Governor John Kitzhaber recently announced the names of seventy-six nominees for service on state boards and commissions including thirteen for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and two for the State Board of Higher Education. The HECC, created in 2011 by SB 242, will coordinate postsecondary policy between the Oregon University System and community colleges in the state. SB 1538 clarified that the HECC reports to the Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB), which was also created by SB 242, and may give advice on budgetary and achievement compact matters to the OEIB. Additionally, the HECC was given authority to review and make recommendations on several issues, including student success, access, underserved populations, and transfer and articulation. The HECC has no authority, however, to direct colleges to implement any specific recommendations. The nominees to the HECC are listed at left.

The governor also named two new members to the State Board of Higher Education. Orcilia Forbes of Portland will join the board. Forbes retired from a long and distinguished career in education in 2004, having held top administrative posts at Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of New Mexico. She earned a PhD in educational policy and management in 1992 from the University of Oregon. The governor also appointed James Middleton, the president of Central Oregon Community College. Middleton also serves

on the Oregon State Board of Education’s Access and Affordability Working Group, the Rural Education Access Committee, and the Community College’s Growth Management Committee. He holds a PhD in English language and literature from the University of Michigan.

The nominees were confirmed by the Oregon Senate on Monday, May 21.