College Possible students testified in support of House Bill 2997, which would allocate $5 million towards college access and success.
On a Saturday morning in February, hundreds of Oregonians gathered at Mt. Hood Community College’s theater. Many waited patiently for an opportunity to speak before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The community came together to rally around their causes, and one common thread was shared throughout the day: education.
Among them was Teo Ramirez, a College Possible student alum and now a community engagement coordinator with the City of Gresham.
“As a first-generation graduate, I know just how crucial it is to have the right resources and support in place,” Ramirez told the committee. “College Possible has provided me with the support and experience I needed to go after my academic interests, obtain a bachelor’s degree and now the confidence to pursue a master’s degree.”
Representatives and students from various organizations testified in support of House Bill 2997 while emphasizing the importance of education as a path to a stronger workforce and greater economic mobility for Oregonians.
If enacted, the bill would allocate $5 million to establish a permanent grant fund in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to support students in college access and success. Organizations like College Possible, TRIO, AVID and GEAR UP, as well as school principals and college faculty, have championed the bill during this legislative session. Funding would help support students across Oregon at risk of being left behind in post-secondary opportunities due to a lack of resources.
Along with Ramirez, a group of current College Possible students have testified before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means across the state, including in Salem, Portland, Gresham and La Grande. Each student shared their higher education journey and how it has shaped their life. Read excerpts from their testimonies below.
Nataly Coria Vazquez, Eastern Oregon University, Class of 2026
I take great pride in my culture and where I’m from, so being a Latina is what pushes me to overcome the barriers that many first-generation students like me face. The way I see it, I am becoming a part of a statistic that hopefully makes young people think, ‘I can do that too.’”
Anthony Preciado, Oregon State University, Class of 2027
Higher education is valuable to me because it provides me with skills I would not have access to otherwise. It has changed my life trajectory because I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life and now I do.”
Tony Trinh, Oregon State University, Class of 2027:
As the first in my family to attend college, the primary motivation for pursuing higher education has always been to achieve something my family didn’t have the luxury of experiencing. Beyond graduation, I hope to share this invaluable experience with them and honor the sacrifices they made for me to receive a proper education.”
Estela Dominguez-Calderon, Class of 2029:
As a Hispanic and first-generation student, higher education gives me the choice to pursue my dreams that I once labeled as ‘unreachable’ due to my background.”
