Regional Leadership Summit at Clackamas Community College

The Leadership: Women, Wellness, and Impact conference brought together women from community colleges across Oregon for a day focused on leadership development, personal wellness, and meaningful connections. Throughout the day we explored how understanding different personality styles can strengthen communication and leadership effectiveness, transforming challenges into leadership growth, building confidence through authentic leadership, and emphasizing the importance of wellness, mentorship, and leading with purpose. At the conference, attendees gained practical leadership strategies, connected with colleagues from across the state, and left with renewed motivation to lead with confidence, resilience, and impact.

Missed a session? Want to revisit your favorite presentation? 🎉

Now that we're back to our daily routines, it's a great time to reconnect with the ideas, conversations, and inspiration from our recent conference. please take time to visit the website - https://www.aawccoregon.org/regional/ to look through the great materials we’ve posted from that conference. The conference may be over, but the learning and connections continue. Dive back in and make the most of the knowledge shared by our incredible presenters. Happy reviewing!

OILD

As we approach the Oregon Institute for Leadership Development (OILD) 2026, I wanted to take a minute and reflect on OILD 2025 at THE BIG K GUEST RANCH & GUIDE SERVICE, INC., Elkton, Oregon

In July 2025, I had the honor of co-facilitating the Oregon Institute for Leadership Development (OILD), sponsored by the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES (AAWCC) Oregon State Chapter, with Dr. Kristina Holton, Dean of SEM at Linn-Benton Community College. Together, we welcomed twenty-two (22) women aspiring leaders from across Oregon’s community colleges for a four-day, immersive professional development experience.

Our theme last year was “Powerful Cultivation to Inspire Limitless Growth,” which guided us in creating meaningful opportunities for reflection, networking, and skill-building. Through inspiration, art, connection to nature, and shared dialogue, participants were able to deepen their leadership practice, explore personal and professional growth, and strengthen bonds across the state.

Each day of the retreat followed the Appreciative Inquiry framework—Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny—creating space for reflection, creativity, and actionable leadership development.

A highlight of OILD was the wisdom shared by our college presidents, who inspired participants with stories, strategies, and lessons from their own leadership journeys:

· Dr. Rachel Pokrandt, President, Umpqua Community College

“What will your curveball be, and how do you plan to hit it out of the ballpark?”

· Dr. Lisa Skari, President, Mt. Hood Community College

“Leadership: Uncensored”

· Dr. Patty Scott, President, Southwestern Oregon Community College

“The Accidental President”

· Dr. Stephanie Bulger, President, Lane Community College

“Leading with Impact: Purpose, Power, and Presence”

· Dr. Jessica Howard, President, Chemeketa Community College

“The Road to Transformational Leadership”

· Dr. Lisa Avery, President, Linn-Benton Community College

“Budgets, Legislative Importance, and HECC”

In addition, participants engaged in sessions on communication, values-driven leadership, resilience, and collaborative design. Faculty and facilitators—including myself and Kristina Holton—wove together reflection, art, journaling, and community-building to ensure participants left feeling inspired and empowered.

OILD continues to be a cornerstone leadership development program for Oregon’s community colleges, cultivating the next generation of women leaders who are prepared to step into expanded roles across our institutions and state.

As we gear up for our wonderful OILD 2026 cohort on July 13-16, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate last year’s cohort and all that they have accomplished since. 

Below is a LinkedIn excerpt from one of the phenomenal attendees from 2025.  

Appreciatively,

Amy Burbee

CampusConnect

Leadership is stronger when we grow together.

Campus Connect is a monthly virtual gathering designed to inspire, support, and empower AAWCC members through leadership conversations, mentorship, and authentic connection. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, you'll find encouragement, practical insights, and a welcoming community committed to advancing women in higher education.

Use the button below to join our mailing list and receive a reminder for our first Campus Connect meeting this Fall.

Oregon Community College Chapter Updates

Rogue CC:

This year, AAWCC-RCC raised $1638.01 from our annual flower and beverage sale at commencement. 100% of these funds will go toward student scholarships. 

Our chapter will also host our fall and spring clothing sales as fundraisers for student scholarships. 

Linn-Benton CC:

This year, 2025-26, we were able to provide scholarships to 4 recipients at $1500 each! This will be the last year of the AAUW will be able to contribute to our scholarship funds, but they have been a wonderful addition to scholarship fund.

September: On the 24th we kicked off the new academic year and our chapter hosted a table at Welcome Day and the Clothing Connection had its opening day

October: The chapter hosted a general meeting focusing on Women’s Health-with wonderful guest speaker Heather Peacock

November: The chapter hosted a general meeting focusing on “giving” and volunteer services, with guest speaker Jana Svoboda. 

December: Holiday Silent Auction was held in which we had 26 baskets donated and raised a total of $1,423.00 for scholarships, and was very well attended!

January: Jan 23-24, the AAWCC in conjunction with the Clothing Connection provided an opportunity for our community to be involved with the annual $1 clothing sale. This was well attended and supported both the AAWCC scholarships and the Clothing Connection.

February: Feb 6-7 was the annual Scrapping for Scholarships fundraising event, and again, well attended. This event’s success is attributed to the hard work of Jo Ann Yonemura and Marci Johhnston.  

March: March 4 we hosted the Working Women’s tea with 24 members and guests in attendance. Our guest speaker was Jenny Strooband, Dean of Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation Technology. She spoke to us about her life and her desire to continue to see equality for women in the workplace. 

April: A month-long “energy challenge” was the theme for this year’s Earth Day, and all of LBCC was provided with the Energy Trust of Oregon link to participate. With the clothing sale in January, we chose not to host a Spring $1 clothing sale, due the the time, energy and humans needed to make it successful. The dissolving of the LBCC Green Team (led by former Dean Meg Roland and Facility Director Pete Zerr), which co-sponsored the event in the past, played a part in this year’s changes.

May: May 15 was the annual Leadership Summit, hosted by Clackamas Community College.  

June: June 3 will be our final general meeting of the year. A few statements from our current scholarship recipients will highlight this event, and we will round up the meeting with the swearing in of the new AAWCC Executive Board. Lunch will be provided for members, and $6 each for non-members.