Pacific Welcomes New Center for Gender Equity Director

Pacific University is pleased to welcome V Martin as the new director for the Center for Gender Equity. Martin will join the Pacific community on Aug. 16.

Martin’s arrival coincides with the Center for Gender Equity’s move to its new home in Pacific Hall, where it will reside with other campus centers such as the Student Multicultural Center and the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement. 

“V joins Pacific at an exciting time with undergraduate students returning for in-person learning. I am excited to have her leadership and activism in support of Student Life and on the OEDI team,” said Narce Rodriguez, vice president for Student Affairs and chief Equity, Diversity & Inclusion officer.

Martin taught women, gender and sexuality courses at Portland Community College and has most recently worked as a therapist focused on serving LGBTQ+ youth. She also has served as the coordinator for PCC's Cascade Campus Queer Resource Center, director of the Women's Resource Center at Portland State University, and program coordinator of the LGBT Center and Women's Center at Ohio University.

“The mission of the Center for Gender Equity is to promote equity around gender and sexuality for Pacific students and the surrounding communities through support services, education and activism,"  Rodriguez said. "V has an extensive background working with historically marginalized communities in higher education. That's a huge plus for Pacific University and our students."

In addition, Martin has worked as an educator and advocate for several nonprofits including the Sexual Assault Resource Center, Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, Planned Parenthood, and Human Dignity Coalition.

In her spare time, Martin serves on the boards of the Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group and Riverflow, a nonprofit offering wrap-around support and housing to survivors of interpersonal violence. She loves dance parties with her 3-year-old daughter, baby mammals, and anything coated in glitter.

Rodriguez offered her deepest thanks to Becca Ellenbecker, who served as interim director through the 2020-2021 academic year, and to members of the CGE search committee, the Confidential Advocacy Network, the CGE Advisory Board, CGE students, Student Affairs staff, and all our partners.