Message from Executive Director Ben Cannon
For me and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, summer presents opportunities to reflect on our purposes and chart new directions for the years to come. I am happy to share highlights of conversations and collaborations that I have especially appreciated lately.
Many of you have shared valuable insights that have informed the development of our strategic plan, which is nearing completion. The wide range of perspectives—gained through a statewide survey, public meetings, and partner focus group sessions—has challenged HECC to think carefully and think big about our best role for Oregonians. We are doubling down on the importance of changing systems to ensure equitable postsecondary success for all, and we are simultaneously emphasizing the profound potential at the core of higher education and training to build a thriving economic, civic, and cultural future for all people.
Also at the August public Commission meeting, after months of development and discussions, the Commission approved the HECC budget recommendations to the Governor for higher education and workforce training. I am especially thankful to the students and community members who took time to testify and tell their personal stories about the impact of higher education and workforce investments. The ARB is an early step in the budgetary process leading to the 2025 Legislative Session, and the next step in this process will be the Governor's Recommended Budget.
This newsletter is full of more news on recent and future convenings and results of recent initiatives and partnerships that are so critical to serving Oregonians. Thanks for reading, and thanks as always for your engagement.
Commission is in the Final Phases of Strategic Plan Development
One of the key responsibilities of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), established by statute, is to adopt a strategic plan to achieve state postsecondary and training goals. This fall, the Commission expects to adopt a new plan that builds on and replaces the current planning documents. This foundational document will guide the agency strategies and actions to serve Oregonians for the next five years. The HECC is currently reaching out to key partners and agency staff for input in this final stretch of the development process.
The new strategic plan in development builds on the prior roadmap and framework, but focuses more particularly on how the HECC will exercise its leadership and statutory authorities to advance State objectives for postsecondary education and workforce development. Coraggio Group has provided facilitation to the Commission and staff on the strategic planning process and has led the discussion with Commissioners. View Coraggio Group's presentation on the HECC strategic plan here.
Higher Education and Workforce Agency Request Budget (ARB) for 2025-27 Approved to Advance to the Governor
At its August public meeting, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) approved the postsecondary education and training Agency Request Budget (ARB) amounts for 2025-27. The proposed $4.75 billion budget represents the agency's recommendations to the Governor, and with this approval, the full ARB document will be submitted to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) by August 30, an early step in a multi-phased state budget development process described here. The next step in the budget process will be the Governor's Recommended Budget which generally comes out in December and becomes a starting point for deliberations during the 2025 Legislative Session.
To support a shared and realistic understanding at this point in the budgetary environment, Governor Kotek and DAS instructed HECC this year to keep its ARB request for new proposals or for increased state spending under a set limit to align with the realities outlined in the most recent state economic forecast. To meet these expectations, most funding levels in the HECC ARB are at Current Service Level amounts; these amounts are determined by applying inflationary increases to the previous biennial budget, as well as by the phasing out of one-time funding. New funding proposals summarized here were limited to one percent of General Fund and Lottery Fund dollars, which for HECC is about $31 million. The majority of these new funds ($25 million) in the ARB are proposed for need-based financial aid through the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
Commissioners heard public testimony from students and numerous members of the higher education community about the impact of the ARB funding levels. In addition to reviewing the ARB amounts, Commissioners reviewed a draft letter from Chair Sandy Rowe to the Governor which expresses the Commission's concerns about the potential impact of these funding levels, and provides input for the Governor's Office to consider if the state economic conditions change.
Future Ready Oregon Grantee Expands Workforce Program for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Oregon’s nine Local Workforce Development Boards are partnering with the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Oregon Employment Department (OED) to expand job services statewide
WorkSource Oregon (WSO) is a statewide partnership of state, local, and nonprofit workforce entities that provides a variety of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Oregon. WSO delivers these services at WSO centers throughout the state. However, prior to a recent partnership that began in Central Oregon, no WSO centers existed in Oregon’s correctional facilities to connect adults in custody with job resources before their release. The HECC is pleased to support the planned expansion of WorkSource services for incarcerated individuals, a cross-agency effort benefitting from Future Ready Oregon Workforce Ready Grants administered by the HECC.
This expansion builds upon the innovation of East Cascades Works (ECW), the local workforce development board serving ten Oregon counties east of the Cascades Mountain range. ECW partnered with agencies to develop the WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program, establishing WSO centers for the first time in the two correctional facilities in its region: Deer Ridge Correctional Facility located in Madras, and Warner Creek Correctional Facility in Lakeview. Beginning in 2022, these two centers provide career coaching, apprenticeship programs, and opportunities for adults in custody to apply and interview for jobs. Building on this success, ECW and DOC advocated for the program to expand these services statewide.
Oregon Workforce Partnership (OWP), the association of Oregon’s nine local workforce development boards, received two Workforce Ready Grants to help them take the innovative partnership first launched by ECW and expand it statewide, standing up service centers in all state-run correctional facilities in Oregon. OWP also received a $3.8 million federal grant that will further cover the costs of this initiative.
Register Now: 2024 ASPIRE Conferences, October 16 and 18
Registration is open for the ASPIRE Fall Conference, an annual event organized by the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) that brings together professionals committed to advancing college and career mentoring and access. In 2024, we will hold two ASPIRE conference events—one in Eugene and one in Bend. Among many exciting workshops, sessions will focus on financial aid and scholarships, supporting students with the FAFSA or ORSAA, supporting students interested in apprenticeships and trades, supporting middle school programs, and exploring the role of artificial intelligence in career and college readiness.
|
Register Now: The "Point of View" Oregon Adult Basic Skills Conference on November 4-5 Will Focus on Diverse Perspectives
We invite partners to join us for the Oregon Adult Basic Skills (ABS) Conference on November 4-5, 2024, in Salem, Oregon. The theme of this year's conference is "Point of View," emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives of adult learners and those pursuing high school equivalency.
The diverse perspectives of adult learners span a wide range of experiences, including those of immigrants, first-generation students, individuals with dyslexia, those impacted by trauma, gifted students, individuals affected by incarceration, individuals experiencing poverty, people from both rural and urban environments, and more.
The conference aims to prepare educators and leaders with strategies to understand how these varied backgrounds influence learning processes and outcomes. By integrating these perspectives into their teaching practices, educators can foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment with better outcomes.
The Oregon Adult Basic Skills Conference is an annual event organized by the HECC Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development that brings together professionals committed to advancing Adult Basic Skills and high school equivalency education.
|
 Highlights from a Site Visit to AntFarm, an Oregon Youth Works Grantee
HECC Executive Director Ben Cannon and several other agency representatives recently enjoyed a visit to Clackamas County-based AntFarm, one of the innovative youth workforce development programs supported by HECC grants through Oregon Youth Works. HECC staff occasionally visit grantees to build connections for policy development, offer technical support, and meet some of the inspiring young people who are being served by these investments. The photo above shows youth workers who took time from their workday to demonstrate a few of the technical skills they’ve learned with support of Oregon Conservation Corps funding.
AntFarm is funded in part by grants from Oregon Youth Corps, Oregon Conservation Corps, and a subgrant through Oregon Youth Employment Program, three of the five workforce development programs that comprise Oregon Youth Works. AntFarm utilizes Oregon Youth Works funding to support youth to develop personal strengths and work-related technical skills in various sectors. Neal Hatley, director of workforce programs, pictured far right, shared information on some of the wraparound supports AntFarm offers to participants, including navigating access to counseling and health appointments, career coaching and goal setting, cultural community connections, training and testing support for career certifications, GED® tutoring, and more.
Our partners can explore an interactive map of all the programs statewide supported by Oregon Youth Works grants on our website here. Oregon Youth Works programs were recently brought together under a single advisory board, the Oregon Youth Work Advisory Board, which convened for the first time this summer (learn more here).
Oregon HECC Finance Leader Serves as Panelist at National SHEEO Conference
The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) national policy conference held this month in Washington D.C. brought together representatives from state coordinating agencies across the nation to highlight crucial issues and policy considerations states must address to build and sustain excellent systems of higher education. This August, Jim Pinkard, HECC director of finance and capital, brought Oregon's expertise to the table in two conference panels.
Pinkard joined leaders from New Jersey, South Dakota, and National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) in a panel presentation focused on the financial challenges faced specifically by regional colleges and universities. Pinkard spoke about the recent $25 million dollar investment made by the Oregon Legislature in four regional institutions and one urban-focused institution to support a path towards financial sustainability, and about the HECC's allocation of this strategic funding.
Pinkard also joined leaders from Louisiana, Colorado, and SHEEO for a panel focused on the funding formula review process. The panelists discussed their state processes to regularly review their own formulas, and ran an interactive workshop where attendees reflected on their state models based on published best practices. In Oregon, the HECC successfully completed a review and update of its public university funding model in 2021 and completed an update to its community college funding model in 2023.
National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week September 16-20 is a Time to Thank Oregon’s Adult Education Partners
We invite partners to join us in observing National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week on September 16-20, 2024. This week highlights the critical role of adult education, celebrates the achievements of adult learners, and promotes greater participation and support for adult education programs statewide. As we strive to meet Oregon's adult education and training goal, we recognize that adult education is crucial for the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the state, equipping residents with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Our adult education partners are vital to addressing educational attainment gaps among underserved communities, including people of color, low-income learners, and those in rural areas. We hope you will join us in September, and throughout the year, in celebrating these partners and the students they support, acknowledging their contributions to reducing educational disparities and fostering success among adult learners. You can find social media content to help celebrate adult learners here.
Oregon aims to have at least 300,000 adults (ages 25 and older) earn a new postsecondary degree, certificate, or credential of value by 2030. While progress is being made, there remains a significant opportunity to engage Oregonians over 25 who lack a high school diploma or equivalent.
Many community colleges and Adult Basic Skills providers across Oregon offer various opportunities to help residents achieve their educational goals. These include literacy and numeracy skills, high school equivalency diplomas, English language acquisition, and pathways to college certificate and degree programs. The dedication and hard work of adult educators, volunteers, and support staff create an ecosystem for student success, and we celebrate these efforts.
Oregon Adult Basic Skills Partnership Recognized for Student-Focused Strategy During the Pandemic
We are pleased to announce that in June 2024, HECC received a national award in partnership in Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) for the implementation of an online assessment hub during the pandemic. The award was given during the 2024 Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) Summer Institute. CASAS is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on assessment and curriculum development of basic skills for youth and adults.
The partnership between HECC and SWOCC allowed students across Oregon to continue their progress in their adult education programs during the pandemic without missing a beat. Other states are now exploring Oregon's model. Donna Lewelling, director of the HECC office of community colleges and workforce development, accepted the award on behalf of the agency along with Curtis Buell, SWOCC’s local adult education director and one of the college proctors who helps make the assessments happen.
Annual AmeriCorps Oregon Orientation Reconnects and Reinspires
In July, OregonServes staff convened the 2024 AmeriCorps Oregon Orientation for organizations that are receiving AmeriCorps funds through the state to address pressing local challenges. These organizations lead community projects with the support of AmeriCorps members, who receive a monthly stipend, work experience, tuition benefits, and more for their service. AmeriCorps members provide hands-on services such as offering tutoring and mentoring, providing emergency assistance and training for disasters, and helping families access housing or food.
OregonServes welcomed representatives from 10 grantee organizations, including Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE), Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), Confluence Environmental Center, United Community Action Network (UCAN), Salvation Army Grants Pass Corps and others. This orientation event serves as an annual opportunity for new and returning grantees to get an overview of OregonServes’ mission, current state service plan, staff and board roles and responsibilities, and grant compliance, while providing a chance to share information among peers. One of the biggest topics for discussion and brainstorming this year centered around outreach and recruitment of AmeriCorps members. Learn about applying to serve in AmeriCorps here.
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, allocates funding to each state to award to local organizations. OregonServes administers the state grant funding for Oregon. Located within the Office of Workforce Investments (OWI), at the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), OregonServes operates as the national service hub for the state, connecting the state to federal AmeriCorps resources, and aligning federal, state, and agency strategies and goals, in order to support impactful programming for the people of Oregon. The community-based efforts of Oregon’s AmeriCorps grantees are often supported by a variety of public-private partnerships and governmental collaborations.
Oregon is Closing the Gap in FAFSA/ORSAA Completion
To be eligible for most types of financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). With the late roll-out and challenges introduced by the new federal form, there has been serious concern in Oregon and nationally about FAFSA completion being far behind previous years.
We are pleased to report that our latest Oregon data on financial aid form completion shows considerable progress. While there is still work to be done, Oregon high school senior completion rates are only 1.7 percent behind where they were at last year at this time in completion of the FAFSA or ORSAA.
We congratulate all students who have completed the form, and thank all who support them, including our own HECC Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) team, the Oregon Department of Education, school districts, high school educators, counselors, college access and community-based organizations, tribes, and many others. To support FAFSA/ORSAA completion efforts, OSAC organized 45 FAFSA completion events and travelled across the state to help students. Our ASPIRE program also assisted schools in hosting another 500 financial aid events serving students statewide. OSAC also hosted numerous training events, webinars, and videos facilitating professional development opportunities for schools and communities.
Students who have not yet applied should know it’s not too late. Resources on financial aid form completion can be found using the links below.
Recent Academic Program Approvals
At its August Commission meeting, the HECC approved the following new academic programs at Oregon community colleges and public universities. Find details on the following programs in August meeting materials here.
Community College Programs:
- Central Oregon Community College: STEM in Early Learning, Less Than One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC0)
- Rogue Community College: Emergency Services, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Clackamas Community College:
- Energy System Maintenance, Less Than One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC)
Music Technology, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Lane Community College: Paraprofessional, Education Assistant and Community Educator, Less Than One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC)
- Umpqua Community College:
- Business, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Water Quality Technology, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Phlebotomy, Less Than One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC)
- Umpqua Healthcare Careers Pathway, Less Than One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC)
- Medical Assisting, One-Year Certificate of Completion (CC)
University programs:
- Southern Oregon University:
- Ecology & Conservation, Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Science (BS)
|
