Narce Rodriguez Plans Retirement

Please join me in congratulating Narce Rodriguez, as she has announced her coming retirement at the end of the Fall 2022 semester.

Narce joined the Pacific University community in 2017, following more than a decade at Portland Community College. She serves as Pacific’s first chief equity, diversity and inclusion officer, and she became vice president for Student Affairs in 2020.

Throughout her tenure at Pacific, Narce developed a brand new Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into a robust resource offering university events, trainings and support structures for students and employees. She oversaw Student Affairs throughout the difficult COVID-19 pandemic, supporting her professional staff as well as students as they navigated the additional challenges of remote and hybrid learning and re-introduction into campus life.

Narce has provided nearly six incredible years of leadership at Pacific University. Because of her expertise, creativity, patience and heart, we better understand ourselves and each other. And we better understand what it truly means to confront what we do and offer through an equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging lens.

Through her thoughtful planning and guidance, our Student Multicultural Center has come to life, and we provide brave spaces for academic and social growth, while embracing diverse cultures and experiences.

“This work has been challenging, engaging, collaborative and rewarding,” Narce said. “I am grateful for the colleagues I’ve met, the work I’ve done, the students I’ve mentored, and the education I’ve helped foster.

"Having worked with all of you in partnership has been a journey toward making Pacific University a high-quality education system, and I look forward to witnessing the work you continue to do in the community.”

She said she also is looking forward to spending more time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Narce has been a gifted advisor on the President’s Cabinet as vice president of Student Affairs, and I will miss her insights and talents. 

Narce will continue in her role as leader of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and as vice president through the remainder of the Fall 2022 semester. An announcement about the future of the vice president and chief EDI officer positions will be made at a later date.
In the meantime, we look forward to an opportunity to celebrate Narce’s next steps with a retirement celebration in early December. Please stay tuned for more details.

With deepest appreciation,

Jenny Coyle '90, OD '93, MS '00
President