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.

The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) Board of Directors has adopted its legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session, setting the stage for a focused advocacy effort to secure funding and policies that will enhance access and success for community college students across the state. The Legislative Session begins January 21, 2025. OCCA’s 2025 legislative agenda centers on six critical areas.