By MHCC
The Mountain Times
Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) has been a source of education and community engagement in the region since it was established in 1966. As the demands on schools evolve, so too must the facilities that support them. With aging infrastructure and changing technological needs, MHCC is at a point where investing in updated facilities will greatly benefit students, faculty, and the broader community. In hopes of addressing these needs, the college plans to place a bond measure on the May 2025 ballot.
Many of MHCC’s buildings and classrooms were constructed decades ago, and while they have served the community well, they no longer meet the demands of modern education. Outdated facilities hinder learning, limit access to new technology, and prevent students from reaching their goals. To continue providing high-quality education, MHCC needs to update its campus infrastructure.
With a proposed bond amount of $131 million, many community members are eager to know how the college would use those funds. To answer that question, MHCC has created a facilities master plan to assess academic needs and facility use. This plan was formed based on information gathered through focus groups led by different areas of the college, including instruction, student success, safety and security, and campus technology.
The biggest takeaway from these focus groups was that updating MHCC’s facilities would create an enhanced learning environment that fosters innovation. Modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology will provide students with the skills needed in today’s workforce.
“The facilities at MHCC are critical to supporting our mission of providing accessible and affordable education,” Mt. Hood Community College President Dr. Lisa Skari said. “By investing in our infrastructure, we are investing in the future success of our students and our community.”
Campus safety was another common concern discussed throughout the focus groups. As MHCC returns to regular campus life following the pandemic, maintaining extended hours of operation puts stress on the physical campus systems as well as its digital operations. By improving building access control, indoor and outdoor lighting, door locking systems, and mass notification systems, MHCC can ensure a safer place for its students and employees.
Accessibility was also discussed by the focus groups. To improve access to the campus, MHCC plans to add more elevators and replace outdated ones, create new single-person bathrooms and lactation rooms, and make needed updates to athletic areas including locker rooms and the softball field.
Updating MHCC’s facilities will have a ripple effect throughout the community. Improved educational resources attract businesses and industries seeking a well-educated workforce, contributing to economic growth in the region. And an updated campus can serve as a hub for community events, workshops, and continuing education programs.
For more information on how you can support MHCC’s facility updates, please visit MHCC’s bond website. If you want to give input on the bond or reach out to see how you can help support MHCC, please email Bond@MHCC.edu .