Advocacy in Action: Chamber Calls for Unified Leadership at Lane Community College

Update 9/3: The meeting has been moved to Building 19, 1st Floor, Rooms 102-103 off of Parking Lot B.
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce recently submitted a formal letter to the Lane Community College Board of Education, urging decisive action to restore trust, accountability, and unity in the College’s leadership.

In the wake of substantiated allegations of misconduct and public contention among board members, the Chamber emphasized that employers, students, and the broader community cannot afford continued dysfunction among elected leadership.

The letter, signed by Chamber Board Chair Deborah Creager, and the Chamber’s President & CEO Vonnie Mikkelsen, reaffirms the business community’s strong support for LCC’s mission and President Stephanie Bulger’s leadership. It calls on trustees to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities, protect the College’s reputation, and realign their governance with the values of respect, accountability, and collaboration.

As this important discussion continues, the Chamber encourages community members to stay informed and engaged. The LCC Board of Education will convene a public meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3, with opportunities for public comment. Below, you’ll find resources to review meeting details, learn more about the issues at hand, and access the Chamber’s full letter.

Links to helpful resources

• View a copy of the LCC outside legal counsel report
• LCC board OKs 2025-26 budget, praises college president
• Investigation substantiates complaints of bullying, abusive behavior by LCC board member
• LCC board’s divisions on full display during July retreat
• Civil rights group calls for LCC board member to resign

Public meeting information

• Lane Community College Board of Education Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 3 at 6:15pm
• Attend or give public comment in person: The Board meeting is located in Building 19, 1st floor, Rooms 102-103 (see map). Plan to arrive early to sign up and get a seat.
• Give public comment via Zoom: register ahead of time using this Zoom link.
• Watch online without giving public comment: http://lanecc.edu/live or on the College’s YouTube channel.
• Provide comments via email to Board of Education directly: boecomment@lanecc.edu

Letter to the Board of Education

August 29, 2025
Board of Education
Lane Community College

Chair Fölnagy and Members of the Board of Education,

Our community has a vested interest in Lane Community College’s mission, reputation, and leadership. Employers across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors view LCC as a trusted partner in preparing a future-ready workforce, an institution worthy of voter-approved bonds, philanthropic investment, and ongoing collaboration through internships, advisory service, and workforce development initiatives.

Our community, our employers, and most importantly, our students cannot afford a distracted, divided board; nor do we tolerate abusive, toxic behaviors of leadership.

The recent independent legal investigation substantiating serious allegations of misconduct by an elected board member and the consequential dysfunction and display of hostility toward the administration cannot be dismissed or ignored.

The abuse of position and power is profoundly troubling and misrepresents both our community’s and our college’s core values. It conflicts with the expectations we hold for leaders, the principles of sound governance, and the culture of respect required to guide a public institution. Left unresolved, it threatens the College’s reputation, public trust, and ability to serve students and employers effectively.

You employ a high-performing chief executive in President Bulger who is exceedingly capable of advancing timely, measurable, and transparent strategies. With a new board in place and a new academic year underway, this is an opportune moment to reset priorities and set a clear course forward.

We call on you as a Board to act firmly and cohesively: hold elected board members accountable, respect the President and authorities delegated to her, recommit to your fiduciary responsibilities, and protect the integrity of our college and the community it serves.

Respectfully,

Deborah Creager
Chair, Board of Directors

Vonnie Mikkelsen,
President and CEO

More About the Springfield Chamber’s Business Advocacy Efforts
As a trusted convener and provider of business resources, the Springfield Chamber is committed to fostering policies and incentives that contribute to our competitive position in private sector job creation, retention, and economic growth. The Chamber recognizes the systemic interdependencies of a healthy economy and provides an ear and a voice for local business at the confluence of government, commerce, and community. Through a robust platform of member advocacy services, the Chamber advocates for business by increasing visibility, dialogue, and representation at local, state, and federal policy circles around issues of impact and interest to their members.