‘Coughing Blood Together’ Lights up VA Gallery “Little moments of frozen theater” are currently on display in the MHCC Visual Arts Gallery, a thought- provoking series of creative scenes inviting visitors to peek in and ponder the artist’s messages and sculpting skills. Photos by Prisma Flores Montana-based artist Tom Foolery has been creating these armature dioramas – featuring small-scale figures crafted from found items – for years, beginning as a fun hobby. “I took a mous

Exploring Outdoor Sports Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, hiker, rock climber, or a complete newbie to outdoor sports, MHCC’s Wildside Club has something for you. Photos provided by Brooklyn Noel We welcome anyone who is interested in learning new skills – or improving them – and is a bit of a thrill seeker to join our adventures. It’s the perfect way to meet amazing people who have the same passion for the outdoors and become a part of our supportive community.In the few

Schedule made by S. Cousins Want your event added to our list? Email us at theadvocate@mhcc.edu.

Finding Warmth in Faith Vietnam is a country with a longstanding religious tradition – with both nativist and more recently embraced faiths – in which Catholicism is a central part. Introduced to the country in the early years of the 20th century, Catholicism has become an indispensable part of the Vietnamese people. Photos by Thien Trieu Tran In the United States, the first Vietnamese people to arrive were mostly Catholics who left everything behind to seek a new future, a n

GOAL OF SUPPORT FOR ALL STAYS ALIVE AT MT HOOD How empowered do you feel in your everyday life? Do you feel like you can do what you find fun when you want to? Do you feel that you can pursue your dreams and catch them? Do you feel free to express who you came into this life to be? Do you feel that you can “Be your dream”? As I chat with folks in our MHCC community, I often hear fresh concerns with what is happening in the White House and how it will affect their lives. Man

FOR A NEW GENERATION This month, the college will be treated to the Theatre Department’s third staging of the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” first performed at Mt. Hood 1983 and more recently in 2002. This history has resulted in a multigenerational tradition, as one of the crew members of a previous production has a child on the current production. And don’t be surprised to find MHCC alumni coming to check it out, too. ‘Superstar’ was born when composer Andrew Lloyd Webbe

CLAY CLUB WELCOMES YOUThe Clay Club here at MHCC will be hosting a “Pinch Pot Palooza” for two days, starting on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Pinch pots are an age-old, hand-built method for creating pottery – the most simple way possible. First the hands roll a ball of clay, then a thumb or finger is used to push a hole into the center, and then the thumb and forefinger together pinch up the walls to make a bowl. After the person shapes the bottom and smoothes the edges, it is left to

May you introduce yourself?My name is Ella, and my Chinese name is Zhixuan Xiang. I am currently studying in the Mental Health, Social Services, and Addiction Counseling program at MHCC. I am an international student from Sichuan, China. I am also a blogger on TikTok with 100,000 followers. The reason why I came to study in the United States is a long story about the pursuit of ideals of knowledge and freedom. Biggest adjustment so far?Every scholar who comes from a foreign c

Photo by Ken Perez As a writing tutor at MHCC, my role has always been to support students in improving their writing and assist those learning English. My responsibilities have also evolved into something more personal: I have found myself helping Arabic-speaking women navigate complex paperwork and address serious life challenges – issues such as abuse, insurance problems, and job struggles – that they often have no one else to turn to for help. This shift in my duties has

Find Support Outside of MHCC As a student at Mount Hood Community College, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to manage school, work, and financial stress. The good news is, there are plenty of local resources outside of campus that can help you out. Whether it’s getting access to free food, discounted transportation, clothing, or even housing assistance, there are many places nearby that are here to support you. This guide will help you find the resources you need so you can

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you don’t have to break the bank or go far to have an awesome time. Whether you’re spending it with a partner, friends, or even enjoying a solo treat, there are some great spots right near MHCC where you can make the day memorable. I’ve got you covered with ice cream, food spots, and fun activities that are perfect for students like us. Here’s a fun and easy guide to some of the best places to check out in Gresham and Portland! F

Photos by Prisma Flores The Visual Arts Gallery here at MHCC is hosting the exhibition of local artist Dan Pillers, originally from Spokane, through the end of January – with content and commentary on our society that has brought some gallery visitors to tears. “This particular show is, in a lot of ways, is a dream show for me,” Pillers said of the exhibit that reflects the raw emotion and consequences of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s-90s and its impact on the gay community.

You may also find the complete interview with him on The Advocate’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/IkTrw9uHXLI. You can also see Dan’s Artist’s talk recorded by the Visual Arts Department at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKFOe0XNrUQ. The Advocate The MHCC Visual Arts Gallery has hosted the exhibition of local artist Dan Pillers, a Spokane native, throughout January – with content and commentary on our society that has brought some visitors to tears. “This particular sh

Roller derby was never something that stuck out to me, as I knew next to nothing about it. Was it people on roller skates racing? Was it like basketball on roller skates? I clearly wasn’t in that realm. However, on Jan. 11, the opening night for the Rose City Rollers league season, I went to their Oaks Amusement Park home (The Hangar) to take pictures of the matches and left with a new favorite sport. The rules of roller derby are pretty simple. A match consists of two 30-min

“Goods are available to all students with an MHCC Student ID, and the process is simple.” Barney’s Pantry has a brand-new location, and it’s bigger, better, and more stocked than ever before. Yes, as of this month, Barney’s Pantry has officially moved and now has a larger space to serve students with more new food options. The new pantry – in Building 12, filling the longtime former bookstore space off MHCC’s Main Mall central courtyard – feels just like a grocery store, with

Art by Leo Decklar Our Public Safety team here at MHCC has its hands reached out all over the campus, watching over the safety of the students and staff who attend the school. But what does that all mean? The Public Safety office has staff on campus 24/7, patrolling the campus, watching out for any unsafe behaviors or people, and making sure students and staff are comfortable at all times. They respond to all sorts of calls, ranging from someone feeling unsafe in an area, to

Education is important, not cheap. Whether it’s from a job or the government, someone’s gotta put bread on the table, and there’s a lot of paperwork to get it there. All Graphics by Zoë Griffin As a second year student, I wanted to share these financial resources and remind everyone about the forms to fill out and upcoming deadlines. Good luck to all the students filling out applications and forms for financial aid. Ask for help when you need it!

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the number of international students pursuing higher education in the United States continues to grow. Mt. Hood Community College is one such institution that welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds – and here’s a closer look at the journey of an international student at MHCC and the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that shape their academic and personal growth. THE DECISION The decision to study abroad c

Did you know that by being associated with MHCC, you are participating at the forefront of community innovation? In fact, we are a part of a community movement that has potential to change our country. The opening of the Abigail Court residences last autumn marks not only a first in student housing for our local community, but a first in the nation. College students don’t traditionally qualify for off-campus housing support, even though 20% of those enrolled in community coll

Over the summer, I was interested in volunteering at a bike repair shop as a productive way to spend my time and to increase my skills as a self-proclaimed bike mechanic. I began frequenting local bike shops and asking around if they knew of any place that was taking on volunteers. I was directed to Bike Farm in northeast Portland as a good place to start. I did not possess the abilities or experience to take up employment at one of these shops so volunteering was my best bet