The HECC's two-page Strategic Plan was approved unanimously by the Commission at the October 10, 2024 public meeting, after a process of development and public input that started in fall 2023. The plan will help drive HECC's work to support real opportunity for all Oregonians through postsecondary access and success, and to meet workforce and economic needs. It aims for a future where all people benefit from the economic, civic, and cultural impact of postsecondary education, training, and workforce development.

Ben Cannon, executive director of HECC, says, “Many are questioning whether higher education and training pays off. It does, but it needs to do so better and more equitably. The plan tackles questions of value directly with strategies that bolster relevance, alignment, affordability, and inclusivity, with particular attention to communities that have been historically underserved and marginalized. And it hones in on actionable strategies for our agency and Commission, charting out how we will use HECC leadership and authority in this undertaking.” 

HECC Chair Sandy Rowe says, “The ambition of this new plan energizes me for what we can accomplish. It has a relentless focus to equitably meet the current and evolving needs of our communities. We are grateful to everyone who engaged with us over the last year through surveys, focus groups, and more. Their perspectives helped shape the goals that will guide our work for Oregonians for years to come.” 

The 2024-2029 plan includes revised vision, mission, and values statements, and establishes five action-focused strategic goals to effect systems change through targeted strategies: 

• RELEVANCE: Improve the responsiveness of Oregon’s education and training systems to the goals and needs of learners, employers, and communities. By connecting underserved learners with in-demand careers and fostering partnership between employers, higher education, communities, and learners, the HECC aims to increase economic mobility, better satisfy learner needs, prepare qualified workers, and increase graduates’ ability to solve civic, economic, and social challenges. 

• ALIGNMENT: Align Oregon’s education and training systems to create straightforward pathways for learners. By supporting clear and learner-friendly transitions at every step from K-12 to postsecondary entry to transfer to graduation and career, the HECC aims to increase the percentage of individuals entering postsecondary education and training, improve credit transfer, and increase employment rates for education and training completers. 

• AFFORDABLE ACCESS: Make postsecondary education and training affordable for all Oregonians. By increasing financial aid and institutional support investments, addressing students’ basic needs, and supporting institutional efficiency to lower cost and increase quality, the HECC aims to eliminate the unmet financial need of learners and close access and success gaps across income levels.​ 

• BELONGING: Elevate learner voices and support inclusivity and belonging in all postsecondary learning settings.  By empowering students and utilizing their feedback, connecting learners to college/career pathways that are linked to their interests, and fostering culturally responsive opportunities, the HECC aims to better address the needs of all learners and achieve equitable completion outcomes. 

• LEADERSHIP: Infuse postsecondary education, workforce development, research, and innovation into Oregon’s economic development strategies. By partnering with state, local, and private entities, identifying and responding to barriers, supporting business recruitment and retention, and quantifying postsecondary educations’ economic impact, the HECC aims to increase opportunities for diverse partners and to make postsecondary education and training a key driver in the State economic development strategies. 

The adoption of a plan to achieve Oregon’s postsecondary and training goals is aimed at achieving the State's educational attainment goals, and is one of the key statutory responsibilities of the HECC. The 2024-25 Strategic Plan was shaped by broad partner and public engagement starting in fall 2023. The HECC contracted with Coraggio Group to facilitate the strategic development process which included assessment of background data and needs; broad public and partner engagement (including a public survey with over 400 responses, numerous focus groups, interviews, and outreach sessions); as well as discussion and input over the course of a year of HECC public meetings.