What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission

Home
United States
Salem, OR
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission

Directions Website

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Government Organization, 3225 25th Street SE, Salem, OR.

The HECC is a State of Oregon agency and Commission working to improve equitable access to and success in higher education and workforce training for Oregonians statewide.

10/30/2026

HECC Collaborations newsletter, October 2026, Convening Partners and Inviting Input on Priorities in Oregon Public Higher Education

Read the issue here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/42fd196

This latest issue focuses on the statewide engagement underway in the development of the House Bill 4124 Higher Education Revitalization Study, a major focus of the HECC this year leading up to a legislative deadline in April. Our consultant recently released a public survey on the HB 4124 work and we encourage wide participation! This issue also focuses on the many ways the HECC has been working in partnership with campuses and education communities to help better serve learners for years to come, including: the opening of key financial aid applications, two significant federal grants to support that will help expand supports for students, our continued work on student belonging where we are seeking participation in an online community exercise, recent conferences, and more.

Read more HECC news here:

https://www.oregon.gov/highered/public-engagement/Pages/news-updates.aspx

10/21/2026

As we continue our work to identify actions that can make a difference in supporting belonging in higher education, we invite you a complete a brief online exercise.
Complete the exercise here: https://tally.so/r/81vyJl
Based on what 1,100 Oregonians shared with us this spring about what creates a sense of belonging for students, our partners at Oregon’s Kitchen Table and Izora Arts & Sciences developed a set of factors affecting student belonging. Now, we are looking to our higher education communities to help make connections between the factors by participating in an online community exercise through December 11, 2026. This online exercise asks you to answer 5 matching questions, and takes about 10 minutes. Thank you for your engagement!

10/21/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Grant will Bolster Oregon’s Work to Help Community College Students Afford Basic Needs and Prepare for the Workforce
Read today’s release here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/42fb859
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $4.1 million Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
This significant four year investment, running through 2030, will expand Oregon’s capacity to address basic needs insecurity—such as food and housing insecurity—among community college students. Oregon’s grant project will help increase access to public benefits for Oregon community college students statewide as they progress toward workforce relevant credentials.
At a time when rising costs and unmet basic needs continue to threaten students’ ability to persist and complete their education, the project aims to implement sustainable, statewide strategies that connect students with essential supports, reduce barriers to completion, and promote long term economic mobility.
The HECC was one of only three recipients nationally for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program grant for 2026, which was awarded from the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. The HECC’s Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) will administer the funds and subcontract with Portland Community College (PCC) to coordinate the project among the state’s two-year public institutions and partners, building on Oregon’s ongoing statewide initiatives underway, including benefit navigators, career pathways, and more.
Read more HECC news here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/42fb859
Read today’s press release here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/42fb859

10/19/2026

We invite your input on opportunities and priorities in Oregon higher education!

Today, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s lead consultant for the House Bill 4124 higher education revitalization study, EY-Parthenon, has launched the House Bill 4124 Study Public Survey. We encourage you to participate and to help us to share this survey widely in Oregon!

Take the survey: https://survey.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eFMEp4J46tQmVue

EY-Parthenon is seeking input from students, faculty, staff, employers, legislators, community members, and other interested parties as part of the HB 4124 study of Oregon’s public postsecondary education system. This short survey asks you to respond to four questions related to the 4124 study as well as your connection/affiliation with the higher education system. Your feedback will help identify challenges, opportunities, and priorities for Oregon’s public postsecondary education system and will be considered alongside other research and engagement methods as recommendations are developed for the future of public higher education in Oregon.

As the lead consultant supporting HECC on the HB 4124 study, EY-Parthenon serves as an independent, evidence-based technical advisor. To learn more about the study’s background and process, visit the HECC HB 4124 implementation web page, where you can also find a link to the survey.

Learn more: https://www.oregon.gov/highered/strategy-research/Pages/hb-4124.aspx

In addition to the survey, numerous additional processes of engagement, analysis, and collaboration are underway as HECC works toward the higher education revitalization study called for by HB 4124. The HECC has established a collaborative structure for the implementation of this legislatively-driven process, including an Advisory Group, regional meetings, consultant support, a student voices group, faculty and staff focus groups, a legislative roundtable, and an academic and fiscal leadership table.

Please help us share this survey opportunity with your communities. Anyone who is interested in public postsecondary education in Oregon is welcome to participate. The survey will be open through December 4, 2026. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

10/14/2026

PRESS RELEASE: With Grant Funding, Oregon Will Expand Development of Affordable Textbooks for High-Demand College Courses at Public Institutions

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce that Oregon has been awarded an approximately $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Open Textbooks Pilot Program to support Open Textbooks, also known as Open Educational Resources (OER). The funds will be used over the next three years to support open textbooks in high-enrollment courses at Oregon colleges and universities. These resources help improve affordability for higher education by offering free or low-cost textbooks and other course materials as an alternative to high-cost educational materials that are a barrier for many students.

The grant will support the development of high-quality, accessible OER, including textbooks and course materials, for four high-enrollment general education Communications courses. The project is expected to eliminate required textbook costs in four high-enrollment courses, saving students in these courses an average of $59 per student. Read more about the grant and the project in our release here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/42e400b
Find other HECC news on our website here:
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/public-engagement/Pages/news-updates.aspx
Thank you for staying engaged with the work of the HECC!

10/06/2026

Join us for “From Learning to Earning: Empowering Adult Learners for Economic Success” – a free, virtual event on October 16, 2026!

The Oregon Adult Basic Skills (ABS) Conference is an annual event that brings together professionals committed to advancing Adult Basic Skills and High School Equivalency Oregon GED Program education. We are pleased to invite partners to join us virtually for the 2026 Oregon ABS Conference on October 16, 2026, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PDT. This event is virtual and free!

We have 23 sessions lined up for “From Learning to Earning.” Topics include open educational resources, career preparation, math routines, foundational literacy, artificial intelligence, Integrated Education and Training (IET) educator networking, serving neurodivergent learners, career clusters, and more. We’ll also be joined by a panel of community college presidents to discuss adult basic skills at their institutions, and Sharon Bonney, CEO of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), will join to share her national perspective. Check out the conference agenda and registration details on the ABS Conference website.
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/community-colleges-workforce-development/pages/abs-conference.aspx

We look forward to engaging with you!

10/06/2026

Current and prospective students – apply for financial aid for next year! The 2027-28 FAFSA and ORSAA are now open!

To be eligible for most types of financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA). These applications compile financial information and other details about students and families, which the US Department of Education and the State of Oregon use to determine financial need and eligibility for various financial aid opportunities. The 2027-28 FAFSA and ORSAA are now open. Please share this news widely with students and families!

Visit the HECC Office of Student Access and Completion OSAC for more information on both forms
https://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/fafsa-orsaa/

09/30/2026

Our latest newsletter is ready for your viewing! Read about initiatives and public engagement processes of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, including: our submission of a preliminary report to the Oregon Legislature on the HB 4124 Revitalization Study; recent grants to support the development of programs to provide short-term credentials in high-demand careers; key budget development and legislative updates; upcoming conferences; and more!

HECC Collaborations, September 2026: Fall Activity Focuses on Building Opportunity for Oregonians, and Progress on the House Bill 4124 Higher Education Revitalization Study

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/428438c

Thanks for staying connected with our work for Oregonians!

09/10/2026

Join us in celebrating adult education and family literacy next week, September 14-18! The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce that Governor Kotek has declared the week of September 14-18 Oregon's Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. We encourage others to join us in celebrating the thousands of students who are benefiting from these programs, and the educators who serve them.

The Governor’s proclamation emphasizes that education is essential for the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the State of Oregon, providing residents with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
--Read our press release here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/428447f
--Read the proclamation here: https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/community-colleges-workforce-development/Documents/ABS/2026%20Adult%20Education%20and%20Family%20Literacy%20Week.pdf
Oregon’s celebration coincides with the national Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, organized through the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), and with National GED® Day on September 18, 2026.

How to Participate
--Help us share this news about the positive impacts of adult education! Find some key facts below.
--Institutions and programs are encouraged to highlight success stories of students who have benefited from adult basic skills education or literacy education on social media.
--Explore COABE-sponsored resources to recognize adult learners here, including social media content and student stories. https://www.coabe.org/aefl-week
--Explore National GED® Day resources here including success stories to share. https://www.ged.com/nationalgedday.html

Some facts about adult education and family literacy in Oregon:
--At the center of Oregon’s adult education ecosystem is the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II program, the foundation of the state’s Adult Basic Skills system. Through 15 Oregon community colleges and the Oregon Department of Corrections, Title II funding ensures that thousands of adult learners can access literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, English language acquisition, and workforce preparation each year.
--In 2024–25 alone, more than 13,300 adults participated in Oregon’s Title II program, earning thousands of measurable skill gains and nearly 1,200 high school credentials.
--Since the last biennium, Oregon has seen a 29 percent increase in the number of adults served in Title II programs and a 35 percent increase in median earnings six months after program completion. Nearly 2,200 Title II participants earned a GED® and transitioned to employment or postsecondary education, marking a 25 percent increase over the previous biennium.

Learn more about Oregon’s Adult Basic Skills program here.
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/community-colleges-workforce-development/pages/adult-basic-skills.aspx

08/17/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Oregon to Expand Registered Apprenticeship Pathways in Healthcare, Information Technology, and Manufacturing

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is pleased to announce that Oregon will invest approximately $1.7 million in federal funding to expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) aimed at strengthening the state’s apprenticeship system and addressing urgent workforce shortages in healthcare, and emerging needs in information technology (IT) and manufacturing. This initiative addresses critical workforce shortages, especially in rural and frontier communities, by increasing access to paid, high-quality training pathways.

To accelerate solutions, Oregon will use the grant funds awarded by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula 4 (SAEF4). Learn more about in our full announcement here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHECC/bulletins/424b111

Address

3225 25th Street SE
Salem, OR
97302

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.oregon.gov/highered

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.