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NEWS CLIPS
MAY 22, 2026
Weekly postsecondary education & training news from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)
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HECC Bulletin Board - Events and Notices |
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PRESS RELEASE: State Releases the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment Detailing Emerging Workforce and Education Needs Across Oregon Industries
In a press release this week, we are pleased to have released the 2026 Oregon Talent Assessment, a research analysis focused on emerging trends in the economic and workforce landscape in Oregon, which offers recommendations for the state to build a stronger talent pool and workforce development system. The HECC and the Workforce and Talent Development Board (WTBD) contracted with ECOnorthwest to develop this comprehensive analysis for Oregon. The 2026 Talent Assessment provides a framework to help identify priority industries and occupations while highlighting current and anticipated major workforce challenges and opportunities.
HECC Collaborations, May 2026 newsletter: Robust Collaborative Processes Help Ensure Our Work Meets State Needs
The HECC's latest Collaborations newsletter focuses on ways that the agency is engaging with partners across the higher education and workforce landscape as we launch several significant projects for Oregon. Read updates on the collaborative process being established for House Bill 4124 implementation, the agency request budget development process, the Southern Oregon University emergency funding request, the process for developing a new General Education framework, and more.
Oregonians Can Still Share Input through June 1 on What Creates a Sense of Belonging in Postsecondary Programs - Please Share This Opportunity!
In an April press release, the HECC announced 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 June 1, 2026.
Save the Date: 2026 Oregon Adult Basic Skills Conference – October 16, 2026
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Oregon Adult Basic Skills Conference will take place virtually on Friday, October 16, 2026. We’re excited to once again host this event in a virtual format to ensure broad access and meaningful participation from adult education professionals across the state. Registration details can be found on the conference website. Agenda coming soon!
Web page on Implementation of House Bill 4124 - Oregon Postsecondary Education System Study
In 2026-27, the HECC will develop an analysis and recommendations on the public postsecondary system in Oregon, as assigned by the Oregon Legislature in House Bill 4124 (2026). This legislation requires the HECC to study the condition of the public higher education system and develop recommendations to the Legislature on the design, implementation, and operation of a sustainable system. The HECC enlisted the support of Oregon Consensus to conduct an initial assessment to guide a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative process for this project. This assessment was completed in May 2026 and details are now available on the House Bill 4124 implementation web page.
Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program: The 2026-2027 Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program application for current and former foster youth is now open! Visit our application eligibility requirements and submit an application.
FAFSA and ORSAA: The 2026-27 FAFSA and ORSAA are open. Visit our FAFSA/ORSAA pages to learn how to prepare and apply.
Oregon Promise Grant: Students who are high school or GED® test graduates between March 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026 can apply now! Deadline varies by graduation date.
Oregon Tribal Student Grant: The 2026-2027 Oregon Tribal Student Grant application is open. Students can now and are encouraged to apply for the 2026-2027 academic year (Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027).
Other HECC News and Opportunities
Other recent HECC news:
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Ongoing Opportunities
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Recent News from Across the Postsecondary Landscape |
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Driving Equitable Opportunity and Learner Success
BMCC TRIO receives $7,000 grant to close ‘digital divide’ - May 18, 2026. EastOregonian.com. " Blue Mountain Community College’s TRIO/Student Support Services program has again received a $7,000 technology grant from the Wildhorse Foundation....
Teaching teachers: PSU Dean of Edu. on reaching bilingual students, May 18, 2026, KLCC, Interview with Dr. Maneka Brooks, by Michael Dunne. "When we hear that someone is bilingual, we might think: how wonderful to have that skill, to be able..."
COCC's prison college program will confer its first-ever degrees in June, May 22, 2026, Central Oregon Daily News, "Nine student inmates at Deer Ridge Correctional Institute are receiving the first-ever degrees from Central Oregon Community College's education program,..."
Affordable Access
Oregon Considers Ending Free College, May 21, 2026, Inside Higher Ed, by Sara Weissman.
The state agency overseeing the promise program argues it hasn’t yielded the outcomes they hoped for. But community college advocates aren’t ready to see it end.
Tuition and Fees, Appropriations, and Financial Aid in the West, AY 2025-26, May 2026, WICHE Insights newsletter, by WICHE. "This edition of WICHE Insights provides a regional perspective of key trends in higher education financing in the West, including tuition..."
Responding to State, Community and Economic Needs
WorkSource Oregon Launches Mobile Service Centers - May 18, 2026, My Central Oregon.com, WorkSource Oregon has launched three mobile service centers – vans outfitted with workstations, computers, and secure internet access – to bring..."
Portland State University’s return to large-scale musicals signals a resurgence in theatrical ambition, May 18, 2026, Oregon Arts Watch, by Brett Campbell. "PSU's spring productions, led by a stylish, successful "Spring Awakening," highlighted expanded theater programming....
EOU Grand Staircase Project Receives Statewide Excellence in Concrete Award - May 2026, EOU press release. "Eastern Oregon University’s historic Inlow Hall Grand Staircase restoration project has received a 2026 Excellence in Concrete Award in the “Decorative” category..."
Oregon creates license for new type of behavioral health provider, May 8, 2026, By Sherri Buri McDonald, UO News. "The bachelor's degree-level provider will expand the workforce and help ease shortage of trained providers..."
Funding and Policy Developments - State and National
Researchers say the Trump administration is finding new ways to punish science, (national story). May 21, 2026, NPR/OPB. By Katia Riddle. "Standing in his laboratory, Harvard professor Sean Eddy gazes at a row of vacant work stations. More than a year ago..."
Oregon, Washington among 24 states suing Education Department over student loan limits for professional degrees - May 20, 2026. MSN. By Sabinna Pierre. "Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a coalition of more than two dozen attorneys general Tuesday...""
University of Oregon freezes hiring as it aims to cut $65M from budget- May 18, 2026, Higher Ed Dive. By Ben Unglesbee. "The public institution’s leaders are projecting a decline in nonresident enrollment for the next academic year, which will bring a fiscal hit...."
UO President Scholz says university needs $65M in budget cuts, May 16, 2026, KLCC, By Nathan Wilk (KLCC). "University of Oregon President Karl Scholz says the school needs to cut around $65 million from its budget...."
Portland Community College president resigns after tense tenure, staff strike, May 15, 2026, OPB, By Elizabeth Miller. "Portland Community College president Adrien Bennings will leave her post at the end of June....
SOU President Bailey gives update on financial issues in monthly video - May 15, 2026, KDRV> By Kaleb Clark. "Southern Oregon University's (SOU) President Bailey addressed the financial challenge in SOU's monthly video message..."
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About Recent News
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) NEWS CLIPS section on News from across the Postsecondary Education and Training Landscape contains links to news content that contains information created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of the HECC. These clips feature a selection of recent postsecondary education and related news links, from reputable, non-partisan media sources and institutional partners. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information available via these links.
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