The Oregon Challenge.

Oregon has a particular challenge that if left unresolved will push Oregon further behind other states.

Our most pressing challenge: increasing the high school graduation rate. Why is this important? The more our students graduate, the more they attend a university (and the university supports them), and the more the Oregon community supports them in their path towards success, the more these future leaders will ensure Oregon's prosper. At a briefing yesterday in Salem, Oregon University System Chancellor George P. Pernsteiner reported on the state of higher education in Oregon and the challenges facing the Latino community. The renewed Commission on Hispanic Affairs (disclaimer- I serve as Vice Chairman) will be at the forefront of this equality issue.

Problem: Not enough students graduating. With the largest growth population coming from the Latino community its imperative (for Oregon's sake) this group is successful in graduating high school, and attending (and yes graduating) college. I found his report the most inspiring. In brief, leaders at all levels need to raise standards, and raise expectations. For many youth, we don't know what success looks like. Whether we grew up on the migrant farms of Mount Vernon, Washington or the camps near the tulip fields in Woodburn, Oregon, the challenges are the same. What does success look like? And, how do we get there? Is there a compass and a map anywhere?

According to Chancellor Pernsteiner, once Latino students matriculate from OUS, they're just as competive as their counterparts. Oregon will need all the talent and energy it can groom to ensure this success. Oregon State University for instance has 730+ Latino undergrads and the entire Oregon University System has 3,235. Pretty good, but we're not even close.

In Perspective: Latino students are the fastest-growing sector in Oregon K-12. In 15-20 years, they will become a major part of the adult population. 40 years ago, Oregon had the highest graduation rate in the world. Today, it has fallen below the national average.

Solution: Find the leaks. To ensure Oregon remains competitive in the 21st century (yes, that's now), leaders at all levels need to support, and get behind the success of our students, and ensure they know what success looks like, and understand how their families will prosper in Oregon. A good starter is presenting a workshop at the upcoming student conference.

The strategy is clear: we cannot expect retention without grooming Oregonians for these positions right here at home. The notion of recruiting and retaining bilingual talent from other parts of the country and expect 100% retention after the first/second year is a long shot. While investing in our youth in Hood River, Woodburn, Hillsboro, Medford and Independence will have a much lasting retention that ultimately is a win-win situation.

I came away excited by the vision of OUS towards meeting this challenge head on. As always I appreciate your thoughts as well.

-David Molina, Co-Founder/CEO, BilingualHire