1 Roadrunner Report – Lisa Avery

July 23, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

I hope your summer is going well. As I write this letter, I’m inspired by the thought that many of our students have chosen to spend their summers with LBCC, getting ready for the term’s start next week, and continuing their educational path despite these uncertain times. And I’m inspired by the thought that our staff and faculty have worked hard to be ready to help them along the way…thank you!

It’s been three weeks since I began my role as your new president. I wanted to reach out and let you all know that I’m getting settled into the office, very excited to be here, and looking forward to connecting with all facets of our learning and working community. I’ll begin by writing to you regularly with updates…here are a few recent happenings to share:

Around the College

Our ongoing COVID situation makes it a very interesting time to transition positions. Though I wish I could meet you all in person, I am instead scheduling a number of Zoom meetings to get to know the college and the community. During my first month, I will be meeting with more than 30 LBCC employees and students, and another 15 community leaders and elected officials. It is important for me to hear what is on your mind and how you are coping with COVID. We are also arranging some face-to-face (with mask) meetings, and a few walking meetings for those who are willing and able. If you would like to get together this summer, please let Amanda Kliever know, and she will try to find time for us to walk, meet or Zoom together.

As you might guess, even before I began my position officially at LB, much of my time has been focused on preparing to guide the college gradually into in-person work after the sudden spring shift to remote/online education. I have directed my leadership team to shift our dialogue toward the term “Rebounding” instead of “Reopening” — since in fact we never closed. Currently the team is putting the finishing touches on our Rebounding Plan, and we hope to distribute it widely next month. Physical health and safety of students and employees is central to the plan. One particular item on my mind is how to take care of our employees during this time when the pandemic continues to drag on, and in many areas, worsen. I’m wondering how the leadership team can support you and your work, so please let me know if you have ideas. Also, I know many of our employees, myself included, are K-12 parents, and consequently are concerned about how the area school districts’ reopening plans might influence your work life. As the parent of an incoming sixth-grader and a rising senior, I wish I had an answer; please stay tuned as we await further news from local districts. They too are trying to balance health, safety and the educational needs of our community.

Next, I have a request: please help me create a college culture of wearing masks or other face coverings. As you know, when on campus, face coverings are required in order to help keep ourselves and each other safe (except in private offices). Like many of you, I have immuno-compromised people in my family, and I am trying to protect them as well. If you see on my masked-up walks around campus, please stop me to say hello and introduce yourself. It may be hard to see, but I’m probably smiling!

Around the State

I’ve been staying in close touch with my fellow Oregon presidents this summer as we work with the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and the Community College and Workforce Development Office (CCWD) on COVID guidance and the fiscal impact of the pandemic. I feel very fortunate to have strong collegial relationships with that group, and to benefit from the steady leadership of Dr. Cam Preus from the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA), who helps guide the colleges to speak from one voice on behalf of the 260,000+ Oregonians we serve annually. As a group, we continue to advocate for additional resources for students and institutions who have been impacted by COVID. I have met with five members of LBCC’s legislative delegation already, and my message is clear:

• Now more than ever, community colleges are essential to Oregon’s educational, economic, and social well-being. Now more than ever, we need to bring resources to communities who have been devastated by the economic crisis, and community colleges are uniquely positioned to do so.

You will hear more from me on our state budget as we move forward into the legislature’s special session (happening sometime soon) and into next year’s long session.

Around the U.S.

At the same time as COVID rages, so does social unrest. Like many of you, I have been watching the ongoing protests in Portland and other parts of the country. My hopes for our country involve reconciliation, dialogue across difference, and lasting social change. LB’s new equity statement is available here, and elaborates on these critical issues from the lens of our college’s inclusive mission. In the meantime, I will keep advocating for equity in our services and outcomes, especially with regard to racial equity in college access and completion. Please join me in that effort… it will take all of us working together.

With Dr. Preus and three other presidents as well as staff from the Governor’s office, I will represent Oregon on the new Reskilling and Recovery Network, launched by the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Governors Association. Supported by the Lumina Foundation and the Siemens Foundation, this project will provide technical support to 20 states who are trying to build a post-COVID economy. I am hopeful this network will help us emerge stronger and get our communities back on their feet.

Around the House

Now for some news a bit closer to home: my family and I are settling in nicely to our new house in Millersburg (though not fully unpacked!). Along with my wife and daughters, I have been enjoying the beautiful sunsets every evening. We are maintaining social distancing while still exploring the area, and have already done a lot of cycling, hiking and kayaking. Foster Lake made for a beautiful (but breezy) paddle, and my favorite cycling so far is on Santiam Bluffs Road, which provides both a steep climb and an amazing view. In normal times, I might ask for your favorite local restaurant recommendations, but instead, I’d appreciate suggestions for gentle kayaking, road cycling and family-friendly hiking trails. If the sunny weather holds, my family would love to spend our weekends exploring more of the area’s best outdoor offerings. The Mid-Willamette Valley is so beautiful — we love it here and feel privileged to join the community.

Finally, thank you for all you do to support our students and our communities. I am proud to be here as your new President, and I look forward to seeing you — one way or another — sometime soon. Best wishes for a great Summer Term.

Thanks,

Lisa