President's Diversity Advisory Community Council (PDACC)

A 21-member President's Diversity Advisory Community Council (PDACC) provides guidance and make recommendations in the following key areas:

  • Access and Retention: Assist the university’s efforts to recruit and retain traditionally underrepresented students, staff and faculty, including racial and ethnic minorities; women in science, technology and math careers; people with disabilities; and members of the LGBTQ communities.
  • Educational Partnerships: Assist the university in developing and maintaining strong relationships as well as partnerships with underrepresented communities, community colleges, K-12 institutions and business, civic, cultural, social and religious organizations.
  • Innovations in Applied Research and Development: Help the university develop additional opportunities for innovative research, teaching and engagement.
  • Communication: Serve as a confidential sounding board for ideas and ambassadors for the university, and assist with developing new relationships, new opportunities for collaboration and mobilization of resources that are mutually beneficial.

Membership in the council has been thoughtfully selected to include a diverse group of community members, not only from Eugene and its environs, but also from across the state of Oregon who represent a wide range of interests and links to communities that help the University of Oregon fulfill its mission. Council members will work in small subcommittees with members of the Executive Leadership Team and other university staff.

PDACC Members

  • Michael Alexander, President and CEO Urban League of Portland, Portland
  • Oscar Arana, Director of Strategic Development & Communications at Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Portland
  • John Branam, Partner, The Learning Accelerator, Portland
  • Remie Calalang, Human Resources Director, Bethel School District, Eugene
  • Allison Davis-White Eyes, Director of Intercultural Student Services, OSU, Corvallis
  • Greg Evans, City Councilor, City of Eugene, Eugene
  • Linda Hamilton, President, Blacks in Government Equity, Excellence and Opportunity, Eugene
  • John Haroldson, Benton County District Attorney, Corvallis
  • Alicia Hays, Director of Lane County Health and Human Services, Eugene
  • Linda Hwang, Founder & Executive Director, Global Perspectives for Youth, Eugene
  • Mariann Hyland, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Oregon State Bar, Portland
  • Cobi Jackson, Vice President and Community Development Officer, Wells Fargo, Portland
  • Kahseuss Jackson, Tribal Council Member for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Commissioner, Columbia River Inner-Tribal Fish Commission, Warm Springs
  • Dante James, Director, Office of Equity and Human Rights, Portland
  • Tasha Katsuda, Administrator for Educator Effectiveness, 4J School District, Eugene
  • Ricky Poon, Senior Pastor, Eugene Chinese Christian Church, Eugene
  • Eric Richardson, President, Eugene/Springfield NAACP, Eugene
  • Michelle Singer, Project Manager, Native STAND (Students Together Against Negative Decisions), OHSU, Portland
  • Susan Sygall, CEO and Co-Founder of Mobility International USA, Eugene
  • Paulina Villaseñor, Executive Director, Downtown Languages, Portland

PDACC collage of photos from Fall 2017 meeting