Portland Community College Celebrates Future Connect Milestone

The college program marks 15 years of supporting first-generation and low-income students in their academic pursuits.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration depicting a stylized academic building and a growing sapling, representing educational support and student success. — Portland Community College celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Future Connect program, which has supported 5,000 students since 2011. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Portland Community College and the PCC Foundation are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Future Connect program, which reached the milestone in October 2026. Since its inception in the 2011-12 academic year, the initiative has served nearly 5,000 students through scholarships and academic coaching.

Why it matters

The program provides critical resources to first-generation and low-income students to help them complete college and successfully transfer to four-year institutions. Its success has led to statewide legislative support and the adoption of similar initiatives across the institution.

The Future Connect program has successfully secured more than $24 million in gifts and grants to support its operations and student scholarship efforts. This includes $8 million dedicated specifically to direct scholarship support for participants.

The players

Portland Community College

This public community college operates multiple campuses across Portland and the surrounding region.

PCC Foundation

This organization serves as the philanthropic arm of the college, securing funding for student scholarships and campus programs.

Education Northwest

This nonprofit research organization provides evaluations and studies on educational effectiveness and policy outcomes.

The details

Future Connect supports students by providing personalized advising, career guidance, and success coaching to help them navigate academic and financial barriers. The program model partners with both public and private donors to fund its wide array of student resources.

The first Future Connect cohort entered Portland Community College during the 2011-12 academic year.
In 2015, the Oregon legislature passed House Bill 3063, the Aspirations to College law, modeled on the program.
The program received a $1.3 million state grant in 2016.
A 2017 Education Northwest evaluation verified improvements in student completion rates.
Portland Community College piloted a First-Year Experience initiative in fall 2024.

Culture Shift

The program helped catalyze the statewide adoption of the Aspirations to College law, shifting how public institutions prioritize first-generation student outcomes. This success reflects a broader trend toward data-driven support models aimed at increasing college completion rates.

Students at Portland Community College can access personalized coaching and scholarship opportunities that reduce financial barriers to higher education. These resources directly impact the ability of low-income and first-generation learners to maintain steady academic progress.

The takeaway

The success of this program demonstrates how long-term investments in mentorship and financial aid can significantly improve graduation outcomes for students. Prospective students should engage with college advising early to determine their eligibility for these specialized support programs.