Vanessa Holmgren

As the director of internal communications and community engagement, I help attract students to Lewis & Clark by building a strong and vibrant sense of community across the institution. I oversee The Source: News for Faculty and Staff and manage internal communications to ensure consistency and professionalism.

Through my work with various committees, I advise communications strategies that improve information sharing and create employee engagement. I currently serve on the following committees:

• Employee Benefits Committee
• Lewis & Clark Kids and Families, manager
• Lewis & Clark Sustainability Council
• ONE L&C: Employee Engagement
• Transportation and Parking Committee

My everyday goal at Lewis & Clark is to build a strong and vibrant sense of community across our three schools.

Outside of working at Lewis & Clark, I taught a writing course at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus; served as the president of the board of directors for Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest (an affiliate of the national Girls Incorporated), which serves at-risk girls facing intergenerational poverty, juvenile crime, substance abuse, and school failure; volunteered at Portland Community Media, assisting in the production of the television show “Face to Face: Community Matters,” a showcase for nonprofits in Portland to share their mission and their services; served on the marketing committee for the Western Association of College and University Business Officers; and now volunteer with the EcoSchool Network. 

Before coming to Lewis & Clark in 2003, I earned a master’s degree in rhetoric and composition from Oregon State University (OSU). While writing my master’s thesis, I worked as the marketing and publicity coordinator for OSU’s Office of International Education. When I arrived at Lewis & Clark, I worked at the graduate school as the director of external affairs, implementing fund-raising and communication strategies for graduate school alumni and community constituents.

When I’m not at work, I am most likely playing the guitar, cutting back blackberry bushes in my garden, gaming with my two kids, and cooking with my husband (his specialty is crepes and my specialty is toppings).

• The Source: News for Faculty and Staff

Additional Information

As a common services office, the Office of Communications is a resource for all three Lewis & Clark schools. We’d love to hear your stories, and to help you share them.