President's Diversity Advisory Community Council

The UO President’s Diversity Advisory Community Council (PDACC) was appointed in summer of 2014. PDACC's purpose is to assist the President and members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to carry out the University’s mission  in ways that enhance access, retention and opportunity for traditionally underrepresented and under-served groups. Recognizing our shared responsibilities with and to the public, this committee serves to inform our decisions, actions, and presence in the community in mutually beneficial ways. PDACC meets four times a year.

Key areas of focus include the following:

  • Access and Retention:  Assist with UO’s efforts to recruit and retain traditionally under-represented students, staff and faculty, including racial and ethnic minorities, women in science, technology and math careers, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ communities. Assist the university in mobilizing the financial resources to fund scholarships, pipeline initiatives and retention programs.
  • Educational Partnerships: Assist the university in developing and maintaining strong relationships as well as partnerships with under-represented communities, community colleges, K-12 institutions, businesses, 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:  Assist the university in messaging around issues of equity, inclusion and diversity. Serve as confidential sounding board for ideas as well as ambassadors for the university and assist with developing new relationships, new opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization that are mutually beneficial.

The 20 member PDACC group includes the following 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