Kaung Sat Han The Advocate International students, tasked with future planning often face navigating school, finances and strict visa rules. Recently, a proposed U.S. immigration rule could end or restrict Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is a program that allows students to work in their related studies field after graduation to gain work experience. OPT currently allows international students to work in the United States for up to 12 months in their related studies

Events calendar: January Vanport Mosaic: History, Memory, and Justice Location: Student Union Exhibit Display: Jan. 8 - Jan. 15 Film Screening & Speaker Conversation: Jan. 15 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Honoring the Life and Legacy of MLK, Jr. Film Screening Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Student Union No RSVP needed Everybody Reads: Black History 101 Mobile Museum Jan. 16, 12 - 5 p.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217 Free to Attend Multicult

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, AND WHERE TO GO for water INSTEAD Tim Grassley The Advocate It’s that time of the month when January temperatures drop at a surprising rate, ice slowly freezes and slight chances of snow cloud the minds of many weather forecasters. Around this point, most folks — including myself — let sinks and faucets drip overnight to avoid breaking water mains. Not shockingly, technicians at Mount Hood Community College have done the same. MHCC has closed all outsi

This week, the Advocate sits down with MHCC’s Mulicultural and Diversity Resource Center’s Director, Maurice Nicholson. What’s your favorite part of the job so far? My favorite part always tends to be the same thing. It’s always the students making those connections with students... A lot of what I do is fueled by the work of students and the students themselves right what they want to see, what they envision this campus looking like, what they see the world as being. Defin

Chiderah Edeh The Advocate Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a holiday; it’s a day to remember a man who changed history and gave hope to millions. King is best known for his leadership during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a time when Black people in the United States faced segregation, discrimination and unfair laws that limited their opportunities. He believed in fairness, justice and equality and worked tirelessly to create a better future f

A Closer Look at Gresham’s Two Farmer’s Markets As the aura of summer fills the air, Gresham welcomes back one of its most cherished seasonal experiences – the farmers’ markets. These community events offer fresh produce and handcrafted goods that reflect the values and culture of the neighborhoods they serve. The Farmer’s Market at Mt. Hood Community College and the Original Gresham Farmers’ Market stand out in our area. Both of the markets offer a unique approach to communi

The McMenamins hospitality chain found out about an event that happened in the 1950s near McMinnville, about 90 minutes’ drive southwest of Gresham, and created an event to welcome aliens to party with the natives, and highlight the stately Hotel Oregon in the downtown area. The inspirational incident, according to the site at ufofest.com, occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 1950, when Evelyn Trent, who lived near McMinnville, went outside to tend to her animals a

By: Nicholas Edwards The Advocate Need somewhere to bring the whole family this summer? Maybe you’re stuck at home with your in-laws? Gresham’s Festival of Arts, Spirit of Gresham, is back for this summer, promising to be the city’s biggest celebration of local creativity and community spirit. And your support could make all the difference. Where is it? Held in the heart of downtown Gresham at the Gresham Arts Plaza (401 NE Second St.), the event spans two days, filled with f

The picket line at the defunct fountain by the Visual Arts Gallery continues to grow, mirroring the swelling picket lines in front of the Tesla Dealership, as community members comes forth to stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. “Waddle you do to help?” “Duck Duck Gone.” “We support to find ducky!” The new ducky signs demand the authorities continue to investigate the disappearances of Blue and White Duckies in March of 2025. This brings up a great question – w

Upcoming May Events! MT. HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT EXHIBITION Want to see the future of art? The Visual Arts Gallery is hosting the annual MHCC student exhibition this month. Submissions include art generated in Basic Design: 2D, Ceramics, Drawing, Jewelrymaking/Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and other campus courses.The exhibit runs through Thursday, May 29.Gallery hours: Monday- Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday/Saturday by appointment. Closed on

Strong Showing by The Advocate On Friday, May 2, 11 Advocate staff members traveled to Albany, Oregon’s Linn-Benton Community College campus for the annual ONPA (Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association) Collegiate Day Conference.Following breakout seminar sessions led by professional journalists, awards were presented to two- and four-year college and university newspapers across the state for exemplary work done in the calendar year of 2024.The half-day seminar included lunc

The traditional cultural dance of the Zomi people, an ethnic group from Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh, is a powerful display of unity and collective identity. Photos by Aung Pyae Lin This dance, characterized by meticulously synchronized movements, symbolizes the community’s harmony. Every dancer must execute each step perfectly, as a single misstep can disrupt the beauty of the entire performance.At the heart of this dance is the leader, who plays a crucial role by skillful

Ducky picket line forms! As the trail risks growing cold, the campus community remains committed to solving the mystery of our missing friends.Blue and White Ducky have not been seen in the defunct Visual Arts fountain since mid-March.This past week, a picket line came together. Tiny signs voiced the shared concerns.“Find our friend!”“Justice for Blue & White Ducky!”“Who plucked our ducky friends???”As our nation continues to reel in response to the dictates coming from the W

Where Local Vendors Grow There are a lot of curveballs being thrown at Americans, whether it is tariffs or inflation. It has never been tougher than ever to tighten up your bootstraps and create something that is your own.That is why it’s awesome to see so many people hustling and see lots of consumers support local entrepreneurs in the Portland metro area. And while on most days the MHCC northeast parking lot is just a parking lot, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sund

Want your event included in our list? Send email to Advocate@mhcc.edu.

Are you looking for something to do after classes are done for the day? Perhaps you want to go watch something funny with the added benefit of learning something new?Well, the Planetarium on the MHCC Gresham campus is the place for you. The director, Will Blackmore, balances humor and education very well, making for quite the amusing show for visitors. Each month he hosts shows on a different topic. It can be anything, from black holes and supernovas to the Fermi Paradox – wh

Project Red Workshop Fentanyl is a public health crisis that has landed on the doorsteps of unsuspecting families across America and in our own backyard here at MHCC. Guest speaker Ellen Wirshup from Project RED reported that more than 70,000 persons are dying of opioid overdoses each year in the United States, and east Multnomah County is not immune. During an educational workshop at Mt. Hood on Feb. 11, she gave a brief history of how she helped established Project RED, an

LOCAL CLIMBING GYM DOWN HILL OF MHCC Located in Gresham, Oregon, Rock Haven Climbing Gym is a vibrant hub for climbing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Since opening in August 2022, the gym has become a place where passion, determination, and a strong sense of community come together. Founded by four climbing enthusiasts who sought to bring the sport to a new area, Rock Haven offers more than just a place to climb—it’s a welcoming space for anyone looking to challeng

JennyMendoza The Advocate Looking for community service opportunities but don’t know where to volunteer? Here’s a list of possible local options with brief descriptions. If any of them capture your interest, simply go on their website and sign up to volunteer. Or, email/contact them directly! Meals on Wheels People https://www.mowp.org Meals on Wheels People and Meals 4 Kids focus on delivering food to seniors and families living below the poverty line. Another service they

Community Announcement: White Ducky has gone missing! The White Ducky in the Visual Arts Gallery fountain on the MHCC Gresham campus was last sighted, and documented, at 1:03 p.m. on Feb 25. They were reported missing at 12:31 p.m. on Feb. 27, when they were not present for their most recent photo shoot opportunity. (They /Them pronouns assumed, as they have not declared a gender preference.) Did White Ducky willingly leave their wounded Blue Ducky friend behind and find anot