Mt Hood Community College drops broadcast course

In a sign of the times, Portland’s Mt Hood Community College has decided to drop it’s long-running Broadcasting program.  Like Tacoma’s Bates Technical College, Mt Hood can boast many graduates that went on to careers in both radio & TV throughout Oregon & beyond.  The program – one of 7 being axed by the institution – was identified in an “academic revitalization” review as one that had seen declining enrollment, less job opportunities for graduates & a decrease in income from the profession.   The review decisions still need to be approved by the MHCC  District Board of Education before being discontinued.  This reporter can’t help but wonder if declining interest in the broadcast program is, in part, because of the college’s sale of it’s student-run FM station 89.1 KMHD,  still operating as a full-time jazz station, although now owned by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).  Having an on-campus functioning radio station is a definite attraction for students entering broadcasting arts programs, both in the past & at other universities & colleges.  No time frame for the program’s end has yet been announced.