Community Voices Sought for Underrepresented Student Success.
Statewide data on students from underrepresented backgrounds show that some groups of those seeking higher education face extra barriers to college enrollment and success.
The Joint Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education will be holding an open public meeting at Rogue Community College’s Table Rock Campus on Thursday, July 21 at 5:30 pm to gain greater insights into how the Oregon Legislature can help colleges and universities increase success rates for those with increased challenges.
The community is invited and welcomed to attend the open public meeting in Building A, Room 184 at the campus, located at 7800 Pacific Avenue in White City. No reservations are required and anyone may share information.
An additional Task Force open public meeting will also be held on the Southern Oregon University campus on Wednesday, July 20 beginning at 5:30pm at the Stevenson Union – 1118 Siskiyou Boulevard in Ashland.
At both campuses, the Task Force is seeking community testimony on barriers students face to college success and any potential solutions which will assist students.
The team is collecting information from those who identify as underrepresented – including those who are: unhoused; parents with children; students of color; veterans or active-duty military; enrolled tribal members; LGBTQ2IA+; Pell grant recipients; first-generation college students; students with disabilities; GED/high school equivalency students; non-native English-speakers; rural students; foster care participants or alumni from any underrepresented background.
Chaired by Representative Teresa Alonzo-Leon, the Task Force includes Senators Art Robinson, Michael Dembrow, Lynn Findley, Rob Wagner, Lew Frederick (ex-officio) and House Representatives Mark Owens, Ricki Ruiz and Jack Zika. The Task Force was convened and began its work following the passage of House Bill 2590 in 2021. The goal of the statewide listening session is to develop student success policy and funding proposals for the 2023 regular session of the Legislative Assembly.
For those interested in providing information but who are unable to attend, public testimony may also be submitted to the Task Force’s through July 22 at 8am, via email at: JTUSHE.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov (specify agenda topic in subject line). For those wishing to register for public testimony ahead of the meeting may register by phone at: 833-588-4500 (Registration closes 1 hour ahead of meeting start time) or online at this Registration link.
For additional information on RCC’s hosted event, please contact Julie Raefield, Public Information Officer at 541-956-7319 or JRaefield@roguecc.edu.
For general media inquiries, please contact Kelly Gonzales, Public Information Officer and Marketing Director at 541-955-7525, KGonzales@roguecc.edu.