Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups

Affinity Groups are groups of community college administrators and staff that meet regularly to discuss resources and initiatives that serve the community college mission in Oregon. For more information about the affinity groups, or to connect with the affinity group leadership and members, please contact Laura Crook.

About

The Business Officers group is designed for those with institution-level responsibility for financial management and related topics. Typical job titles include Chief Financial Officer, VP of Finance/Administrative Services, and Director of Fiscal/Accounting Services. This group provides professional and business development, leadership, and liaison. The group meets quarterly. Click here for more information about the Business Officers group.

Leadership

  • Chair: Jeff Shaffer, Vice President of Finance and Operations – Clackamas Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • Thursday, July 16, 2026 (Zoom)
  • October 22 – 23, 2026 (Portland CC)
  • January 21 – 22, 2027 (Chemeketa CC)
  • April 22 – 23, 2027 (Clatsop CC)

Links and Resources

About

The Oregon Council of Instructional Administrators (CIA) exists to:
  • Support collaboration and alignment among Oregon community colleges in matters relating to academics and instruction.
  • Provide consultation and guidance to various statewide agencies. 
  • Make space/time for community college instructional administrators to discuss issues that impact Oregon community colleges, and share concerns, resources, best practices, and strategies to support the colleges and college students across the state. 
  • Provide a venue for collecting and/or sharing information, concerns, and/or perspectives that impact instruction at the Oregon Community Colleges, including concerns, resources, strategies. 
  • Explore and share field best practices that improve performance of all Oregon Community Colleges. 

Leadership

  • Chair: Sandra Porter, Vice President of Academic Affairs – Treasure Valley Community College
  • Vice Chair: Dave Kohler, Provost / Vice President for Student Learning & Success – Rogue Community College
  • Treasurer: Teena Toyas, Provost / Vice President of Instruction & Student Success – Clatsop Community College
  • Past Chair: Annmarie Hamlin, Vice of President Academic Affairs – Central Oregon Community College

2026-2027 CIA Meeting Schedule

  • August 26 – 27 (Southwestern Oregon CC)
  • November 3 – 4 (Central Oregon CC)
  • February – Date TBD (Zoom)
  • May 24 – 25 (Treasure Valley CC)

CAO Meeting Schedule

CAO is a sub-group within CIA, consisting of the Chief Academic Officer or Provost from each community college. CAOs meet monthly.

  • October 8 (Zoom)
  • December 10 (Zoom)
  • January 8 (Zoom)
  • March 17 (Zoom)
  • April 8 (Zoom)
  • June 11 (Zoom)

Links and Resources

About

CSSA is a representative body of student services administrators from Oregon’s 17 community colleges. The group meets monthly to discuss current educational topics impacting community college students in the state of Oregon.

Each February, CSSA presents Oregon’s annual Student Success and Retention Conference providing information, training, and networking opportunities for staff and faculty of the state’s colleges and universities. CSSA also plans and facilitates a Leadership Institute to develop future community college leaders.

Leadership

  • Chair: Colm Joyce, Vice President of Student Affairs – Lane Community College
  • Vice Chair: Travis McFetridge, Vice President of Student Affairs – Treasure Valley Community College
  • Treasurer: Ryan West, Executive Dean of Student Affairs – Chemeketa Community College
  • Past Chair: Sydney Frost, Dean of Career, Counseling & Veterans Services – Mt. Hood Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • August 19 – 20 (Mt. Hood CC)
  • October 23 (Zoom)
  • November 4 (Central Oregon CC)
  • December 18 (Zoom)
  • January 15 (Zoom)
  • February 10 (Portland Marriott PDX)
  • March 19 (Zoom)
  • April – Date and Location TBD
  • May 21 (Zoom)
  • June 25 (Zoom)

Links and Resources

About

The HR Managers Group is designed for those with institution-level responsibility for human resources at each of the colleges.

Leadership

  • Chair: Alice Sprague, Vice President of Governance and Administration – Chemeketa Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • More information coming soon

Links and Resources

About

More information coming soon

Leadership

  • Chair: Ashley Sears, Director, Institutional Research & Reporting – Clackamas Community College
  • Past Chair: Sergey Shepelov, Associate Vice President of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness – Mt. Hood Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • More information coming soon

Links and Resources

  • More information coming soon

About

The Oregon Community College Distance Learning Association (OCCDLA) is comprised of the 17 Oregon community colleges. The association strengthens professional practice and continuous improvement of distance education in Oregon, by working together and sharing experiences.

The association recognizes and respects the diverse size and organizational structures of its member colleges. Membership in the association is open to all community college personnel interested in distance learning.

Leadership

  • Chair: Layli Liss, Dean, Center for Academic Innovation – Chemeketa Community College
  • Vice Chair: Rondi Schei, Program Dean in Course Design & Quality – Portland Community College
  • Past Chair: Rory Beck, Academic Technology Center – Lane Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • August 19 – 20 (Southwestern Oregon CC)
  • October 15 (Zoom)
  • November 5 – 6 (Location TBD)
  • December 17 (Zoom)
  • January 21 (Zoom)
  • February 4 – 5 (Zoom)
  • March 18 (Zoom)
  • April 15 (Zoom)
  • May 6 – 7 (Location TBD)
  • June 18 (Zoom)

Links and Resources

About

Each of Oregon’s 17 independent community colleges coordinates its own marketing, communications and public relations efforts. However, the collective impact of individual community college public relations activities can be enhanced through collaboration and planning. OCCMPR is an independent network of marketing, communications and public relations professionals at the 17 community colleges in the state. Members of OCCMPR work with the OCCA, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), the Oregon Presidents Council, the administration of the colleges, and the local governing boards to position community colleges as a vital resource in meeting the education, workforce and training needs of Oregon’s citizens. 


Leadership

  • Chair: Lori Hall, Executive Director of College Relations and Marketing – Clackamas Community College

2026-2027 Meeting Schedule

  • August 12 (Zoom)
  • September 9 (Zoom)
  • October 14 (Zoom)
  • November 11 (Zoom)
  • December 9 (Zoom)
  • January 13 (Zoom)
  • February 10 (Zoom)
  • March 10 (Zoom)
  • April 14 (Zoom)
  • May 12 (Zoom)
  • June 9 (Zoom)
  • July 23 (Chemeketa CC)

Links and Resources