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MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University recently added a new position of Assistant Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives in its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to support efforts to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. After a search, Cristian Mendez Garcia has been selected for this role and officially started on April 22.
Mendez Garcia's journey began in the early 1990s when he immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, settling in the Monmouth-Independence community. His educational path led him to Western, where he pursued his passion for art, graduating with a degree in graphic design and fine art photography. As the son of migrant workers, Mendez Garcia deeply appreciates the transformative power of higher education in opening doors to a brighter future. Drawing from his own experiences, he has dedicated his career to advancing opportunities for others. With a wealth of experience in the business sector, Mendez Garcia served as a business operations manager for T-Mobile, honing his skills in strategic planning and project management. In addition, he played a pivotal role as the Chapter Chair for T-Mobile’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in the Oregon region, demonstrating his commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. His dedication to Western extends beyond the classroom and workplace. Mendez Garcia has served on the WOU Foundation board and most recently held the position of Trustee member on the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees, where he continues to champion initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's mission and impact.
“I am incredibly thrilled to continue my work with Western Oregon University and am proud of our emerging HSI status,” shares Mendez Garcia. “Higher education is transformative and I love being in a position where I can help WOU achieve its HSI designation to help our students and the institution succeed.”
“I am excited to have Cristian join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to support our university efforts to become a Hispanic Serving Institution,” says Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dominique Vargas. “Cristian has a broad scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion experience combined with strategic planning, community engagement, and program development. He also has a clear passion for and investment in the Western Oregon University community. We will collaboratively vision our path forward as an emerging Hispanic institution, and work across stakeholder groups to better serve our students and community.”
This Friday, April 26, Western is hosting its third annual Hispanic Serving Institution Summit, where state and national partners join the university and greater community to share ideas and best practices and discuss why becoming an HSI is critically important to student success and the greater community. This year’s summit will feature two keynote presenters, Patrick L. Valdez, Ph. D., and Marissa Vasquez, Ph. D., who will focus on the history, policy, and current context of Hispanic Serving Institutions, and discuss operationalizing servingness. There will also be a student panel, an afternoon of concurrent sessions, and networking time for attendees.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees convened on April 16 and 17 to consider and approve several items, including the tuition & fees for the 2024-25 academic year.
The Tuition Advisory Committee, which includes students, staff, and faculty, submitted a proposed five percent tuition increase, which was accepted by President Jesse Peters and presented to the Board of Trustees on April 17. The trustees approved the five percent increase to resident undergraduate tuition and a 4.86 percent increase to nonresident undergraduate tuition. Graduate tuition will increase by five percent, and is assessed at the same rate regardless of residency. Summer 2024 tuition rates are included at the same rates as the 2024-25 academic year.
"We firmly believe that higher education should be accessible to all, and affordability is a cornerstone of our mission,” shares Board of Trustee Chair Betty Komp. “While a slight increase was necessary, it enables us to continue delivering quality education and support to our students, ensuring their success and fulfillment throughout their academic journey."
Western Oregon University remains among the most affordable public higher education institutions in Oregon, offering the second-lowest tuition rate in the state. Western is also a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the largest regional interstate tuition savings program, where students from participating states can attend Western and pay no more than 150 percent of the in-state resident tuition rate.
“Students choose Western because it’s a special place. We take pride in offering students a tailored educational experience, fostering a sense of belonging, and delivering quality support services,” said President Jesse Peters. “We have worked hard to maintain affordability without compromising the exceptional quality of education and services that define Western. This slight tuition increase reflects our dedication to sustaining the excellence that makes us truly extraordinary.”
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
https://wou.edu/2024/04/18/western-oregon-university-board-of-trustees-approves-tuition-increase/
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s men's and women's+ rugby clubs have qualified for the Rugby 7s Collegiate National Championships.
This is the first time both teams qualified in the same year, and the first time Western’s women's+ team has made it to the Rugby 7s national championships. The national tournament will be held in Boyds, Maryland between April 26 - 28.
To assist with travel costs, both teams are holding the following fundraisers.
In-person fundraisers:
- Friday, April 12, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., stop by the Werner University Center on Western’s campus to purchase a Western Rugby t-shirt, hoodie, sweat pants, or Rugby ball. All forms of payment are accepted. Due to construction, please check out our updated parking routes.
- Sunday, April 14, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., stop by Les Swab in Independence for a $15 car cleaning. All forms of payment are accepted.
Online fundraisers:
- 50 percent of popcorn proceeds go to the women's+ rugby club.
- Donate to the women's+ rugby club
- Donate to the men's rugby club
Western is currently the only institution across all divisions to have both men’s and women’s+ teams qualify this year.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University will host the third annual Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Summit on April 26, 2024. This year's summit will focus on what it means to truly serve students.
Following the previous two years, this summit will continue to invite state and national partners along with university and greater community members to share ideas and best-practices.
"I'm so excited to see Western host our third annual HSI Summit. Participation has grown every year, and that reflects the commitment leaders on campus, and throughout the state, in serving Latiné students,” shared President Jesse Peters. “This is a time for us to bring collective voices to the table and have good conversations with our partners. Together we work better; in community we are stronger.”
Western is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. A goal of hosting these summits is to bring together the campus, the community, and both regional and national partners to discuss what it means to become an HSI and why it is so critically important to the success of students and the greater community.
Dominique Vargas, Western’s executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is leading the summit planning team. “I’ve been working at Western for almost two years, and it is clear that we are committed to growth and development for our students and as a university. We are working to become a serving institution, and our best and strongest path toward servingness is to engage our entire community.”
This year’s summit will feature two keynote presenters, Patrick L Valdez, Ph. D., and Marissa Vasquez, Ph. D. Valdez will focus on the history, policy, and current context of Hispanic Serving Institutions, while Vasquez will discuss operationalizing servingness. There will also be a student panel, an afternoon of concurrent sessions, and networking time for attendees. Registration is open to everyone through April 12, 2024.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s percussion ensemble hosted guest artist Carlos Camacho from the University of Panama for a week-long residency in March.
The percussion ensemble recently held its winter concert, performing several chamber and solo works by Panamanian and Latin composers such as Samuel Robles, Ricardo Risco, Rodolfo Acosta, and Luis de Pablo.
Before the concert, Camacho held a masterclass on Panamanian music and the Panamanian Tambor. Students engaged through Panamanian instruments and learned about the history of Panamanian music.
“I’m really glad to be at Western. Thank you to Dr. Joel Garza for the invitation. It’s been cool to see how the students juggle their classwork and performances,” shared Camacho. “It was exciting to attend their concert and I like just being a part of it all.”
Professor Joel Garza, Ph.D., is the director of Western’s percussion ensemble. The ensemble is designed to meet the needs of percussion and music education majors. The group performs one concert each term and aims to challenge students in many percussive styles in the pursuit of advanced study and performance of the percussion ensemble repertoire.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
https://wou.edu/2024/03/28/western-oregon-university-hosts-panamanian-percussion-musician/
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University is proud to highlight the accomplishments of alumnus Michael Waller ‘08. Waller received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Western, leading him to a career in social work.
Western introduced Waller to his two passions which are acting and sociology. Waller shares that he always knew he wanted to help people and while at Western, learned there were a multitude of avenues he could take. Currently, he is a school social worker at McDaniel High School in Portland and a working actor.
“One of the biggest things I learned at Western was to take chances. I did not believe that I could get into some of the things I’m into today. I was introduced to some staff at Western who really challenged me,” shared Waller. “They challenged me to have critical thinking and I wouldn’t be where I’m at without it. I recommend Western to everyone.”
Waller’s story is a testament to Western’s commitment to supporting students in discovering and following their passions. His dedication to supporting youth through social work exemplifies the impactful contributions that Western alumni make to society, showcasing the values of compassion, leadership, and excellence instilled by their alma mater.
Watch Michael Waller’s success story
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Together we succeed.
https://wou.edu/2024/03/27/western-oregon-university-alum-highlights-social-work-career/