In The News...

OCCA responds to Governor’s State of the State Address

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.

Gov. Kotek and legislators have emphasized critical issues such as homelessness, housing, mental health, addiction, education, and transportation as a focus for the state’s investments. Community colleges are central to addressing these challenges, whether by training the workforce needed to support Oregonians or finding innovative solutions on our campuses. We stand ready to partner on these issues for meaningful, lasting change.

As Oregon’s 17 community colleges prepare for the 2025 Legislative Session, we are eager to demonstrate how our colleges contribute to strengthening the state. By investing in community colleges, Oregon can better address its most pressing issues, improve student outcomes, and build stronger communities. Community colleges work for Oregon.

Skip to content