Aspyn Erickson addressing the audience of students and supporters gathered at the PCC Foundation Scholarship Reception, 2026.

PCC alum Aspyn Erickson reflects on the people who believed in her, the scholarships that helped her continue her education, and the dream she’s still working toward.

When Aspyn Erickson traveled to Spain, she expected to experience a new culture, live with a local family, and explore the world. She didn’t expect the experience to change how she thought about her own future.

As she traveled, conversations with people from other countries made her reflect on the opportunities she had growing up in the United States — and how she wanted to use them.

“I kept thinking, I have access to so much. What am I actually doing with it?” she recalled.

Aspyn had always wanted to help people. She began imagining a future working in Africa to expand access to clean water and food. She didn’t yet know exactly how she would get there, but she knew education was the first step.

At 26, after eight years away from college, Aspyn returned home ready to begin again. Her life was still coming together. She needed to find work, housing, and transportation. But she was certain about one thing: she was ready to go back to school.

Finding her way back

Returning to 91���� meant more than enrolling in classes. It meant reconnecting with people who had supported Aspyn years earlier.

Joshua Meed and Suzanne Hesse, who had helped guide her through Future Connect, were still 91����. They remembered her and welcomed her back.

And they weren’t the only ones. Aspyn found th91���� was full of people who cared about her success. She met with tutors every week, accessed the Basic Needs Hub for help with essentials, and learned from instructors who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

One photography professor made such an impression that Aspyn still keeps a notebook filled with memorable words of wisdom from their classes. That encouragement helped her grow as a photographer, and her work has appeared in the college’s PCC Point publication and been featured in galleries.

For Aspyn, these experiences helped make her return to college different. She was working toward a future she believed in, surrounded by people who wanted to see her succeed. 

Aspyn Erickson

The breathing room to focus on school

A PCC Foundation scholarship gave Aspyn something important as she took a full course load: room to focus on her education.

She was still concerned about money, but the scholarship eased some of that pressure while she worked part-time in a work-study position.

The scholarship was meaningful not only because it helped cover expenses, but because of what it represented.

“As a first-generation college student, these opportunities changed what I thought was possible for my life,” Aspyn said.

Receiving the scholarship was affirming. It showed her that the hard work she was putting into her education mattered, and that someone she had never met was willing to invest in her future.

That support helped her keep moving toward her goals. In June, Aspyn graduated from PCC with her associate degree — a milestone she is really proud of — and continued her education at Linfield University, where she is studying international business.

A scholarship there covered her tuition, room, and board.

“A full ride!” she said with excitement.

A future still unfolding

Today, Aspyn is continuing to explore what comes next. But her larger goal hasn’t changed. She still hopes to work in Africa to help expand access to clean water and food.

She knows that getting there will take time, learning, and perhaps a few unexpected turns along the way. A lesson from her photography professor has stayed with her: happy accidents are okay. Sometimes the path forward becomes clear only after you take the first step.

For Aspyn, scholarships have helped make those steps possible. They have supported her education, expanded the experiences available to her, and helped her imagine a future she hadn’t always known was within reach.

She knows what it feels like to have someone believe in her future before she could fully imagine it herself.

91���� supporters gathered on Saturday, May 30 at the Sylvania Campus Performing Arts Center for an evening of connection, celebration, and fundraising at the annual “Together for Tomorrow” event hosted by the PCC Foundation and presented by Comcast. The event raised $340,420 to support student scholarships.

“It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who care deeply about creating opportunities for PCC students,” said Foundation Executive Director Christina Kline. “The funds raised will help more students succeed by removing financial barriers and providing critical support when they need it most.”

Attendees arrived to find the Performing Arts Center courtyard transformed into a vibrant pavilion, where they mixed and mingled while enjoying delicious food, handcrafted beverages, and exuberant music from PCC student before moving to the theater auditorium for an inspiring program of storytelling and collective support.

Kianalia Towle, a PCC veterinary technology student and scholarship recipient, shared her story of overcoming numerous challenges to pursue her dream career through a and personal message to the audience.

“My time at 91���� has taught me that resilience isn’t built alone. It grows when people show up for each other. The scholarships I received gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: Relief,” explained Towle. “But more than that, those scholarships told me something I desperately needed to hear: That my future was still possible. That someone believed in me. And that kind of belief can change a person.”

A number of prominent PCC supporters and community leaders contributed additional remarks throughout the evening, including Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for Comcast, Tim Goodman; PCC Acting President Dr. Katy Ho, Foundation Executive Director Christina Kline, and Foundation Board President Jans Dykhouse. Josh Laurie, dean of college success programs, served as emcee, and benefit auctioneer Kelly Russell led the special appeal.

The night ended with desserts, dancing, and a brighter future ahead for more PCC students.

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Continue Creating Opportunity

The need for scholarship support continues long after the event ends. Every gift helps students access education, navigate challenges, and build the futures they envision for themselves and their families.

Together, we shape what comes next.

Together for Tomorrow 2025: A New Era of Community Support

On May 17, 2025, Together for Tomorrow raised $326,640 for student success!

91���� supporters came together in a powerful show of generosity on Saturday, May 17, raising $326,640 at Together for Tomorrow, a new celebration hosted by the PCC Foundation at the Sylvania Campus and presented by Comcast. The funds will directly support Bridges to the Future scholarships and other critical student needs.

This lively event marked a fresh chapter for PCC’s annual fundraiser, replacing the traditional gala with a vibrant, on-campus celebration designed to foster connection, expand access, and ground the experience in the heart of PCC’s community. Festive party tents transformed the Performing Arts Center courtyard into a full-scale celebration where attendees enjoyed an expansive spread of delicious fare, custom cocktails, and an endorphin-pumping soundtrack from , a PCC student and DJ for several of Portland’s pro sports teams.

At the heart of the evening were powerful student stories that illustrated the real-world impact of scholarship support. Jonathan Bennett Watson, a PCC alum now studying engineering at Oregon State University, spoke about his experience of how his scholarship helped him prioritize his studies:

“The Bridges to the Future scholarship allowed me to reduce my work hours and focus on my education. That time — that space — changed everything for me. No longer were assignments just tasks to complete. They were puzzles to solve. Challenges to embrace. This shift in mindset pushed me to reach my full potential.”

Additional moments of inspiration came through video storytelling. shared how she overcame a difficult childhood to thrive with the help of scholarship support. In another video, showed how the PCC Foundation expands access to education, strengthens student supports, and ignites workforce opportunities across the region.

The evening opened with a rousing performance by the Rex Putnam High School Indoor Percussion, and featured remarks from PCC President Dr. Adrien L. Bennings, Foundation Executive Director Christina Kline, Foundation Board President Kim Morgan, and Rebecca Brown, Senior Director of Community Impact at Comcast, the event’s presenting sponsor. Sama Shagaga, Foundation Trustee, served as emcee, and benefit auctioneer Kelly Russell led the special appeal.

“The funds raised will have a transformative impact for students,” said Christina Kline. “It’s truly inspiring to be in community with so many people who believe in the power of education to change lives — people who understand that the future we want is one we build together.”

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