Patty Williams ’03 helps develop student aid policies

Sophomore Patty Williams was recently named the first student commissioner to serve as chair of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC), the governing body of the state’s financial aid agency. Williams, who graduated from Portland Community College before attending Reed, was appointed a student commissioner in 1999. Before that she served on the board of presidents for the Community Colleges of Oregon Student Association and Commissions, now the Oregon Community College Student Association.

“As a community college student advocating on behalf of some of Oregon’s neediest students, I met many other students whose lives were significantly impacted by the work of this agency,” said Williams.

“I am honored that I have been given the opportunity to be an integral part of this great work. We must do all we can to increase access to postsecondary education for all the citizens of Oregon.”

OSAC consists of seven members, appointed by the governor. Commissioners serve a term of office of four years, and student commissioners serve a two-year term. Each year the commission helps more than 50,000 Oregon college students work toward their educational goals. OSAC’s website can be found at www. osac.state.or.us.