Dr. Adrien Bennings is out as president at Portland Community College after the board of directors announced a “mutual separation agreement” on May 14 that includes a severance package of nine months of salary and health benefits, plus a $25,000 “retention” bonus. Bennings, who had been set to serve at college through June 30, 2028, was the first Black female president of Oregon’s largest college.
Bennings’ departure follows a “historic strike” at the college — the first community college strike in Oregon’s history, KOIN reports. The Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals began the strike on March 11, and it lasted three weeks. The union reached a deal with the college just before the start of the 10-week spring term. Another union, the Federation of Classified Employees, staged a strike at the college during the same time that lasted two weeks.
Portland CC announced that Executive Vice President Dr. Katy Ho will step in as acting president.
Dr. Adrien Bennings was the first Black female president of Portland Community College, Oregon's largest institution.
The bigger picture:
Portland Community College’s budget picture is dismal. The college is facing $18 million in cuts for the current budget cycle, which would follow $11.3 million it already cut, and is already “bracing” for another $21 million in cuts for the 2027-29 budget cycle, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.
When the faculty union secured an agreement that includes a 2% cost of living adjustment this year, followed by 3% cost of living adjustment the following year, Bennings stated that “our hearts are heavy because we know that this agreement is so far outside of our budget that it will result in significant additional cuts in the future.” In its agreement with its 700 classified employees, the college agreed to pay a $1,350 lump sum payment to each employee and allow the employees to cash out up to 40 vacation hours, according to KOIN.
