Leadership Searches

Pacific University is seeking outstanding leaders to serve on the President's Council and advance our mission of inspiring students who think, care, create, and pursue justice in the world. 

Vice President for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

This is a new vice-presidential position created following the retirement of Narce Rodriguez, who served as vice president for Student Affairs and chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer. Jean Garcia is filling the role in an interim capacity. Applicants have been collected for this position and initial interviews have taken place. Finalists have been invited to campus November 14-17, 2023, with a final selection by the end of the calendar year. Candidates will meet with several groups on both the Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses. Staff and faculty who attend an open forum or interview with the candidate will be sent a feedback survey to provide input to the Search Committee.   

Shpresa Halimi, director of International Programs, is chairing the search committee which includes the following members:

  • Shpresa Halimi, Search Committee Chair, Director of International Programs
  • Lauren Brownrigg, Associate Director of Athletics
  • Christian Calderon, Assistant Professor and Faculty Coordinator, College of Business
  • Janalei Chun, Director, Hawaii Outreach & Programming
  • Becky Graham, Trustee Emerita, Pacific University Board of Trustees
  • Justin Li, Assistant Dean of Students, Undergraduate Student Support
  • Delaney Nigma, Undergraduate Student
  • Sarah Phillips, Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Jann Purdy, Professor, Chair of International Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Kamalani Quindica, Undergraduate Student
  • Griffin Shaulis, Financial Aid Counselor & Outreach Coordinator
  • Jennifer Teeter, Committee Staff Support, Executive Assistant to the VP Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Vice President for Finance & Administration

Brandon Gatke is filling this role in an interim capacity. Applicants are being collected for this position throughout the Fall and candidates are expected to be invited to campus in late Fall 2023. Amy Eaton, vice president of university advancement, is chairing the search committee which includes the following members:

  • Amy Eaton, Search Committee Chair, Vice President of University Advancement
  • Mark Bailey, Professor of Education, Director, Early Child Learning and Development Center, College of Education
  • Fan Chen, Associate Professor of Finance, College of Business; University Finance Committee
  • Amy Coplen, Director, School of Dental Hygiene Studies, College of Health Professions
  • Natona Derleth, Staff Senator; Area Coordinator, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Lucy S. Dubin , Vice President of Human Resources
  • Jamie Haag, Associate Professor of Economics, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Fraser Horn, Dean, College of Optometry
  • Martin Moll, Trustee, Pacific University Board of Trustees
  • Katie Morgan , Senior Business Analyst-Project Manager, UIS
  • Cindy Schuppert, Director of Facilities Management & CPS
  • Renee Vanzant, Director of Student Accounts, Business Office
  • Rachel Cadd, Committee Staff Support, Executive Assistant to Development & University Advancement
  • Karla Staihar, Committee Staff Support, Chief of Staff

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Current Provost and Vice President Ann Barr-Gillespie has announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. A search for her replacement launched this Fall, in partnership with the search firm WittKieffer.

WittKieffer is the premier executive search and advisory firm developing inclusive, impactful leadership teams for organizations that improve quality of life. For more than 50 years, they have operated exclusively at the intersection of not-for-profit and for-profit healthcare delivery, science, and education – the Quality of Life Ecosystem. Their search process and deep experience in higher education will allow them to quickly and effectively identify candidates suited to our strategic needs, mission, values, and be a cultural enhancer. Their clients include the nation’s top liberal arts schools, flagships and campuses across state systems, and major national and international research institutions.

Search consultants, Mercedes Chacón Vance, Senior Partner and Greg Duyck, Principal, will be leading our search, and meeting with the search committee and conducting key stakeholder meetings with the university community including at open meetings for all interested in providing feedback. The goals for the meetings are for the search consultants to become more intimately informed about the culture, strengths, and opportunities at Pacific University, and to establish the candidate criteria for this important role.

Join one of the open Zoom sessions below or email your feedback to  PacificProvost@wittkieffer.com

Candidates are expected to be invited to campus in early February 2024. Kerry Mandulak, university faculty chair and professor of communication sciences & disorders, is chairing the search committee which includes the following members:

  • Kerry Mandulak, Search Committee Chair, University Faculty Chair, Professor, College of Education
  • Keith Buckley, Director Athletics
  • Lucy Dubin, Vice President of Human Resources
  • Katelyn Eisenhooth, Assistant Director, International Programs
  • Kaitlyn Guild, Staff Senator, Assistant Registrar
  • Ramona Ilea, Professor of Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Jo Isgrigg, Director, Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects
  • Dan James, Trustee, Pacific University Board of Trustees
  • Michela Kenning, Faculty Senator, Associate Professor and Director of Hillsboro Eye Clinic, Optometry
  • Theresa Lafavor, Associate Professor, School of Graduate Psychology, College of Health Professions
  • Hossein Rikhtehgar Berenji, Assistant Professor, College of Business
  • Sarah Phillips, Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Al Weiss, Director of Educational Technology and Curricular Innovation, Library
  • Mary Von, Vice Provost and Executive Dean, College of Health Professions
  • Kim Greenwood, Committee Staff Support, Senior Executive Assistant to the Provost & VP AA
  • Karla Staihar, Committee Staff Support, Chief of Staff