Matthew Johnson – ֲƵ among the most affordable of Oregon public universities and features a wide range of practical, career-focused academic programs for colleges Oregon Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:14:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /files/2022/05/cropped-wou-favicon-1-32x32.png Matthew Johnson – ֲƵ 32 32 ֲƵ Foundation drives creativity /2025/08/08/western-oregon-university-foundation-drives-creativity/ Fri, 08 Aug 2025 23:45:42 +0000 /?p=115849
Cristian Mendez Garcia speaking at Art & Wine Fundraiser.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – , in partnership with the art and design department, successfully hosted its second annual Art and Wine fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, raising $25,782, with $11,100 directly benefiting Art and Design scholarships. The endowed Rosa Mendez Memorial Art scholarship will provide annual scholarships for art and design students in perpetuity.

The Art and Wine fundraiser began in 2024 when Cristian Mendez Garcia ’08, currently Western’s Assistant Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, approached the art and design department and the WOU Foundation with the desire to donate art. His goals were to highlight the art and design program’s student, alumni, and faculty artwork and raise funds for scholarships.

Mendez Garcia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art, with an emphasis on graphic design and photography, and with a minor in art history. Rosa Mendez Garcia, his mother, worked at Western until she tragically passed away in 2012 from cancer. His siblings, Cinthya Rodriguez Mendez ‘10 and Ignacio Mendez ‘16, also graduated from Western. Mendez Garcia credits his mom for believing in and pushing him and his siblings to pursue higher education as a means for a better future.

“Seeing the incredible artwork created by Western students, alumni, and faculty in one place was amazing, and knowing it was all in support of expanding access to higher education was both humbling and deeply moving,” shared Mendez Garcia. “I’m so grateful to those who helped bring this event to life and to those who took home these beautiful pieces. Each contribution carries forward a cause that was incredibly close to my late mother’s heart. She believed so strongly in the power of education to transform lives, and she made sure I understood the importance of making that opportunity available to others. This event was a tribute to her legacy and to the belief that education should be within reach for everyone.”

The annual Art and Wine fundraiser offers an opportunity for supporters to engage with and bid on art from Western students, alumni, and local community artists. All featured artwork is graciously donated, with 100 percent of the proceeds dedicated to funding art scholarships. This fundraiser ensures future generations of artists at Western receive the financial assistance they need to pursue their passions.

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About ֲƵ

ֲƵ, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

]]> New WOU Foundation Board Members announced /2025/08/06/new-wou-foundation-board-members-announced/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:06:48 +0000 /?p=115843

MONMOUTH, Ore. – announces four new board members, effective July 1. The board is the governing body of the WOU Foundation and has fiduciary responsibility for the oversight of the Foundation.

New board members are as follows:

Juan Cotto ‘88

Juan Cotto is an accomplished leader in public policy and community engagement, and a proud alumnus of ֲƵ, where he served as the ASWOU President and played on the baseball team. As the Director of Government Affairs for Bloodworks Northwest, he advocates for blood donation policies and has helped pass key legislation in Washington and Oregon. Cotto founded The GOOD Neighbor Baseball League, which fosters community engagement and minority ownership in sports.

Previously, Cotto directed outreach programs at Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, focusing on cancer disparities. With over 25 years of experience in public health and civic leadership, he is dedicated to advancing WOU’s mission, crediting the university for shaping his purpose and advocacy.
Cotto lives in Seattle with his wife, Sara, and their two children.

Thomas “T.J.” Beck ‘98

T.J. Beck’s legacy with Western is strong; his sister, Kathi Beck-Stotts ’87, was a multi-sport athlete at Western (formerly known as WOSC), while his grandmother, Helen Yoder ’28, and aunt, Marsha Yoder-Oswalt ’58, both attended Western when it was called Oregon Normal School and Oregon College of Education, respectively. Beck initiated the ֲƵ Football Hall of Fame in 2022, handling outreach to inductees and their families, and was honored as an inductee in 2024 as a member of the 1997 WOU Football team that won the Columbia Football Association conference title and made the NAIA National Playoffs. Additionally, he serves on the leadership committee for the Wolves Rising campaign, demonstrating his commitment to the growth and success of his alma mater.

In the business realm, Beck founded the Thomas Beck Agency in 1999, based in Canby. The agency specializes in property and casualty insurance, as well as health, Medicare, and life insurance for individuals, families, and businesses, showcasing its dedication to serving the community through comprehensive insurance solutions.

Rose Nikolai

After several decades of administrative work in the San Francisco Bay Area with investment advisors, insurance brokers, a biotech firm, and the largest manufacturer of chocolate in North America, Rose Nikolai retired in 2019. She and her husband, Chris, bought a travel trailer, hit the road in search of a new home, and settled in Monmouth in 2021. Soon thereafter, a neighbor, Pat Gallagher, a former Western professor and an Emeritus Society member, suggested they join the group. They both became members and have been attending meetings and enjoying field trips with Emeritus ever since. Nikolai will serve as the new Emeritus Society President and as a member of the WOU Foundation board.

Morgan Pemberton

Morgan Pemberton is a 4th-year student majoring in American Sign Language and psychology and minoring in social sciences. She is also the 2025-26 Associated Students of ֲƵ President.
During her time at Western, she’s been deeply involved in campus life, serving on the ASL Club executive team for three years, co-founding the Native & Indigenous Culture Club, joining Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, working at the SSA front desk, and helping lead as a Destination Western Coordinator.
ֲƵ Foundation executive director, Katie Wojke, shares, “I’m excited to welcome each of our new board members. As alumni and community members, they have a deep sense of pride for Western and dedication to helping secure resources that enable our students to thrive.”

###

About ֲƵ

ֲƵ, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

]]> ֲƵ announces Spring 2025 Honor Roll /2025/07/23/western-oregon-university-announces-spring-2025-honor-roll/ Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:00:25 +0000 /?p=115637

MONMOUTH, Ore. — ֲƵ announces the undergraduate students named to the Honor Roll and President’s list for their academic honors for the spring 2025 term. In recognition of academic achievement, the university makes public at the close of each term an honor roll of undergraduate students who earn 12 or more credits that are not of a pass/no pass nature and earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

The following students have been named to the Spring 2025 Honor Roll.

Students from Oregon cities

A

Adair Village

  • Chloe Annas
  • Chrystal Shearer

Albany

  • Tayten Avery
  • Gracie Balkema
  • Alyssa Bevins
  • Creed Bodily
  • Sean Boettiger
  • Daniel Burrows
  • Charles Cook
  • Rylie Cornell
  • Preet Dhaliwal
  • Kenzley Enyart
  • Bobbie Esplin
  • Emma Fast
  • Robert Ferrari
  • JacobiFisher
  • Saige Garland
  • Keisha Gonzalez-Ortiz
  • Lindsey Grossman
  • Emma Hawkins
  • Faith Howle
  • Kailey Jensen
  • Allie Johnson
  • Katie Johnson
  • Bella Kinghorn
  • Melissa Lopez Lopez
  • Madilyn Markwood
  • Timothy Marshall
  • Nicholas May
  • Lauren McCool
  • Alexa McGowan
  • Alyssa Mendoza
  • Jonathan Mendoza Ruiz
  • Greyshia Mercado
  • SaKoma Mickelsen
  • Kindell Milligan
  • Jamie Myrick-Duckett
  • LoganParker
  • Jasmin Perez Montes
  • Matthew Resnik
  • Hayden Rogers
  • Emily Shanafelt
  • Jasmine Sidhu
  • Julia Spens
  • Vanessa Villazana
  • Madison Wang
  • Addy Watts
  • Charles Williams
  • Kyler Wolfe
  • KadenYounger
  • Paul Zuniga

Aloha

  • Jesus Andrade Perez
  • Jacey Carmean
  • Sandra Madrigal Nava

Amity

  • Alden Bond
  • Jeremiah Distler
  • Cody Dyche
  • Brooke Lopez
  • Milly Trevizo Huynh

Ashland

  • Mayela Poareo Davidson

Astoria

  • Katelynn Cosner
  • Elijah Whitsett

Aumsville

  • Alysha Bramhall-Bellah
  • Moises Leal Zepeda
  • Brittany Lucas
  • Yanette Pelayo Garcia
  • Jacob Persons

Aurora

  • Melanie Kirstein
  • Krysta Nelson

B

Banks

  • Ian Bodine
  • Molly Calvillo

Bay City

  • Jamie Nugent

Beaverton

  • Maddie Cader
  • Rylie Cader
  • An Khuong Cao
  • Benjamin Carlton
  • Shayna Carrillo
  • Mars Carver
  • Katherine Castro
  • Hector Cazares
  • Cooper Derville-Teer
  • Giselle Garcia Andrade
  • Brady Grier
  • Riley Groshong
  • Noah Holub
  • Samantha Humphrey
  • Sarah Hutchinson
  • Anthony Mendez
  • Zoey Merriman
  • Kyle Miller
  • Claudia Morales
  • Mitzi Pulido Tetuan
  • Lisbeth Ramirez
  • Adelecia Ramos Garfias
  • Maria De Lourdes Regino Plancarte
  • Jasmine Roggenbuck
  • Kealani Rosa
  • Madelyn-MayIan Saechao
  • Shawn Saetern
  • Arianna Salazar Ramos
  • Darik Salinas
  • Andrew Simpson
  • Jadyn Smith
  • Kyle Thompson
  • Dayanara Torres Gonzalez
  • Emily Torres Gutierrez
  • Noely Torres Gutierrez
  • Christian Tran
  • Layla William

Bend

  • Bailey Colvin
  • Tessa Dodge
  • Landon Gillette
  • Kaylee Nagel
  • Kyana Quintero
  • America Salazar Nava
  • Josie Stevens
  • Ariah Waller

Blodgett

  • Ella Mainwaring

Boardman

  • Natalie Lomeli
  • April Mendieta
  • Belen Ponce-Leal
  • Arianna Velasco

Bonanza

  • Corey Thompson

Brookings

  • Regina Alvarez

Brownsville

  • Tabitha Ealy

Burns

  • Shanna Kinkadez

C

Camas Valley

  • Max Smoot-Brown

Canby

  • Maddax Clark
  • Selene Gonzalez Gonzalez
  • Diana Heintz-Rios
  • Andrew Soles

Canyonville

  • Kodie Lindseth

Central Point

  • Grady Kenworthy
  • Alyssa Kilbane
  • Chloe Staley
  • Averi Young

Clackamas

  • Evan Gabriel
  • Gideon Gallagher
  • Sammy Maciokas
  • Rachel Morrison

Clatskanie

  • Shawn Harrison
  • Maya Helmen
  • Grace Tallman

Coos Bay

  • Sierra Brouse
  • Brooklyn Culver

 

Coquille

  • Shawn Guerrero

Corbett

  • Rowan Vasen

Cornelius

  • Michelle Benitez
  • Diana Coyle
  • Averie Duyck
  • Yamil Gaona-Miranda
  • Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez
  • Nora Robison

Corvallis

  • Torie Arnold
  • Abigail Astanin
  • Hayden Bence
  • Grace Bixby
  • Willow Bothwell
  • Taylor Brasfield
  • Sydney Conklin
  • Jada Foster
  • Chelsea Gardner
  • Kelly Gardner
  • Alexandra Graves
  • John Harris
  • Haley Hass
  • Tate Herber
  • Tabitha Hinkley
  • Meiping Hong
  • Shanthi Joseph
  • Kennedy Lease
  • Asia Lederer
  • Alyssa Loza
  • Clayton Lynch
  • Jordan Mata
  • Grace McAlister
  • Mateo McCann
  • Ana McClave
  • Rocco McClave
  • Max Morano
  • Melanie Nielsen
  • Jeffrey Pettinger
  • Kylee Salinas
  • Maci Shaw
  • Hassan Sindi
  • Victoria Singharaj
  • Nick Sirianni
  • Liz Stoenner
  • Keyadri Summerlin
  • Jordan Taylor
  • Maritza Vera-Chavarria
  • Toni Viramontes
  • Quintin Willette
  • Andrew Wolf

Cottage Grove

  • Gracie Arnold
  • Hailey Cook
  • Gabriel Cortes
  • Brennen Murphy
  • Piper Youngmayr

Creswell

  • Josiah Lee

Culver

  • Peter Miranda
  • Shanti Rosales

D

Dallas

  • Braden Bollman
  • Danielle Bosse
  • Fatima Burger
  • Maria Camacho
  • Nikole Ceballos
  • Wyatt Connolly
  • Katelyn Cooley
  • Brian Cooper
  • Amity Deters
  • Madeline Doig
  • Joey Guerra
  • Kristen Guerra
  • Jeremy Guill
  • Luke Hagedorn
  • Daria Harris
  • Autumn Harrison
  • Brieanna Howard
  • Ivy Janesofsky
  • Clara Johnson
  • Kolby Johnson-Sallee
  • Joseph Kinnaman
  • Morgan Kumnick
  • Brooke Lamb
  • Jazmin Lopez Solis
  • Rachael Lund
  • Nicole McKinney
  • Justus Mikkelsen
  • Ryan Miller
  • Molly Moore
  • Wesley Mullins
  • Brady Parksion
  • Justin Parnell
  • Shane Pelinski
  • Riley Petersen
  • Daniella Ramirez
  • Shelby Rayburn
  • Katie Reimer
  • Angie Rodriguez
  • Daniel Ryden
  • Heather Seals
  • Kameron Spicer
  • Spencer Thiel
  • Tymberlynn Thompson
  • Daniel Toma
  • Brenden Traywick
  • Jack Warby
  • Jacob Worley
  • Seyna Wynn
  • Savanna Young

Damascus

  • Noah Maestas
  • Jessica Ortiz
  • Anneliese Stricker
  • Cheryl Weisgerber

Dayton

  • Melissa DeOrnellas
  • Isaac Garcia
  • Caspian Price
  • Kennedy Shilhanek
  • Nikolas Sokol Blosser

Depoe Bay

  • Josef Kavadas

E

Echo

  • Soren Marchetti

Eddyville

  • Madison Huhn

Estacada

  • Alexis Guarnieri
  • Jessika Guarnieri

Eugene

  • Rosa Ayala Badillo
  • Lauren Becraft
  • Jordan Bell
  • Molly Blanchette
  • Abby Case
  • Sarah Childers
  • Micah Dillard
  • Ellery Ellery
  • Aaliyah Gaboriault
  • Sage Gartley
  • Mercedes Haworth
  • Stephanie Leon-Leon
  • Jazmine Liebl
  • Augustine Manalansan
  • Lena Notenboom
  • Grace Savage
  • Robert Shidek
  • Jose Vasquez Maya
  • Ashley Weaver
  • Whitney Wilson

F

Fairview

  • Kayleigh DeGrande
  • Sydney Keller

Fall Creek

  • Saoirse Reid

Falls City

  • Amber Houghtaling
  • Sarah Morlan-Sarver
  • Kassidi Thompson

Florence

  • Toni Fegles
  • Ellie Halpin
  • Mollie McCamy
  • Jordan Strickland

Forest Grove

  • Esme Duran Escamilla
  • Simon Kimberly
  • Danirah Moreno Reynoso
  • Alyssa Nguyen
  • Gabriela Orr
  • Alison Vaandering

G

Gaston

  • Grace Smith

Gearhart

  • Gerrit Blodgett

Gervais

  • Cynthia Alarcon
  • Phillip Alter
  • Sarahi Bazan Guerrero
  • Lilly McCargar
  • Elianeth Pineda
  • Daisy Ponce Catarino
  • Suzanna Rambeau
  • Alexis Ramirez Lopez
  • John Sanchez
  • Skyelar Schultz
  • Tae Tanner
  • Celi Vasquez

 

 

Gladstone

  • Julia Rose

Glendale

  • Jaylin Hardin

Glide

  • Victoria Linne
  • Zoe Parazoo

Gold Beach

  • Nuf Laurino
  • Augusto Reyes-Mendoza

Grand Ronde

  • Kaleigha Simi

Grants Pass

  • Sally Berg
  • Grant Bohannon
  • Ethan Burdis
  • Alyssa Donoho
  • James Duane
  • Dante Haven
  • Meghan Lackey
  • Noel Sandeen
  • Shelby Sheehan
  • Lainie Wheeler

Gresham

  • Brittany Austin
  • Lexi Blevens
  • Jake Fay
  • Jaidah Garcia
  • Sammy Gates
  • Catrina Kelly
  • Celeste Mejias Melendez
  • Mackenzie Miller
  • Wendell Mullins
  • Erik Ojeda
  • Ikemba Orisakwe
  • Nnamdi Orisakwe
  • Emily Phoun
  • Grace Sayles

H

Halsey

  • Dyllan Coons
  • Bailey James
  • Megan James
  • Allison Keel

Happy Valley

  • Khanh Chau
  • Derek House
  • Zakiya Kilgore
  • Ujunwa Nwokoma
  • Jakob Ritter
  • Dakota Yeager
  • Henry Yon

Harrisburg

  • Adrian Esgate
  • Maleah Hill

 

Hebo

  • Gustavo Camacho-Jr

Hermiston

  • Kaylee Billsborough
  • Sabrina Iverson
  • Coya McDermott
  • Methzeri Sandoval Rodriguez

Hillsboro

  • Jose Francisco Aguilar Rojas
  • Andrew Gallina
  • Adriel Garcia
  • Brittani Geniza
  • Aquinna Green
  • Fatou Ka
  • Xochitl Madrigal
  • Alison Maldonado
  • Preston Nelson
  • Yahir Ocampo Navarro
  • Eugenia Perez
  • Jasmine Pfafman
  • Elizabeth Roozen
  • Areli Santos Gomez
  • Cody Scott
  • Coen Stapleton
  • Carlos Urenda
  • Aidan VanDyke
  • Camila Villastrigo
  • Abigail Wallace
  • Hannah Warner

Hood River

  • Kenny Amezcua-Brassea
  • Emilio Castaneda
  • Claire Oswald

Hubbard

  • Cecilia Rodriguez

I

Independence

  • Havalah Altamirano
  • Blanca Avila
  • Gwyneth Couey
  • Nicole Cox
  • Emma Delgado
  • Anabelen Garcia Estrada
  • Brenda Herrera Salas
  • Sunair Iqbal
  • Alison Killion
  • Angel Larios
  • Vanya Martinez
  • Julissa Mateo
  • Andrea Mendoza
  • Juan Mendoza
  • Sebaztian Nunez Herrera
  • Vickie Ortiz Martinez
  • Lexy Ramos
  • Krushell Rowland
  • Perla San Miguel Morales
  • Molly Siefarth
  • Sofie Stonebrink
  • Daisy Torres Flores
  • Joshua Wall

Ione

  • Blake Wolters

J

Jacksonville

  • Rosalee Wirfs

Jefferson

  • Roselind Alejandre Morales
  • Noel Alvarez
  • Nicole Bruce
  • Cassie Cheever
  • Jesse Judy
  • Alyssa Kreder
  • Madi LaCrosse
  • Cody Obersinner
  • Julisa Sanchez
  • Imogene Schwarz
  • Stephanie Schwarz
  • Kylie Sullivan
  • Cristian Toriz Jimenez

Joseph

  • Jillian Brock
  • Sophia Espinoza

Junction City

  • Kaley Siewert
  • Brenna Thorn

K

Keizer

  • Jacob Amerino
  • Saige Baldwin
  • Brianna Bermudez-Shields
  • Cadance Bunch
  • Fernando Calvillo Andrade
  • Brianne Coburn
  • Cj Denison
  • Gage DuBois
  • Ashlee Ellis
  • Veronica Esparza
  • Joseline Flores
  • Tyler Gabriel
  • Arina Golovkina
  • Astrick Gonzalez Andrade
  • Bisael Gonzalez Trejo
  • Gabriel Grecny
  • Alivia Hall
  • Kelsey Jarnagin
  • Roman Justis
  • Hannah Kuper
  • Jackson Lam
  • Zoe Lehman
  • Kaleb Lindon
  • Layne Ling
  • Rachel Lundin
  • Crystal Mingear
  • Logan Montgomery
  • Isabella Moore
  • Chloe Nash
  • Reda Nguon
  • Jazmin Orta
  • Cheyanne Ortiz
  • Tyler Payne
  • Elda Ramirez Sanchez
  • Kate Ronning
  • Mason Ross
  • Rachelle Ross
  • Olena Rumbaugh
  • Danica Ryther
  • Jose Sanchez Romero
  • Harrison Schmit
  • Lily Snyder
  • Valory Stenlund
  • Ellyana Suek
  • Jordan Vance
  • Joe Wright

Klamath Falls

  • Brittney Agard
  • Cody Dykstra
  • Sarah Ferns
  • Dominic Hankins
  • Stephen Hantzmon
  • Gabby Johnson
  • Josiah Kupitz
  • Natalie Lovell
  • Dayquan McKay
  • Ben Pierce
  • Tayla Plourde
  • Max Robinson
  • Ruth Simonsen
  • Dawson Smith

L

Lafayette

  • Abby Gladwill
  • Alexis Pacheco

La Grande

  • Devin Bell
  • Megan Pinkerton

Lake Oswego

  • Maya Loeb
  • Abigail Ratliff

La Pine

  • Olivia Flack
  • Maddisen Russell

Lebanon

  • Katie Allydice
  • Stacy Anderson
  • Jesse Bass
  • Caitlyn Bilodeau
  • Kara Breshears
  • Brook Brown
  • Alessandra Cervantes Ramirez
  • Coral Davis
  • Maya Gallegos-Wright
  • Glenn Holland
  • Sadie Latimer
  • Stephanie McKenzie
  • Jessica Moyer
  • McKenzie Neely
  • Dakoda Pletzer
  • Emma Rose
  • Danner Salisbury

Lincoln City

  • Faith Ashby
  • Naomy Fuentes
  • Brenda Ortiz Cruz
  • Hailey Weaver

Lowell

  • Katie Chapman

Lyons

  • Ryley Donaldson
  • Kira Pease
  • Matthew Frazer

M

Madras

  • Ian Phillips
  • Saoirse Phillips
  • Cassandra Wells

Manning

  • Allison Meeuwsen

McMinnville

  • Arian Aguilar
  • Mason Akers
  • Madison Bingman
  • Athena Bourne
  • Makaela Calonder
  • Alejandra Ceja Montes
  • Natalie Connoy
  • Kynz Cross
  • Zachary Donahoo
  • Brelan Dramis
  • Jadielynn Elkins
  • Mariana Flores Lomeli
  • Madeline Fluke
  • Ashley Foss
  • Benjamin Gunn
  • Annia Hedlund
  • Abri Huerta
  • Teagan Johnson
  • Natalia Juarez
  • Jennifer Lopez-Zavala
  • Alexander Lorenzo
  • Paislee Matson
  • Maria Mendoza-Ceja
  • Evelyn Mendoza Vargas
  • Alexia Mial
  • Ana Montiel
  • Juan Ornelas
  • Grace Palmer
  • Lauren Pannell
  • Vanessa Quintero
  • Alexander Roush
  • Erica Sandels-West
  • Kaydi Stevenson
  • Maria Tzintzun
  • Anna Wyrostek

 

Medford

  • Aiden Cook
  • Elwood Hosking
  • Morgan Miles
  • Jaxon Moser
  • David Pauli
  • Alexis Wadley

Milton-Freewater

  • Christine Alexander

Milwaukie

  • Danielle Calcagno
  • Alyssa Danielly
  • Sly Luckett
  • Halia Richter
  • Emily Scheible
  • Danny Summers-Collver
  • Jordan Wendell 

ѴDZ

  • Alondra Gomez Camacho 

ѴDzԳdzܳٳ

  • Jessica Acevedo-Solis
  • Eduardo Andrade Morales
  • Hannah Beal
  • Ajea Bechab
  • Lillian Boyack
  • Anna Button
  • Emma Cane
  • Jordan Clark
  • Joseph Clark
  • Dalia Corrales Pena
  • Paru Dahal
  • Citlalli De La Rosa
  • Atlas DiSalvo
  • Madelyn Dowen
  • Katie Dufner
  • Sam Friedman
  • Jenny Garcia Duran
  • Ashley Gruber
  • Kaylee Hatch
  • Oliver Hays
  • Kaitlyn Hibbard
  • Berean Jones
  • Colton Larson
  • Alex Lofton
  • Becca Lofton
  • Richard Loos
  • Leslie Lopez
  • Yesenia Lopez
  • Katherine Magat
  • MeehDaw Mcdaniel
  • Dylan Messenger
  • Jane Montgomery
  • Loish Neth
  • Emily Newbeck
  • Kailey Newbeck
  • Skyler Neyenhuis
  • Easton Pomrankey
  • Alexis Salcido
  • Keeton Sanchez
  • Diana Sanchez-Reyes
  • Eli Sass
  • Jackson Schoenbachler
  • Justina Shepard
  • Olga Statsenko
  • Victoria Statsenko
  • Riley Stearns
  • Emma Swartzfager
  • Mary Way
  • Kaitlyn Woodard
  • Katie Wright

Monroe

  • Trenton Bateman

Mt. Hood

  • Hailey Hilton
  • Mallory McNerney
  • Molly Routson

Myrtle Creek

  • Eugene Cortapassi
  • Mariah Huse

Myrtle Point

  • Seth Hamlin

N

Newberg

  • Oliver Capellen
  • Peyton Carmon
  • Angelina Chhay
  • Elaine Green
  • Evie Palmer
  • Elizabeth Saager
  • Avery Sokol Blosser
  • Scarlett Steenson

 

Newport

  • Charlotte Gardner
  • Flor Ibarra Aparicio Reyes
  • James Lackey
  • Joel Lorenzo
  • Jamie Martinson
  • Kolby Spink
  • Lianne Terhune

 

 

North Bend

  • Addisyn Carlstrom
  • Emily Hampton
  • Brynne Hathorn

North Plains

  • Ethan Bothwell
  • Courtney Severns

Noti

  • Miriam Garland

O

Oak Grove

  • Lucas Montpart

Oakland

  • Veronica Sigl
  • Fontelle Witten

Oceanside

  • Aiden Johnson

 

Ontario

  • Maria Cerezo-Perez
  • Taylor Northrop

Oregon City

  • Alexis Belmore
  • Makenna Bergerson
  • Ethan DeVries
  • Kate Flint
  • Lainey Funnemark
  • Chloe Galambos
  • Michael Gibson
  • Kylie Griffin
  • Derek Heintz
  • Isabelle Lewis
  • Lauren Mallen
  • Kira Riggen
  • Guthrie Romas
  • Bennett Roque
  • Shane Tacla

Otis

  • Bridgett Marsh

P

Pacific City

  • Lionel Brown
  • Katherine Wilson

Paisley

  • Cody Dickenson

Pendleton

  • DeLaney Duchek
  • Kalyn Gambill
  • Aiden Kitchen
  • Anahi Ponce
  • Lyle Soaring Eagle
  • Elijah Tabellija

Philomath

  • Kristen Beckstead
  • David Boylan
  • Ivory Carroll
  • Hailie Couture
  • Chloie Hamsher
  • Alyson Todd
  • Mara Wilson

Pleasant Hill

  • Samuel Hogervorst
  • Kurt Perini

 

 

Portland

  • Fowzia Abdi
  • Jackson Albrecht
  • Cesar Altamirano
  • Kate Badon
  • Milan Birkhahn-Van Deusen
  • Jessa Brame
  • Riley Buerk
  • Gillian Coplin
  • Bryce Coverdale
  • Allie Dills
  • Fab Dormezil
  • Ellie Erdahl
  • Joselin Factor Najera
  • Peter Gillooly
  • Arianna Gsell
  • Alexander Gutierrez
  • Jessica Harmond
  • Caedon Hawk
  • Cathlene Hermann
  • Casey Hill
  • Alexi Howard
  • Jamarius Jenkins
  • Edson Jimenez-Sutton
  • Courtney Karreman
  • Emily Keil
  • Makenna Koetz
  • Jaidyn Kron
  • Gracie Lee
  • Isabel Lesher
  • Carla Macedo
  • Jacqueline Marquez Ruiz
  • Rilee McGregor
  • Nora Meier
  • Marco Millan
  • Lili Minato
  • JoseCarlos Miramontes-Somerville
  • Mackenzie Morrow
  • Jean Moss
  • Benjamin Munoz
  • Katerin Ortiz
  • Sophia Peterson
  • Emerson Quarles
  • Tony Ramirez Lopez
  • Maria Rinella
  • Alden Roy
  • Adam Shuey
  • Nicco Simonetti
  • Kyra Thackston
  • Andres Torres Diaz
  • Brianna Trickel
  • Sam Walbridge
  • Katalina Wiley
  • Brooke Wittgow

Powell Butte

  • Olivia Busch

Prineville

  • Henry Fonseca
  • Maxwell Stites Jayne

 

R

Rainier

  • Micah Boursaw
  • Aidan Korff

Redmond

  • Kaisa Chapanar
  • Orlando Jaimes
  • Gabriela Jimenez
  • Teanna Russell
  • Alexia Sifuentes

 

Rickreall

  • Nicole Garcia
  • Rafael Garcia
  • Tiffany Marx
  • Abby VanWinkle

Riddle

  • Tessa Powell

 

 

Rogue River

  • Otto Loogman

Roseburg

  • Emma Antonio
  • Giovanni Boyle
  • Cybelle MacLean
  • Haley Olsen
  • Sydney Schafer
  • Sarah Sibley
  • Sophia Tate
  • Sage Villa

S

St Helens

  • Nick Beyer
  • Rachel Freitag
  • Lucia Martin
  • Mercedes Shafer

Salem

  • Aidan Acosta
  • Julian Aguilar-Tomas
  • Jacob Aimonetti
  • Joselo Alarconsoto
  • Ezra Alexander
  • Oscar Alvarez
  • Elizabeth Alvarez Mendoza
  • Adam Ames
  • Juliana Andrade
  • Malia Asosi
  • Fabiola Azcue
  • Samantha Bailey
  • Aubrey Baker
  • Bethany Baker
  • Ashley Banker
  • Alexandrea Beal
  • Adrien Beiswenger
  • Yesli Bejar Reyes
  • Caitlyn Benac
  • Andrew Bendt
  • Brooke Benjamin
  • Reese Bennett
  • Ty Best
  • Sonjia Beversdorf
  • Travis Bezecny
  • Sharika Bhat
  • Savannah Bickle
  • Alex Blackburn
  • Hunter Blakley
  • Jacob Bobbitt
  • Brianna Boen
  • Aliya Borchers
  • Marquis Bowles
  • Aislinn Boyles
  • Jessica Bravo-Hurtado
  • Mason Brittan
  • Caleb Bunch
  • Annika Campbell
  • Mary Carlsen
  • Leyla Carone
  • Johnny Carrillo
  • Finn Cass
  • Adler Ceboll
  • Belen Cedillo
  • Josh Chapin
  • Christian Christopherson
  • Jackson Clark
  • Malia Cleveland
  • Velo Colella
  • Iulia Colibaba
  • Walt Cooley
  • Gary Cooper
  • Grace Cooper
  • Ian Cooper
  • Emma Cordero
  • Peter Crall
  • Brandon Dade
  • Annaka Davidson
  • Adriana DeLeon
  • Val Dennis
  • Aaron Diaz
  • Alighieri Diaz
  • Jack Didde
  • Kaden Donahue
  • Joseph Dore
  • Tanya Drofyak
  • Abbi Duhart
  • Victor Elias
  • Chloe Elmore
  • Carson Evenson
  • Marinel Joy Falalimpa
  • Tatum Farrell
  • Levi Fast
  • Fernando Fernandez
  • Angelina Flores
  • Micah Flores
  • Litzy Flores Campos
  • Velinda Flores Ceja
  • Jillian Fowler
  • Sidney Friesen
  • Mya Fry
  • Christian Garcia
  • David Garcia Angulo
  • Raul Garcia Duran
  • Daisy Garibay Garibay
  • Ruben Garibay Mendez
  • Paul Ghalili
  • Toby Gillock
  • Mallory Gisler
  • John Glantz
  • Katelyn Gleason
  • Sharon Gonzalez
  • Erick Gonzalez Diaz
  • Sydney Goodpasture
  • Valleja Green
  • Laramie Greene
  • Hayden Grow
  • Angela Hage
  • Kaylee Hall
  • Serena Hall
  • Kurestin Hamaker
  • Payton Hamill
  • Amelia Hamilton
  • Eddy Hardin Amador Rivera
  • Hayley Harr
  • Abby Hawkins
  • Annabelle Head
  • Isaac Herber
  • Brody Hernandez
  • Alicia Hernandez-Godoy
  • Leticia Hernandez-Godoy
  • Rachel Hernandez Maciel
  • Jasmine Hernandez Pena
  • Jasmine Hiebert
  • Nicholas Himler
  • Alex Hitchen
  • Desiree Hite
  • Nora Jamal
  • Abby Jeppsen
  • Shae Johnson
  • Brett Jones
  • Daley Jones
  • Emmory Kahn
  • Brittany Kaiser
  • Frank Kern
  • Emily Killebrew
  • James Kivett
  • Litzy Ku Beiza
  • Victoria Lance-Gonzalez
  • Alexandra Lanning
  • Alexis Large-Cooley
  • Nicole Leach
  • Patrick Lehman-Martin
  • Alecia Lemeza
  • Linda Llanos Garcia
  • Juliette Lloyd
  • Ameria Lucas
  • Alexis Luna
  • Grace Lute
  • Kimberly Machorro
  • Alexis Marroquin Contreras
  • Amalia Martinez
  • Anthony Martinez
  • Nathan Martinez
  • Malena Mathis
  • Jonathon Mattern
  • Isaac Mayhugh
  • Tommy McGuire
  • Alexandra Mckinzie
  • Andrew Melting
  • Hannah Metcalf
  • Eli Mignano
  • Grace Miller
  • Estela Miranda-Aguilar
  • Benito Monroy
  • Jocelyn Mora
  • Miguel Morales
  • America Moreno-Garcia
  • Daphne Moskal
  • Nancy Mota Gonzalez
  • Kayli Nagel
  • Kathryn Newswanger
  • Massen Newton
  • Kaydence Nguyen
  • Keegan Obert
  • Gaby Ochoa
  • Grace Otten
  • Alan Parra Navarro
  • Ignacio Perez Jr
  • Jennifer Perez Ramos
  • Miranda Pfeil
  • Kayla Pylis
  • Annabella Ramey
  • Cristian Ramirez
  • Francisco Ramirez Perez
  • Guadalupe Ramirez Ramos
  • Emma Range
  • Christian Raymon
  • Caleb Rennie
  • Jailene Reyes
  • Olivia Robbins
  • Kiera Roedel
  • Mackenzie Rolf
  • Stephan Rozov
  • Maria Salazar Morales
  • Mariela Salgado
  • Makaila Sands
  • Palwinder Sangha
  • Belen Santiago Hernandez
  • Bree Saunders
  • Carley Schlag
  • Jaymond Schneider
  • Claire Schreiner
  • Katrina Shalashov
  • Cameron Sheets
  • Joel Shewmaker
  • Priya Short
  • Rhylee Sinks
  • Trinity Snider
  • Katie Snyder
  • Anai Soto
  • Manny Spinks
  • Kameron Splonski
  • Skylar Stangeland
  • Avery Stanley
  • Joseph Staples
  • Isaac Stearns
  • Jordan Stewart
  • Ryder Stone
  • Angel Street
  • Kelsi Sturdivant
  • Emma Talento
  • Jaime Tenorio
  • Lesly Tenorio Marquez
  • Augustine Terrones
  • Susan Thao
  • Austin Thatcher
  • Trevor Thomson
  • Hailey Toornstra
  • Sydney Toth
  • Lukas Towne
  • Stevie Trapero
  • Kaden Udal
  • Jennifer Uhlman
  • Joelle Upshur
  • Susana Vargas De Ramirez
  • Kay Vasquez
  • Emily Villanueva
  • McKenzie Vogt
  • Daniel Wallior
  • Hope Warrick
  • Cylar Weddle
  • Julia Wells
  • Megan Whitney
  • Avalyn Wilbourn
  • Seth Williamson
  • Hunter Winger
  • Victoria Winkler
  • Carter Wobbe
  • Benjamin Wood
  • Monica Woodford
  • Bella Wunderlich
  • Demetrius Yehnert
  • Nicholas Yehnert
  • Peyton Young
  • Emily Zapien

Sandy

  • Andrea Asmar
  • Carson Kruckman
  • Haylee Lutz
  • Jenna Wallace
  • Kelsey Wallace

Scappoose

  • Jonah Campbell
  • Grace Negelspach

Scio

  • Chayse Beachy
  • Marisa Bradley
  • Hannah Rudkin
  • David Silbernagel
  • Comfort Welter

Scotts Mills

  • Sophie Borgstahl
  • Paisha Renoud

Seaside

  • Liv Mayhugh
  • Tony Silva Villa
  • Roy Tucker

Shady Cove

  • Chloe Hedgepeth

Sheridan

  • Amy Ladd
  • Kaysha Lehman
  • Arin Porter
  • Lindsey Reynolds
  • Eric Ross
  • Jayden Vanderveen

Sherwood

  • Brittany Arendt
  • Jandika Borden
  • Maddux Gillett
  • Kaiser Heaton
  • Clara Kern
  • Clara Mellinger
  • Logan Panter
  • Freya Raybold
  • Arin Rodrigues
  • Ethan Staubach
  • Jack Weldon

Siletz

  • Hali Peterson
  • Jason Williams

Silverton

  • Aunika Buxman
  • Citlali Cortes
  • Kerry Fogarty
  • Sophia Harrison
  • Anne Hurley
  • Allyson Leboeuf
  • Drew Montgomery
  • Vassa Samoilov
  • Grace Smith
  • Donna Wilson

Sisters

  • McKenna Brinkman

Springfield

  • Brayden Allen
  • Kyle Babcock
  • Hannah Barr
  • Cassidy Burns
  • Tamerra Cervantes Carlos
  • Paige Gault
  • Brooklyn Gilbert
  • Taylor Hagen
  • Isabelle Ilia
  • Gavin Lindsay
  • Seth Miller
  • Mandy Reid
  • Rhylie Sevits
  • Lilly Vogt

Stayton

  • Nolan Cramer
  • Aaron Fletcher
  • Karen Garcia
  • Zachary Holloway
  • Faith Priddy
  • Aidan Quigley

Sublimity

  • Ray Lowe
  • Jordan Reisig
  • Peyton Stuckart

Summerville

  • Wyatt Frost

Sutherlin

  • Ashley Radmer

Swisshome

  • Jordan Simington

T

Talent

  • Jordan Kemper

Tangent

  • Sarah DeVyldere

Terrebonne

  • Chase Anspach

The Dalles

  • Vicci Cruz
  • Diego Elias
  • Emily Johnson
  • Destiny Mora Lopez
  • Leslie Quintana

Tidewater

  • Dani Gainer
  • Justin Gainer
  • Franklin Strength

 

 

Tigard

  • Adrianna Cardenas
  • Abbigale Elliott
  • Suzy Kelchner Lee
  • Molly Livingston
  • Claire McCann
  • Aden Murphy
  • Corey Parker
  • Roberto Resendiz Salinas
  • Eden Rygh
  • Eddy Sanchez Mendez
  • Esvin Sanchez Mendez
  • Forest Schostalo

Tillamook

  • Kate Klobas
  • Alex Prado Magana
  • Lillian Prince
  • Ray Welch

Toledo

  • Serena Finke-Taylor
  • Daryn Heim

Troutdale

  • Hannah Burk
  • Anthony Dickson
  • Olivia Macdonald
  • Caiden Madzelan
  • Isaac Reaney

Tualatin

  • Alyssa Allen
  • Jessica Atkins
  • Quaid Baldes
  • Ella Bartel
  • Lauren Divine
  • Genna Esserman
  • Audrey Sepp
  • Kayla Smith
  • Atlas Sprague

Turner

  • Morgan Eckis
  • Molly Martinka
  • Cheyenne Noonkester

U

Umatilla

  • Bianca Espagne Aceves 

V

Vale

  • Brayden Gregory
  • Erika McBride

W

Waldport

  • Oceanna Lambert
  • Emma Spangrud

Walton

  • Cash Olmstead

Warm Springs

  • Yolanda Yallup

Warrenton

  • Jose Mendez

Welches

  • Malia Vican

West Linn

  • Alex Bernasconi
  • Jackson Hardy
  • Koffi Kouame
  • Aidyn Reed

White City

  • Rids Pritikin

Willamina

  • Madison Leno
  • Kailey Yoder

Wilsonville

  • Lindy Phillips

Winston

  • Cora Wanamaker

Woodburn

  • Diana Bonifacio Herrera
  • Olivia Boyd
  • Jaquelyn Contreras
  • Erick De Los Rios Torres
  • Gabriel Diaz Rivera
  • Karen Elena Aguilar
  • Evelyn Estrada
  • Isaak Flores
  • Erasmo Giron Cortes
  • Caleb Lenhardt
  • Karina Leon
  • Brenda Martinez
  • Nyla Medrano
  • Gabriel Pelayo-Rodriguez
  • Linda Ramon
  • Jumania Sanchez Robles
  • Rosa Vegade Jesus
  • Geeta Woodward

Wood Village

  • Rebecca Raymond

Students from states other than Oregon

Alaska

  • Tasheana Dever
  • Cedric Gatter
  • Taylor Helem
  • Clay Johnson
  • Daniela Witt

Arkansas

  • Kyla Aitaro

Arizona

  • Ema Aros
  • Finley Buman
  • Ashton Ganse
  • Ciara Garcia
  • Caitlin Heldt
  • Nathan Hurtado
  • Mykennah Irvin
  • Jalen Johnson
  • Morgan Pemberton

California

  • Kallie Barekman
  • Lexi Baumgartner
  • Jenna Bixler
  • Bryce Bond
  • Molly Brayton
  • Paris Burke
  • Jaydan Burns
  • Aubrey Coleman
  • Nemo Dieterich
  • Carson Frincke
  • Nino Gama
  • Izzy Goodheart
  • Gwen Heike
  • Mackenzie Henderson
  • Jeriah Jackson
  • Joshua Johnson
  • Taya Johnson
  • Thomas Johnson
  • Christopher Jones
  • Grace Kearney
  • Lindie Larson
  • David Loera
  • Ruth Matavao
  • Aidan Melendrez
  • Tyler Mohler
  • Abby Money
  • Ryan Naugle
  • Rohan Nelson
  • Sarah Nelson
  • Keith Nicholson
  • Selai Niu
  • Mayumi Nomura
  • Natalie Perez
  • Claire Phillips
  • Kali Pikl
  • Crystal Robertson
  • Bella Rogen
  • Lauren Rose
  • Kairo Shahin
  • Robby Shepherd
  • Brooke Smitson
  • Sierra Sobota
  • Logan South
  • Sarah Strus
  • Veilomani Tonga
  • Briana Upshur
  • Cameron Wood
  • Gabby Young
  • Jillian Zarbatany

Colorado

  • Thomas Ellis
  • Derrick Fleming
  • Alyssa Fullmer
  • Chase Nelson
  • Fred Reiter
  • Sara Rotar
  • Gavin Shary
  • Oliver Skains
  • Sophia Taylor
  • Toby Winkler

Hawaii

  • Christopher Borer
  • O’shen Cazimero
  • Korri-Lyn Fernandez
  • Kaelyn Flores
  • Dahlia Harvey
  • Kili Helm
  • Emma Higashi
  • Taryn Ho
  • Maela Honma
  • Kainoa Jones
  • Kaynan Kaku
  • Isaiah Lacambra
  • Destiny-celyse Lopez
  • Destiny Morden Morden
  • Jacylin Nakamura
  • Aubree Panui
  • Kiana Ramie
  • Alyna Slayter
  • Aliyah Taba
  • Brianna Tadaki
  • AddisonIsaiah Velasco
  • Kayla Yamashita

Idaho

  • Penny-Lew Barnett
  • Hope-Marie Bodak
  • Madelynne Hommel
  • Liz Magsano
  • Gracie Nelson
  • Brooklyn Schneidt
  • Aidan Shamion
  • Austin Wilkes

Missouri

  • Ryan Hankins

Montana

  • Grace Gedlaman
  • Domminik Griffith
  • Jessica Morgan
  • Kade Mosley
  • Sophia Pierce
  • Randy Stultz
  • Maddie Tomasetti

North Dakota

  • Alison Seidel

New Jersey

  • David Rozycki

New Mexico

  • Libby Thoma

Nevada

  • Haley King
  • Mila Tau
  • Trey Wilmot
  • Mackenzie Wilson

Ohio

  • Keith Eldridge

Oklahoma

  • Hannah Luker

Texas

  • Josh Allen
  • Holly Andrew
  • Bobby Barnaby Bryce
  • Jac Coe
  • Sarah Costilow

 

Utah

  • Leah Heugly
  • Collier Robison
  • Enid Vaifanua

Virginia

  • Larissa Smart

Washington

  • Mia Ackerman
  • Rowan Albert
  • Sierra Anderson
  • Lillian Axelson
  • Jocelyn Backman
  • Abby Baker
  • Allison Beavers
  • Tirzah Bessey
  • Sophia Blair
  • Ash Bollie
  • Audrey Boulch
  • Natalie Brown
  • Jordyn Conrad
  • Kade Coombe
  • Baxter Cox
  • Savannah Crithfield
  • Sam Darby
  • Ashleigh Dinsmore
  • Abraham Dixson
  • Kendall Doern
  • Fiona Dowling
  • Mary Dycus
  • Ben Edwards
  • Sarah Felt
  • Marcos Figueroa
  • Charles Gillmore
  • Alex Harden
  • Bailey Harmon
  • Makenna Helseth
  • Lexi Herdt
  • Kayla Jacobsen
  • Tyran Johnson
  • Roy Lockley
  • Tyler Mackay
  • Chester March
  • Will Maschmedt
  • Katelyn McGough
  • Dylan Meader
  • Amelia Merritt
  • Lilli Mickel
  • Ali Millspaugh
  • Pedro Monge Munoz
  • Kaylee Moore
  • Brant Morgan
  • Sydney Morgan
  • Madi Noel
  • Andre Northrup
  • Braydon Olson
  • Alehandra Ornelas
  • Katelyn Peterson
  • Marissa Peterson
  • Ali Purdue
  • Katrina Renault
  • Maren Rochelle
  • Gwen Rydberg
  • Gunnar Shiotani
  • Emma Smith
  • Mimi Swetish
  • Kady Taylor
  • Savannah Taylor
  • Brie Thompson
  • Karly Tiedeman
  • Daron Ulrich
  • Darien Walton
  • Nicholas Weber
  • Ciona Wells
  • Kiley West
  • Paige Whitehead
  • Kameron Wimsatt
  • Kaylah Wright
  • Victoria Zimmerman

International Students

Ecuador

  • Andrea Jacho Betun

Kenya

  • Bryan Muyundo

 

Northern Mariana Islands

  • Daphne Cruzana
  • Rosabelle Surla

Republic of Palau

  • Visia Ise

 

Saudi Arabia

  • Reham Sultan F Alanazi
  • Faisal Dhawahi D Almutairi

Vietnam

  • Quoc Hung Cao
  • Dat Le
  • Han Mai

###

About ֲƵ

ֲƵ, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

]]> ֲƵ to host national training in emerging Protactile Language with DeafBlind Community /2025/07/21/western-oregon-university-to-host-national-training-in-emerging-protactile-language-with-deafblind-community/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:51:12 +0000 /?p=115620

Written by C.M. Hall

MONMOUTH, Ore. – ֲƵ will host pioneering training sessions from August 7 to 20 in the language of Protactile (PT), an emerging language within the DeafBlind community.

While traditional American Sign Language is a visual language, Protactile, created in the early 2000s, is fully contact-based and communicated by touch between two or more people. Approximately 30 professional American Sign Language/English interpreters and 22 DeafBlind mentors will fly into Oregon from 10 other states (California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) for the Protactile Language Interpreting Institute and will learn co-presence skills, will study Protacile language, and co-navigation skills. Seven nationally-renowned DeafBlind leaders will train these interpreters. Along with the interpreters, the DeafBlind individuals will receive further instruction in mentoring to support interpreters in their local communities. Interpreters will learn from the DeafBlind trainers, then return to their home communities to work with DeafBlind individuals and share their new skills.

“This is an exciting opportunity,” said CM Hall, co-director of the Protactile Language Interpreting National Education Program. “The expectation is to maintain a fully immersive ‘co-presence’ for all professional and social interaction. The interpreters selected to attend have invested about 150 hours so far preparing and studying for months, and will continue their training as they apply their skills and learn literally firsthand.”

In 2021, ֲƵ was awarded a five-year, multimillion-dollar federal grant through the Rehabilitation Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Education, to train sign language interpreters working with DeafBlind individuals who use this new language. Hall shares that Western won the grant, in part, because of the university’s leadership in research and effective interpreter education. Western has also built relationships with leaders in the national DeafBlind community and movement..

The group of trainers and interpreters will spend most of their time at the Independence Conference Center and around Independence and Monmouth. On Tuesday, August 12 and 19, day trips are planned to Newport to experience the tactile art sculptures, as well as engage in a Lunch and Learn series where the interpreters will have the opportunity to apply their new skills. In the social outings, the group will walk in dyads and clusters as the interpreters describe the visual environment and practice their emerging Protactile skills, such as finding opportunities for tactile exploration.

Learn about Protactile language, and .

Note: Institute attendees are excited about media coverage, but suggest that live coverage would be difficult because of the time needed to interpret. Activities in Newport or at the Independence Conference Center are ideal for photography/video. Please contact CM Hall to schedule coverage: 503-888-7172.

###

About ֲƵ

ֲƵ, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

]]> Cultivating Future Leaders: Robust program for aspiring academic officers /2025/07/09/cultivating-future-leaders-robust-program-for-aspiring-academic-officers/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 18:00:33 +0000 /?p=115582
Pictured, left to right: Chelle Batchelor and Judy Sylva.

 Written by Maureen Brakke

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Chelle Batchelor, dean of the Library and Academic Innovation, and Judy Sylva, associate provost of Academic Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison Officer for ֲƵ, were selected to participate in the .

The leadership academy is a year-long professional development program for academic leaders aspiring to become chief academic officers in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education region’s postsecondary sector. The academy, sponsored by the Western Academic Leadership Forum and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders, aims to nurture the talents of the next generation of Western chief academic officers by developing the knowledge and skills of academic leaders poised to advance to that level.

The academy’s faculty members share their expertise on the unique roles and responsibilities a chief academic officer assumes at a two or four-year institution and systems. They focus specifically on developing practical skills within academic affairs, fiscal affairs, student affairs, and external relationships, with a special sensitivity to the culture and environment of the West’s higher education community.

“I’m excited about the Western Academic Leadership Forum because it’s all about tackling the big challenges in higher ed by working together,” said Judy Sylva. “That’s how I’ve always approached leadership – building strong teams, making decisions based on what we care about, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.” She adds that this forum will be a great opportunity to connect with other leaders and make a difference at ֲƵ and in the region.

The program includes a summer seminar, followed by opportunities for cohort members to connect with faculty mentors and colleagues at national meetings or virtually throughout the year for personalized career consultations. Additionally, there will be an intensive three-day, in-person seminar at WICHE’s headquarters in Boulder, CO.

Chelle Batchelor adds, “I am thrilled and honored to have been selected for the Western Academic Leadership Academy. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen my understanding of academic leadership and learn from experienced colleagues. I am interested in gaining new perspectives and skills that will empower me to better serve our students and the WOU community.”

###

About ֲƵ

ֲƵ, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

]]>