REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS
Oregon Community College Association
2024 Annual Conference | Salishan Coastal Lodge, Gleneden Beach, Oregon
Charting a Course to the Future
The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) invites you to submit proposals for breakout sessions for our Annual Conference scheduled for November 6-8, 2024. This year’s Conference will take place at Salishan Coastal Lodge. We encourage you to take this opportunity to share best practices, showcase a unique college program or inform other stakeholders about an event or issue affecting your institution and/or community colleges on a broader level.
Presentation Topic Areas

This year’s theme is Charting a Course to the Future. All presentation proposals should relate to the conference theme in some fashion. We have also identified topic areas that we encourage conference presentations to focus on or relate to in some way:
  • Innovation & the Future – Innovative programs and initiatives that empower students and foster their achievements, as well as those that streamline college operations to enhance overall effectiveness. We also encourage submissions that delve into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative potential on campus, in classrooms, and as an integral part of college operations. Share your experiences, insights, and best practices in leveraging AI to drive positive change and propel community colleges towards a future-oriented approach.
  • Equitable Pathways to Good Careers – How community colleges are moving more students into higher wage programs or junior standing as a transfer, or how CTE programs are preparing students for careers in their communities.
  • Board & College Commitment to Equity – The OCCA Board is committed to learning, growing, and understanding the diverse communities we serve and how best to meet their needs. As we strive to meet the evolving needs of those we serve, we invite presentations that highlight how colleges are actively engaging with their local communities and advancing the colleges' equity initiatives.
  • Student Achievement & Data – How to use data to identify student needs and ensure success for every student., as well as how boards can make data-driven decisions.
  • Policy & Procedure – These are important operational issues colleges deal with every day such as public meeting law, board member ethics, PERS, local budget law, etc.
  • Community Engagement & Partnerships – Board and/or college collaboration and partnerships with community stakeholders. These can include successful strategies for establishing meaningful partnerships with local communities such as local business/industry and K12 partners, innovative approaches to understanding and meeting the diverse needs of the community, and promoting inclusivity, equity, and access through collaborative initiatives.
Breakout Session Structure

60-minute presentation – All breakouts will follow this traditional presentation structure, and you are encouraged to actively engage participants. Please leave time in your session for Q & A.

Please remember, the objective of the conference is to broaden participants’ perspectives through conversations and sessions that define new approaches to current issues. Participants should walk away with ideas they can implement at their college or in their communities. This is also a time to engage – let’s bring energy and positive momentum with upbeat, energetic presentations!

Audience

The audience at the OCCA Annual Conference tend to primarily be community college board members, but also include some presidents, administrators and staff. Please make sure your presentation has these audience participants in mind, particularly board members. Your presentation should allow participants to walk away with ideas and action related to their roles at their institution.
Presentation Selection Criteria:
  • Relevance and significance of the topic to the conference audience
  • Relevance of the topic to conference theme
  • Expertise of proposed session leader(s)
  • Plan for active engagement of session attendees
  • Content of presentation/discussion outline (see below)
Breakout Session Proposals

All submissions must be made using the survey form link. Proposals should be submitted no later than Friday, August 16, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. PST.

NOTE: All panels must be moderated with a clear focus on the topic described in the proposal.
OCCA welcomes members of all backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations. We take a resolute approach in our response to any display of insensitivity to diversity and inclusion through words, images, or actions. We seek to foster an organization that is universally welcoming, respectful, educational, and professional. Presenters and conference presentations are expected to be inclusive and respectful in all areas, including but not limited to terminology and imagery.
Submission Tips
  • Write a paragraph rather than use bullet points. Your session should be a narrative, not a list of ideas.
  • Your session title should be brief but eye-catching and draw attention to the subject matter discussed in the body of the submission.
  • Your proposal should explicitly state how your topic would address one of the themes listed above.
  • Consider the best way for attendees to consume the information you are sharing. A lecture-style presentation is not the only way to share your experience and expertise.
  • Proposals from non-colleges (i.e., exhibitor/sponsor) should consider presenting with an OCCA-member college for a stronger likelihood of selection.
  • Review the proposal several times before submission. Your description forms the basis for what OCCA shares in the program materials and on the website.
  • OCCA is here for guidance—contact Katie Archambault at katie@occa17.com if you have any questions.
Please feel free to call 503-399-9912 if you are concerned about possible duplication of topics, or to see if certain sessions are already scheduled. We look forward to your participation!

Please submit your proposal via the online form by 5:00 p.m. PST Friday, August 16, 2024.

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