EUGENE, Ore. — The halls of Congress were quiet this week due to the House recess, but that didn’t mean Congresswoman Val Hoyle was relaxing back in her district. Instead, she took advantage of the short recess to stop by three community colleges in her district. On Thursday, she visited Lane Community College. The visit began with a one-on-one meeting with LCC President Stephanie Bulger. The two delved into discussions about the aftermath of the recent ice storm, priority issues for both leaders, and potential roles the college could play in nurturing new businesses within the local area. Hoyle is herself a community college graduate and the first in her family to go to college.
While on campus Congresswoman Hoyle and her staff received overviews of two pivotal capital projects underway on the main campus: a new Health Professions Building and the Industry and Technology Education Center (ITEC). The Health Professions Building, poised to become a significant landmark at the campus's northern gateway, is on track for completion in June 2024. It will house critical programs including the Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Services, and Dental Assistant & Hygienist Programs. The ITEC, with its completion slated for January 2025, is envisioned as a cutting-edge hub for workforce and advanced technology. It will support a wide array of programs, from Apprenticeship Training to Manufacturing Technology, all designed to adapt to evolving industry needs and foster local economic growth.
President Stephanie Bulger expressed her support and enthusiasm for the visit, stating, "Congresswoman Hoyle's engagement with our college's initiatives, especially her keen interest in our capital projects, underscores a shared vision for empowering our community through education and workforce development. Her visit brings invaluable attention and support to our efforts in nurturing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving demands of our local industries."
Congresswoman Hoyle's visit concluded with a tour of the Robert Maxwell Student Veterans Center, reflecting her comprehensive approach to understanding and supporting the diverse needs of the LCC community. Hoyle was born on an Air Force base in California and comes from a family of veterans. LCC’s student veteran population has increased substantially over the past five years, nearly doubling to more than 300. The increase is credited in large part to the services offered by the veterans center and the outreach and support offered by its staff.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.