PUTTING COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

More than 40 campus and community organizations gathered at MHCC's annual Resource Fair, connecting students with services and support that extend beyond the classroom.

By Morgan McCarraher

The Advocate

Mt. Hood Community College’s annual Campus and Community Resource Fair has once again filled the Main Mall with representatives from over 40 resources and organizations. Resources from both the school itself and those from the surrounding community, such as the Library, Campus Safety, Legal Services, Civic Engagement, Oregon Department of Human Services, Goodwill’s Job Connection and Student Apprenticeship.

Leilan Oleari with Goodwill's Job Opportunity. Photo by Aung Pyae Lin

Those were just a few of the resources present on Oct. 8, 2026, but certainly they were not the only resources available to students. MHCC offers an extensive list of resources. This fair was geared toward showcasing a handful of what the college and surrounding community can offer its students.

Both new and returning students were present during the fair, exploring the various booths and learning about opportunities available to them, both on and off campus. For some students, the fair offered an opportunity to discover resources they might not have expected at a community college.

“It definitely makes me feel that my school supports me outside, once I’m done going to school here, and that I know that there’s somewhere I can get help if I need it.” — Rebecca Shiprack, MHCC student

Kayla, a new student at MHCC, expressed surprise at the availability of free food and the college’s food pantry.

“The pantry. I’m like, when groceries are getting a little bit low, it’s nice to stop by there,” Kayla said. 

For Kayla, the availability of these resources demonstrated a level of support she had not necessarily anticipated when enrolling at a community college. “I think it’s awesome, especially because it’s like a community college, so you don’t really expect much coming in,” Kayla said. “And it’s like, you come in and they’re like, they have a pantry for you to go shop if you don’t have the money for groceries this month or something like that.”

Her experience highlights an important aspect of the fair: demonstrating that the college’s commitment to students extends beyond the classroom.

Returning Student Kayla and New Student Lindy. Photo by Aung Pyae Lin

That commitment is not limited to current students, either. By bringing together campus services and outside organizations, the fair showcased the relationship between MHCC and the broader community it serves.

“It makes me feel like kind of everyone is included,” Kayla said. “It’s kind of like whoever needs it in the community is able to access those resources.”

For returning student Rebecca Shiprack, who first attended MHCC approximately 15 years ago, the fair offered a different perspective: an opportunity to see how much the college’s resources have expanded.

“There’s so much more. So much more. It was very minimal, as of what I can recall,” Shiprack said.

Shiprack, who returned to MHCC to complete prerequisites for the nursing program, pointed to the variety of services now available, including academic assistance, support groups and employment opportunities.

“I just see so many different opportunities to get help, even with employment after college,” Shiprack said.

That assistance beyond graduation was particularly meaningful to Shiprack, who said the presence of community organizations demonstrated that the college’s support does not necessarily end when students complete their education.

“It definitely makes me feel that my school supports me outside, once I’m done going to school here, and that I know that there’s somewhere I can get help if I need it,” she said.

Returning MHCC Student Rebecca Shiprack. Photo by Aung Pyae Lin

While the fair lasted only a limited time, the resources represented extend beyond the event itself. Students may encounter challenges involving academics, employment, food insecurity or other circumstances throughout their time at MHCC. Having access to organizations that help address those challenges is part of what makes community partnerships valuable.

When asked whether the presence of these organizations truly puts the community in community college, both Kayla and Shiprack agreed.

“Having the support of the community really helps make us feel more welcome as we graduate through here,” Shiprack said.

40+ CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Represented at MHCC's annual Campus and Community Resource Fair on Oct. 8.

For MHCC, the Community and Resource Fair was more than an opportunity to showcase available services. It was an opportunity to demonstrate that education does not exist in isolation from the communities surrounding it.

After all, a community college is not defined solely by the classes it teaches or the degrees it awards, but also by the community it supports and the community that supports it.