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About

​​​Commissioners and Executive Director

Established in 2011 and vested with its current authorities in 2013, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission is a 15-member, volunteer commission appointed by the Oregon Governor, and confirmed by the Senate. For information on how to apply for an appointment, please see the Office of the Governor here.​

The Commission is supported by the HECC state agency, comprised of eight offices led by Executive Director Ben Cannon.​​​

Commissioners

Terry Cross

Position: Chair, Commissioner
Term Expires: June 30, 2023
terry.cross@hecc.oregon.gov

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Sandy Rowe

Position: Vice Chair, Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: June 30, 2025
sandy.rowe@hecc.oregon.gov

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Rukaiyah Adams

Position: Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: June 30, 2025
rukaiyah.adams@hecc.oregon.gov

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Natalie Arnot

Position: Commissioner, university student position
Term Expires: June 30, 2024
natalie.arnot@hecc.oregon.gov

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Vanessa Becker

Position: Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: June 30, 2023
vanessa.becker@hecc.oregon.gov

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Richard Devlin

Position: Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: February 28, 2026
richard.devlin@hecc.oregon.gov

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Helen Edwards

Position: Commissioner
Term Expires: June 30, 2023
helen.edwards@hecc.oregon.gov

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Arnel Fajardo

Position: Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: June 30, 2025
arnel.fajardo@hecc.oregon.gov

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Greg Hamann

Position: Commissioner, member of the Funding and Achievement Subcommittee
Term Expires: June 6, 2025
gregory.hamann@hecc.oregon.gov

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Position vacant

Position: Commissioner
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​​​Aislyn Matias

Position: Commissioner
Term Expires: February 29, 2024
aislyn.matias@hecc.oregon.gov

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Fernando Rojas-Galván

Position: Commissioner, community college faculty position
Term Expires: June 30, 2024
fernando.rojas-galvan@hecc.oregon.gov

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Emily Simnitt

Position: Commissioner, university faculty position
Term Expires: June 30, 2024
emily.simnitt@hecc.oregon.gov

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Motutama Sipelii

Position: Commissioner, graduate student position
Term Expires: February 29, 2024
motutama.sipelii@hecc.oregon.gov

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Position Vacant

Position: Commissioner, community college student position
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Ben Cannon

Position: Executive Director
Ben Cannon

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