Earlier this summer, Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook embarked on an unique and physically daunting challenge: running roughly 1,500 miles to visit all 17 community colleges in Oregon. He kicked off his run on June 16 at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario as a way to raise money and awareness of the financial hardships community college students in Oregon face, from food insecurity to not having enough money to pay rent or utility bills. In 2023, for example, nearly two-thirds of Portland Community College students who responded to a basic needs survey reported experiencing either homelessness, housing insecurity or food insecurity.  

On Wednesday, Cook completed the last leg of his 52-day journey in Hood River when he arrived at Columbia Gorge Community College. His “Running for Oregon Community College Students” campaign has raised so far more than $130,000 for community colleges to distribute directly to students in need. Cook joins us for more details and to share his thoughts about the current and long-term challenges Oregon community colleges face.