I am Christian Ilechukwu, a Staff Editor at The Advocate, originally from Nigeria. Writing has been a part of my life since high school, where I first discovered my passion for crafting stories. My debut published work, “Politics of Deceit,” a drama, marked the start of my journey as a writer. I enjoy engaging in thoughtful discussions with others, exchanging ideas on a wide range of topics, and I am always open to trying new things, whether it’s a fresh perspective or a new

As TriMet grapples with a massive budget deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, the resulting service cuts currently planned are creating a hostile environment for student success. The reduction of bus frequency on key routes, particularly during early mornings and late evenings, starting Nov. 30, directly undermines student punctuality and academic efforts. For students at Mt. Hood Community College who rely heavily on public transit to reach the Gresham campus, these c

It’s coming up on that time of year again – the leaves are turning shades of red and yellow, the daylight hours are getting shorter, and the wind is getting colder. It’s the season of pumpkins, corn mazes, and sweet treats. Fall is truly here, and the end of October is approaching. That means that Halloween is just a few days away. For many years now, MHCC has held a Halloween event on campus for people of all ages. This year, the Halloween event is Barney’s Boo Bash, which w

Chiderah Edeh The Advocate Education today is not just about learning facts or passing exams, it’s about discovering new ways to think, solve problems, and express ideas. At Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), creativity is at the heart of learning. The college encourages students to explore their interests, challenge traditional ways of thinking, and use their imagination to connect what they learn in class to the real world. One of the most inspiring things about MHCC is how

Saints left outside hitter Brooklyn Boyd skies for a spike attempt in a recent home match at the Yoshida Events Center. The Centennial High School product is currently third in “kills” (a winning attack shot) per set for Mt. Hood this season. She trails only fellow freshmen teammates Hannah Laursen (Westlake High School, in Saratoga, Utah) and Taylor Young (Corbett High School) in that category. The freshman-heavy Saints, 6-16 on the year, play their final three home matches

Oregon senator Ron Wyden spoke at Mt. Hood Community College on September 26th, 2025. The event saw several dozens of local Oregonians attending; the event lasted over an hour. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions until the event concluded. Various topics were discussed: local, national and international. Seconds after Ron Wyden picked up the microphone, a voice from the rear of the audience was heard shouting. The attendee persistently spoke over the senator—voicing h

Do you need a sparkling smile without spending a dime? Then swing by the free Dental Hygiene Clinic at Mt. Hood Community College, right here at the Gresham campus (26000 SE Stark St., 97030.) It’s a chance to get top-notch dental care while supporting the amazing dental hygiene students at MHCC. WHAT’S THE DEAL? At the clinic, visitors can get a range of dental services done by the program’s students, with licensed professionals keeping a close eye to make sure everything is

War and conflict are notorious for demanding loyalty. “Pick a side,” people say. “Are you with the good or the bad?” It’s a question that is loaded with unfair weight. It assumes morality is simple – black and white – when, in truth, it is black, white, and the countless shades of grey in between. Every conflict, whether between nations or within a community, is built on stories, experiences, and pain. Both sides believe they are justified; both think they are right. Yet inn

Halloween is almost here, and let’s be honest — some of us have pockets as empty as the school hall on a Sunday night. But don’t stress, I got you. If you’re rich and bougie, this isn’t your kind of financial spread. This is for the rest of us, the everyday students who are making smart choices, cutting extra costs, and still finding ways to live, laugh, and thrive. Now let’s make Halloween fun without maxing out our wallet.  Costumes That Cost (Almost) Nothing Here’s the gol

After months of renovation work, the Rockwood Library will reopen its doors to the public today, Friday, Oct. 24. Located at 17917 SE Stark St., the branch has been completely refreshed as part of Multnomah County Library’s 2020 voter-approved bond project, which aims to modernize neighborhood libraries across the county. In all, the “Refresh Projects” are intended to modernize 11 neighborhood libraries, creating safer, more accessible, and more welcoming spaces for communit

In 2023, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed House Bill 2049, detailing the creation of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCOE). But that’s not the only nugget held within this legislation. There is a provision of special significance for students at Mt. Hood Community College: direct support for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through exam-fee scholarships. Cybersecurity is a fast-growing industry, not just in our state but also across the country

Cook said that he had been concerned about student basic needs for a number of years and had grown frustrated that “people didn’t seem to be taking it seriously or really understand what a serious matter it was.”

My second rule: skip the big-name brands. Most food comes from the same farms and factories anyway, so why pay more for a fancy label? The generic brands taste the same and cost way less. That’s why I stick to stores like WinCo.

Photo by College Housing Northwest of Abigail Court - chnw.org/properties/abigail-court Three years ago, my husband and I were living in a Walmart parking lot. We were grateful for the simple ability to wash our hands and use a restroom. Two years ago, we lived in an RV with no working toilet. We survived on simple meals because we did not have a kitchen. A year ago, we packed everything we owned into a car after selling the RV and moved to Portland. And today, we are full-ti

Ever since the New York Times sued OpenAI in late December 2023 over copyright infringement claims the future of its chatbot Chat-GPT has been uncertain.  The events of this past summer have brought more bad news for companies developing generative AI models and could bring changes to the internet that could soon prevent chatbots from accessing websites or require LLM chatbots like OpenAI’s Chat-GPT to pay for using copyrighted works. For publishers and media companies, howev

Students getting food during September's Welcome Back Bash - photo by Marisa Engelhard On Sept. 24, Mt. Hood’s Student Life office hosted a small event for students new and old as a friendly celebration of the beginning of a new Fall Term. The Welcome Back Bash ran from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Main Mall, and featured a free lunch accompanied by live music performed by Nelly’s Echo, a musician from Baltimore and previous contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” The free lunch featur

Lockers in the basement of the Student Union - photo by Aung Pyae Lin NEW ADA LINES: The school is adding blue lines on campus, intended to help students find accessible entrances and elevators. The lines are still being added so most buildings do not yet have them, but you can still look at the display maps on campus to find accessible entrances. SOLAR POWER DOCKS: There are solar-powered picnic tables scattered across campus. These tables are made of recycled material and p

Informational sign about hazing posted in the MHCC main mall - photo by Marisa Engelhard As we progress through our educational journey, we have finally achieved the goal of attending college. We invest time and resources to prepare for this pivotal stage, which significantly shapes our future. Once enrolled, we pursue new opportunities, build friendships, and strive for success and acceptance. While we may receive advice on managing our time, or walking with a buddy in well-

Right now, freedom of speech is dangerously stationed on a parapet. If it topples, there is no climbing back – the very existence of this right would be threatened, perhaps lost for good. We stand at a moment of historical weight where the principle of free speech is not only questioned but actively eroding right before our eyes. More and more, those who exercise their right to speak find themselves punished, shamed, or silenced, as if the act of expression itself is an attac

The salon space that was previously used by the discontinued MHCC Cosmetology program has now been physically removed. The renovation project began during Spring term after a May 7th meeting of the MHCC Board of Education approved the renovations of the space to build an “advanced manufacturing lab” to be used by the Mechatronics program. The room had gone unused after the then Board of Education voted in the fall of 2019 to end the Cosmetology program along with several ot