PCC’s Future Connect alums earn life-changing scholarships to reach their higher ed dreams
Photos and story by James Hill
Forest Grove’s Shelly Dominguez Alfaro admits Portland Community College was her backup plan for college. However, the backup plan soon became “Plan A” and she could not have been happier.
“When I first heard about Future Connect and PCC, it was from my coach Nereida (Macias) when she visited my high school,” said Dominguez Alfaro. “I thought, ‘Why not apply and see what happens?’”
Shelly Dominguez Alfaro.
Dominguez Alfaro was notified that she earned a Future Connect scholarship and soon entered PCC to take classes. The Future Connect Program assists underserved students with support, coaching and academic guidance on their journey to completion of a two-year degree or certificate.
“The amount of support I was given was astronomically helpful, not only academically but also personally,” she said. “There was never a moment when I was at PCC that I felt like I couldn’t complete the school year; and I am grateful for the numerous questions answered and time set aside for me.”
At PCC and in the Future Connect Program, Dominguez Alfaro would earn the credits needed to graduate with her transfer degree. She wanted to transfer to a four-year school to possibly study business marketing, while being able to experience similar support opportunities Dominguez Alfaro found at PCC. It turns out that she didn’t need to look far. She was chosen as a recipient of Future Connect’s Next Step Scholarships, which pays for tuition and other costs at Lewis & Clark College, and Pacific and Linfield universities. She is now a junior at Pacific in Forest Grove.
“Receiving the Next Step scholarship has been a huge opportunity as I would no longer have to worry about the anxiety that comes with taking such a big loan,” she said. “The money that would have been used for my bachelor’s degree can now be saved for my master’s.”
Gabby Garcia.
On average, Next Step scholars receive between $35,000 to $68,000 annually through institutional scholarships, merit-based scholarships and grants. In addition to these awards, they also receive need-based aid through federal (FAFSA) or state financial aid (ORSAA).
Starting with Lewis & Clark in 2012, these partnerships have paved the way for transferring students, offering the financial backing they need to succeed at these private universities. And the scholarship keeps expanding as Linfield now includes students pursuing a nursing degree located on its Portland campus, along with two additional programs: PCC students in CAMP and TRiO.
Transfer Coach Gabby Garcia, who hails from Newberg, was a first-generation, low-income student herself when she went to Oregon State University. Because of having experienced what it is like to struggle to find scholarships and financial assistance, she said her favorite aspect of coaching is working with students who are like her.
“The Next Step Scholarships have had a profound and transformative impact on our students’ lives,” Garcia said. “This scholarship marks a crucial moment, opening the doors to private four-year institutions that may have once seemed financially out of reach. By alleviating significant financial burdens, the scholarship empowers students to fully dedicate themselves to their academic journeys without the constant worry of tuition costs.”
Miguel Vasquez Avendano.
Every year, Pacific offers up to three full tuition Next Step Scholarships, and Linfield and Lewis & Clark provide five each. The numbers of PCC students who have transferred with a Next Step Scholarship to each institution from 2016 to 2024 include 28 to Pacific; 22 to Linfield; and 11 to Lewis & Clark.?
“The impact extends beyond just the students; it also positively affects their families, who have been their biggest cheerleaders, creating positive ripple effects within their communities,” Garcia said. “These transformations highlight the essential role of financial aid in making education accessible — and empowering students to fulfill their dreams.”
PCC alum, and Linfield junior, Miguel Vasquez Avendano is a Next Step Scholar who wants to be a role model for others who want to become a teacher. The Gresham resident is studying elementary education and wants to make a difference in his community. He said Future Connect had a major impact on his educational journey.
“I never thought I was capable of attending a private university until I received the Next Step Scholarship,” he said. “Receiving this scholarship has given me such huge opportunities such as being able to live on campus, learning to network, and being able to continue my college journey after PCC.”
Alicia Sanchez.
PCC Alum Alicia Sanchez of Northeast Portland is also a junior at Linfield where she studies biology. She first discovered Future Connect from her Escalera mentor at Benson Polytechnic High School.?
“The Next Step Scholarship gave me the opportunity to consider attending a private university instead of public,” she said. “Private institutions were not something I would have even considered because of the cost.”
For more information, visit /future-connect/
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »