AdvocateSeptember 23, 2013 Volume 49 Issue 1

Facebook.com/TheAdvocateOnline@mhccadvocate @mhccadvocate

Check out our website for videos and more!

www.advocate-online.net

2013 FirsT plAce General excellence

Oregon Newspaper Publisher Association

The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College

WelcomeWant to make the most of your time on campus? Flip to page 4-5

Turn to page 3 to meet your MHcc president

Photos by Carole Riggs - The Advocate

Editor-in-ChiefKatelyn Hilsenbeck

Living Arts EditorRebecca Gaulke

Opinion EditorDanny Perez-Crouse

News EditorKatelyn Hilsenbeck

Sports EditorAaron Marshall

Copy EditorRebecca Gaulke

Photo EditorCarole Riggs

Ad ManagerCameron Miller

Mt. Hood Community College26000 SE Stark Street

Gresham, Oregon 97030

E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu

www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate

503-491-7250

SubmissionsThe Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor

and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission.

Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board.

The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length.

Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print.

Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.

the Advocate

Missy Burchell

Greg Leonov

ReportersHoward Buck

Dan Ernst

Bob Watkins

Advisers

Video TeamMelissa Casey

Jared Lichtenberg

Lobsang Tenzin

Editorial:Getting with the timesExciting things are happening this autumn

with The Advocate. It’s a new year with a new set of editors who hope to create a great newspaper.

One of the top goals we have for this year is to make social media a much bigger part of the pa-per. We have previously dipped our toes in the wild waters of social media, but this year, we are diving right in. While we already have a Facebook, Insta-gram, Twitter and comment sections on our web-site, they have less traffic than a seven-year-old’s crayon blog. That’s going to change. We will be updating our social outlets much more frequently, as well as including new ones.

This year, we have a new section of the paper dedicated to the best tweets, posts and comments across the various avenues of social media. Say something funny, interesting, insightful or clever and we’ll put it in there (yes, it can be criticism). Our Living Arts coverage will also feature a section dedicated to trending topics in the media.

We love our readers and are eager to engage with them any way we can. Read an article you don’t quite agree with? Hop on our website and add your two cents in the comments section, where you’ll find us ready to join in a healthy argument. See something cool around campus? Tweet us about it! Know someone or something newswor-thy? Tweet us about! Want to pat us on the back or file a complaint? You get the point. And don’t be

afraid to pop your head in at the Advocate office and let us know something in person. You can find us in the Integrated Media division near the cam-pus computer lab (AC1369).

While we do our best to find and report all the most noteworthy things happening at Mt. Hood, there are plenty of people and stories we don’t know about unless we are told. This is not some-

thing we say lightly: If you have something to bring to our attention, do not hesitate to let us know.

Another big addition will be a full video pro-duction team. This will add a whole new dimension to how we deliver the news. We will be utilizing videos for interviews, events, teasers and campus Q and A’s. We already have a video interview of the new president, Debbie Derr, and a promotional video for The Advocate. You can check out the vid-eos at youtube.com/mhccadvocate.

Content-wise, we are really going to focus more on stories people will want to read. Some-thing to get excited about is our new monthly fea-ture dedicated to students who have interesting stories or great accomplishments. We’ve already received plenty of submissions, and look forward to more. As for the look of the physical newspaper, we are going for a bolder, sleeker and more mod-ern appearance.

We also want our staff to grow. We welcome anyone and everyone who wants to give The Advo-cate a shot. Those interested can rest assured that they will be under the wing of people who will give them plenty of guidance and time to craft content they can be proud of.

This is a paper made for students, by students, and we think it would be great if students had a more active role. Let us steer you through an excit-ing new year for the Advocate and Mt. Hood.

by Danny Perez-CrouseThe Advocate

You’re new to Mt. Hood and need to know where to get some quality food. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back: Here are some suggestions on where to score some good eats between classes.

Various snacks and refreshments can be found in the campus Bookstore and the Library, but I recommend tak-ing a pass. Everything is really over-priced, especially in the Bookstore cafe. I never went back last year after I paid three dollars for what seemed like a shot of hot chocolate (no marshmal-lows).

The St. Helens Bistro is a good op-tion if you happen to be near the 1700s classroom area. It has hot or cold drinks, cheap sandwiches, salads and other cold meals. While they aren’t the best, customers get what they pay for.

For those of you who need a Star-bucks fix, a few good options exist. The St. Helens Bistro serves Starbucks cof-fee, and there is an Albertsons right by the college (corner of 257the /Kane Drive and Stark Street) with a Starbucks (among other things).

If you want to go the fast food route, you have various self-esteem lowering decisions. There are Burger King, Long John Silver’s, Taco Bell, Burgerville, Jack In The Box and a few other outlets found right outside the college. If you

have to do fast food, I say go to Jack In the Box. It’s within reasonable walking distance, just across 257th/Kane Drive, and you won’t lose your parking spot.

I know what you’re thinking: Is there anywhere good on campus to eat? The cafeteria, duh. Joking aside, there is some good quality, tasty food to be found at the MHCC version, com-monly known as the Vista Dining Cen-ter. The prices aren’t bad. either. There are always combo deals for around five dollars. The Vista is south of the Book-store, on the upper level that hangs above the Student Union. I recommend going straight to the grill and wrap sta-tion.

At the grill you can order burgers, fries, chicken strips and grilled cheese

sandwiches, all freshly made. Every-thing the Vista staff makes is reason-ably sized and much better than other nearby fast food offerings. The fries are especially thick and crispy.

At the wrap station, you can choose a variety of wraps, taco salads, burritos and tacos. The choices of ingredients aren’t exhaustive, but what’s available is of good quantity, quality and taste. You can add bacon to anything, and re-ally, that’s all you need to know. One more plus is that the service is always top-notch.

Hopefully, I was able to enlight-en you on how to get some good food around campus. If you know of any more hidden spots or cheap eats here, tweet us about it @mhccadvocate.

by Rebecca GaulkeThe Advocate

After paying more than a grand in tuition for the term, the last thing any-one wants to do is shell out hundreds of dollars more for textbooks. Finding the best deals and learning the tricks of avoiding the chaos of the Campus Bookstore during the first few weeks is something all students need to know. So, read on.

First off, financial aid is now avail-able to students to help purchase their textbooks in the bookstore, continu-ing until October 1st. Be sure to pick up your books by then.

Grabbing your books from the bookstore might be the most conve-nient option, but it’s not necessarily the cheapest. Amazon has great deals for students, and will even allow you to trade them in for a good amount at the end of the term. Plus, you won’t have to stand in line for an hour at the book-store.

Better yet, buy books from friends and other students. Post what you’re selling on Facebook and Twitter and hang up posters around the school. The perks of buying from people you know is that they are more likely to give you a good deal.

Speaking of lines, the best way to avoid long lines at the bookstore, if you must go, during the first week is to go

early. Not 10 a.m. early–I’m talking be-fore 8am early. It’s worth waking up to avoid spending your whole afternoon standing in line.

The bookstore has extended hours during the first week of the term, open-ing at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are addi-tional hours on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These extended hours last only through Oct. 1, so take advantage while you can.

Some other great websites for find-

ing textbooks include half.com, which is an eBay company, and, of course, craigslist. But, be wary: What you see isn’t always what you get. If you’re like me and you don’t really care what con-dition the book is in as long as you can read it, then go for it. But if you insist on your books looking nice, the best route might be to buy them new.

Follow my advice and you’ll be good to go—you don’t want to find yourself unprepared and start the term off on the wrong foot.

Buy books for lessNeed a good place to eat?

Opinion2 Sept. 23, 2013

Tweet us @mhccadvocate like us @facebook.com/TheAdvocateOnlineFollow us @mhccadvocate

TipsTipsTips

Sept. 23, 2013 3Advocate

by Katelyn HilsenbeckThe Advocate

After 11 years spent in America’s heartland, MHCC President Debbie Derr has returned to familiar ground.

“This is truly coming home, not just home to my family, but home to Mt. Hood,” the newly hired campus leader said in an extended interview with The Advocate.

Derr was raised and began her ca-reer in Oregon. She worked at MHCC for 15 years and held several positions, including Vice President for Student Development and Services, before she departed in 2002.

Most recently, she was president of North Iowa Community College the past five years before assuming her new role at MHCC in July. Before that, she was Vice President for Learner Success at Madison College, in Madison, Wisc.

Derr explained that she left Mt. Hood to expand her horizons profes-

sionally, which should benefit the school now: “I feel I have far more to give the institution than if I had stayed here those 11 years,” she said.

On the personal side, her move to the Midwest also was driven by the need for her son, xxxx, to have ice dur-ing winter on which to play hockey, she added.

Derr’s three adult children all live in or near Portland and her many rela-tives remain in Oregon, helping to fuel a desire to return. When the MHCC po-

sition became open, she jumped at the chance.

“A couple things brought me back. One is I had decided I wanted to be a (college) president when I grew up and I’m pretty grown up now,” she said. “Secondly, I have a real loyalty to Mt. Hood. I always have.”

With faculty and students flocking to campus this month, Derr has made the rounds to introduce herself. Several MHCC faculty and staff members re-member her well and have gladly wel-comed her back, meanwhile.

Spanish intructor Aurora Benenati said, “My feelings about her leader-ship were positive before and I just feel the same way now,” after Derr’s speech to assembled faculty members on Wednesday.

“She always had a very positive at-titude, a warm smile, and I knew that she was very effective, knew how to set limits and had a lot of leadership,” Benenati said.

Derr, 57, will be paid $177,000 during the first year of a three-year contract.

She is Mt. Hood’s 10th president since its inception, and its first wom-an leader. She succeeds Michael Hay, who stepped aside in June after two years as president.

It’s been an incredible journey to land at the Gresham campus again, Derr said.

“Coming back and being in this office, it’s just... I have to pinch my-self sometimes, because it’s just ab-solutely something I never could have dreamed would happen.”

Now that she is home, Derr said, “I’m not going anywhere. You guys are stuck with me!” She plans to retire from MHCC eventually, but, for right

now, she said she is having too much fun.

As president, Derr plans to accom-plish what the Mt. Hood District Board hired her to do, to “really support the team that is here, to provide consis-tency and to let people know that I’m a sure thing,” she said.

Derr said promoting students’ suc-cess and their degree/certificate com-pletion is at the top of her priorities, as is helping each student achieve his or her own version of success. She also wants Mt. Hood to become a financially healthy institution.

“A lot of folks say they want the sparkle back on the diamond,” said Derr, who said she intends to bring it back.

“It’s important that people who are here, students, faculty, staff, are happy... and really want to be here and recognize and talk about what a won-derful place this is,” she said. “There are amazing things going on here every day.”

Derr said the Gresham-east Port-land community’s demographic evolu-tion over the last 10 years has provided

a special opportunity for MHCC– to be-come “a leader in workforce develop-ment, economic development, to pro-vide so many first generation students the opportunity to go to school.

“We have a responsibility as a com-munity college to have a breadth of aca-demic offerings,” she said. “The more we look at the reality of the job market and who employers are hiring, those specialized degrees can become even more important.”

Engaging the neighboring com-munity is a key objective for Derr, who wishes to create a safe, welcoming en-vironment.

Derr lists two vibrant places on campus she particularly enjoys: the Student Union and the Aquatic Center.

She feels the Aquatic Center “serves the community. We’re teach-ing a life skill,” she said. “It’s sort of a microcosm of what we do,” and the Student Union is a favorite spot be-cause, “students are there, they’re en-gaged, they’re sleeping sometimes and that’s okay!”

When she’s not on campus wear-

ing her president’s shoes, Derr loves to garden, spend time with her family and to be “doing crazy things like hiking and getting stung by wasps!” she said, showing off some recent stings. “I love the outdoors and there’s no place like home to be able to go hiking and camp-ing and fishing.”

“I feel very, very lucky and very fortunate to have the opportunity to be back at Mt. Hood. It’s wonderful to get up in the morning and know you’re coming to a place that makes such a difference in so many people’s lives,” she said.

“It’s been just a wonderful jour-ney.”

Derr brings back the sparkle

“It’s wonderful to get up in the morning and know you’re coming to a place that makes such a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Debbie DerrMHCC President

Fall term dates to know

Sept. 29 Last day to drop with a refund

Last day to add late with in-structor permission

Last day to withdraw from an individual class

Last day to completely with-draw from college

Oct. 4

Nov. 8 Dec. 6

Dates for standard length classesWelcome Back Week Schedule

Monday Free barbecue, popcorn

and prizes doled out from noon to 2 p.m. in the Main

Mall.

TuesdayFrom noon to 2 p.m. there will be free sandwiches and several games to try in the Mall, includ-ing Giant Checkers, Giant Chess,

tug of war, sack races, with more prizes handed out.

WednesdayThere will be a pool party from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Aquatic Center, with a giant inflatable obstacle course, rock climbing, free ice cream and

popcorn, and a photo booth to grab pictures with your friends.

ThursdayThere will be volleyball and

s’mores offered at the fire pit (near the large pond on the walkway toward the Gym)

from 5 to 7 p.m.

Above: MHCC President Debbie Derr has enjoyed her return to Oregon and Mt. Hood.Left: Derr speaks at the all staff convocation Wednesday.

Photo by Carole Riggs - The Advocate

For more of The Advocate’s interview with President Derr, go to our website, www.advocate-online.net

Debbie Derr is MHCC’s 10th President since the college opened 48 years ago.

5

10

Things to know about your MHCC

President

Derr was previously em-ployed at MHCC for 15 years and has been away from the campus for 11 years. 15Oregon is home to Derr and she intends to retire from MHCC.

Engaging in student suc-cess is one of her biggest priorities along with creat-ing an environment full of staff and students wanting to be here.

Derr journeyed to the mid-west in search of ice for her hockey playing son.

Photo by Melissa Casey - The Advocate

What you need to know

Cinemas

Advocate4 Sept. 23, 2013

1: St. Helens BistroMonday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *located upstairs in the 1700 building

2: Bookstore CafeMonday-Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3: Reader’s Cup Coffee ShopMonday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.*located on the main level of the Library

4: Vista Dining CenterMonday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Wrap station::11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Grill closes at 2 p.m.Case items available in lobby until 3 p.m.*Located upstairs above the Student Union

Food and drink options on campus

1

2

34

ID CardsMHCC student I.D. cards can be obtained with

valid photo I.D. at the Library or Student Union front desks. Each term, a new sticker will need to be added to the card to show current enrollment and receive student discounts. The first two weeks of the term, cards are available anytime at the Library and Stu-dent Union, but then only during the following hours:

Student Union: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1p.m.

Library: Monday-Thursday, 1 to 7:30p.m.Friday, 1 to 4:30p.m.Saturday, 12:30 to 4:30p.m.Sunday, 1:30 to 5:30p.m.

The Print and Mail Center does rush jobs, has computers available to alter documents and of-fers poster printing, coiling and bounding ser-vices, passport applications and international mail. The print shop is located on the lower level (basement) beneath the Academic Center and can be accessed by elevators or stairwells and by fol-lowing the yellow arrows, once on the lower level. Contact the center at: GSOrder@mhcc.edu.

College Print & Mail Center

Being a student gives you perks on campus. Check out our map for everything MHCC.

Dental Health ClinicThe Dental Health Clinic provides those in the community,

ages 3 and older, with cleanings and fluoride treatments and varnishes, x-rays and restorative care. There are discounts on cleanings for students and faculty. Dental Hygiene students are overseen by licensed professionals, and appointments last one to three hours. A list of services and how to enroll as a patient can be found at: www.mhcc.edu/DentalHygiene.

Library

The public and MHCC stu-dents may check out books from the Library. There also are Internet access stations, laptop loans (within the Library) and print stations.

Main Theater

Student Union

Academic Center

Planetarium shows are the first Tuesday or every month. Shows will be at 6:00, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is $2 and free to MHCC students.

The first show, “Wonders of the Fall Sky,” is Oct. 1.

Planetarium Sky Theater

MHCC has two other campuses,

Maywood Park and Bruning Center for Allied Health.

Maywood is located at 10100 N.E .Prescott St., Portland.

Bruning Center is located at 1484 N.W. Civic Drive, Gresham.

257th/Kane Drive

Industrial

Star

k St

reet

What you need to know

Cinemas

Issue 1 5Advocate

The Gym offers free access to a weight room, PE126, Monday–Friday from noon to 1 p.m., and on Mondays, Wednesdays and, Fri-days from 6 to 8 p.m. There also are intramural sports offered and handball, racquetball and tennis courts available during select times.

Gym

The rock wall, located in the Aquatic Center, is open for climbing six days a week. It offers 1,800 square feet of climbing area. Drop-ins are accepted during select hours; there also are rock climbing classes. There are student discounts for both daily and monthly climbing. Information on hours and fees can be found at: www.mhcc.edu/CommunityConnections.

Students receive entrance for open swim sessions at the Aquatic Center at no charge. Times and dates are available by calling (503) 491-7243.

Aquatic Center

Rock Wall

4

Public SafetyThere is

a public safety officer on duty 24-7 at MHCC. Security escorts are available

by calling (503) 491-7310. Officers can also assist with dead batteries and locked cars. The Public

Safety office is located next to the Library.

The Print and Mail Center does rush jobs, has computers available to alter documents and of-fers poster printing, coiling and bounding ser-vices, passport applications and international mail. The print shop is located on the lower level (basement) beneath the Academic Center and can be accessed by elevators or stairwells and by fol-lowing the yellow arrows, once on the lower level. Contact the center at: GSOrder@mhcc.edu.

College Print & Mail Center

Being a student gives you perks on campus. Check out our map for everything MHCC.

SalonCosmetology students overseen by their instruc-

tors provide a range of services that include nail care, hair care, skin care and waxing, hair color and hair styling. Students receive a 10 percent discount on all services. A menu of services can be found at: www.mhcc.edu/salon. The salon is located in the Main Mall, and is open 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Main Theater

Student Union

Athletics

The Advocate office is located in the Integrated Media building, Room AC1369.

Pick up a paper every Friday at our newstands marked with the newspaper symbol.

Photos by Carole Riggs- The Advocate

Earl L. Klapstein Stadium

Tennis Courts

Visual Arts

Advocate6Sept. 23, 2013

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532

MTHOOD_6_1x8_H.indd 1 8/9/13 2:21 PM

by Greg LeonovThe Advocate

U.S. Bank has opened a full-service branch in the MHCC Bookstore to offer financial resources to Mt. Hood stu-dents, staff and faculty members.

The bank is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, but officials said they’re willing to change hours of opera-tion depending on student needs. The bank’s main purpose is to serve MHCC students and employees and not out-side customers, officials said.

The branch will provide all services seen in most regular banks, such as various loans, savings and checking ac-counts, mortgages, and different types of investment options. There currently are cash incentives for opening a new account or referring a friend.

New ATMs on campus are free for U.S. Bank customers and people who bank with institutions that participate in the MoneyPass surcharge-free ATM network. If a customer’s own bank does not participate in the MoneyPass net-work, he or she is allotted four free ATM transactions per statement period; fur-ther transactions incur a $3.00 fee per transaction.

The new branch also offers “sec-ond-chance banking” to individu-als who do not currently hold the best credit ratings.

U.S. Bank chose to expand at MHCC because of the school’s size and large enrollment, a desire to partner with the college administration ”and its location in a market where U.S. Bank has a long history,” said Pat Swanson, U.S. Ban-corp spokesman.

“We are also strong advocates of fi-nancial education,” Swanson said. The branch intends to offer students free lessons in personal finance, school of-ficials said.

The bank had a soft opening in August, following construction that was unobtrusive to the Bookstore at-mosphere, said Julie Godat, Bookstore manager.

There will be a formal grand open-ing at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, with many giveaways and other activities planned.

Through Sept. 30, U.S. Bank is of-fering a student promotion: Those who open a student checking account will receive $25 loaded onto their new bank card, upon bringing a receipt showing new card charges totaling $25 or more.

US Bank opens in bookstore

Let Mt. Hood ease your stress Online resources

MHCC has a variety of research re-sources available to students, including databases and research tips. Simply go to the mhcc.edu website and click on Library. Scholarly articles, citation style guides, and even resources for distance learning are all listed. To access online databases from off campus, you will need to enter your last name and I.D. number. You can also chat with a li-brarian at any time, through email, text message, in person or over the phone.With so many methods of communica-tion readily available, don’t be afraid to ask when you have a question.

-Rebecca Gaulke

Learning Success Center

The Learning Success Center has a variety of resources available to stu-dents. The LSC is located above the Li-brary in Room 3300, and is open Mon-day through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tutoring services are available for: math, reading, writing, English language learners, study skills, sci-ence, and other subjects and computer help. A variety of free Student Success Seminars will be hosted during the Fall Term. Tutoring is available on a drop-in basis, or by appointment.

-Rebecca Gaulke

Career planning and counseling

Mt. Hood’s Career Planning and Counseling Center, located next to the MHCC Bookstore, has credit courses that coach students in career and life planning and in developing their re-sume.

There are advisers available by ap-pointment who can sit and talk with you one-on-one and help establish short or long-term goals.

Having trouble choosing a major? They help with that, too. After a short interview, the adviser works with you and helps you choose what steps you need to begin your path to the career you want. Stop by to make an appoint-ment, or check out the Career and Counseling Center tab on Mt. Hood’s website.

The center also hosts multiple job fairs throughout the year. It brings em-ployers to campus so that students can see the types of jobs out there. The ini-tial event, the Holiday Jobs Fair, will be held Tues. Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union.

-Missy Burchell

Photos by Carol Riggs - The Advocate

Above: The Library is one of many resources in the college that can help ease your work load. (Below) The Career Planning and Counseling Center can help you decide on a major and set goals to obtain it.

Photo by Carol Riggs - The Advocate

The U.S. Bank in the Bookstore is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 23, 2013 7Advocate

MHCC through their eyes

A long-time instructor at Mt. Hood recalls fondly the programs he’s had a big part in bringing to the college.

Faculty adviser Steve Michener has been a full-time employee at Mt. Hood for 25 years. Before coming to MHCC, he worked as an automotive technician at various dealerships (Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler) and an independent service shop.

“I have stayed at MHCC because I enjoy what I do and I have invested so much of my personal time and energy into the Chrysler CAP, Honda PACT and IMPORT programs,” he said.

Michener, and a former colleague, no longer with the college, created those programs together. “These are articulated programs with the vehicle manufactures and local repair shops providing 100 percent of our graduates with top-level training and full-time employment,” he said.

Michener said there are only a handful of colleges in America with these kinds of programs. There are even fewer with more than one.

“The value for Mt. Hood is that we (receive) literally millions of dollars’ worth of (donated) tools, training materials, and vehicles every year. For the students this means they are provided cutting-edge training, at the highest level,” Michener said.

- Danny Perez-Crouse

The Advocate talked to a few of Mt. Hood’s long time staff members to gain perspective on how they view campus... and why they haven’t left

Garie Zordich has been at MHCC for 18 years, owing largely to her apprecia-tion for her colleagues and students, she said.

Zordich has spent 13 years as the instructional administrative assistant for the Humanities Department. Prior to that, she was a Title III secretary, a sec-retary to research and planning, and secretary for the MHCC business depart-ment.

Previously, she worked for IBM, where she earned several certificates of certification for specialized courses. She also attended Fresno State University and Glendale Community College in California.

Zordich had several ties to the Mt. Hood campus, with a friend being an employee and her own daughter a former student here.

She said what makes MHCC special is its sense of community. Over the years, she said, the “dedication of the staff and their commitment to students” has remained a constant.

On the flip side, “I think there’s been a real difference in the types of students we serve,” Zordich said. After being exposed to so much technology today, “I think they expect so much more,” she said.

- Katelyn Hilsenbeck

Garie ZordichSince 1995

Graphic Design instructor Chris Maier is starting her 26th year at Mt. Hood and has great things to say about the students, human resources and the college courses.

Maier has a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design, which she earned at Arizona State Univer-sity. Her graduate studies were at the University of Kansas, and Kent State University in Ohio. She also has contributed to the award-winning editorial layouts in Plazm Magazine.

Over the years, Maier has contributed to the graphic design division in a variety of ways, including the role of department chair and management. But her students are what keep her coming back to Mt. Hood, she said.

“I love seeing how my students’ lives have been changed through my Graphic Design program,” she said. “I’ve made it a point to keep in touch with most of my students over the years. I know where they work, how their families are doing, and how their careers have evolved.”

Maier said that the human resources at Mt. Hood are what really make it special – “plus, the fact that it’s in Oregon. Yay!”

Asked what her favorite thing about Mt. Hood, she responded, “I think it’s cool that MHCC trains students to learn something specific. In less than two years, you can become a fish biologist, a hair-dresser, a potter, a mortician, a filmmaker, a jazz musician, a dental hygienist or a welder.

“Mt. Hood offers way more than just your typical college classes,” she said.

- Danny Perez-Crouse

Chris MaierSince 1988

Court Carrier started working on campus in 1987 and hasn’t left since. Carrier is the program director and lead instructor of the Hospitality and Tourism program, a career field he has enjoyed much of his life.

Carrier began in the industry as a lifeguard at Glacier National Park in Montana. Later, he worked as a hotel bellman, greeting guests and helping them to their rooms, all while making $1.10 per hour.

During his last summer before heading to graduate school at Cornell University, Carrier was hired again at Glacier National Park, but this time as resort general man-ager, at the age of 23. “My goal all along was to be in management and running hotels and resorts,” he said.

Upon returning to Portland after working a long list of different hotel jobs over the course of 20 years, Carrier became the first full time Hospitality and Tourism program

director at Mt. Hood.“It’s a fantastic field, and I love sharing that with students,” said Carrier. “I love it when

people take care of other people.” In 1987, there were just eight students

in the program. Today, there are more than 100 enrolled each term. There were only four classes offered that first year, while today there are nearly 40.

Students who have graduated from the program hold jobs all over the world, running hotels, restaurants,

and other parks and recreation jobs, Carrier said. “In my industry, there are 350 different job classifications. We aren’t trying to teach people to be just one thing,

“I have stayed at MHCC because I want to share my passion for the in-

dustry with as many students as possible, hoping that they will also fall in love with

the business,” he said.

- Rebecca Gaulke

Court CarrierSince 1987

Distance Learning tips from your Living Arts editor

Steve MichenerSince 1988

Garie Zordich helps run the Humanities department and has created many ties to Mt. Hood over the years.photo by Carole Riggs- The Advocate

Court Carrier is the Hospitality and Tourism program director.

photo by Carole Riggs- The Advocate

by Rebecca GaulkeThe Advocate

If you are new to online courses, they may be a bit tricky to navigate at first. Online classes are fast-paced, and unforgiving if you miss assignments, but if you stay on top of things, the course becomes much more manage-able.

The first thing you need to know is that you MUST sign on to Blackboard

within the first couple days of the term or you will be dropped from the course.

You can officially sign into the course today, so if you unsuccessfully tried before now, try again immedi-ately.

“Students must log in the first day of classes and not just sometime in the first week,” said Cat Megic, MHCC’s Distance Learning program coordina-tor.

Here’s what else you need to know:-Go to mhcc.edu and click on Dis-

tance Learning. You will be taken to mhcc.blackboard.com. Bookmark this page for future use, because you will use it often, if not daily.

-Log in using your student I.D. number and your birthday as your pass-

word (MM/DD/YY). If you have trouble, contact Distance Learning at 503-491-7170.

-Read the syllabus and all other materials provided. Most courses will have some kind of introductory assign-ment/discussion to complete during the first week, so make sure you do it in order to avoid being dropped from the class. You must actually participate in the introductory assignment to be con-sidered present for the class.

-It’s important to realize that the first couple weeks are crucial for online courses, so be sure to stay organized and on top of all assignments. Meet-ing deadlines and due dates are vital to your success – missing only ONE major assignment can set you back for the

entire term.-Being self-motivated is a must

for online courses. Online courses have due dates every week and move at a fast pace.

-You need access to a computer. Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. Having a smart phone won’t be suf-ficient enough to complete all course-work, although there are apps available which will help you to stay organized.

-If you are taking your first on-line or hybrid course, a helpful online course orientation is available (see dates below).

These are drop-in sessions, so be sure to check them out so you can be successful in your online classes this term.

The dates for online orientations are:

-Mon., Sept. 23: 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. or 3:30-5 p.m. in AC 1303

-Tues., Sept. 24: 3:30 to 5 p.m. in AC 1309

Advocate8 Sept. 23, 2013

Tuesday, October 1 | 12:30 p.m.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held in front of the U.S. Bank Branch, locatedinside the Bookstore on the Gresham Campus.

The celebration will include event remarks, refreshments, Captain Shield (the U.S. BankMascot) and a prize wheel with giveaway items1 from U.S. Bank and the Mt. HoodCommunity College Bookstore – all taking place in front of the Bookstore.

usbank.com

You are cordially invited to a

Ribbon Cut t ing Celebrat ionof the new, full-service U.S. Bank Branch

at Mt. Hood Community College!

Event remarks by the following dignitaries:

Dr. Debra Derr, Mt. Hood Community College President

Dan Hoke, U.S. Bank SVP, Campus Cards & On-Site Banking Division Manager

Jacob Baker, U.S. Bank District Manager

Britt Halliday, U.S. Bank Branch Manager

Please RSVP by September 23rd to Kimberly Armstrong via email at:

kimberly.armstrong@usbank.com or phone at 509-353-5990.

Stop by the U.S. Bank Branch today and register to win a Nexus 7 Tablet2 (32 GB).The winner’s name will be drawn during the event.

U.S. Bank, The only Bank on Campus

1. While supplies last. 2. No purchase necessary. See branch for official rules. U.S. Bank, Member FDIC

nCoach Chelsie Speer, 5th year

nOutlook

NWAACC champions in 2011, the Saints hope to ride outstanding hitter Lihau Perreira (pictured) and seven other returning sopho-mores to another title run this year.

n2012 record

32-11, South Region champions, 4th place NWAACC championship tournament

nCoach Tyler Rose, 1st year

Former assistant Rose hopes to reverse a grim finish last year, starting with snap-ping a 20-game losing skid.

nOutlook

nCoach Matt Hart, 9th year

nOutlook

Womens: (5th place NWAACC championship tournament) The Saints struggled to field a full squad during much of 2012 but hope to rebound with improved numbers this fall.

Mens: (9th place NWAACC championship tourna-ment) Mt. Hood will rely on a freshman-laden team that includes several former Mount Hood Conference high school standouts.

November

nCoach Meadow McWhorter, 12th season

nOutlook

A perennial power, Mt. Hood will chase another title with returning ace pitchers Kristen Crawford and Ann-Marie Guischer and reigning South Region player of the year, short-stop Teauna Hughes (pictured).

n2013 record

Bryan Donohue, 7th year

The Saints again should be carried by strong pitching and defense to battle for the South Region crown.

31-14, South Region champions, 5th place NWAACC tournament

nCoach

nOutlook

n2013 record

March

September

Did you know?MHCC does not have a football or soccer team!

Mt. Hood features six intercollegiate sports teams that compete in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC), which includes 34 schools in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia (not all schools compete in all sports). For results, standings and more: nwaacc.org.

nCoach

39-7, South Region champions, 3rd place NWAACC tournament

2-23, 8th place South Region

n2012-13 record

Saints look for a strong lineup of returning sopho-mores to make a run at the postseason, includ-ing standouts Landon Rushton (pictured) and Mac Johnson.

11-15, 6th place South Region

n2012-13 record

nOutlook

Geoff Gibor, 5th year