The City Club of Eugene plans a series of forums on the challenges facing higher education and begins Friday, Oct. 30, with a session featuring Joseph Womack, the president of Bushnell University.

The meeting begins at noon at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Club meetings are free to attend and open to the public.

Local colleges and universities play a critical role in the identity and vitality of Eugene — but they face demographic, financial and political challenges.

At Friday’s meeting, Womack will describe how Bushnell, a private nonprofit university, has dealt with those challenges by focusing on its faith-based mission.

Bushnell has increased enrollment, co-curricular offerings, and graduate and undergraduate degree programs, with a focus on workforce needs. Womack will describe the university’s planned facilities expansion and the university’s capital campaign.

Womack is the 10th president of Bushnell in its 130-year history and has served since June 2010. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Texas Christian University and Bushnell, as well as a master’s and doctorate from Azusa Pacific University. He served in administrative capacities at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California, and California Baptist University in Riverside.

Womack’s parents graduated from Bushnell, as did his wife. His father was Bushnell’s eighth president, serving from 1986 to 2004.

Friday’s program will be livestreamed and will be available on the City Club of Eugene’s YouTube channel. Rebroadcasts and recordings will be available the Monday immediately following the program at 7 p.m. on KLCC, 89.7 FM, and available later as an episode on the club’s podcast.

The City Club of Eugene explores a range of local, state and national issues and helps to formulate new approaches and solutions to problems.