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Adam Elwell
4 days ago


Christian Ilechukwu
4 days ago


Chiderah Edeh
4 days ago


Jennifer Childers
4 days ago
SPECIAL


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
Adam Elwell
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Christian Ilechukwu
4 days ago4 min read


News


Hundreds of Scholarships: One Application!
Photo By Jennifer Childers Jennifer Childers The Advocate The delicate balancing act of juggling classes and staying afloat financially is a struggle understood by most MHCC students. For many, the need to work while attending school not only impacts their ability to keep up with coursework but also prevents them from engaging in co‑curricular activities and other valuable student experiences. But more than $1 million in scholarship funding is offered to students each year
Jennifer Childers
4 days ago


Associate Students of MHCC Elections: Your Voice Matters
Photo by Aung Pyae Lin Cassidy Thao The Advocate ASMHCC 2026-27 presidential elections are being held from March 10 to March 12, and every student has a chance to make a difference. The current student body president, Jeffery Erickson, and vice president, Elaria Salib, have been working hard all year, and it’s nearly time to pass on the responsibility. There are three candidates running for student body president: Liana Navarro, Nick Stone and Emanuely Igwira; and two candida
Cassidy Thao
4 days ago


Honoring Avel Gordly, First Black Oregon Senator
Chris Woods The Advocate Avel Gordly, 1947–2026 Avel Louise Gordly, born Feb. 13, 1947, was an activist, organizer and politician in Oregon, and the first Black woman elected to the Oregon State Senate. She served from 1997 to 2009. She grew up on Williams Street in the predominantly African American neighborhood of Northeast Portland and later became one of only 20 Black students at Girls Polytechnic High School (later Washington-Monroe High School). The school tried to st
Chris Woods
Mar 4


Civil Rights Activists, Jesse Jackson, Peacefully Passes Away.
Chris Woods The Advocate Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist, politician and Baptist minister, died Feb. 17, 2026. Born Jesse Louis Burns on Oct. 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to single mother Helen Burns, he later had good relationships with both his biological father, Noah Louis Robinson, and his stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson. A high school honor student and class president at racially segregated Sterling High School, he attended the University of Illinois i
Chris Woods
Mar 4


Turning Point USA Organizes at MHCC: What You Should Know
Jennifer Childers The Advocate Students may have noticed individuals affiliated with Turning Point USA gathering in the Main Mall courtyard in recent days, speaking with students and collecting information. Turning Point USA is a national nonprofit student organization founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012. The group describes its mission as identifying, educating and organizing students to promote conservative principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty.
Jennifer Childers
Mar 4


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
Community


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
4 days ago


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
4 days ago


Community College Is Not a Backup Plan
Photo by Juan Marcel Francia Chiderah Edeh The Advocate When people hear “community college,” they often assume it’s a second choice, a backup plan or a temporary stop before something better. Some even think it’s only for those who couldn’t get into a university or can’t afford one. But that idea doesn’t reflect what I see every day at Mt. Hood Community College. What really defines MHCC isn’t prestige or comparison to four-year universities — it’s perseverance. Walk across
Chiderah Edeh
4 days ago


Hundreds of Scholarships: One Application!
Photo By Jennifer Childers Jennifer Childers The Advocate The delicate balancing act of juggling classes and staying afloat financially is a struggle understood by most MHCC students. For many, the need to work while attending school not only impacts their ability to keep up with coursework but also prevents them from engaging in co‑curricular activities and other valuable student experiences. But more than $1 million in scholarship funding is offered to students each year
Jennifer Childers
4 days ago


Slice of Life: WOW This Guy’s Fast
Have a photo you would like to contribute to our slice of life section? Contact us!
advocate19
4 days ago


Associate Students of MHCC Elections: Your Voice Matters
Photo by Aung Pyae Lin Cassidy Thao The Advocate ASMHCC 2026-27 presidential elections are being held from March 10 to March 12, and every student has a chance to make a difference. The current student body president, Jeffery Erickson, and vice president, Elaria Salib, have been working hard all year, and it’s nearly time to pass on the responsibility. There are three candidates running for student body president: Liana Navarro, Nick Stone and Emanuely Igwira; and two candida
Cassidy Thao
4 days ago
Features


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
4 days ago


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
Funding for Student Support Program: TRIO at Risk
The TRIO program was established by the federal government as part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue and succeed in higher education. Originally launched with three programs – Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services – TRIO was created in response to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. It aimed to provide academic support, college access, and retention services for low-income, first-generation
advocate19
Jun 6, 2025
Sports


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
4 days ago


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
4 days ago


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


MHCC VOLLEYBALL - Interview with Taylor Young & Peyton Ochoa
This 2025 season was quite a journey for Mt. Hood volleyball team. After training hard the whole year and giving everything they had on the court, the Saints finished their year with a thrilling 3 sets to 1 win against visiting Chemeketa Community College on Nov. 5. Both teams battled, point after point, but the Saints showed great teamwork and energy in their final home game. The whole season was full of growth, great moments and a strong effort put in by each and every play
Kaung Sat Han
Nov 24, 2025
STUDENT LIFE & Culture


Slice of Life: WOW This Guy’s Fast
Have a photo you would like to contribute to our slice of life section? Contact us!
advocate19
4 days ago


Exploring Photography Beyond The Frame
Photos by Adam Elwell Esther Murphy’s Mixed Media Work IN VA GALLERY UNTIL March 19 Jennifer Childers and Adam Elwell The Advocate Photography is often thought of as a finished image captured in a single moment. But the work featured in the current MHCC gallery exhibit by artist Esther Murphy pushes that idea further, layering photography with collage, paint and sculptural elements to create pieces that exist somewhere between photograph and object. Murphy’s work brings toge
Jennifer Childers & Adam Elwell
4 days ago


Midsummer’s Progression
Tim Grassley The Advocate Mt. Hood’s theater department isn’t just staging a play – A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a showcase of both talent and tenacity. How do they start with a fresh idea and end up rolling audiences in the aisles? Let’s take a look behind the closed curtains—and into the backstage shenanigans. Jan. 15 We began our coverage on Jan. 15, when we were asked to interview three actors starring in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We had a blast meeting them. From disc
Tim Grassley
4 days ago


Navigating Immigration and Black Identity in Portland
Chris Woods The Advocate MHCC hosted a screening of the documentary “Priced Out” in the Student Union, Feb. 18, 2026 “Priced Out” explores the intertwined histories of Vanport and Albina, highlighting how exclusion laws, wartime migration and redlining shaped the lives of Black Oregonians. The event will included a short discussion following the film, offering students and community members a chance to reflect on how this history connects to present-day Portland. Albi
Chris Woods
Mar 4


Slice of Life: Growing Pots
Photo by Aung Pyae Lin Jamie Teigen , a MHCC ceramics student, poses with some of her work. If you have a photo you would like to submit for our slice of life section, email us at advocate@mhcc.edu
advocate19
Mar 4


MHCC Observes Black History
Civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Jesse Jackson Chiderah Edeh The Advocate Walking through Mt. Hood Community College during Black History Month feels different. In the Student Union, posters of influential Black leaders sit on tables. In the library, quotes line the walls. Faces look back at you — activists, educators, organizers, artists, people who sacrificed, who led movements, who poured into their communities so others could live safer and fu
Chiderah Edeh
Mar 4
Opinion


Community College Is Not a Backup Plan
Photo by Juan Marcel Francia Chiderah Edeh The Advocate When people hear “community college,” they often assume it’s a second choice, a backup plan or a temporary stop before something better. Some even think it’s only for those who couldn’t get into a university or can’t afford one. But that idea doesn’t reflect what I see every day at Mt. Hood Community College. What really defines MHCC isn’t prestige or comparison to four-year universities — it’s perseverance. Walk across


Local Journalism Is More Than Just News
Photo by Dmitriy Morgan McCarraher The Advocate When people think about a newspaper, they often think about the stories printed on the page: headlines, articles, opinions. But a local paper is more than a collection of stories. It is an institution — one that quietly helps hold a community together. Institutions are the structures that give a community stability. Libraries preserve knowledge. Schools pass on learning. Town halls provide a place for civic decisions. In its ow


JOURNALISM HAS A FUNCTION
In the age of clickbait and advertorials, community service still matters more than numbers and sales Morgan McCarraher The Advocate Writing—especially in the age of constant content—can begin to feel like output for the sake of output. Articles are produced, posted, shared, scrolled past, replaced. The speed creates an illusion of importance. Movement becomes mistaken for meaning. But journalism was never meant to be performance. We don’t write to write. We write to inform


COMMUNITY ISN’T AN AUDIENCE; IT’S A RELATIONSHIP
Morgan McCarraher The Advocate Community is a word used often but rarely examined. It appears in mission statements, donor appeals and analytics reports, usually as a vague abstraction—an audience to reach, a group to engage or a set of numbers to grow. But community is not a metric. It’s a relationship built on trust, care and continuity. A community isn’t simply a group of people living near one another. It’s a network of shared concerns, histories and responsibilities, bu


THE QUIET PATH TO CHANGE: What Activism Really Looks Like
Jennifer Childers The Advocate It has become increasingly clear that the world we live in is not what many of us once believed. The idea of stable, righteous, benevolent systems quietly working to keep people safe has proven to be a carefully constructed fiction — an illusion collapsing under the weight of lived experience. The programs and institutions we were conditioned to trust are not only failing; in many cases, they are actively causing harm. We’ve been taught that if


The Weight of Constant Comparison
Morgan McCarraher The Advocate Comparison has always existed. People have long measured themselves against neighbors, coworkers and peers. But in recent years, comparison has shifted from an occasional habit into a constant background condition of modern life. It is no longer something people do from time to time; it is something many people live inside. And in some cases, it becomes a need. Everywhere we turn, we are presented with curated versions of others’ lives. Achievem
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