Meerah Powell
OPB
Portland, OR, United States
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Past articles by Meerah:
Oregon State cybersecurity grant to help address national, local worker shortage
OSU received nearly $5 million to help train cybersecurity experts → Read More
Oregon community colleges use state investment package to support students
Colleges are using money from Future Ready Oregon to offer discounted and free courses, support student needs and expand programming. → Read More
Oregon labor bureau prepares to fine Pacific University more than $840,000
The state agency alleges the private university did not hand over personnel files to employees who requested them. → Read More
Oregon’s low unemployment rate holds steady for July
The state’s unemployment rate held steady in July at 3.5%, the same rate it was in June. That mirrors the nation’s unemployment rate. Both Oregon and U.S. employment rates have stayed near that level over the past five months, near record lows, according to OED. → Read More
‘Highly unusual labor market’ of 2022 analyzed in Oregon report
The state’s third “Oregon Talent Assessment” confirms that hiring has been tough — with 84% of employers reporting difficulty filling positions — and the report finds many other difficulties created by a public health emergency and the government’s response to the crisis. → Read More
How Oregon’s community colleges will be a crucial part of the state’s pandemic recovery
Three retiring community college presidents discuss how COVID-19 affected enrollment at their institutions, and the role community college programs can play in helping students prepare for careers or continued learning. → Read More
Eastern Oregon University, Umpqua Community College receive money to help prepare rural students for college
More than $2 million will go to the schools to support the recruitment and retention of rural students. → Read More
Presidential finalists visit Oregon State University, interact with campus community
The OSU Board of Trustees anticipates choosing the university’s next president in early June → Read More
Portland State University student surrenders in fatal shooting of fellow student
Keenan Harpole, 20, turned himself in to Bend authorities Monday. Police say he faces charges in the shooting death of 19-year-old Amara Marluke. → Read More
Oregon State, Portland State, Willamette U. to lift mask mandates
Some universities and colleges around Oregon are following the state’s lead to lift mask mandates later this month. → Read More
Oregon university student governments, graduate unions form student safety coalition
The coalition is hoping to address concerns about safety that have cropped up during the pandemic → Read More
More than a month in, Oregon’s private colleges avoid on-campus COVID-19 outbreaks
Many of Oregon's private colleges and universities started their fall terms in late August. They are seeing relatively low positive COVID-19 cases, even while welcoming students fully back to campus. → Read More
Some Oregon private colleges expect record enrollment this fall
Private higher education administrators say students are ‘hungry’ to get back to class. → Read More
Some Oregon higher education institutions lower tuition increases due to state funding
The Oregon Institute of Technology and Clackamas Community College are both lowering their tuition increases due to higher-than-expected state funding. → Read More
Lifting of statewide mandates brings changes to some Oregon colleges and universities, not others
Portland Community College still expects to stick to primarily online classes this fall, while Oregon State anticipates making face coverings optional on campus. → Read More
Willamette University, Pacific Northwest College of Art merge
Oregon’s oldest university and the region’s oldest arts college, announced their plan to merge last year. → Read More
Oregon higher ed budget bill would increase access to financial aid
If Senate Bill 5528 passes, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission estimates roughly 11,000 additional students would have access to a key state financial aid program in the next two years. → Read More
Western Oregon University to fund center for students of color
Students advocated for the ‘Freedom Center,’ and now it will become a reality → Read More
Oregon Tech faculty strike ends
A faculty strike at the Oregon Institute of Technology came to an end early Tuesday morning. Faculty should return to their jobs Wednesday. → Read More
Employment Relations Board rules Oregon Tech faculty strike is legal
The university filed a petition asking for the state agency to declare the strike unlawful last week. → Read More