Established in 2015
Our Mission
The mission of the Association is to support and provide professional development for academic advisors (and others who work with students in an advising or counseling role) throughout the state of Oregon, establish a communication network among academic advisors, establish a liaison to and relationships with NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, and other organizations with similar goals.In addition, the Association supports and promotes the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education’s Core Values of Academic Advising.
Our Leadership Board
McKayla Neal Eastern Oregon University President McKayla is an Academic Advisor and the Healthcare Programs Coordinator, at Eastern Oregon University. While born and raised in Idaho, she has grown up visiting the Grande Ronde valley, spending every summer and holiday break she could on the family farm. She attended LC State, in Lewiston, Idaho, where she received a double Bachelors in Kinesiology, with emphasis areas in Exercise Science and Health/Fitness. Currently, she is attending Kansas State University and pursing a Masters in Academic Advising. Being a planner at heart, one of McKayla's favorite tasks is to assist students with creating degree completion plans. She enjoys working with students to fit all the necessary puzzle pieces together to create a specialized plan that works for the students and meets all their needs. In her current role with OAAA, she gets to use these skills and love in her work of helping plan and execute webinars and the annual conference. She is so grateful to be serving with such an amazing group of individuals and looks forward to connecting with others in the field across the state and region. Serves for 3 years The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Leadership Committee. The President is generally responsible for overseeing all of the Association's activities. The President may call special meetings of the Leadership Committee and will serve as an ex-officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees. After completing their term, the President is asked to serve in a past-presidential capacity to mentor the incoming president and other incoming officers. |
Andrea Williams Eastern Oregon University Vice President Andrea Williams is a Center Director and Academic Advisor at Eastern Oregon University. She has been an academic advisor for 8 years after earning her Masters in Education (M.Ed.) from Concordia University in Portland, OR. Prior to academic advising, Andrea's experience includes over 12 years serving students through her roles in Student Affairs and Admissions for predoctoral and postdoctoral students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cake decorating, playing games with her family, and training their new puppy. Serves for 2 years The Vice President shall perform the duties and responsibilities of the President in the President’s absence, and when so acting, shall exercise the powers of the President. In partnership with the President, the Vice President will be responsible for strategic planning and implementing the vision of OAAA. Additionally, they partner with the membership coordinator with researching the means and methods of tracking membership, and adding new members. Vice President serves as liaison to the annual Conference Committee and is recognized as the liaison of OAAA in its capacity as a NACADA Allied Member. |
Lea Griess Pacific Univeristy Outgoing President Lea Griess (she/her/hers) is the Interim Director for Academic and Career Advising at Pacific University. She has been in the advising field since 2014, starting with her graduate advising experience at Oregon State. Since then she has worked with college students from all walks of life at Chemeketa Yamhill Valley Campus, Southern Oregon University and now at Pacific. Her passion lies in supporting students with identities that have been historically excluded from higher education as they discover their purpose and goals while also navigating the tricky systems and processes in college. She has served on OAAA since summer of 2021 as a co-communications coordinator, and now as the president. Her most important role currently, is parenting her two youngsters with her partner, all of whom keep life interesting and joyful. |
Leo Perez Lopez Portland State University Treasurer / secretary Leo (él/he/they) is an Academic and Career Advisor at Portland State University and a Casual/New Student Orientation Advisor at Portland Community College. He received his bachelors degree from the University of Oregon in Psychology and International Studies. Leo began his journey working in higher education since 2020, where Leo received his Masters in Student Affairs Administration from Lewis & Clark College in 2022. Leo's core values; wellness, community, learning, love, and liberation have provided a foundation in Leo's work and way of living. Leo grew up in Newberg, Oregon and is the first in his family to receive a bachelors and masters degree. Leo enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading, and watching reality TV. Serves for 2 years The Treasurer will have primary custody of all OAAA funds and shall maintain such deposits in a federally insured depository institution approved by the Leadership Committee. The Treasurer shall also maintain a ledger accounting for all receipts and disbursements, provide year-to-date and annual reports at Leadership Committee and Annual Meetings, and have the books available for audit prior to the Annual Meeting. The fiscal year will be from July 1st-June 30th. The Treasurer will also be responsible to include filing IRS annual tax reporting forms and associated government documents. |
Michele McAuliffe Oregon State University Professional Development Coordinator Michele joined Oregon State University in Fall 2024 as an exploratory advisor with UESP. She brings a strong commitment to student development, professional learning, and community building within the advising profession. Originally from Long Beach, New York, she earned her B.A. in Human Development with a concentration in Communication and Social Interaction from SUNY Oswego in 2014, and later completed both an M.S. in Student Affairs Administration and an MPA from Binghamton University (SUNY). As the Professional Development Chair for OAAA, Michele is excited to foster connection and learning opportunities that strengthen the advising community across Oregon. She is committed to creating inclusive, accessible spaces where advisors at all levels can grow, connect, and thrive in their work. Outside of work, Michele enjoys coaching with Special Olympics Oregon and other volunteering opportunities, crafting, traveling with her 4Runner and camper, exploring parks with her dog Rae, and seeking out new experiences whenever possible. Serves for 2 years The Professional Development Coordinators provide leadership for professional development opportunities for the OAAA membership on an annual basis. This includes coordinating the planning and execution of an annual statewide advising conference, and other opportunities consistent with the mission and purpose of the Association. |
Rachel Allen University of Oregon NACADA Region 8 Liaison Rachel Allen (she/her) is the Associate Director of the Undergraduate Student Success Center for the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. For the past 13 years, Rachel has been championing the integration of career and academic advising. She is passionate about creating comprehensive and holistic training programs, supporting first-generation students and career coaching. As an active member of NACADA, Rachel has chaired a regional NACADA conference, served on several conference planning committees and presented on the integration of career and academic advising at many conferences including being the 2023 OAAA keynote speaker. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children and partner, perfecting vegetarian dishes and walking her dog. Serves for 2 years In keeping with OAAA’s commitment to have Association goals and activities remain consistent with those of NACADA, the current Oregon Liaisons to the NACADA Region 8 Leadership Committee occupy Ex-Officio roles on the OAAA Leadership Committee. |
Ellen Fields University of Oregon membership Coordinator Ellen Fields is an Academic and Career Advisor at the University of Oregon, advising on Social Science disciplines exploring how humans and environments interact. She’s been with U of O in a professional advising role for about four years, starting in her first year on the OAAA board as the Membership Coordinator. Ellen holds a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and an M.A. in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis and Clark College. She has a career background in early childhood intervention and education as well as various roles supporting the mental health of children and families with non-profit organizations. Ellen is passionate about supporting students in their life-long personal, emotional, and professional development. Outside of work, Ellen enjoys spending time in her homegrown pumpkin patch, visiting family on the Oregon Coast, entertaining her labradoodle, and exploring the Eugene/Springfield area by bike. Serves for 2 years The Membership Coordinator serves as the designated back up to the secretary/treasurer when/if necessary. Leads the effort for OAAA for researching the means and methods of tracking membership, and adding new members. Maintains accurate membership list and records. |
Abel de la Cruz Portland Community College community college liaison Abel has been in the academic field for over 25 years. He is currently an Academic Advisor for Portland Community College. He has been in many different roles and has worked in different colleges-from Portland State to California State University Fresno. Prior to living in Oregon, Abel lived in Clovis, CA and was the Coordinator for the Business Advising Office at CSU, Fresno. He always gets involved with campus committees. His role as an Academic Advisor and years of experience allows Abel to focus on supporting academic advisors and assisting with creating policy that benefit both students and academic professionals. Serves for 2 years The Community College Representative shall act as the OAAA liaison between community college members and the OAAA leadership team. The person elected to this position will help to coordinate and recruit members from within the ranks of Oregon's Community College system. |
Kim Marshel University of Oregon Communications Coordinator Bio coming soon! Serves for 2 years The Communication Coordinator shall maintain the Association’s website and coordinate communication with the membership through social media, newsletters, or other mediums as approved by the Leadership Committee. |
Kennedy Schade Western Oregon University Communications Coordinator Kennedy Schade (he/him) has worked in higher education to some capacity for the last 8 years. He began collegiate level instruction during his Master's program in Communication Studies at Colorado State University in 2018 and taught Public Speaking for a few years before coming to Western Oregon University in 2022. He currently serves as the Assistant Director for Academic Support at WOU. Kennedy's passion is working with students to help them unlock their best selves. In his spare time, Kennedy enjoys watching movies, playing video games, collecting sports cards, and spending as much time as he can with his girlfriend, friends, and family. Serves for 2 years The Communication Coordinator shall maintain the Association’s website and coordinate communication with the membership through social media, newsletters, or other mediums as approved by the Leadership Committee. |