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Oregon Community College Association
2026 Conference - Call for Proposals
November 4-6, 2026 | Sunriver Resort | Sunriver, Oregon
Community Colleges WORK for Oregon

Oregon's community colleges are essential to the state's economic vitality, workforce development, and community well-being. From preparing students for high-demand, living-wage careers to strengthening local communities and advancing equitable outcomes, community colleges deliver real impact every day.

The 2026 Conference will highlight how Community Colleges WORK for Oregon — and the critical role board members, college leaders, and partners play in that success.

We invite dynamic, engaging proposals that showcase innovative practices, effective strategies, and meaningful outcomes that demonstrate how community colleges are working for students, communities, and the state.
Who Should Submit

We welcome proposals from:
  • Community college board members
  • College presidents and administrators
  • Faculty and staff
  • State and local partners
  • Workforce and industry partners
  • Nonprofit and community-based organizations
NOTE FOR VENDORS: Preference will be given to vendors who are presenting in partnership with an OCCA-member college. Vendors are required to be a conference exhibitor or sponsor to present a breakout session.
Conference Audience

Approximately 120-150 attendees, including:
  • Locally elected community college board members
  • College presidents and executive leadership
  • Administrators, faculty, and staff
  • State and community partners
Session Formats

All sessions will be 60 minutes in length. We encourage interactive and engaging sessions. Formats may include:
  • Presentations
  • Panel discussions
  • Facilitated discussions or roundtables
  • Workshops
Conference Tracks

All proposals should align with the conference theme and fit within one of the following tracks:

1. Community Colleges WORK for Board Leadership & Governance

Strengthening effective governance and board leadership.

Examples include:
  • Roles and responsibilities of board members
  • Board–president relationships
  • Ethics, public meetings law, and governance best practices
  • Board development, onboarding, and engagement
  • Effective decision-making and board culture

2. Community Colleges WORK for Student Success & Institutional Effectiveness

Focusing on outcomes, accountability, and how colleges deliver results.

Examples include:
  • Student retention, completion, and transfer success
  • Using data to inform decisions
  • Closing equity gaps and supporting underserved students
  • Basic needs and wraparound supports
  • Guided pathways and student-centered practices
  • Enrollment and access strategies
  • Innovative practices that improve outcomes
3. Community Colleges WORK for Oregon's Economy & Communities

Driving workforce development, building strong partnerships and serving local communities.

Examples include:
  • Partnerships with K-12, business, and community organizations
  • Rural and regional strategies
  • Community engagement and outreach
  • Career Technical Education and workforce pathways
  • Apprenticeships and industry collaboration
  • Applied baccalaureate programs
  • Demonstrating community and economic impact

4. Community Colleges WORK Through Advocacy & Investment

Advancing policy, funding, and long-term sustainability for community colleges.

Examples include:
  • Understanding Oregon's funding model (CCSF and beyond)
  • State and federal policy impacts
  • Capital construction and infrastructure investment
  • Communicating impact and messaging to policymakers and stakeholders
  • Institutional sustainability and resource alignment

Innovation Across All Tracks

OCCA encourages proposals that highlight innovative approaches across all topic areas, including the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, new service delivery models, and creative strategies that improve outcomes, strengthen governance, and advance community impact.
Proposal Guidelines

Proposals should:
  • Clearly connect to the conference theme
  • Identify the intended audience (board members, administrators, etc.)
  • Include practical takeaways or actionable strategies
  • Highlight outcomes, lessons learned, or best practices
  • Encourage engagement and interaction where possible
Submission Information

Please be prepared to provide:
  • Session title
  • Presenter(s) and affiliations
  • Track selection
  • Session description (100-150 words)
  • Learning objectives and key takeaways
Selection Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed based on:
  • Relevance to the conference theme and tracks
  • Value to board members and college leaders
  • Practical application and takeaways
  • Clarity and quality of the proposals
  • Balance across tracks and topics
Presenter Expectations & Conference Policies

Commitment to Inclusion and Respect

OCCA welcomes participants and presenters of all backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We are committed to fostering a conference environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive for all.

Presenters are expected to ensure that their sessions, materials, and delivery reflect this commitment, including the use of inclusive language, imagery, and examples. OCCA takes a proactive approach in addressing any display of insensitivity to diversity and inclusion through words, images, or actions.

OCCA reserves the right to decline or remove presentations that do not align with these expectations.


Presenter Responsibilities

Presenters are responsible for all expenses associated with attending the conference, including registration, travel, and lodging.

Submission of a proposal indicates a commitment to present at the 2026 OCCA Conference, if selected, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and confirms that the presenter has the support and approval of their college president or organization.
Submission Tips

To strengthen your proposal and improve its chances of selection, please consider the following:
  • Write in paragraph form. Your session description should be a clear, cohesive narrative rather than a list of ideas.
  • Craft a concise, compelling title. Choose a brief, eye-catching title that clearly reflects the content of your session.
  • Align with the conference theme and track. Be explicit about how your proposal connects to Community Colleges WORK for Oregon and the selected track.
  • Focus on value for board members. Consider how your session will be relevant and useful to community college board members and institutional leaders.
  • Include practical takeaways. Strong proposals highlight actionable strategies, tools, or insights that attendees can apply.
  • Incorporate engagement. Think beyond lecture-style presentations and consider interactive approaches such as discussion, activities, or case studies.
If you have questions, please contact:

Laura Crook
laura@occa17.com
Proposal Timeline

Proposal Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. (PST), Friday, August 14, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: No later than September 16, 2026
Final Note

At OCCA, we believe that Community Colleges WORK for Oregon — and this conference is an opportunity to share how. We encourage proposals that are thoughtful, practical, and engaging, and that highlight the vital role community colleges play across our state.