Austin Fölnagy

Zone 4 
Age: 36

Austin Fölnagy

Brief biography: Joined the LCC board in 2021, previously was elected to the Klamath Community College Board. My work includes almost 14 years in workforce development, business services, political organizing, labor relations, and education. At the University of Idaho, I majored in political science and organizational science, with graduate studies in organizational dynamics.

Current employment: State of Oregon.

Connection to Lane Community College: Current board member; previously worked on the 2020 bond to help build the Industry & Trades Education Center and the Health Professions Building.

Why are you running? I am running for reelection because I believe in the promise of Lane Community College, that individuals can make courageous changes to their lives through education. That as an institution we can create a more just and equitable community, and that you belong here at our “community’s college.” I want LCC to be a touchpoint education institution, where individuals can return at different points in their careers to upgrade their skills and access new opportunities.

Priorities:

  • First, I am committed to supporting students by continuing to fight for comprehensive wrap-around services that address their holistic needs.
  • Second, I value the creation of clear career pathways, where our community members are presented with opportunities for skills and training that lead them to well-paying jobs that support Lane’s workforce needs.
  • Third, I aim to expand educational access by removing barriers related to immigration status, income, work schedules, and other potential obstacles that might prevent individuals from pursuing higher education.   

Challenges: 

  • Advocating for funding: Pushing back against budget cuts to critical services needed for our students and for workforce development. Currently I am lobbying for state funding to support wrap-around services for our students, to create more programs to train the next generation of workers, and expand opportunities for economic growth within our community. Through replenishing our reserves, we will be able to pivot and have more options for our institution to change with our changing world. Along with advocating for state funds, I will also create a budget line item to invest more resources into government and corporate grants writing. This will bring more resources into our community without the need for additional revenue from business or our tax base.
  • Protecting student rights: Upholding protections under Title IX and other policies to ensure all students feel safe and supported, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and international student status. We are the “community’s college” and everyone should feel like they belong to enhance student success and economic opportunities.

Board effectiveness: I will continue to foster a board culture rooted in transparency, collaboration, and mutual respect. I believe that effective governance starts with clear communication and a shared commitment to serving our students, staff, and broader community. My approach is to lead with listening and make space for diverse perspectives while staying focused on our collective mission. During my time on the board, I’ve prioritized inclusive conversations and action-focused policy development. That means ensuring every board member feels heard, every voice — especially those of students — is valued, and we approach challenges with a spirit of partnership rather than partisanship. I’m committed to grounding our decisions in community feedback, and the lived experiences of the community we serve. At the end of the day, we don’t have to agree on everything to work effectively, we just need to stay rooted in our shared responsibility to students.

Endorsements: U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle; Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson; former U.S. Rep. Peter Defazio; state Sen. James Manning; state Rep. Lisa Fragala; Lane County commissioners Laurie Trieger and Heather Buch; Eugene city councilors Jennifer Yeh, Eliza Kashinsky, Lyndsie Leech and Greg Evans; Eugene City Councilor (and former LCC Board of Education member) Matt Keating; Lane Education Service District board member Linda Hamilton; Eugene 4J School Board members Rick Hamilton, Tom Di Liberto, Maya Rabasa and Ericka Thessen; Democratic Party of Lane County; Lane Community College Education Association; Lane Community College Employee Federation; SEIU Local 503; Young Democrats of Oregon Caucus; Working Families Party; Jane Fonda PAC; Democratic Municipal Officials; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280; Eugene Tenants Alliance; Ironworkers Local 29; Western States Carpenters Union; Lane County Central Labor Chapter; SMART Union; Latino Network; PCUN (Pineros y Campensinos Unidos del Noroeste.) 

Mike McInally is a Pacific Northwest journalist with four decades of experience in Oregon and Montana, including stints as editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times and the Albany Democrat-Herald.