someone is getting an opportunity - Portland Community College

WORKING HARD FOR
THE FUTURE
Jesus Ramirez Lopez vividly remembers how it felt
to have no shoes as a nine-year-old boy because his
parents were too poor to a�ord them. �at memory
has compelled him to work hard, spending a year at
PCC studying English before being accepted into the
Automotive Technology program. He also works on
a farm, caring for grapes, while diligently studying
brakes, suspension, electricity, engine performance and
transmissions. “I’ve had a hard time with English and
reading,” said Jesus,” but I’m trying hard every day.”
Jesus, who received the Angelina and Pete Costanzo
Scholarship of the Oregon Community Foundation,
dreams of someday owning his own shop so he can
do the work he loves while employing other people
in the community. “I’m really motivated by the help
I’ve received. One day I’ll do the same thing,” he said.
“People who support us are giving a lesson for the
future. �ey are teaching us that we can help.”
Student Ashley Erickson and instructor Cindy Phillips
Students in the library view the animated tutorial
Jesus Ramirez Lopez
AN EXTRA HELPING HAND
�anks to unrestricted contributions for greatest need, eight
retention initiatives were implemented in the 2008-09 school
year, including the two programs highlighted below:
One-on-one mentoring
�anks to mini-grant funding from the PCC Foundation,
instructor Cindy Phillips was able to o�er one-on-one mentoring
to dental assisting and dental hygiene students who were at risk of
non-completion. “Some of the students were struggling and possibly
failing,” said Cindy. “�e one-on-one mentoring helped me to help
them.” As a result of this program, all student participants are better
positioned for success to graduate from their dental program.
Showing how it’s done
When the PCC Library received a mini-grant to introduce students
to the new library catalog, PCC librarian Kevin Moore was more
than willing to share his skills as a cartoonist. �e result is a fun,
entertaining video that is also informative. “We provided students
with some basic tricks for searching for an author or title of a book
and how to use those tools to augment their research,” said Kevin.
“We wanted to make sure the animation was useful in the long term
and improved students’ skills in utilizing the library.”
13