The Rogue Community College Foundation is proud to announce Steve Roe, general manager of Roe Motors in Grants Pass, as the 2025 Citizen of the Year. Roe will be honored at the President’s Circle later this month for his unwavering commitment to the community and steadfast support of RCC’s mission to transform lives through education.
A longtime Grants Pass resident, Roe exemplifies the spirit of service and community connection. In addition to leading Roe Motors, he has devoted countless hours to volunteer work that strengthens both RCC and our region. At RCC, Steve brings his trained therapy dog, Hope, to campus during finals week to offer comfort and encouragement to students during a stressful time. He has also provided poverty simulation training on three occasions. These interactive sessions have offered students, faculty and staff invaluable insight into the barriers faced by individuals living in poverty. Beyond these contributions, Steve and his wife Kristi have established The Roe Family Endowed Scholarship Fund with the RCC Foundation, ensuring that students have access to educational opportunities for generations to come.
Roe is also recognized as a champion for mental health and suicide prevention. He is an advocate with the “Tomorrow Needs You” program, which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Roe also serves on boards across the region, including Asante Health System, Rogue Gateway Rotary, Friends of Southern Oregon Hospice, Four Way Community Foundation, Mercy Flights, and the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce.
“Steve Roe truly represents the heart of our community,” said RCC President Randy Weber. “Through his generosity, leadership and passion for mental health awareness, Steve has touched countless lives. We are honored to recognize him as our Citizen of the Year.”
Roe holds a degree in automotive marketing and accounting from Northwood University and a master’s degree in management from Southern Oregon University. He and Kristi, a first-grade teacher at Allen Dale Elementary, live in Grants Pass with their two therapy dogs, Hope and Finn.
The Citizen of the Year award will be presented at RCC Foundation’s annual President’s Circle event on Sept. 25.