{"id":754,"date":"2015-04-22T16:47:28","date_gmt":"2015-04-22T16:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wou.edu\/template2\/?page_id=754"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:24:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:24:51","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/president\/","title":{"rendered":"WOU President"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dr. JESSE PETERS<\/h1>\n

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\"Dr.<\/p>\n

Beginning his appointment with ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ August 1, 2022, Dr. Peters has the distinction of being Western\u2019s 25th <\/sup>president.\u00a0 As a first-generation college student, he believes in the ability of higher education to bring about meaningful change in the world. For Dr. Peters, creating a positive and collaborative environment where faculty and staff work together is critical to an active and productive campus community.<\/p>\n

Since arriving at Western, President Peters has worked to address fiscal sustainability, increase student enrollment and retention, and serve the needs of the local community, region, and state. He launched a new Strategic Plan, Education. Innovation. Community.<\/strong>, that places students at the center and drives responsible decision-making. Under his leadership, WOU has launched a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program, opened a new Student Success Center, and received the university\u2019s first Title III grant focused on student success initiatives. ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ also achieved Hispanic Serving Institution status, the first four-year public institution in Oregon to obtain this designation.<\/p>\n

Originally from Georgia, he grew up on a farm in the southern part of the state. He began Emory University as a business major, but after taking a class with a dynamic English professor, he switched majors and never looked back. Drawn to the work of Native American authors, Dr. Peters pursued graduate studies at the University of New Mexico in Native American Literature. His leadership style is heavily informed by indigenous worldviews and Native American mentors he has engaged with over the last thirty years.<\/p>\n

Having served during his career as a Faculty Senate Chair, Dean of Honors, Director of Undergraduate Research, Dean of Arts & Sciences, and Provost, Dr. Peters brings a wealth of experience to Western Oregon, and he is committed to hiring diverse faculty and staff, strengthening student support systems, and building an equitable academic community centered on respect and inclusion.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Dr. Peters’ Bio<\/a><\/p>\n

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Social Media<\/h3>\n

You can follow President Peters on the following social media:<\/p>\n

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\"Twitter@WOUpresident<\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Instagramwoupresident<\/a><\/p>\n

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Contact: <\/span><\/strong>Office of the President | <\/span>503-838-8888 | president@wou.edu<\/a> | Lieuallen Administration 208 | 345 N Monmouth Avenue Monmouth, OR 97361<\/p>\n

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WOU Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ provides a personalized learning community where individuals experience a deep sense of belonging and empowerment.”<\/p>\n

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Invite President Peters to your event<\/a><\/p>\n

Student Success Shout-Out<\/a><\/p>\n

Shared Governance Summits<\/a><\/p>\n

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FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n

WATCH: <\/strong>President’s Address<\/a>, September 19, 2025 | VIEW: <\/strong>PowerPoint<\/a> | READ: <\/strong>Message<\/a> (with PowerPoint slides embedded)<\/p>\n

\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Communication from President Peters:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2025-2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2024-2025<\/a><\/p>\n

2023-2024<\/a><\/p>\n

2022-2023<\/a><\/p>\n

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Dr. JESSE PETERS Beginning his appointment with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"splash-page.php","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ - President's Office","_seopress_titles_desc":"ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ President's Office: leadership, vision, and community engagement. Learn about WOU's president and strategic initiatives.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

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<\/div>

\u00a0Dr. Jay Kenton<\/strong><\/h1>

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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

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Dr. Kenton has taken the helm at ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ; his interim appointment began July 1, 2021, and is expected to extend through the 2021-22 academic year.<\/p>

Kenton comes to the university with broad experience in Oregon public universities. He earned his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees at Oregon State University before moving to Portland State University for his doctorate in public administration and policy with an emphasis in public finance.<\/p>

Kenton worked for many years in the Business Affairs and Human Resources offices at PSU, then served as the vice president for Finance and Administration and chief financial officer before working briefly at University of Idaho and then at the Oregon University System Chancellor\u2019s office for nine years. In 2014, he filled the role of interim president for the first time, at Eastern Oregon University, and later at Oregon Institute of Technology. For five months in 2018, Kenton served as interim vice president of Finance and Administration at WOU.<\/p>

Kenton is excited about the future of WOU and plans to get to work immediately on major campus priorities with the university\u2019s strategic plan as the foundation.<\/p>

\u201cWOU\u2019s Strategic Plan is remarkably simple, yet a powerful document to guide the work of the campus in the coming months. Forward Together<\/em> is the perfect title as it entails the engagement and involvement of everyone in the betterment of the enterprise. Student success, academic excellence, community engagement, accountability and sustainability and stewardship are easy tenets to support.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

***<\/p>

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Contact:<\/span><\/strong>Office of the President | <\/span>503-838-8888 | 503-838-8600 (fax) | president@wou.edu<\/a> | Lieuallen Administration 208 | 345 N Monmouth Avenue Monmouth, OR 97361<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

WOU Mission<\/h2>

\"ÀÖ²¥ÊÓƵ creates lasting opportunities for student success through transformative education and personalized support.\"<\/span><\/p>

<\/p>

Invite President Kenton to Your Event<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Student success shout-out<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Shared Governance Summits<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>
<\/h5>
From the desk of President Kenton:<\/strong><\/h5>

<\/a><\/span><\/p>

<\/h5>
<\/h5>
Archived Communication: <\/strong><\/h5>

2020-2021<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>2019-2020<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>2018-2019<\/span><\/a><\/p>

2017-2018<\/span><\/a>\u00a02016-2017<\/span><\/a>\u00a02015-2016<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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