Pronouns
he/him
Job Title
Dean Associate Dean of Students and Director of International Students and Scholars
What three words would you use to describe Lewis & Clark?
Ambitious, authentic, and international.
Tell us about your heritage. How has this shaped your educational and/or career journey?
My paternal grandfather immigrated to the U.S. from England when he was a child. His father was a minister—educated but not wealthy—and their family moved often through the Midwest before settling in upstate New York. Later, they moved from New York City to Coos Bay, Oregon, where my grandfather worked in insurance with fishermen and loggers.
My dad became a lawyer in Portland, and my mom, originally from eastern Oregon, moved to the city as well. I was born and raised in Portland, one of the few people on staff here who grew up locally—my grandparents actually lived across the street from Lewis & Clark.
Education was always important to my parents, but they never pressured me about what to study or pursue. As a white guy in this country, I’ve been very lucky—it’s like being “born on third base.”
The biggest influences on my career were my experiences abroad. I studied in London and later taught in China and Japan. Those opportunities shaped my worldview and led directly to what I do now: helping others have those same kinds of experiences.
Where do you find some of your most significant influences from your heritage, such as role models or inspirations (these could be from your past and/or current)?
When you first asked about heritage, I immediately thought of family. I don’t often think about my identity through that lens—it’s something people in majority groups may not consciously reflect on.
But in terms of role models, I’d name two. The first is Greg Caldwell, who hired me and held this job before me. Greg didn’t just tell me how to do the work; he showed me. One of his most important lessons was to make the student experience central—listen carefully, understand their goals, and help them achieve them.
The second is Valerie White, who served as Ombudsperson and taught at the Graduate School. Valerie, who is African American, spoke candidly with me about her experiences and how current events around race can look and feel different depending on who you are. She taught me the importance of pausing to ask, “How does this look and feel for everyone in the room?” I still think of that as “What would Valerie do?”
What brought you to L&C?
The short answer: I needed a job. The long answer is that before coming here, I had several part-time jobs—teaching English to new immigrants at Clark College, interning at a PR agency, and working at the Northwest China Council, a nonprofit promoting Chinese culture.
This position combined all of that: education, communication, and international work—full-time, with benefits. It didn’t pay much, but it was fascinating. Early on, the job also included recruitment and admission of international students, which allowed me to return to Asia regularly for several weeks each year. I loved every bit of that.
Describe your job. What do you like best about your work?
Every day looks different. I start with a list, but something unexpected always comes up—and that keeps things interesting. I wouldn’t do well in a job that’s the same every day.
What I love most is working with students. They’re the reason I do this. Watching them arrive, grow, and eventually graduate is rewarding, even though it’s hard to see them go. The constant change—the mix of students, personalities, and cultures—makes the work endlessly engaging.
I’m a people person by nature. I enjoy hearing their stories and figuring things out together.
What moments in your career have felt most meaningful in terms of advancing equity and inclusion for international students?
I’ve always believed international students shouldn’t be set apart in their own bubble. We used to hold international-only events, but over time I realized most students come here because they want to do what everyone else is doing—take the same classes, join the same clubs, play on the same teams.
So our office focuses on removing barriers to that participation. We provide advising and orientation specific to their needs, but otherwise, we try to make sure international students can integrate fully into campus life. Inclusion should mean shared experiences, not separation.
How do you see cultural exchange on campus strengthening equity and inclusion for all students?
Ideally, cultural exchange happens so naturally that no one has to label it—it’s just part of everyday life.
When I train RAs or First-Year Mentors, I ask them to name an international student they know and share something unique about them. Almost everyone raises their hand. That shows how many real connections exist here—not just international-to-international or American-to-American friendships, but across groups.
International students often expect to be known by their American peers, and while it’s not perfect, our small size helps those relationships form. My role is to keep removing obstacles so that kind of exchange keeps happening.
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The swimming pool in Zehntbauer. I swim there three days a week—it’s my favorite place to recharge.
Where do you like to go in Portland to feel culturally at home? (Restaurant, store, etc.)
I’m from Portland, so most places here feel like home. At this point, it’s less about a location and more about the people—I feel most at home when I’m with family or close friends. My mom lives nearby, and my family often gathers at her place or my brother’s house. Being surrounded by people I’ve known all my life is what makes Portland home.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?
It’s simply home. I grew up here, left for about twelve years, and came back. There’s a saying that “a fish doesn’t know it’s in water until it’s not”—that’s how I feel about Portland. It’s part of who I am.
If you could share one piece of advice with students—domestic or international—about navigating identity, belonging, and resilience, what would it be?
Over the years, I’ve seen how much students’ sense of belonging changes between their first and second years. At first, many struggle—with the weather, academics, or finding community—but eventually, they figure it out. They learn how to “drive the college,” so to speak.
That process of facing challenges and overcoming them—often by leaning on others—is what builds real belonging. And it’s not just about receiving help; it’s also about turning around and offering it to someone else.
Belonging grows when you find your people, but it deepens when you help others find theirs. That’s what a community looks like—different people working together, setting differences aside to achieve something shared. It might be hard in the moment, but it’s what makes this place special.