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Mayor Sam Adams stops by Cascade career guidance class

Story by Abe Proctor. Photo by Russell Banks.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams imparted some of the secrets of his success to students during a visit to С��è��ý’s Cascade Campus on Dec. 5. In an upbeat exchange, the mayor fielded questions from every student in instructor Rebecca Moyer’s career guidance class on topics ranging from public speaking tips to which prospective successor Adams intends to endorse.

Adams’ visit was in support of the Future Connect program, a joint endeavor between С��è��ý and the City of Portland that provides scholarships and academic support services to students who might face significant barriers to college access and success. Two hundred students received Future Connect scholarships this fall, 95 percent of whom are the first members of their families to attend college.

Most of the students’ questions had to do with how to be an effective public speaker. How does the mayor deal with hecklers? How does he keep peoples’ attention? What does he do when he doesn’t know the answer to someone’s question?

“Just tell them you don’t know,” Adams replied. “Share the parts you do know, and then tell them you don’t know the rest. People will respect that.”

One student asked the mayor for suggestions on how to stay on track in college. Adams’ answer was straightforward – avoid people who are on the wrong path academically and socially. Spend time with people who are on the right track. Seek out sources of academic support, and use them. Find out how you learn the best, and stick to it.

And whom will Adams endorse for Portland’s next mayor? The mayor played it coy on that one.

“I haven’t decided yet,” he replied.