Oregonians are Invited to Share Input on What Creates a Sense of Belonging in Postsecondary Programs
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission, in partnership with Oregon’s Kitchen Table, has launched a survey and community engagement initiative, inviting input through May 27, 2026
Salem, Oregon - The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce an opportunity for Oregonians to share input about what could help create a sense of belonging for students at Oregon college, university, and training programs and settings. The HECC is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table (OKT)—a statewide community engagement program—to hear directly from current, recent, and future students and learners, as well as community members who support learners, about what could help create a sense of belonging in learning settings after high school. The HECC and Oregon’s Kitchen Table are gathering input through an online survey and conversations now through May 27, 2026.
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Consider organizing a conversation: Oregonians are welcome to share their input with HECC and OKT by hosting a conversation with their community about belonging. OKT has created the Kitchen Table Conversation Guide for anyone in Oregon who wants to organize and host a Kitchen Table Conversation with their family, friends, neighbors, or any group about what helps students feel like they belong in college and training programs. Anyone interested may contact Oregon's Kitchen Table at info@oregonskitchentable.org or (503) 725-5248 for support in hosting a discussion.
As the HECC works to drive equitable opportunity and success for all Oregonians in postsecondary education, the agency has identified belonging as one of five strategic goals in its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Specifically, the HECC has set a goal to “elevate student and learner voices, and foster belonging and inclusivity for all Oregonians in postsecondary settings.” The input collected from this survey and engagement initiative will help inform future actions as we work to better serve Oregon communities.
“We know how fundamentally important it is for students to feel that they are welcome and they belong in educational settings,” said Rudyane Rivera-Lindstrom, director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at the HECC. “We are excited to hear directly from recent and prospective students on what we can do to improve that sense of belonging in a postsecondary environment, whether that’s at an Oregon college, university, a workforce training program, or career school.”
Sarah Giles, senior project manager at Oregon’s Kitchen Table, said, “We know from talking with many Oregonians over the years that people will have a lot to say about what impacts their sense of belonging. These are all really important perspectives that will contribute to HECC’s decisions about how to support learners across the state in postsecondary learning settings.
“Oregon’s Kitchen Table is here to support people to participate in whatever way is comfortable and easy for them. And we love connecting with people to set up all kinds of ways for providing input, including creative ways that may seem a little unusual or unexpected,” said Giles.
OKT is also partnering directly with several postsecondary learning institutions and community groups who support students and learners around the state to host community conversations. What people share will help HECC and partners find ways to foster a sense of belonging for students and learners at Oregon’s postsecondary learning institutions.
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