The following information is copied from the information that the candidates themselves submitted for VOTE411.org. All candidates were invited to submit their biographical information and to answer our questions.
Candidates may enter their information up until Election Day, May 18. Please urge candidates to provide information to voters, if they haven’t done so yet. We provide this service for free to candidates and voters.
Mt. Hood Community College, Zone 1
Diane McKeel, Co-owner Oxbow LLC. In addition to answering our questions, she has a statement on page M-21 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She is a current member of the board.
Fairview, OR 97024
Questions:
1. Community college enrollment fluctuates widely due to economic and other factors, requiring fluctuations in the pool of adjunct professors. How will you work with faculty unions and college administration to assure educational excellence is not impacted by changes in enrollment?
Diane McKeel: I would continue to work tirelessly, as I have in my previous 4 years on the board to increase state funding for community colleges. For several years the state legislature has not funded community colleges to keep pace with the cost realities of this important and essential part of higher education. The board has responsibility for oversight of the budget. In that role, it is important to assess the opportunities and the efficiencies that exist within the budget. Adoption of the budget is an open public process, so communication with stakeholders is certainly an integral and important consideration.
2. What initiatives would you take or support to improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color?
Diane McKeel: The College Foundation plays a significant role in supporting students by the numerous scholarships and support services they are able to offer. There is a Student Hub on campus that coordinates academic and resource services for students in one location. We have learned through the transition of all classes going online that some of our students don’t have access to computers or the internet. This fact points out the importance of the needed availability of these basic resources for student success. The board’s priorities are focused on the development of a campus wide equity lens and updating the strategic plan.
3. A 2019 Hope Center Survey of approximately 8,100 Oregon community college students indicated a significant number of students experienced basic needs insecurity (41% were food insecure, 52% housing insecure, 20% homeless). What steps can community colleges take to help these students achieve their educational goals in the face of such challenges?
Diane McKeel: The Associated Student Government coordinates the food pantry on campus. They have formed partnerships with community organizations to help stock the pantry with much needed food including fresh produce. The Student Hub also provides community resources to the students that need help with housing needs. Establishing partnerships within the business and the broader community are important to addressing student success.
Mt. Hood Community College, Zone 2
Marie Teune has not responded yet. She has a statement on page M-22 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
James Zordich has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-22 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. He is a current member of the board.
Mt. Hood Community College, Zone 4
Annette L Mattson, Mt. Hood Community College Director. In addition to answering our questions, she has a statement on page M-23 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She is a current member of the board.
Portland, OR 97266
Questions
1. Community college enrollment fluctuates widely due to economic and other factors, requiring fluctuations in the pool of adjunct professors. How will you work with faculty unions and college administration to assure educational excellence is not impacted by changes in enrollment?
Annette L Mattson: Much of this is governed by the contracts with our bargaining units. Our human resources departmentt and administration communicate with the board as enrollment and other matters affect staffing. The college conducts employee evaluations and surveys students, also.
2. What initiatives would you take or support to improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color?
Annette L Mattson: We are aware that student success at every level of our education system is often determined by race and zip code. This must change. We are beginning by analyzing the data on student success, and have realized we need it broken down further. We are also educating our entire college, starting with the board, on cultural competence, bias and Critical Race Theory. The data and student feedback shows who exactly needs a different approach to be successful. We will make the culture change and take the other necessary steps so that all students know they are welcomed, safe, and respected – so that every student can be successful.
3. A 2019 Hope Center Survey of approximately 8,100 Oregon community college students indicated a significant number of students experienced basic needs insecurity (41% were food insecure, 52% housing insecure, 20% homeless). What steps can community colleges take to help these students achieve their educational goals in the face of such challenges?
Annette L Mattson: 1. Right now there is a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would put in place a “Navigator” position at our community colleges, to assist students in navigating the maze of assistance programs that they may/may not qualify for. 2. Many colleges have asked faculty to put basic need referral information on their class syllabus. 3. At MHCC we have a student “hub” which is a one-stop shop for enrollment, programs, financial aid and other assistance such as SNAP. 4. Colleges should have on campus food banks to help with immediate hunger needs. 5. I strongly recommend that every college foundation have an emergency fund for students that is easy to access. This fund can help with an electric bill, a monthly rent shortfall, an unexpected car repair… those needs that happen and be a breaking point for a student. and cause them to drop out. 6. The Oregon legislature needs to dramatically increase funding for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, which is need based.
Portland Community College, Zone 1
Laurie Cremona Wagner, VP, Global Lead Management at Oracle Corporation. In addition to answering our questions, she was interviewed for our 2021 Video Voters’ Guide.
Portland, OR 97228
Questions
1. Community college enrollment fluctuates widely due to economic and other factors, requiring fluctuations in the pool of adjunct professors. How will you work with faculty unions and college administration to assure educational excellence is not impacted by changes in enrollment?
Laurie Cremona Wagner: I will work with the administration and faculty unions to ensure adequate funding from the federal and local government to support student success. We need to align on our joint goals of student success and living wage jobs for all Oregonians.
2. What initiatives would you take or support to improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color?
Laurie Cremona Wagner: After acquiring sustainable funding, we must focus on marginalized and underserved students first and lead with racial justice and equity in making policy and funding choices. We also need to improve financial aid – increase state financial aid funding, direct more resources to students in need, and make financial aid work for those students who need it the most. It’s also critical to transform how education is delivered to work for todays’ learning in terms of technology infrastructure, faculty training, flexible programming, and remote student support services to reach communities of color, non-traditional students and marginalized communities. Finallyt, we need to make sure there are clear pathways to quality careers and job opportunities for those students who do not follow the traditional collegiate pathways. We have to make college feel more accessible for everyone.
3. A 2019 Hope Center Survey of approximately 8,100 Oregon community college students indicated a significant number of students experienced basic needs insecurity (41% were food insecure, 52% housing insecure, 20% homeless). What steps can community colleges take to help these students achieve their educational goals in the face of such challenges?
Laurie Cremona Wagner: In order to address issues with homelessness and police accountability, it’s critical that PCC: • Advocates on behalf of those who are houseless for house-first solutions and co-response vs. criminalization • Continues to support students with wrap-around services, helping them get access to housing, food, internet and critical services • Partners with organizations in the Portland metro area to co-locate affordable housing, job training and community services on/near PCC campuses like the Portland Metro Workforce Training Center and Home Forward project • Works with Metro and counties included in the recent 26-210 tax measure to align workforce development and affordable housing systems, and provide an example throughout Oregon and the U.S. • Continues to research and replicate outcome-based solutions to address houselessness, poverty and other factors undermining faculty and student success and completion
Portland Community College, Zone 4
Serin Bussell has not responded yet. She has a statement on page M-24 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Jim Harper has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-24 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. He is a current member of the board.
Dmitriy Sashchenko has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-25 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Portland Community College, Zone 5
Dan Saltzman has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-25 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. He is a current member of the board.
Portland Community College, Zone 6
Mohamed Alyajouri has not responded yet. He is a current member of the board.
Portland Community College, Zone 7
Reiko Mia Williams has not responded yet. However, she was interviewed for our Video Voters’ Guide.
Kristi Wilson, Workforce Development Manager. In addition to answering our questions, she was interviewed for our 2021 Video Voters’ Guide.
Hillsboro, OREGON 97124
Questions:
1. Community college enrollment fluctuates widely due to economic and other factors, requiring fluctuations in the pool of adjunct professors. How will you work with faculty unions and college administration to assure educational excellence is not impacted by changes in enrollment?
Reiko Mia Williams has not responded yet.
Kristi Wilson: I am proud to be endorsed by PCC Federation of Faculty & Academic Professionals and PCC Federation of Classified Staff. I spend a lot of time working with academic professionals and have seen the impact of COVID-19 on their careers. A strong workforce is critical and will cultivate a positive culture and improve the quality of education. Whether it be access to affordable healthcare, alternative work schedules, childcare support or other resources to help with employee retention, it is critical that community colleges think innovatively about how to strengthen these resources, especially during a pandemic. Although the pandemic has greatly impacted enrollment, community colleges need to prepare for an increase as we move into economic recovery. This includes creating linguistically and culturally relevant recruitment strategies to increase enrollment while simultaneously removing barriers to access for traditionally underserved or underrepresented students.
2. What initiatives would you take or support to improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color?
Reiko Mia Williams has not responded yet.
Kristi Wilson: Portland Community Colleges has a strong strategic plan and supportive initiatives in place to improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color. I would support initiatives that provide more personal support for these students, more advising, and cleaner pathways to a degree or certificate. In my current role, I work with educational partners – including PCC, to develop shorter certificate programs and on-ramps to careers that can be completed in shorter time frames, and by design, they are stackable, meaning students can build on them for additional training and have a clear pathway to a livable wage career. Additionally, I would support building partnerships with culturally specific community organizations to help provide support services to students to address unmet needs and improve graduation and transfer rates for low-income students and students of color.
3. A 2019 Hope Center Survey of approximately 8,100 Oregon community college students indicated a significant number of students experienced basic needs insecurity (41% were food insecure, 52% housing insecure, 20% homeless). What steps can community colleges take to help these students achieve their educational goals in the face of such challenges?
Reiko Mia Williams has not responded yet.
Kristi Wilson: It is important community colleges have legislation and resources to help provide supportive housing and wrap around services, which so many students need. Community colleges, like PCC, must look at the economic and social circumstances that face students who are going through their institution (especially for those who may be struggling to finish) and ensure that there are interventions in place to help them succeed. These interventions must look like ease of transportation, financial support for basic necessities like food, housing, and childcare, as well as workforce and career coaching and academic support. As a board member, I would support PCC initiatives such as Pathways to Opportunity, which includes staffing and resources for benefit navigators on college campuses to help students access benefits for childcare, food, and housing. This creates a culture that provides quality education, with a safety net that many students needs to achieve their educational goals.
Video of Washington Co. Public Affairs Forum on PCC Zone 7 candidates
Our sister League in Washington Co. sent us a link to the recording of a forum for the PCC Zone 7 candidates. LWV of Washington Co. often partners with the Washington Co. Public Affairs Forum to produce informational program for elections. This is a Zoom recording; please enter the passcode to view it.
Passcode: 4MQn#E9H