Oregon Community Table on Postsecondary Education and Training
OCTPET Is Oregon’s first statewide community advocacy group focused on addressing the disparities in education of our underrepresented students in postsecondary education and training. However, our roots stem from CAPACES Leadership Institute following the work of former Representative Teresa Alonso Leon where she led the Join Task Force on Underrepresented Students in Higher Education in 2022. Through this Task Force they centered the voices of underrepresented Students in postsecondary higher education.
The Task force was made up of 8 legislators, and along with community and education partners, they traveled across the state of Oregon visiting 11 public institutions in person and virtually. They also prioritized talking with incarcerated students from two different facilities.
The members of the Oregon Community Table on Postsecondary Education and Training, work in collaboration by meeting virtually on a regular basis to discuss and identify or create new policies for the upcoming legislative sessions to help transform our postsecondary education systems to better meet the needs of our growing underrepresented students in Oregon. With the help of our Community Education Champions, and members alike go through civic and advocacy training to be prepared to share their lived experiences virtually or physically at the state capital before committee members and when they meet with state legislators.
Our Purpose...
To transform our postsecondary higher education institutions to better serve underrepresented students in Oregon by advocating for equity, access, affordability, and policy change.
Our Approach...
Policy Monitoring and Reporting:
Implementing a system to track and report on the progress of higher education equity legislation will significantly enhance our role as a responsible and influential entity in the educational sector. This will not position us as a watchdog, but as a knowledgeable and trusted partner ensuring the success of these initiatives.
Convening Diverse Stakeholders:
By becoming a central hub for convening stakeholders from various backgrounds, we can amplify the diversity of voices and perspectives in our discussions. This approach will enrich our understanding and create a more inclusive environment for policy development.
Coalition Building:
Establishing a coalition under our leadership will unify efforts towards common goals in higher education equity. This coalition would serve as a powerful collective, advocating for change and pooling resources and expertise for greater impact.
Establishing a Policy Think Tank:
Evolving into a think tank focused on higher education policies will position us as a leading source of innovative ideas and research. This will enable us to proactively address challenges and influence policy at a foundational level.
Meet Our Team...
Teresa Alonso Leon
Program Lead
Teresa is the Owner and President of Parakata Consulting LLC, where she works with individuals, public and private organizations, agencies, institutions and business and industry with facilitation, leadership training, professional development, and organizational and program development. Teresa is a former member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing the 22nd District serving three terms (2017-2023).
The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Teresa became the first indigenous immigrant Latina to be elected to the Oregon Legislature. Teresa holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Portland State University. Education was Teresa’s path to success, and as a legislator she became the first Latina Chair of the House Education Committee, she also Chaired the Joint Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education, elevating the voices of postsecondary higher education underrepresented students. Teresa also served on the Healthcare committee where she championed healthcare equity and on the Joint Way and Means Education Committee.
As a legislator she helped pass some of Oregon’s most historical policies; Oregon Driver’s License, Family Paid and Medical Leave, Universal representation and helped increase access to health Care to ensure 100% of Oregon children have healthcare. She also passed the most equity focused education policies in Oregon History during her tenure to ensure educational opportunity and access are available for all Oregon students from birth to career.
Jaime is past president of AFT-Oregon, The Oregon’s American Federation of Teachers is a union organization which represents over 18k members employed in public schools from K-12, Community Colleges and Universities with 4 private education institutions. He worked for Portland Community College for 22 years in the Workforce Development Department. A son on farm workers, he is a graduate of Fresno City College, Fresno State University and as been an Oregon resident for over 30 years.
Jaime Rodriguez
Program Coordinator
Jaidah Garcia
Program Intern
Jaidah is a junior at Western Oregon University double majoring in Psychology & Sociology and was born in Portland, Oregon. After graduation, she plans to attend law school. Jaidah is the daughter of a parent who migrated from Mexico City, Mexico, and is an American Descendant of Slavery through her mother. She is also passionate about advocating for the Latinx and other underrepresented communities. In her free time, you will find her playing video games, watching TV shows, spending time with her family, or hitting the dance floor to a good cumbia.
Angeles is a Junior at Western Oregon University majoring in Education with a concentration in Middle/High: Language Arts and minoring in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with a certificate of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). She was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. Angeles is the daughter of immigrants from both Estado de Mexico and Morelos, Mexico. She is also passionate about advocating for all underrepresented communities. In her free time, Angeles likes to read books while listening to music, moon gazing, and bird watching.
