In This Issue
Black History Month
Learner Success Symposium
Upcoming Events
Women Veteran Resources
WOU Basic Needs Coordinator & Polk County Resource Center
SLCD Shout Out
...and much more
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Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs
Welcome to our February Newsletter! We are half-way through winter and the days are having more and more daylight hours.
February is recognized as Black History Month. The theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness. It explores the “legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western Medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done well to be well” (ASALH.org).
Initially started as “Negro History Week” in 1926, the group known today as The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) chose the second week in February for this week to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In the late 60’s the week evolved into Black History Month, in large part due to the civil rights movement. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976.
And while February is designated as Black History Month to honor the accomplishments of Black Americans, every day we should be honoring the accomplishments of Black Americans.
I challenge you to seek out and learn something new about Black American History. One option is watching Crash Course Black American History or attending an upcoming event. The WOU Black Student Union will be facilitating a talk around Black History Month and media censorship on February 1st at 5pm. WOU is also co-hosting two events this month related to Black History Month. The first is this Saturday, February 5th at 4:00 pm in the Pacific Room and will focus on Black history. The second is on February 26th at 4:00 pm in the Pacific Room and will focus on Black joy and leadership. These are just a few of the many events which will be happening on campus and in our community. If you enjoy reading, visit your local library or bookstore to support Black writers’ books. Regardless of the medium, please take the time to seek out these many activities.
Best
Gary L. Dukes (He/Him/His)
Vice President for Student Affairs
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Division of Student Affairs New Staff
By Emmanuel Macías, Executive Assistant
Ricardo "Rick" Acevedo-Solis (Him/Him/His) - Admissions Counselor, Admissions
 Rick grew up in Independence/Monmouth, OR and graduated this past fall 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and a minor in sociology from Western Oregon University. He enjoys spending his free time with friends and family. His favorite hobbies include basketball, soccer, and listening to music in both English and Spanish, in a variety of genres.
Maria Barrera (She/Her/Ella) - Basic Needs Coordinator, Abby's House
 Maria is a first generation, DACA recipient, bilingual member of the LGBTQ+ community, and someone who embraces who she is because it has helped her build connections with diverse populations. She recently graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelors of Science in psychology. As an undergraduate student, she became heavily involved in advocacy through student government, and organizations on- and off-campus which serve underrepresented and marginalized students. Maria is very committed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to best serve students on campus, which is why she is excited to be back at WOU! A fun fact about Maria is that she loves making her own household decor items using her BFF: The Cricut Maker.
Lindsey Gibson (She/Her/Hers) - Associate Director of Operations
 Lindsey grew up in Hillsboro, OR and attended Western Oregon University, receiving her Bachelors in Public Policy and Administration. She later received her Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy from Portland State University. Previously working at the American Cancer Society, Oregon State University, WOU, and most recently, Portland State University, Lindsey is excited to be returning home to Western. Outside of work, Lindsey can be found cheering on WOU basketball, reading, catching up on the latest Netflix show and eating at San Antonios.
Alex Gonzalez (Him/Him/His/Él) - Educational Advisor, Teacher Prep SSS
 Alex was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. He graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Liberal Arts - Spanish. Prior to Western, Alex was a high school instructional assistant; he worked primarily with English Learners and Special Education students. Alex enjoys working out, running, adrenaline, and fútbol! He is also fascinated with learning new languages!
Travis Smith (Him/Him/His) - Coordinator, Conferences & Events Services
 Travis is originally from Redmond, OR. He graduated from Western Oregon University in 2020 with a Political Science degree. He is currently in a College Student Affairs Leadership master's degree program at Grand Valley State University, which he will complete this year! Travis is super excited to return to Western after a short hiatus and start their new position!
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The Teacher Prep SSS Office is Moving
By Jen Koshnick, Director of Teacher Prep SSS
TPSSS is moving to RWEC 213. Come and visit us in our new space!
We are still accepting applications for this school year. For more information about TPSSS and to apply, visit wou.edu/tpsss.
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Black History Month
By Kristen Perry, Director of Abby's House
Black history is American history. This year’s Black History Month theme is Black Health and Wellness! Historically, African Americans have been underserved and discriminated against in our healthcare system. “Black people simply are not receiving the same quality of health care that their White counterparts receive, and this second-rate health care is shortening their lives (K. M. Bridges, n.d.).” Individuals and grassroots organizations have worked hard to counter the economic and health disparities over the years, but there’s still more work to be done.
To learn more about Black History Month, check out The Association for the Study of African American Life and History: https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/. To learn more about racial disparities in healthcare, check out this excerpt from Khiara M. Bridges’s book, Critical Race Theory: A Primer: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/the-state-of-healthcare-in-the-united-states/racial-disparities-in-health-care/
Reference:
Bridges, K. M.(n.d.). Implicit Bias and Racial Disparities in Health Care. American Bar Association. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_electronic_sources.html
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Learner Success Symposium
By Adry Clark, Director of Service Learning & Career Development
Is learner success a social justice issue? Come be part of the conversation at the Learner Success Symposium. As part of a second site visit by American Council on Education, the Learner Success Lab steering committee invites you to participate in a discussion on:
How the changing and increasingly diverse needs of today’s learners demands a more comprehensive and proactive approach to increasing student success.
Date/Time: February 10, 2022 / 2PM-5PM
Location (hybrid): RWEC 101 (or Zoom: https://wou-edu.zoom.us/j/85124107603?pwd=cEdLamp4SnZleEpjSWQwdEVmRkk2Zz09)
Agenda:
- Student Roundtable - students discuss their needs and goals.
- Fireside Chat - our ACE reviewers, who are national leaders on comprehensive student success at preeminent HSI, Education and Liberal Arts institutions, what structural and cultural changes are needed at Western Oregon University to support and sustain holistic learner success initiatives.
- Celebration of Learner Success in WOU’s Curriculum and Programs – WOUcha Kutcha by five faculty and staff (each speaker gets 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide).
Come any time, stay as long as you can. The event will be recorded.
For more information, visit the Learner Success Symposium website. Learn more about the ACE Learner Success Lab at WOU. Stay tuned for pre-symposium info blasts and surveys on student success topics.
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WOU General Scholarhsip
By Kella Helyer, Director of Financial Aid
The WOU General Scholarship Application deadline for the 2022-23 award year is March 1st. The application can be accessed in the WOU Portal by selecting the Scholarship icon.
Additional scholarship information can be found at https://wou.edu/finaid/scholarships/. Check out our FAQ page for additional details.
Remember to submit your application if it is still in drafted status. Scholarship application tips:
- Complete the application in full and follow the directions for the best consideration of awards.
- Make an impression with your essay. Include concrete details to make your essay come alive.
- Writing tip: the Writing Center here at WOU is a great resource if you need help with checking your essay for punctuation, grammar, or even for a quick review for readability.
For questions or assistance regarding your scholarship application, please contact the Financial Aid office at 503-838-8475 or by email at finaid@wou.edu.
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Coffee Talks
Sponsored by the Service Learning & Career Development Office
February Coffee Talks each Tuesday, 11am-1pm, WUC upstairs lobby.
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Veterans of Color Showcase
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
The Veterans Resource Center (WUC 108) is showcasing two amazing Veterans during the month of February, as we celebrate Black History Month! Stop by to see the uniforms and story of SSG (Ret.) Salina Norton and her son SSG Charles Isaac, and learn about their journey in the U.S. military.
 
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Resources & Support Services
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Women Veteran Resources
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
Did you know that the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) has a dedicated professional for helping women Veterans thrive? The ODVA is an Oregon agency responsible for benefits and programs for our U.S. armed service members and their dependents after their service.
Contact Jessica Bradley (Marine Corps retired), the Women Veteran’s Coordinator with ODVA, at 503-576-9603 to get all your questions answered and connect with other women who served!
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WOU Basic Needs Coordinator & Polk County Resource Center
By Logan Doerfler, Director of the Veterans Resource Center
WOU recently hired WOU alum Maria Barrera as the first Basic Needs Coordinator within Abby’s House (WUC 106)! As the Basic Needs Coordinator, Maria is here full-time to connect WOU students with on- and off-campus resources such as healthcare, food, housing, and much more. Feel free to stop by and say hello to this friendly new professional in Abby’s House, across from the Veteran’s Resource Center in the WUC! Or you can reach Maria by email at barreram@wou.edu or phone at 503-838-9430.
Our county also has some amazing resources that assist families and individuals meet their basic needs and increase self-sufficiency. The Polk County Resource Center offers many fantastic resources such as emergency rent assistance and free hygiene supplies. Call 503-623-9664 to get all your questions answered today!
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Melissa Garcia, Education
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Thank You SLCD Alternative Break Crew!
By Tammy Gardner, Director of the Child Development Center
Thank you from the Wolf Pups! The Wolf Pups from the Child Development Center would like to thank the SLCD Alternative Break Crew who came out on Monday, December 13th for a Service Project. Thank you to Justin, Laura, Brooke, Sandra, and Alissa who helped with the backyard and deck. They raked leaves and pine needles, cleaned all of the toys from the sandbox, and cleaned and organized our covered deck. All of this was done in the rain, too!!
Our staff and families appreciate your help. We rarely have time to take care of the extra maintenance for our center.
Thanks,
Tammy, the CDC staff, and 38 Wolf Pups!
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