Doris brings deep experience in higher education. She has been at the forefront of WOU’s evolving 3-year effort to become Oregon’s first four-year public institution to receive designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. She is currently part of the inaugural cohort of the prestigious Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities ENLACE Leadership Program.
 
Proudly bilingual and bicultural, Doris brings a unique perspective as a first-generation academic and dedicated student advocate. She has demonstrated success in being a caring, positive, and influential academic advisor. At WOU, she has improved student recruitment initiatives and degree pathways. She also has an MA in counseling psychology. Her status as a qualified mental health professional provides a nuanced understanding of students' needs.
 
Doris is a strong advocate for marginalized communities. She is co-founder and former Board President of Casa Latinos Unidos of Benton County. Her extensive and enduring networks in the state reflect a commitment to community-building, collaboration, and advancing shared goals. She devoted seven years of service to the Oregon Commission for Women, where she actively provided testimony and advocacy and contributed to shaping public policy addressing the unique challenges faced by women.
 
In addition to these many achievements, Doris is an accomplished scholar. Her research—which is at the intersection of human development, family science, and public health—is focused on issues such as food insecurity, poverty, health disparities, and the well-being of immigrants.
 
Welcome, Doris!