A Message from Vice President Mark Ankeny

Dear Faculty and Staff,

You may have heard that Melodye MacAlpine, director of Graduate & Professional Student Services, is leaving Pacific University after serving our students for 10 years. Please join me in congratulating Melodye in her new role as associate dean for Student Affairs and Administration at Willamette University’s College of Law. Melodye’s last day at Pacific will be Friday, Sept. 2.

Ann Barr-Gillespie, Sue Stein, Will Perkins and I recently met to discuss a Fall Semester transition plan for the joint efforts of the academic programs and student life on the Hillsboro Campus to support graduate students on their journeys toward success. That plan will include having Will Perkins (dean of students) spend a day or two each week on the Hillsboro Campus. Will is available by phone or email anytime to discuss specific needs of programs or students. He will serve as a conduit to connect program leaders and students to the support that is needed.

Will plans to involve Kristin Overton (administrative assistant to the dean of students), Libby Boyes (CHP manager of administrative services), Nicole Shappart (assistant director, Graduate and Professional Student Services), and Sue Stein (CHP associate dean) in dealing with a range of issues and functions. These include everything from issuing recreation passes to Shute Park, providing information regarding the appeals process, providing a listening ear, to working with programs on unified CHP policies and procedures. Of course, the student counseling and health services already on the Hillsboro Campus remain available to meet the specific needs of students.   

As the semester unfolds, a more specific plan will emerge as we involve CHP stakeholders in assessing the future needs of supporting graduate and professional students on the Hillsboro Campus.

Again, please join me in congratulating Melodye on her new role. Her Student Life colleagues have planned a goodbye celebration for Melodye, which will be held at Urban Decanter (2030 Main Street) from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2. Appetizers will be provided. For more information, please contact Kristen Overton at 503-352-2254 or koverton@pacificu.edu.