• Meet Your SOAR Team Leaders


  • Arieanna Elizabeth Taylor

    Name: Arieanna Elizabeth Taylor

    Hometown: Gresham, Oregon

    Major: Associates Science Major

    Why you choose MHCC:
    I chose MHCC because it's a starter college to learn greater things in life. It's a place where you can grow as a person and flourish into who you want to become in life. This college is the place I learned many things about myself and how much I wanted to be an Educational Assistant as a career. I want to achieve two Associates degree: one in General Studies and one in Associate degree of Science for Education.

    Why you choose to be an ambassador for MHCC:
    I know I can be an amazing leader to others and a good example of what to follow in the future. I also want to provide help to others it’s my passion to teach anyone that's willing to learn. I want to inspire people to have great futures and be able to help them grow as a person and feel successful in everything they do throughout their process at MHCC!

    Hobbies: Music, Singing, Dancing, Yoga and Art, Poetry


    Ashley Anne Stamper

    Name: Ashley Anne Stamper

    Major: Undecided

    Hometown: Corbett, Oregon

    Why you chose MHCC?
    I chose MHCC because it was close to home and it seemed like the perfect less intimidating next step for going back to school.

    Why did you choose to be an ambassador?
    When my advisor first recommended the SOAR program it was one option that could help relieve some of the financial stress that comes along with going back to college. After doing some more research and talking more in-depth with the two lovely ladies that run the program. I realized that SOAR could give me a chance to be involved with the community at MHCC and to put out positive encouragement for anyone struggling to say “Yes” to furthering their education. SOAR Is giving me a chance to achieve my own goals while trying to help others do the same.

    Hobbies: Reading, Watching Deadliest Catch


    Elexa Lopez-Ubaldo

    Name: Elexa Lopez-Ubaldo

    Hometown: Gresham, Oregon

    Major: Elementary Education

    Why you chose MHCC: I chose MHCC because it's affordable and close to home.

    Why you chose to be an ambassador for MHCC: I love meeting new people and helping out as much as possible. Being part of the SOAR Team will help further my leadership skills.

    Hobbies: Listen to music, watch shows/movies, bake, read, and draw


    Emily Phoun

    Name: Emily Phoun

    Hometown: Gresham, Oregon

    Major: Criminal Justice

    Why you choose MHCC: Attending MHCC allowed me to be closer to home, and it was easily affordable for me

    Why you choose to be an ambassador for MHCC: The reason why I choose to be an ambassador is because it gave me an opportunity to be more involved with the school.

    Hobbies: Art, Music, Traveling, Photography


    Gabriel Guodace

    Name: Gabriel Guodace

    Major: Mechanical Engineering

    Hometown: Portland, Oregon

    Why you chose MHCC: I chose MHCC because of my career goals and how they aligned with the courses provided. MHCC has transfer degrees for mechanical engineering, and the amount of staff support combined with the affordability of the courses means that Mt. Hood is a wonderful opportunity for returning students such as myself.

    Why you chose to be an ambassador: There can be a lot of confusion and stigma regarding community college and what it provides, and my goal is to demystify some of those assumptions to make MHCC as appealing to others as it is to me. I want to show people that community college can be an amazing resource, and I hope that I can encourage people to enroll, who otherwise would have never considered.

    Favorite Hobby/Outdoor Adventure: I love to play basketball, go hiking and play videogames in my free time.


    Jennifer Luu

    Name: Jennifer Luu

    Major: Nursing

    Hometown: Portland, OR

    Why you choose MHCC: I chose MHCC because of the opportunities to gain more knowledge before transferring to a university. MHCC also provides great programs that motivate their students to succeed. I chose MHCC because of the nursing program that it has.

    Why you choose to be an ambassador: I have a passion for helping others. I want to help students in achieving their goals and be successful. I want to help them realize the importance of attending college. I also want to gain more leadership skills and other skills. I understand the struggles of graduating high school seniors, so I want to help them reach their dreams. Community College is a good start in their path of education. I hope I can inspire others to pursue their passion and help them navigate through the struggles in school.

    Hobbies: Listening to Music, Reading, Watching "Criminal Minds"

    Outdoor Adventure: Badminton, Photography, Travel


    Jesse Fleishman

    Name: Jesse Fleishman

    Major: Engineering Transfer

    Hometown: Milwaukie, OR

    Why I chose MHCC: I chose MHCC because of its close connection with OSU. Wanting to become an engineer I am able to figure out what kind of engineer I want to be and get a engineering degree at MHCC and then transfer to OSU

    Why I chose to be an ambassador for MHCC: I chose to be an ambassador for MHCC because it has options for everyone even though I haven't attended for too long it still seems like a great school.


    Robyn Philistin

    Name: Robyn Philistin

    Major: Nursing

    Hometown: Born in Vancouver, WA

    Why you choose MHCC: I knew that I wanted to complete my degree at a community college, MHCC is very close to my apartment, and has a great nursing program.

    Why you choose to be an ambassador for MHCC: I am a first-year college student and I want to be as involved as possible to get the most out of my college experience. I am enjoying learning about new opportunities and tools MHCC has to offer. Being an ambassador allows me to share my knowledge while learning more through working with others.

    Hobbies: When I find time away from studying and work; I enjoy going to the coast with my family, cooking delicious meals, and watching my daughter explore the world.


    Ruby Avalos Ruiz

    Name: Ruby Avalos Ruiz

    Major: Business Administration

    Hometown: Portland, Oregon

    Why you choose MHCC: I wanted an affordable education and something close to home. MHCC gave me a great educational option where I can transfer to PSU after my 2 years at MHCC. Another reason I chose MHCC is because they support and encourages their students to keep pushing & pursuing their dreams.

    Why you choose to be an ambassador for MHCC: I chose to be an ambassador because I enjoy helping others & it well help me better my leadership skills. Being a part of the SOAR Team will help me share my experience as well as introduce me to new people! As an ambassador I hope to learn many things as well as doing things out of my comfort zone!

    Hobbies: Soccer, Traveling, Music, Movies, Working


    Samuel D'Avanzo

    Name: Samuel D’Avanzo

    Major: Mental Health Social Service Addiction Counseling

    Hometown: Originally SE Portland Currently living in Boring Oregon

    Why I chose MHCC: I decided to attend MHCC because of the location and all the great programs and degree options that it had to offer. Once starting MHCC I knew it was a great choice because everyone was so kind and helpful and my transition to college life was made easy. It is also a beautiful campus to get to spend time at while working towards my goals.

    Why I chose to be an ambassador for MHCC: I decided I wanted to be an ambassador because I love helping and meeting new people. Becoming a MHCC ambassador gives me the opportunity to connect with the school and the students attending. With my experiences I hope to help other students with anything they need.

    Hobbies: Traveling, skiing, swimming, camping, family, helping others


    Shaquelle Briggs

    Name: Shaquelle Briggs (yes, I was named after Shaquille O’Neal)

    Hometown: The PNW

    Why you chose MHCC: I chose Mt Hood because of the proximity to home. I’m a full-time parent and employee so, the less travel time between responsibilities, the more productive I can be.

    Why you chose to be an ambassador: I’m eager to be an ambassador because I have the potential to be a great leader and this opportunity will help me to improve on those leadership and people skills.

    Favorite hobby: I love to write, dance and read

    Outdoor Adventure: This is the PNW, the best place for hiking and nature walks. I also love skydiving.


    Weston Dahl

    Name: Weston Dahl

    Hometown: Gresham, Oregon

    Major: General Studies

    Why you chose MHCC: Attending MHCC is a great first step towards completing a college degree debt free. Completing undergraduate credits as a Saint allows me to save money, while still being able to work outside of school, and learn from all the great programs MHCC offers.

    Why you chose to be an ambassador for MHCC: Being part of the SOAR team allows me to gain valuable leadership experience and meet a lot of great people.

    Hobbies: Movies, sports, cars, snowboarding, and reading.