Lisa was a non-traditional, first generation college student and McNair Scholar during undergrad in Washington at Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University (EWU), where they received a BA in Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Communications. Lisa attended graduate school at Indiana University and followed a mentor to University of Arizona where they received a M.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies. Their research was focused on representations of bisexuality and parenthood in film and technologies of childbirth. After graduate school, Lisa worked in communications, development, and community education for environmental, anti-racist, and anti-violence nonprofit organizations.
In 2015, Lisa returned to EWU to lead the Women's Studies Center. Soon after stepping into the role, Lisa began a collaborative strategic planning process that culminated in a name change for the center and a more accessible, comfortable, and beautiful space. As the manager of the newly named Women’s and Gender Education (WAGE) Center, they won a Rookie of the Year Award in 2016.
Lisa also facilitated the Activist in Residence (AiR) program, which supports a regional activist who engaged participants in learning about and making social change. Lisa’s experience includes national leadership programs, scholarship fund development, and strategizing to combat food insecurity on campus. They won an Excellence Award in 2019 from EWU’s college of social sciences.
Lisa is most proud of their steadfast focus on wellness and community care in their work with students. They have supervised many wonderful work study students, advised feminist and reproductive justice clubs, and taught Intro to LGBT+ Studies and Intro to Women's and Gender Studies. They serve on several regional and national advisory boards, along with providing digital communications strategy for a social justice nonprofit.
Lisa will be moving to Oregon with their cat (Isabella), a Chiweenie (Penelope), three kids who are 21 (Seth), 18 (Gabriel), and 15 (Johnathan), and a spouse (Leeh). Lisa is a huge fan of the PNW outdoors and will be completing a 93-mile hike of the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier in August.
After nearly seven years managing the Women's and Gender Education Center at EWU, Lisa is very excited to join Willamette University. They look forward to supporting students in Salem and Portland, and making valuable contributions to the culture of Willamette.
Special thanks to the search committee:
- Chair: Gordon Toyama, Multicultural Affairs
- Aaron Hukari, Housing
- Alexander Vasquez, Career Development
- Brent Summers, Athletics
- Jackson Seemayer, PNCA
- Lane Mikkelsen, Student
- Rachel Steck, Faculty
