MHCC Board Appoints Interim Member Ahead of 2027 Election

Morgan McCarraher

The Advocate

MHCC is unlike most community colleges in the state of Oregon in its geographic reach and unique and specialized programs. However, like the other state community colleges, it is locally governed by an elected board. State laws and policies, along with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission — as defined in ORS 341.015 — guide how Oregon’s community college districts are determined. Because of this, MHCC’s district includes eight high school districts and 25 zip codes. 

The MHCC Board of Education has seven seats. Five correspond to geographic zones. Zones 6 and 7 are “at-large” positions, meaning they carry the same voting power as zoned seats, but are not tied to a specific geographic area. At-large members represent the broader district population. All board members must live in the zone they seek to represent, with the exception of at-large seats. For example, someone living in Zone 1 cannot run for the Zone 3 seat, but may run for an at-large seat. 

As of Dec. 31, 2025, one of the board seats became vacant. At the December board meeting (Session 1135), Board Member Annette Mattson submitted her resignation. 

The vacant seat was Zone 4. During the same meeting, the board discussed whether to leave the seat unfilled or appoint an interim member. The board unanimously agreed to appoint an interim member to serve through the end of the term, which concludes July 1, 2027, following the May 2027 election. 

The MHCC district covers roughly 950 square miles and had an estimated population of 327,724 in 2021. As of February 2026, Multnomah County reports Zone 4 as having the third-highest number of registered voters among the five zones — approximately 40,257 voters. While that does not represent the total population of Zone 4, it indicates that Zone 4 is the district’s third most populous zone. 

Board Member William Miller of Zone 2 opened the discussion by saying, “I think that we’re in a really critical time, our nation, our community, to have one less leader fighting for them.” Board Member Diane Noriega of Zone 6, at-large, added, “Two years is too long for us to go with a vacant seat on this board.” 

After issuing a call for applicants, MHCC received one application, from Timor Ender, who has served the community in several civic roles, including supporting the Fixing Our Streets program and helping launch BIKETOWN. At the Jan. 21 meeting (Session 1136), the board interviewed and then unanimously appointed Ender to fill the Zone 4 seat. He was sworn in immediately. 

“Zone 4 is incredibly diverse, and it has over 65 languages represented,” Ender said. “My appointment today is the first time that someone of Turkish descent has served on any public body in the history of the state of Oregon.”

All seven MHCC board seats are now filled. Board Member Ender will participate in his first public meeting on Feb. 18, 2026 (Session 1138).