OCCA Annual Conference
Mark your calendars for the 2025 OCCA Annual Conference:
November 5-7, 2025
Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, Hood River, OR
The OCCA Annual Conference brings together college board members and administrators to learn more about how to be empowered and become advocates on statewide community college issues. The conference provides a structure for learning more about current issues and exploring the roles and responsibilities board members can play in providing leadership that ensures Oregon’s community colleges remain vibrant institutions that provide equitable educational opportunities for all.
Hotel Information
The OCCA Conference room block at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn is officially SOLD OUT. However, you can still contact the hotel for current room rates to secure your room. To book your room, call 1-800-828-7873. Room availability is limited, so book your room soon!
Schedule At-A-Glance
The OCCA Conference schedule is packed with engaging, thoughtful and impactful presentations, including a welcome keynote, three additional keynote speakers, and the return of the popular Student Voices Panel during the Welcome Dinner. The schedule also allows for networking with your colleagues from around the state.
Click here for the Schedule At-A-Glance and see below for details on general and breakout sessions.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Tim Cook
Dr. Tim Cook
“1,500 Miles, 17 Community Colleges, 50 Days, 1 Goal” - Welcome Reception: Clackamas Community College President Dr. Tim Cook, along with CCC Executive Director of College Relations Lori Hall, CCC Foundation Executive Director Debra Mason and Paddy Cook, Dr. Cook's wife and ROCCS Crew Chief, will discuss the success of the Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS) campaign. Coordinating and implementing a statewide fundraising/marketing campaign for all 17 community colleges is a significant endeavor, possibly more challenging than going out and physically running to all the community colleges. This session will discuss the logistics of planning a statewide campaign and potentially generate ideas for future campaigns. It will also be an opportunity to learn more about the actual run itself.
Dr. Demetri L. Morgan
Dr. Demetri L. Morgan
"Stewarding the Winds of Opportunity: Governance, Grief, and Community College Futures" - Dr. Demetri L. Morgan, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, focuses on how higher education shapes democracy through student activism, governance, and the organizational dynamics that drive institutional change. His work offers powerful insights into the evolving role of colleges and universities.
Jee Hang Lee
Jee Hang Lee
Jee Hang Lee, president and CEO of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Jee Hang provides national leadership to the over 500 governing boards who oversee the majority of community colleges throughout the United States and internationally. He will speak about the role of board members and provide a brief federal update.
Helen & Dave Edwards
Helen & Dave Edwards
Helen and Dave Edwards, co-founders of the Artificiality Institute, explore how humans and AI co-evolve, not just for efficiency, but for meaning. With deep experience in tech, leadership, and research, they bring a unique perspective on human-AI symbiosis and the future of intelligence.
Pre-Conference Session:
Public Meetings Law for Board Members
OCCA will offer a pre-conference session at the OCCA Annual Conference on November 5 on Public Meetings Law, which meets the new Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) mandatory training requirements for all board members. The pre-conference session, which is free for board members and will run from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, will be facilitated by OCCA Senior Policy Advisor & General Counsel Karen Smith. Her presentation was approved by OGEC to meet the requirements for board members. In order to receive the certification, board members must attend the entire training.
This training was originally provided during the OCCA Board Governance & Leadership Summit in September and is being offered again at the OCCA Conference as a pre-conference session so that board members unable to attend the Summit have another opportunity to complete the required training.
To register, go to the OCCA Conference registration page and select the pre-conference option.
Breakout Sessions
OCCA has a wonderful variety of breakout sessions for the conference presented by your community college colleagues and partners from around the state.
Thursday, November 6 – 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Credit for Prior Learning: Expanding Access & Opportunity for Adult Learners
Discover how Linn-Benton Community College is transforming the student experience for adult learners through innovative Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) pathways. This session will showcase how CPL honors real-world skills — turning professional experience, licensure, and certifications into meaningful academic progress. Learn about Oregon’s first Written Portfolio Assessment course, streamlined Challenge Exams, and pre-approved course equivalencies for industry credentials. See how CPL is making a dramatic difference in the Surgical Technology Program, where students can earn credit for 13 courses, saving 55 weeks of instruction and more than $8,500 in costs. Attendees will explore LBCC’s CPL options, gain insights into credential-to-course crosswalks, and leave with actionable strategies to strengthen CPL initiatives at their own colleges, boosting access, accelerating completion, and empowering adult learners.
Presenters:
Amy Burbee – Work-Based Learning Faculty Department Chair, Linn-Benton CC
Rick Goranflo – Dean of Healthcare Division, Linn-Benton CC
Track: Equitable Career Pathways
Budgeting for Outcomes
How institutions make budget decisions plays a critical role in building trust with their communities, students, employees, and governing boards. In this session, presenters will share and engage participants in an approach to:
- define desired outcomes early in the budget process,
- clarify any must-haves for the process, and
- integrate consistent checkpoints to ensure alignment with the initial framework and goals.
This approach supports the development of outcomes-aligned budget recommendations that are ready for Board consideration.
Presenters:
Sarah Lechner – Principal, Corragio Group
Christy Owen – Dean of Business Services, Clackamas CC
Jeff Shaffer – VP of Finance & Operations, Clackamas CC
Mark Yannotta – Math Instructor & Placement Specialist, Clackamas CC
Track: Innovation
The Board's Role in Addressing 2025's Emerging Legal Issues
Emerging legal issues related to immigration enforcement actions, potential conflicts between state and federal discrimination laws and First Amendment claims from employees and students present unique challenges for board members to strike the right balance as policy-makers and to avoid creating additional liability. This scenario-based presentation will provide practical tips for navigating sensitive legal issues your campus may face.
Presenters:
Karen Smith – Senior Policy Advisor & General Counsel, Oregon Community College Association
Rebekah Jacobson – Attorney, Garrett Hemann Robertson
Jolee Patterson – Attorney, Miller Nash
Tracks: Board Equity, Policy & Procedure
Harnessing the Wind: Leveraging Community College Strengths to Expand Equitable Bachelor’s Degree Pathways
This session explores how community colleges can harness existing institutional frameworks to create accessible, equitable pathways through the development of Applied Bachelor’s Degree programs. Presenters from a community college consortium and HECC will share how strong advising models, workforce-aligned pathways, and statewide collaboration are addressing teacher shortages and equity gaps. Attendees will walk away with strategies to support degree innovation that responds to local workforce needs while advancing student access and success.
Presenters:
Dr. Kanoe Bunney – Education Department Chair, Linn-Benton CC
Dr. Karla Hale – Dean of Education Programs, Chemeketa CC
Dr. Shalee Hodgson – Policy Advisor, Office of Community Colleges & Workforce Development (HECC)
Sandy Porter – VP of Academic Affairs, Treasure Valley CC
Dr. Jarett Gilbert – VP of Instructional Services, Columbia Gorge CC
Dave Koehler – VP of Student Learning & Success/Provost, Rogue CC
Tracks: Innovation & Community Engagement
Thursday, November 6 – 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Pathways to Opportunity: Transforming Student Support and Workforce Development
Pathways to Opportunity is closing opportunity gaps and connecting underserved students to living-wage careers through innovative partnerships and support services. Hear directly from students and program staff from partner community colleges as they share firsthand experiences, best practices, and proven strategies. Gain insights you can apply at your institution to foster student success and economic mobility.
Presenters:
Adam Mennig – Statewide Director, STEP & Pathways to Opportunity, Portland CC
Zoe Cooper-Caroselli – Statewide Basic Needs Oregon Program Coordinator, Portland CC
Jess Amo – Statewide STEP Program Coordinator, Portland CC
Lynne Hamblin – Student, Rogue CC
Valrie Davidson – STEP Career Coach & Former STEP Student, Klamath CC
Tiffany Prince – Director of Housing & Student Life, Columbia Gorge CC
Tracks: Innovation, Equitable Career Pathways, Board Equity, Student Achievement, Community Engagement
Oregon's Vision for College Credit in High School
In this session, attendees will review the college credit in the high school landscape in Oregon and learn about current state level efforts to strengthen student access, institutional capacity, and purposeful credit taking. Attendees will have an opportunity to give feedback to help shape Oregon’s vision for college credit in high school.
Presenters:
Eric Juenemann – Career Connected Learning Specialist, Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Kristidel McGregor – Accelerated Learning Specialist, Oregon Department of Education
Erin Weeks-Earp – Academic Policy Specialist, Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Tracks: Innovation, Equitable Career Pathways, Community Engagment
Funding the Future: How Oregon’s CCSF Formula Advances Equity, Innovation, and Student Success
This session provides a clear overview of Oregon’s Community College Support Fund (CCSF) formula, including its structure, guiding principles, and allocation methods. Participants will gain insight into how the formula directs resources to advance student success, promote equity, and support innovation across the state’s community colleges.
Presenters:
Lisa Stanton – VP of Operations & Finance, Rogue CC
Jennifer DeMent – VP of Finance & Administration, Mt. Hood CC
Jeff Shaffer – VP of Finance & Operations, Clackamas CC
Tracks: Innovation, Equitable Career Pathways, Board Equity, Student Achievement
Rooted in Wellness: Cultivating a Culture of Care at Klamath Community College
Klamath Community College launched an Employee Wellness Committee with the goal of helping staff and faculty feel healthier, more connected and better supported. After the program was established, KCC began shifting its approach based on feedback and participation trends, adapting activities to better fit staff needs, time constraints, and interests. This session will highlight what worked, what we changed, and how KCC has kept the momentum going.
Presenter:
Kassandra Ramirez – Student Life Coordinator, Klamath CC
Tracks: Innovation, Board Equity, Community Engagement
Thursday, November 6 – 3:00-4:00 p.m.
A Guided Pathway to Successful Transfer
Oregon community colleges face significant transfer barriers that Guided Pathways principles can systematically address. Linn-Benton Community College, with Oregon’s highest transfer rate, will share their comprehensive strategy including program maps guiding students to OSU, affordable mapping software, Transfer Center investment, targeted messaging, university collaboration techniques, and an innovative automatic admissions program with Oregon State University. Participants will actively plan implementation strategies for their institutions and explore collaborative approaches for statewide efficiency and consistency.
Presenters:
Katie Winder – Dean of Instruction, Linn-Benton CC
Leslie Hammond – Dean of Academic Foundations, Linn-Benton CC
Tracks: Innovation & Student Achievement
Through the Data-informed Looking Glass: Rethinking Academic Program Sustainability
Higher education, community colleges in particular, is grappling with an increasingly challenging fiscal environment and a demand to ensure that education is relevant in this changing landscape. In response, Portland Community College developed an innovative program sustainability process to provide an objective, data-informed review of all 95 of its programs and disciplines, focusing closely on prioritizing student success data in its reconsideration of scarce resources. This process strived for radical transparency for all college stakeholders, while engaging the expertise of over 50 managers and hundreds of full and part-time faculty. PCC will tell you how they did it and talk through the lessons learned in the process.
Presenters:
Jennifer Ernst – VP of Academic Affairs, Portland CC
Karen Paez – Associate VP of Academic & Career Pathways, Portland CC
Karen Sanders – Assistant VP of Academic & Career Pathways, Portland CC
Dina Farrell – VP & Chief Financial Officer, Portland CC
Track: Innovation
Engagement Isn't a Phase: Involving Community Beyond the Bond
In 2020, Lane County voted to make the largest investment in Career & Technical Education (CTE) since Lane Community College was founded. Through robust outreach, Measure 20-306 passed, funding the Industry and Trades Education Center (ITEC). Engagement continued after the bond passed, and the project benefited from community participation throughout design, construction, and even after classes began in the building. This session highlights techniques to engage a variety of stakeholders at different points in the process.
Presenters:
Kyle Womack, AIA, LEED – Principal, Hennebery Eddy Architects
Grant Matthews – Associate VP of CTE & Workforce Development, Lane CC
Danáe Sakuma, AIA, LEED – Associate, Hennebery Eddy Architects
Track: Community Engagement
Unlocking Potential: Creating Second Chances for Adults in Custody Through Education and Reentry Services
This presentation explores how prison education programs — ranging from GED and ESOL instruction to vocational training, college-level coursework, and reentry support — can radically transform the lives of people who are incarcerated (called “Adults in Custody” in Oregon). Drawing on current programming being offered by Chemeketa Community College, presenters will highlight how educational access inside correctional facilities contributes to reduced recidivism, increased post-release employment, and personal empowerment. Attendees will learn about practical models for implementing high-quality programming, strategies to overcome institutional barriers, and how to build partnerships between correctional institutions, colleges, workforce and economic development systems, and community-based organizations. With a focus on equity and dignity, this session invites educators, policymakers, and practitioners to reimagine carceral spaces as sites of opportunity, not endings. Hear from a student about his success story and how these opportunities changed his trajectory.
Presenters:
Holly Nelson – Chief Workforce & Community Success Officer, Chemeketa CC
Katie Dwyer – Director of Prison Education & Community Reentry, Chemeketa CC
Dale Moffet – Student, Chemeketa CC
Tracks: Innovation, Equitable Career Pathways, Student Achievement, Community Engagement
2025 Conference Planning Timeline
Now – Room Block Open (call 1-800-828-7873 and mention “OCCA”)
September 3 – Early Bird Registration Opens
September 16 – Breakout Session Presenters are Notified
September 22 – Breakout Sessions Announced
October 10 – Early Bird Registration Closes & Room Block Availability Ends
October 11 – Regular Registration Opens
October 17 – Regular Registration Closes & Last Date to Cancel Registration with Refund
October 18 – Late Registration Opens
October 31 – Late Registration Closes
2025 Conference Sponsors
The 2025 OCCA Annual Conference would not be possible without the support of sponsorships.
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for the conference, please contact katie@occa17.com for more information or fill out the inquiry below.
2025 OCCA Event Sponsorship Opportunities
2025 Conference Sponsors
Thank you to our 2025 Diamond Sponsor!
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Howard Cherry Awards Banquet
The annual Howard Cherry Awards celebrate the contributions that local advocates, administrators and board members have made to the benefit of Oregon’s community colleges. The awards are named for the late Dr. Howard Cherry, a lifelong advocate for education and community involvement. Dr. Cherry was also a founding member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and was a trustee of the American Association of Community & Junior Colleges.
The Howard Cherry Awards Banquet is included with OCCA Conference Registration (additional tickets also available), and will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025. It also includes recognition of dedicated service awards for community college board members. Attire for the banquet is business professional or formal.
The 2025 Howard Cherry Awards will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn in beautiful Hood River, OR!
Congratulations to the 2025 Howard Cherry Award winners!
Congratulations to the 2024-25 Dedicated Service Award winners! Click here for the list of winners
Congratulations to the 2024 Howard Cherry Award winners! Click here for the press release.