Mt. Hood Community College Earns National Recognition with Three Prestigious Awards

By MHCC, For The Sandy Standard

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) has received national recognition for excellence in marketing and public relations, earning three top honors in the highly competitive National Council for Marketing & Public Relations’ Paragon Awards — the only awards program dedicated exclusively to professionals at two-year colleges across the country.

MHCC stood out on the national stage for its community engagement campaign surrounding the successful bond measure, earning the competition’s highest honor, awarded to only one college nationwide: the Mark L. Olsen Best in Show Award.

This year’s awards drew 1,585 entries from colleges nationwide. Of all the entries, 98 colleges were recognized across 48 categories, highlighting the very best in strategic communications, storytelling, and community engagement.

In total, MHCC received the following honors:

• Mark L. Olsen Best in Show Award for the Historic MHCC Bond Passage, the competition’s highest honor, awarded to only one college nationwide
• Gold Paragon Award for Government or Community Relations Campaign for the Historic MHCC Bond Passage
• Silver Paragon Award for Special Event or Fundraising Campaign for the MHCC Champions Gala

“We are incredibly honored to receive these awards. These achievements mark another historic moment for our college as it’s the first time MHCC has ever received the Mark L. Olson Best in Show Award. I am extremely proud of our team for their dedication and making these wins possible. We also couldn’t have done it without the support of our entire community and every voter who said ‘yes’ to higher education,” said Jennifer Boehmer, MHCC Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement.

The award-winning Historic MHCC Bond Passage campaign demonstrated the college’s ability to effectively engage and mobilize the community around a shared vision for the future. Likewise, the MHCC Champions Gala showcased the strength of the college’s relationships and its commitment to celebrating and supporting student success.

“Behind every enrollment milestone, retention gain, and student success story is a team of marketing and communications professionals working strategically and creatively to connect students with opportunity,” said Patrick Stone, NCMPR’s 2025-26 President. “This year’s winners stood out in an extraordinary field of entries, demonstrating that when community colleges invest in creativity and innovation, they amplify their mission and transform lives.”

These recognitions underscore the collective effort behind MHCC’s success. Faculty, staff, leadership, and community partners all played a vital role in bringing these campaigns to life. To view highlights from the awards ceremony, including MHCC’s recognitions, visit the official Paragon Awards video presented at the 2025 ceremony.