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. Defini

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 fo

AlmaPerez The Advocate This display begs you to look and touch The MHCC Visual Arts Gallery is presenting “This‑Worldly” by artist Sharon Servilio from Jan. 5 to 29.  Servilio was born in New Jersey and has lived and worked in Portland, Oregon, since 2020. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an MFA from American University. She works in painting, drawing and ceramics.  Her work combines scientific research with multiple artistic mediums to highlight th

Adam Elwell The Advocate I’m tired. I’m taking 19 credits this term. I bartend on the weekends, and I work on the student newspaper, time permitting. I would like to see my family and my dog and clean my house and keep up with my friends, and not have to bump every doctor’s appointment because I double-booked it, time permitting. In just a little while, though, I’ll be expected to put in more than 40 hours of labor every week. Is it paid? No. I’m actually paying for it. I’m t

Timothy Grassley The Advocate MHCC’s upcoming theatrical performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is shaping up to be one of the most exciting productions for theater majors on campus. The show intrigued us so much that The Advocate scheduled interviews with several of the cast members and directors. As we dug deeper, conversation after conversation made it clear that this production is more than just another Shakespearean masterpiece — it’s a journey into what defines love,

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

Jennifer Childers The Advocate It’s easy to get discouraged, angry or downright terrified when watching the news or scrolling our feeds these days. It’s a legitimately scary time, and there are so many things to feel worried, angry or discouraged by that it can be difficult to find a thread of hope and possibility to grasp. I think we sometimes forget just how powerful we are. I know I do.  The past few weeks have been particularly challenging as I’ve found myself not only ad

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

The Mt. Hood Community College District Board of Education approved two high-value contracts and appointed seven community members to the newly formed Bond Oversight Committee during its Nov. 19 meeting. These decisions move the college into the next phase of work connected to the $136.4 million general obligation bond measure approved by voters earlier this year. Project management contract approved MHCC completed a competitive solicitation for project management firms to su

Photo by Aung Pyae Lin MHCC’S NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SPECIALIST In this feature, The Advocate interviews Taeya Hillman-Johnson, who in August became Mt. Hood Community College’s new International Student Recruitment and Engagement Specialist. With a background in event planning, community building, and student support, Hillman-Johnson brings creativity, warmth, and a deep commitment to helping international students thrive. Advocate : Tell us about yourself, please. Hillma

A STAFF FAVORITE YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE ALL SEASON LONG Russian Tea Cakes, also known as Snowballs, are a delightfully buttery, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that has been a holiday staple in our family for at least six generations. We do a lot of baking around the holidays, but these are hands down my favorite. I grew up making them with my mom and my great-grandmother. I made them with my children when they were growing up (the ones who were interested, anyway), and now we

Including Mt. Hood Students TriMet, the Portland metro area’s public transit agency, is facing a $300 million gap between expected revenues and expenses in the next few years. The agency is trying to close that gap by cutting back some services and laying off employees to avoid more severe service cuts in the future. But the impact on many riders, including MHCC students, has already come. “We are facing a fiscal cliff in 2030, so we must act now to balance our budget for the

A STAFF FAVORITE YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE ALL SEASON LONG Holiday traditions often start in the kitchen. Whether you’re keeping old traditions or creating new ones, nothing brings people together like good food. So, we’ve pulled two of our staff’s favorite traditional recipes – one sweet, one savory – to help you bring a little extra flavor and festivity to your holiday season. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Wait Time: 30 minutes Ready In: 1 hour 30 minutes Serv

I keep seeing posts and memes online about how “all things in nature hibernate or die back during the winter,” or how “winter is a time of rest, and therefore we need to refrain from activities and social events so we can reset.” And while I absolutely agree that we need to allow ourselves more time and space for rest, I can’t help but feel like we’re missing the point. If growing up in the temperate rain forest of the Pacific Northwest has taught me anything, it’s that winte

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

Holidays: Time to Rest, Reflect, and Rejoice Have you ever counted down the days to a holiday and felt like the world finally slowed down? Holidays are more than just a break, they are special times that give us a chance to rest, connect with others, explore new experiences, and reflect on the things we are grateful for. In our busy lives, filled with schoolwork, jobs, and daily responsibilities, these special days allow us to pause, slow down, and focus on what truly matters

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

Between travel, groceries, and the temptation to “celebrate properly,” it’s easy for college students to spend money they don’t really have. But being broke doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the smell of pumpkin spice and the feeling of gratitude fill the air. Whether you’re staying local for the break or just looking for ways to celebrate, there are plenty of activities around town to enjoy the season. From festive gatherings to volunteer opportunities, Thanksgiving is about connection, reflection, and giving back. COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS The Gresham area hosts several events to capture the holiday spirit. The 2025 Celebration

I’ll be the first to admit I was a little jealous of the bonds and the laughter they shared on those bargain-blitz battlefields, but I also knew myself well enough to realize it was more than I could handle. I mean, let’s be honest: Holiday shopping in general was more than I could handle, and Black Friday was in a league of its own. Nowadays, the holiday shopping season hits a bit differently. Instead of waiting in line for hours to brave the crowds in physical stores, intro