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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Mt. Hood Community College Fisheries Technology program is doing more than just teaching students about biology; it is serving as a front-line training ground for wildlife restoration across the Columbia River Basin.

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

Chiderah Edeh The Advocate At many college events today, a brief statement is often read before the program begins. It may last less than a minute, but it carries meaning beyond the moment. This statement, known as a land acknowledgment, names the Indigenous peoples connected to the land on which the campus is located. Across higher education, land acknowledgments have become a way for institutions to recognize local Indigenous histories and the relationship between place and

Cassidy Thao The Advocate The Office of Student Life announced March 16, 2026, that Liana Navarro and Aubree Kennell won the 2026–27 ASMHCC presidential election and will serve as student body president and vice president in the coming academic year. A total of 767 ballots were cast, a slight increase from last year’s 726 votes. During their campaign, Navarro and Kennell outlined several goals for the upcoming year, with a focus on improving and expanding access to existing c

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

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

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 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

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.

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 The Advocate Mt. Hood Community College may be between a rock and a $5 million hard place. In an email to MHCC faculty on Feb. 6, President Lisa Skari wrote that “even with careful planning, the college is still facing an estimated gap of nearly $5 million that must be addressed in the coming fiscal year’s budget.” Earlier this week, Oregon released its economic forecast, revealing a $15 billion budget shortfall driven in part by federal cuts to Medicaid and SNA

Morgan McCarraher The Advocate MHCC is unlike most community colleges in the state of Oregon in its geographic reach and unique and specialized programs. However, like the other state community colleges, it is locally governed by an elected board. State laws and policies, along with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission — as defined in ORS 341.015 — guide how Oregon’s community college districts are determined. Because of this, MHCC’s district includes eight high schoo

Art by Bianca Vandijk S uper Easy One-Pot Mashed Potatoes PREP TIME: 5 mins, YIELDS: 4 servings By Valentina | The Baking Fairy Ingredients: 2+ lbs potatoes, cubed 2+ cups of milk, or nondairy milk, or ½ cup - 1 cup heavy cream plus milk, not quite covering the potatoes ½ tablespoon salt ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon black pepper 2-3 tablespoon butter or vegan butter to taste Wash and scrub your potatoes. Peel if desired. Cut into sm

Christian Ilechukwu The Advocate As many students wonder how to stretch their grocery budgets, one student is making it her mission to lighten the load. Promise Funchess, an MHCC student with a warm smile and a drive to help others, has stepped into the role of peer navigator for the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC). “I became a peer navigator for a few reasons,” Promise said. “Mainly, I enjoy helping and supporting others. Additionally, I believe students—especially at M