Employers for Education Excellence Forum Series

In 2004, E3 presented regional Employer Education Forums to present business and education leaders with the compelling case for taking part in improving Oregon's schools through employer engagement. Our schools cannot do their job alone; for our students and our economy to succeed, everyone must play a role.

Respected national leaders from prominent companies and philanthropic organizations illustrated the importance of employer commitment to improving public education.  

The Employer Education Forum Series kicked off in March 2004 with "Investing in Education is Everyone’s Business," a presentation by Kathy Klock, Senior Program Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. More than 150 business and education attended.

Klock detailed how and why the Gates Foundation committed more than $1 billion to transform large high schools into smaller schools. In Oregon, the Gates Foundation formed a partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust and E3: Employers for Education Excellence to redesign large high schools into smaller schools, and to start up new small high schools that increase graduation rates and close the achievement gap. (See the Oregon Small Schools Initiative here)

Holly Hernandez, a Churchill High graduate and young mother, emphasized that rigorous and personalized education is needed for all students to achieve at the highest levels. Hernandez, then a University of Oregon freshman, was the first in her family to attend a university. “I was fortunate to have an incredible relationship with a teacher who provided me with the support and encouragement I needed. I was in challenging classes that kept me motivated and prepared me for college. And I got real-life experience in an internship that helped me find out what I wanted to do with my life,” said Hernandez.

Audience members also learned about specific ways they can help their own local schools improve. Gary Pierpoint, Umpqua Bank Senior Vice President and Area Manager, outlined Umpqua Bank’s “Connect Volunteer Network” program that credits fulltime employees with 40 hours of paid time a year to volunteer with children. The return on Umpqua’s investment has been extraordinary for both their communities and their employees.

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At the Medford Forum in October, 2004, Kerry Killinger then President, Chairman and CEO of Washington Mutual told a sold out crowd of over 300 business and community members that they must play a critical role in helping schools better prepare students for success in higher education, employment and life.

“Today's students must meet higher academic standards than ever before in our nation's history. Businesses need to partner with schools to help students understand what's expected of them in this new world of 'do more and do it better',” Killinger said.

Killinger stressed that the business community is a serious voice that students – especially those in high school – listen to, and can send the message that academic achievement does matter and hard work in school is relevant.

Cassie Mesa, then senior at South Medford High School shared the value she gained from an internship at a dental office her junior year, and how it has encouraged her to pursue a job and training in the dental field. “It really helped me determine which classes to take my final year in high school. Before the internship I thought I wanted to be in dentistry, and the opportunity confirmed it,” said Cassie.

A longtime advocate and passionate supporter of education improvement, Killinger encouraged the audience to give students a picture of the real world by providing opportunities for learning – job shadows, internships, classroom visits – either individually or by partnering with other businesses and community groups.

Killinger drew applause as he concluded, “There's no cause more important than the future of our children, and it's incumbent upon each of us – individuals and businesses alike – to do all we can to support our students as they stretch themselves to achieve.”