PENDLETON — Concerned parents, students contemplating their next steps and community members interested in the future of higher education in the region won’t want to miss the upcoming Eastern Oregon Forum.

Drawing on decades of experience in education and public service, Blue Mountain Community College President Mark Browning will present “Higher Ed In Today’s Landscape: What’s Real, What’s Rumor And What’s Next?” The free presentation is Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m. in the BMCC library, 2411 NW Carden Ave., Pendleton. 

According to a press release, Browning will separate fact from fiction as he discusses current issues surrounding higher education. With a deep belief in the power of community colleges to transform lives, he will address misconceptions, share data-driven trends and offer a candid look at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for students, families, and communities across Eastern Oregon and beyond.

As higher education continues to evolve, Browning will discuss shifts in funding models, changes in student demographics, new technologies and the value of college degrees. In addition, he will examine how rural colleges are navigating this landscape differently than their urban counterparts.

The EO Forum is a collaborative effort between BMCC, the East Oregonian and the American Association of University Women. Also, Harriet Isom, a former United States ambassador, serves on the committee.  For information, search Facebook via bit.ly/468ZUMm or email Jordan Monaco at jmonaco@bluecc.edu.