers
May 22
STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES SAFE FROM GENERAL FUND CUTS
ASMHCC held a budget forum in the Student Union on April 9 to provide transparency regarding the spending of student activity fees. Leaders shared co-curricular and athletic department budgets for the 2026-27 academic year in comparison to last year’s spending.
Cassidy Thao
Apr 24
STUDENT COUNCIL POSTPONES TPUSA CHARTER VOTE
While the group was seen tabling and participating in open discussions at the Main Mall through March, it had yet to register as an official club on campus. The club charter signifies the group has completed the first steps of securing a faculty advisor, at least five student members, and a written constitution that aligns with the MHCC Clubs and Organizations Manual.
Advocate Staff
Apr 24
SHAPING THE MHCC EXPERIENCE
Joining leadership gives students the opportunity to represent their community. Most decisions happen behind the scenes, yet they significantly influence students’ daily lives. Students may have noticed placards around campus that say “brought to you by ASMHCC.” The group’s actions range from providing recycling bins in each building to making executive decisions that protect student safety.
Cassidy Thao
Apr 24
MEASLES OUTBREAK ON CAMPUS
The Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County Public Health have confirmed a measles case with potential exposure at Mt. Hood Community College’s Gresham Campus. Individuals present in the Academic Center (Building 17, main level) on Monday, April 13, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. should review official public health guidance immediately.
Advocate Staff
Apr 24
Community
MHCC WELCOMES SAINTS TO FALL TERM WITH OPEN ARMS
Mt. Hood Community College had a head start with their orientation in early September, welcoming over 400 new Saints to campus.
Cassidy Thao
Oct 8
CHANGES TO AVID PROGRAM
Over Spring term, an email landed in the inboxes of Mt. Hood Community College’s AVID staff with news they were not expecting: the AVID Coordinator position would be cut at the end of the term due to the school’s budget cuts. What the email didn’t make clear was what would happen to everyone else.
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
VISUAL ARTS GALLERY REOPENS WITH YEARLY FACULTY EXHIBIT
Mt. Hood Community College’s Visual Arts Gallery is a serene place perfect for those looking to spend some quiet time admiring local artists’ work. Currently on display is the Visual Arts Faculty exhibit, featuring work by MHCC faculty, across a variety of media, including painting and ceramics. The free exhibit runs through Oct. 22, in the Visual Arts Gallery, located in building VA19.
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
ANSWERING THE CALL
This year, more scholarship recipients attended the gala than in recent years, a shift many guests noted. It changed the energy. It wasn’t just about donors giving to students in theory; they were face-to-face, sharing stories and shaking hands.
Jennifer Childers
May 26
MORE THAN JUST A PLACE AT THE TABLE – STUDENTS DESERVE REAL AUTHORITY IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS
As colleges across the country navigate budget shortfalls, funding uncertainty, program cuts and growing institutional pressures, students are being asked to adapt alongside them. Conversations about the future of education are happening everywhere — but too often, the people most affected by those decisions remain excluded from meaningfully shaping them. This is not a statement against MHCC in particular as MHCC has historically been ahead of the curve when it comes to creat
EDITORIAL
May 22
ADVOCATE BEST IN SHOW AT OREGON COMPETITION
The Advocate walked away with 21 awards at this years Oregon News Paper Association Collegiate Day and Awards Luncheon: Eight first place awards, eight second place awards and five third place awards. First place winning categories are as follows: Best Section Advocate News Section Best Writing Morgan McCarraher Best Series Series - Bond and Infrastructure Best Editorial Morgan McCarraher Best Columnist Mary Nashed Best Graphic Cortlan Souders Best Cartooning Leo Deckl
advocate19
May 22
Features
CHANGES TO AVID PROGRAM
Over Spring term, an email landed in the inboxes of Mt. Hood Community College’s AVID staff with news they were not expecting: the AVID Coordinator position would be cut at the end of the term due to the school’s budget cuts. What the email didn’t make clear was what would happen to everyone else.
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
Where Clay Becomes Art: A Look Inside MHCC's Ceramic Program And Process
Photo by Aung Pyae Lin Christian Ilechukwu The Advocate The potter’s wheel goes round with stillness, and a wet ball of clay slowly turns into the shape of a mug. It’s a lot of work, it takes time, and things may not always go as planned, but for Jamie Teigen, a student at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, that spinning wheel became something they love and can’t stop doing. During the pandemic, their ceramics classes were all online and all hand-building: rolling
Christian Ilechukwu
Mar 12
Behind Closed Curtains: Inside A midsummer night’s production
Photo By Elijah Camacho Timothy Grassley The Advocate Imagine the thunder of applause echoing through a packed theater, the stage bathed in golden light and the pulse of live piano filling the air. That’s exactly what greeted me at Mt. Hood Community College’s new production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”—a performance so bold and ambitious I left the theater breathless. A twist of fate landed me face-to-face with Mt. Hood Community College theater director Zach Hartley on W
Timothy Grassley
Mar 4
NEW YEAR, NEW NEWSPAPER
Faithful readers, This winter marks a new chapter for The Advocate—and, unexpectedly, a new chapter for me as well. When I returned to MHCC after a decade-long hiatus, I did so with the practical goal of learning the technical skills needed to stay relevant in my field. I never imagined that journey would lead me to serve as editor-in-chief of a paper I’ve been reading, on and off, for nearly 30 years. It’s an honor and an opportunity I don’t take lightly. I’ve always been a
advocate19
Jan 27
MEET THE ADVOCATE - Aung Pyae Lin
Aung Pyae Lin came to MHCC from Myanmar as a computer science major with no plans to become a photographer. Last spring he walked into The Advocate with nothing but an old childhood camcorder and curiosity. One assignment later, everything changed. “I didn’t expect to love it,” he says. “But framing a shot started feeling like debugging – except the result is something people actually want to look at.” What began as a side gig quickly turned into passion. His photos sharpened
Christian Ilechukwu
Dec 8, 2025
MEET THE ADVOCATE - Adeola Ade-Serrano
Hello!, I’m the writer behind the “Frugal Living” column for The Advocate. I share practical money tips, budget-friendly hacks, and everyday strategies to help students stretch their dollars and still enjoy life.
Adeola Ade-Serrano
Nov 24, 2025
Sports
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: River McClure
McClure had the fastest time in the NWAC this season in the 400-meter hurdles at the Linfield Jenn Boyman Memorial Invitational.
Advocate Staff
Apr 24
Track and Field Kicks Off: A Large Roster of Athletes Anticipate The Season
Adam Elwell The Advocate MHCC showed up at their first track and field meet with the largest team they have had since 2020 last Saturday, March 7 at the perennial Erik Anderson Icebreaker in McMinnville. While the season is still young, spirits are high. Both head coach Fernando Fantroy and teammates cited men’s hurdler River McClure and women’s field Ava Hanson as standout athletes to watch for the season. Fantroy nominated both for NWAC athlete of the week after last week’
Adam Elwell
Mar 12
Softball Perched On The Brink of a Fresh Season
Photo from MHCC Softball Adam Elwell The Advocate MHCC’s longtime athletic dynasty is off to another hot start. The softball team is 13-1 so far this season, despite — or maybe because of — a majority-freshman roster. Only four players returned from last year’s team; the remaining 17 are freshmen. Softball assistant coach Taylor Gould gave credit where it was due. “Historically at Mount Hood, I think softball has always been one of the more dominant sports… A lot of recruitm
Adam Elwell
Mar 12
Saints '26 March Softball Schedule
The 24-25 MHCC softball team in the NWAC championship where they came up just short. The Saints have appeared in the past two championships Columbia Basin College Location: Pasco, WA Mar. 1st | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Centralia College Location: Gresham, OR Mar. 14th | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Umpqua Basin College Location: Gresham, OR Mar. 20th | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Southwestern Oregon Community College Location: Gresham, OR Mar. 21st | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Grays Harbor College Locatio
advocate19
Mar 4
Cougars Claw Past Saints
The perennial grudge match leaves the saints teetering at 7-7 Clif Wegner, FORMER coach OF MHCC AND CLACKAMAS, Remembered SeaJay McConville The Advocate The evening of Jan. 7 was chilly with light rain outside, but inside Yoshida Events Center, the Mt. Hood Community College men’s basketball team was warming up for a heated rivalry against the Clackamas Cougars. The game was special for both colleges as they played in honor of Clif Wegner, who died July 22. Wegner coached at
SeaJay McConville
Jan 28
LEGENDARY SEASON RECOGNIZED AT LAST: 2014 Softball Team Inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame
Adam Elwell The Advocate The 2014 MHCC Saints softball team was one of the most dominant in program history, and this year the NWAC Hall of Fame committee voted to recognize their accomplishments. Alongside the entire team, standout athlete Teauna Hughes is also being inducted for her exceptional performance during the 2014 season. The Saints went 40-3 that year and captured the championship. It was possibly the high-water mark of then-head coach Meadow McWhorter, who has al
Adam Elwell
Jan 28
STUDENT LIFE & Culture
MHCC WELCOMES SAINTS TO FALL TERM WITH OPEN ARMS
Mt. Hood Community College had a head start with their orientation in early September, welcoming over 400 new Saints to campus.
Cassidy Thao
Oct 8
CHANGES TO AVID PROGRAM
Over Spring term, an email landed in the inboxes of Mt. Hood Community College’s AVID staff with news they were not expecting: the AVID Coordinator position would be cut at the end of the term due to the school’s budget cuts. What the email didn’t make clear was what would happen to everyone else.
Natalie Brooks
Oct 8
AAPI CELEBRATION SHARES CULTURE AND TRADITIONS WITH MT HOOD COMMUNITY
Mt. Hood Community College’s annual AAPI Heritage Month event gives students a chance to honor those experiences. On May 14, the Multicultural Diversity and Resource Center (MDRC) held the annual celebration in the Vista Dining Hall.
Cassidy Thao and Malikaih Mulloy
May 22
KODOMO NO HI: Celebrating Growth and Community at Gresham Japanese Garden
“Kodomo No Hi in general is about the strength and vitality for young children born out of a time where children often died young,” Shonk continued. “There’s a special time for kids at the age of 3, 5, and 7. Children’s Day is about strength, and there’s a story about koi climbing a waterfall and becoming a dragon—facing adversity and becoming stronger.
Malikaih Mulloy
May 22
SLICE OF LIFE: Don't Eat Crayons!
Photos by Aung Pyae Lin
Aung Pyae Lin
Apr 20
A LONELY MISSION TO SAVE THE SUN: Project Hail Mary Blends Science, Humor, and Heart
Aung Pyae Lin The Advocate What would you do if you were the last person awake on a mission to save the sun? Project Hail Mary explores that question through a gripping mix of science, humor and emotion. Project Hail Mary is one of those space movies that pulls you in right away and keeps you thinking even after it ends. The camera work is strong, and the colors are especially striking in the space scenes. Everything feels vast, quiet and beautiful at the same time. The sound
Aung Pyae Lin
Apr 20
Opinion
ANSWERING THE CALL
This year, more scholarship recipients attended the gala than in recent years, a shift many guests noted. It changed the energy. It wasn’t just about donors giving to students in theory; they were face-to-face, sharing stories and shaking hands.
MHCC SHOULDN'T BE IN THE NATION'S CULTURE WAR
Clubs are for a handful of students who like frisbee golf. They are not for political organizations with eight-digit budgets that are overtly trying to influence the school's culture. Is there a hard, fast line in the sand that explicitly defines these parameters? No, but discerning students absolutely know it when they see it, and it's pedantic to imply otherwise.
STUDENTS VOICE THOUGHTS AMID CUTS, AVID TERMINATION
Here is what you might have missed on campus regarding the budget crisis. Students joined staff in a joint effort to lobby the MHCC Board of Education by showing support for AVID and the Transitions program. During the most recent meeting, students and faculty provided testimonials to the board. Students shared personal stories highlighting the AVID center’s transformative impact on their academic and personal lives. Some described how AVID provided personal coaching, academi
MHCC IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A Fair Look at How It Compares to Oregon’s 17
Christian Ilechukwu The Advocate Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham is a strong option for many students in the eastern Portland area. The campus is known for affordable classes, hands-on programs and a quiet environment with views of Mount Hood on clear days. As an MHCC student, you might wonder how it compares with other community colleges in Oregon. Here’s a fair look based on recent numbers. While no school is perfect for everyone, MHCC holds its own in many ways. Oreg
COMMUNITIES HINGE ON NEWSPAPERS: As Local Papers Vanish, Legacy Media Matters More
Morgan McCarraher The Advocate Most people do not think much about their local paper on an ordinary day. It is there, quietly doing its work: reporting on meetings, highlighting achievements, documenting decisions and recording the life of the community. Like many institutions that function well, it fades into the background. Until it doesn’t. Across the country, communities are learning what happens when local journalism weakens or disappears. The change is rarely dramatic
MORE THAN BUDGET CUTS: Students Lose Programs—and AVID Support
Timothy Grassley The Advocate On Monday, March 30, at 12:40 p.m., a classroom filled with students shuffled in after a one-and-a-half-hour break following an early morning start. Still easing back into the day after a lighthearted review of the welding syllabus and a video, students expected another routine lecture to cap off their afternoon. Instead, they were met with unexpected news. What appeared to be a standard overview of class requirements concealed an announcement
bottom of page