Browning

The turn of the calendar often gives us a chance look back on the year just completed and to focus forward on the new year ahead.

Here at your community college, Blue Mountain Community College, we are proud of the work we’ve done to support students on their journeys to brighter futures in 2023 (and since 1962) and we are excited about the road ahead in 2024 and beyond.

After posting modest enrollment gains in 21-22 and in 22-23, our fall term brought an increase of 19%. We’ve followed that up with a strong showing now in the winter term, with continued year-to-year momentum.

How is this happening? After 10 consecutive years of enrollment declines, what’s driving this change?

First, it’s the people at BMCC. You have the most dedicated staff and faculty working to make sure each and every student comes first. From those who help students explore all the possibilities available, to talented faculty who deliver learning outcomes that have meaning and relevance to those who keep our facilities clean and secure, every person, every employee it is the passion that shines through their work that connects our students to their dreams of whatever it is they want to pursue in life.

Secondly, it is you, our communities. We are so very fortunate to have incredible support throughout our service region. Speaking of our region, the BMCC official service region, the largest in the state at approximately 18,000 square miles, ranges from the eastern border of Malheur and Baker counties near Huntington to the western end of Morrow County outside of Arlington, south past Heppner, north to the Washington state line, an area one-third larger than the state of Maryland.

Throughout this vast expanse, BMCC enjoys a level of community support that is unequaled in the state. On behalf of all of us here at the institution, thank you. It is a wonderful partnership and relationship that has lasted more than 61 years, and we are bullish on the future.

Recently, Blue Mountain Community College released the results of an economic impact study. The report, published by Lightcast, in conjunction with the Oregon Community College Association, shows that BMCC contributes more than $157.5 million annually to our region’s economy. To drill down a bit deeper, let’s look at your return on investment.

You, the Oregon taxpayer in either Baker, Morrow or Umatilla counties, provided approximately $28.7 million dollars worth of funding to BMCC in fiscal year 2021-22, the years studied. In return, the economy realized more than $157 million dollars in impact, a $5.60 return per $1 invested. Now that is a worthy investment in your local and regional workforce, the overall health and well-being of your region and the betterment of each of us through acquisition of knowledge, skill and perspective.

A BMCC student sees a near 22% annual return on their dollar invested helping to reinforce the long-known truth — invest in yourself and your education for your best possible future.

Higher education has undergone and is still experiencing foundational seismic change. Our long-time focus on degree completion will always be a major concentration for us at BMCC. We are shifting to add new areas of opportunity for students in unmanned aerial systems, technology-based careers in data management and plant operations. Our region’s economy is growing and changing, and we will work to be the economic development and workforce partner that is crucial to our collective success.

At BMCC, we are proud to be recognized as a Hispanic serving institution, meaning more than 25% of our students identify as Hispanic. We are pushing to be more bilingual, to offer courses and services that address rapidly growing fields accessible for all.

On a personal note, I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful endeavor. Now in my third year as president, I am proud of the work we’ve done in the past few years, the challenges we’ve faced and addressed and now — the future we are creating — it is time to focus forward. Come join us.

Go Timberwolves.

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