Throughout February, Oregon’s community colleges will spotlight career and technical education (CTE) programs in recognition of National CTE Month. Community colleges work for Oregon because these CTE programs are essential in equipping Oregonians with the skills needed to drive the state’s workforce and economy forward.

In her 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Tina Kotek called on Oregonians to “summon our unyielding spirit of resilience, tackle problems with purpose, and embrace opportunities for change together.” While higher education was not explicitly mentioned, Oregon’s community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet this challenge. Our colleges are resilient in the face of adversity, committed to supporting student success no matter what obstacles our students face, and actively collaborate with K-12 education, local governments, non-profits, and businesses to strengthen our communities.