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.

GETTING THE SUPPORT YOU DESERVE College life can feel overwhelming at times, and it’s okay to seek help when you need it. MHCC offers a vital resource for students: the counseling department.Here, you’ll find professional counselors ready to support your mental health, guide you through academic challenges, and offer help with many other aspects of student life. Meet the Counselors The counselors at MHCC are licensed professionals trained to help students with everything from

Always double-check information coming from Mt. Hood’s High School Services – don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Sadly, I’ve learned the hard way to always double-check any information provided by the high school services at MHCC. This started when I asked if I could get employed at MHCC and was told, “You can’t do that because you’re under 18 and don’t have a diploma.” Always take the time to ask those actually in charge of, or people higher up within, the program or

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

A Satirical Take On Bureaucracy Photograph by Catherine Green When I went to see “The Memo” by Václav Havel, translated by Paul Wilson, I learned that it’s meant to be a clever and relatable play poking fun at the absurdities of office life and bureaucracy. (A Czechoslovakian playwright, Havel skewers the communist machinery in the country he would decades later lead, as its post-revolution president). The story centers on a man struggling with a confusing artificial language

This November, the Mt. Hood students voted Peyton Hull in as our new student body president. I am very excited to have her serve our student community here at MHCC. She always strives to do her best. Last year at Mt. Hood she completed the two-year program for Integrated Media: Video, while at the same time being heavily involved with the theatre program here.Hull is a standout student and very passionate. I am sure having here as a community leader here at MHCC will strength

Art by Matteo Neivert Photo by Catherine Green Visiting the Faculty Art show in Mt. Hood’s Visual Arts Gallery in November that hosted beautiful works from our own art professors was such an amazing sight to see. Observing all the breathtaking pieces was so inspiring, but what caught my eye was one particular professor’s work. The whole wall was filled with wild paintings of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Such stunning work was done by a teacher that I remember fondly t

Image by Disney The sequel “Moana 2” has finally arrived, and it’s everything we’ve been waiting for. Picking up where the original movie left off, this film takes us on more thrilling adventures across the Pacific Islands with Moana, Maui, and the new characters she meets. It offers a perfect blend of excitement, heart, and important lessons about leadership, bravery, and staying true to who you are. The second movie begins with Moana back on her island, Motunui, where she’s