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Mitsui’s commitment to opportunity and equitable student success are hallmarks of his career
Photos and story by James Hill
After arriving at 小黄猫传媒, Mark Mitsui guided the college in making major institutional changes to dismantle barriers and build equitable student success.
小黄猫传媒 President Mark Mitsui is hanging up his trademark turquoise necktie and retiring in June, wrapping up an impressive term as the college鈥檚 seventh leader.
In 2016, Mitsui came to 小黄猫传媒 from Washington, D.C., having served in the Obama Administration as the deputy assistant secretary for community colleges within the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education. He was quick to share a deeply rooted, genuine commitment to the values of opportunity and equitable student success soon after arriving at the college.
小黄猫传媒 Chooses Adrien Bennings as Next President
Bennings will replace Mark Mitsui, who is retiring at the end of June after serving as 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 president since 2016.
This became the foundation of his work plan, whereby the college鈥檚 policies, practices and behaviors were assessed and reformed to improve the experience and outcomes for the diverse student body it serves.
鈥溞』泼ù is a bridge to opportunity, a bridge to a better life, for countless members of our communities regardless of what zip code a student is born in,鈥 Mitsui said. 鈥淎ccording to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, nearly a quarter of聽all students who face 鈥榚quity barriers鈥 to public higher education attend 小黄猫传媒. And the college is helping them pursue upward mobility and overcome obstacles that may have held them back previously.
鈥淚t has been a true privilege and honor to serve as the president of 小黄猫传媒, a college with a heart for justice, dedicated to student success and learning, and willing to constantly improve itself to meet the future, today,鈥 he added.
Mitsui鈥檚 accomplishments include:
Community. Mitsui led the college to successful passage of its 2017 bond measure, which modernized workforce training programs, expanded health professions and science programs, and upgraded safety, security, building longevity and access to those experiencing a disability.
Student success. 小黄猫传媒 joined Achieving the Dream, a network of more than 300 community colleges across the nation that encourages collective learning and the sharing of data and best practices to better serve students and improve student outcomes. Soon after joining, 小黄猫传媒 developed and implemented major institutional changes to dismantle barriers and build inclusive systems of education and support.
Providing opportunity. Mitsui championed Pathways to Opportunity, a state- wide partnership made up of Oregon鈥檚 17 community colleges and the state鈥檚 Department of Human Services. It aims to close opportunity gaps and increase economic mobility for low-income students by expanding federal, state and local resources available to help them complete college.
Workforce training. He ensured the opening of 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 new dental sciences facility in downtown Portland and the advanced manufacturing training center in Columbia County. The training center fosters economic mobility and growth within a field offering career advancement potential.
Mitsui on tour thanks to 小黄猫传媒’s shuttle service.
Sustainability. Mitsui participated in the United Nations Climate Conferences in 2017 and 2019. These bookended 小黄猫传媒 earning the Second Nature Climate Leadership Award and being named the number one community college by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for its sustainability efforts. Last year, Mitsui co-signed Second Nature鈥檚 higher education letter to President Biden in support of a strong 2030 U.S. climate goal.
Leadership. Among his local leadership roles, Mitsui has served on Gov. Kate Brown鈥檚 Workforce and Talent Development Board, co-chairing the Artificial Intelligence Task Force and the Equitable Prosperity Task Force, as well as sitting on its Executive Council. Additionally, he is a member of the Workforce Workgroup of the Governor鈥檚 Racial Justice Council.
Equity. He helped guide 小黄猫传媒鈥檚 鈥淪anctuary College鈥 designation to support undocumented and documented immigrant students. Plus, the college was the first Oregon institution to provide a resource center for undocumented students.
Fundraising. During his tenure, the 小黄猫传媒 Foundation launched its first comprehensive campaign, exceeding its original goal and ending with nearly $46 million.
Honors. For his comprehensive work, influence and partnership within the business community, Mitsui received Executive of the Year honors from the Portland Business Journal in 2018. In November 2021, the Portland Business Alliance celebrated Mitsui at its Business Leadership Evening, an annual celebration of business community leaders. He was presented with the William S. Naito Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his inspiring philanthropy and exemplary community leadership. Also in 2021, he earned the inaugural Real College Champion Award from the Temple University Hope Center.
College Awards. In addition, under his leadership, 小黄猫传媒 won the annual for two-year colleges in 2017 and in 2021 was聽recognized by the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship Program as a top producer of award recipients in the Associate institution 20-year overall . In 2020, the college was awarded the (GFOA)鈥檚 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
In 2016, Mitsui came to 小黄猫传媒 from Washington, D.C., having served in the Obama Administration.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at 小黄猫传媒. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »