Educator conference in Portland highlights student equity in higher education

The Jefferson Exchange

GEAR UP West is a collaborative regional conference in Portland for college access practitioners from the western states of the U.S.. Oregon Goes To College produced the GEAR UP West Conference Oct. 26-28. The organization helps schools host college and career events by providing the support and resources needed to guide students in exploring their opportunities and preparing for college.

GEAR UP West is a collaborative regional conference for college access practitioners from the western states of the US. The conference was held October 26-28, at the DoubleTree Portland in Oregon.

Joining the Exchange to offer more insight are two guests: Jordan Osborn is the principal at Bonanza Jr/Sr High School in the Klamath County School District. Adrienne Enriquez is the Director of Oregon GEAR UP WEST.

Conference attendees will include higher education professionals, middle and high school teachers, counselors and administrators. Anyone working to help low-income and underrepresented students prepare for and succeed in college are invited to attend.

The Basics: What students preparing for college should know.

Jordan Osborn, principal of Bonanza High School, joins Mike Green, host of the Jefferson Exchange, in the JPR studio on Oct. 29, 2025.(JPR engineer and associate producer, Maddie Peterson)