KCC’s Yamasaki appointed to state HECC board

Klamath Community College Project manager Gayle Yamasaki has been appointed to the HIgher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) representing Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District.

Article by Kurt Liedtke, public information officer, Klamath Community College.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Gayle Yamasaki, a project manager at Klamath Community College (KCC), was recently appointed by the Oregon State Legislature to serve a four-year term as a commissioner representing Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).

Yamasaki is one of four individuals recommended by the Office of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and approved by the State Legislature to serve. The HECC board is comprised of 15 individuals, including faculty, staff and student representation from community colleges and universities. Board members volunteer to serve four-year terms, with an option for renewal, while university representatives serve two-year terms.

The primary purpose of HECC is to oversee post-secondary education and workforce training in Oregon, working closely with the State Legislature, community colleges, universities, and workforce development initiatives to ensure equitable affordability and accessibility for Oregonians. This includes administering funding in collaboration with the State Legislature, serving as the governing body for policies affecting student accessibility, and approving programs and certifications.

Yamasaki was originally recommended in February following a call for commissioners. She interviewed with the Oregon Governor’s office, and following recommendation of Yamasaki’s appointment in August, the Oregon Senate approved her to begin serving a four-year term starting in October. Yamasaki is among four new members recently appointed to HECC.

As a first-generation college student herself, Yamasaki brings an empathetic personal experience to her role in assuring post-secondary education opportunities remain affordable. Her work experience in addition to her current role at KCC includes past work at Oregon Tech, Klamath Falls City School District, along with ongoing service with the Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Community Foundation. She has worked in a wide range of education-related roles, including time spent developing education programs in American Samoa and on the Navajo Nation reservation.

“I am a product of the community college system, and in many ways, I represent the very kind of student that we want to give opportunities to in Oregon,” said Yamasaki. “To be able to be on a commission that may affect policy and access for Oregonians – what a wonderful thing.”

As the state representative for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, the area she serves is vast. Geographically the fifth largest congressional district in the United States, the region stretches from Hood River and Pendleton to Klamath Falls and Burns, encompassing the vast majority of Eastern Oregon and its many community colleges and universities. 

“One of the biggest challenges today is what is the worth of a college education given the cost, and return on investment,” added Yamasaki. “How do we make it more affordable and accessible for everybody? There is a big learning curve for me, but I am excited about the opportunity.”