With nearly 25 years of academic leadership across Oregon and Washington, Dr. Lisa Avery has transformed educational landscapes through strategic foresight and innovation. As the seventh president of Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) for nearly five years, she has advanced the institution into a hub for upskilling students of all backgrounds—from high school leaders to adult professionals. Her leadership equips students with the tools to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.
In an interview with GMI Post, Dr. Avery reflects on her journey as an educator and discusses how she is driving LBCC’s strategic priorities to align with global education trends.
Harnessing Technology to Shape the Workforce of Tomorrow
“At LBCC, we encourage our faculty to adopt emerging technologies that prepare students for jobs evolving in dynamic business environments,” Dr. Avery shares. “We’re focused on helping students navigate industries that might not even exist yet.”
Beyond understanding technology, LBCC fosters a balance between human and machine collaboration, ensuring students maximize outcomes. Dr. Avery highlights new courses tailored to “high-tech, high-wage jobs,” including a program on data analytics. “This course will provide hands-on experience in extracting actionable insights and integrating findings to improve outcomes,” she explains.
Fostering Community Success Through Strategic Partnerships
LBCC’s influence extends to community and industry stakeholders. Dr. Avery highlights a longstanding partnership with Oregon State University (OSU): “OSU has been one of our most enduring collaborators. They rely on us to prepare skilled research technicians through our comprehensive programs.”
Addressing the national shortage of healthcare professionals, LBCC is also launching a nursing program to meet critical needs in underserved populations.
Strengthening Global Connections in Education
“Global learning, connection, compassion, and collaboration are more critical than ever as we advance toward a knowledge-driven economy,” says Dr. Avery. She advocates for cross-border partnerships, noting, “The hope for a better future depends on global collaboration.”
Through affordable study abroad programs and partnerships with Asian markets like Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, LBCC provides students with transformative international experiences. “We’re committed to expanding global opportunities, fostering international relationships, and creating a mutually enriching exchange of knowledge,” Dr. Avery concludes.
