CONTINUING TO SERVE OREGON WITH DEDICATION
Public Servant & Advocate for Progressive Change
A teacher and an engineer, Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh knows our leaders must be accountable for outcomes. That’s why on our school board and in the community, Sami has brought people together to achieve our goals. And that’s what he does as our advocate on state and national associations!
Sami was born in the United States and spent most of his childhood in the Middle East. When it came time to pursue a graduate degree, he chose Oregon State University and has lived in Corvallis ever since. He has three degrees in Engineering including a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Today he is an instructor in engineering at Oregon State University, a project manager installing printing systems for Hewlett Packard, and a proud member of American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers Local 9609, AFL-CIO.
Inspired by the freedoms of our democracy and civil society, he was elected to student government at OSU and then the Corvallis School Board where he was chair for three years. Sami is President of the statewide Oregon School Boards Association. He was also board president of the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center and a steering committee member of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition.
Whether it was working as a project manager for HP, or leading the Corvallis School Board, Sami has always been driven to deliver results. His work to improve our community includes:
- Raising high school graduation rates to a record 90% with big gains for students of color.
- Building a community health center in partnership with Benton County.
- Adding rental assistance programs for students struggling to find stable housing.
- Installing 638kW of solar power throughout the community through public/private partnerships with Solarize Corvallis.
- Establishing protections so that Corvallis students of all gender identities feel safe and welcome.
- Banning guns from the grounds of Corvallis schools.
- Completing $200 million in improvements to Corvallis schools on time and under budget.
In his free time, Sami enjoys the outdoors, especially camping and hiking, as well as playing soccer, chess, and salsa dancing.
Why Sami is Continuing to Serve Us with Dedication
Like all of us, Sami sees the major challenges we face when it comes to housing, homelessness, addiction, climate change, and more. He knows we need leaders who can translate ideas into action and ensure we are making progress on these big problems. That is why we need leaders like him with both progressive values and the ability to bring people together to achieve success.
As your local advocate, Sami will:
- Push to create more housing, while protecting what makes Corvallis and Oregon a special place to live.
- Expand humane alternatives to help get people off the streets and into stable housing, addiction treatment, job placement, and other services to get their lives back on track.
- Advance efforts to cut climate pollution, develop clean energy, and prepare for a warming world.
- Ensure Oregon’s commitment to abortion access and reproductive rights.
- Increase student achievement, particularly for student populations struggling to succeed.
- Defend our civil rights from those seeking to attack our democracy and take away our freedoms.
As an educator, I’ve had the joy of guiding future engineers to tackle big community challenges. And in the tech world, I’ve proudly pushed Corvallis-made innovations nationwide.
On the Corvallis School Board, and both the Oregon and National School Board Associations, I’ve been privileged to help our kids chase their dreams and shine their brightest.
However, Oregon faces tough issues. Our long-held rights are at risk, getting basic healthcare has become a fight, and our schools and teachers need more backing.
But together, we can face these challenges. My passion has always been to make life better for others – whether here at home, across the state, or even nationwide.
Join me in supporting every Oregonian. Let’s ensure their rights, access to healthcare, top-notch education, and a clean environment. This coming year, let’s focus on lasting jobs, backing every student, affordable healthcare, reducing student debts, and protecting everyone, especially our most vulnerable.
I’m all in for a brighter tomorrow, and I need you with me.
Your thoughts and concerns are always welcome.
Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh