Julie Kopet, President
Julie has worked for Portland Community College since 1990. She is experienced in administration, management and program development in the college. Her background includes part-time teaching, full-time faculty position, Education Manager, and Director of Corrections Education. In 2008 she accepted the position of Division Dean at PCC’s Southeast Campus. She received her PhD in Education from OSU in 2013. Julie says, “Since I attended the OILD I have been attending the AWWCC conferences. I know of no better professional organization for women in our field. The organization is a positive, productive force in bringing women together for the purpose of professional and personal growth, as well as the development and nurturing of relationships. It is an honor to be the president of such a great organization.”
Cherie Maas-Anderson, Past President, VP-Finance
Cherie Maas-Anderson has worked for Portland Community College for the past 26 years. At PCC, she has been a Service District Liaison, a Employee Relations Specialist, a Budget Operations assistant and currently employed in the English/World Languages Division. In the past, she has served as the Union VP of Membership, Grievance officer and served on numerous bargaining teams. Cherie is currently the President for the PCC chapter of AAWCC and a recent receipt of the Carol DesJardins award. “I believe that AAWCC is a wonderful opportunity to meet people and build lasting relationships that inspire a network of professional colleagues.”
When Cherie is not at work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening, cooking and fly-fishing on the Deschutes River.
Carol McKiel, President-Elect
Carol McKiel works at Linn Benton Community College as the director of the High School Partnerships program. Carol’s background is in elementary education. She worked as a 2nd and a 6th grade teacher, and had the opportunity to teach for two years in an international elementary school in China. In 2000, however, while teaching a reading strategies class at a community college, she found that she thoroughly enjoyed working with adult learners. “It felt rewarding to teach children, but working with adult students was energizing. I found that adults brought a different kind of enthusiasm for learning into the classroom that could be inspiring.” This new career focus led her to earn an MS in Student Personnel Services and then attend OSU to earn a PhD in Educational Leadership in 2011.Carol has been a member of AAWCC since 2008. She was attracted to AAWCC because of its commitment to developing women’s capacities. She has assisted with fundraising activities and program planning.
Carol has a grandson, daughter and son-in-law living in Dallas, Texas and a son in Washington, D.C. She enjoys working out at the gym during the week and walking on the beach or bicycling with her husband during the weekend. She also enjoys attempts at gardening.
Donna Zmolek, VP-Communications
Donna has worked at Lane Community College since 1990 and currently holds the position of Assistant to the President/Board of Education. She has been involved in AAWCC since 2000, serving on the board of Lane’s local chapter, attending activities hosted by the Oregon chapter, and participating as a national member. Donna has held the position of Secretary on the Oregon AAWCC Board since January 2007. AAWCC has had a positive impact on her life and career, and she finds it very gratifying to support the personal and professional development of women in community colleges.
Donna Lewelling, VP-Summer Conference
Donna Lewelling is an Education and Workforce Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD). As a member of the Research and Communication Team, Donna coordinates the Oregon Community College Student Success Initiative, FTE Audit and Credit for Prior Learning efforts. Before joining CCWD in 2006, Donna worked for the Department of Human Services and spent several years as a consultant for Head Start programs statewide.
Lynn Irvin, VP-Fall Conference
Lynn Irvin, Vice President for Fall Conference has worked at Chemeketa Community College since August 1998. Her current position is with the College Support Services Division as administrative coordinator.
An outgoing person, Lynn takes pride in the many college endeavors and activities she has been involved in at Chemeketa. She served for six years on the Wellness Committee, two years as the chair. She is very proud of creating the Wellness Health Fair held at Kickoff and the pedometer challenges held for employees every year. Lynn also coordinated the Kickoff and Wellness golf tournaments. She also serves on many committees including the President’s Advisory Council, the Insurance Task Force, the Holiday Social Committee and the Employee Recognition Event. Lynn was Chemeketa’s representative to AAWCC’s OILD in 2002 and attended the college’s LifeLong Leaders class. She participated on Chemeketa’s Portland to Coast relay team twice. Currently she is serving as president of the Chemeketa AAWCC chapter. They were recently awarded the 2015 National Chapter of the Year Award. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she takes online and PE classes every term and loves the lifelong learning environment that is a part of the college. She was selected as the AAUW Outstanding Graduating Woman in June, 2009.
Lynn is married and is super proud of her two children. Her son, Ross graduated from Chemeketa’s automotive program in 2011. Her daughter Sara, is a junior at Elmira College in Elmira, New York attending on a valedictorian scholarship.
Lynn loves being a part of the state board and is really excited to put her energy and skills into planning the fall conference and coordinating OILD!
Sydney Frost, VP-Membership
Sydney Frost joined Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in 2009 as Student Outreach Coordinator and has since sampled out and stepped into the roles of Manager for Student Outreach & High School Services, instructor to a 3-term series of Educational Leadership, student conduct officer, and Future Connect Project Manager. As of 2014, she has settled into her current role of Manager for Student Recruitment, Orientation & Testing Services.
Sydney is currently the interim (as in self-appointed) Co-President for the MHCC Chapter of AAWCC and was an attendee of the 2013 OILD. As a newbie to AAWCC at the 2012 Fall Conference and participant of the 2013 OILD, my response has been: “I hope the women behind this all are contagious, because I want to catch it and then spread it.”
Deb Nicholls, VP-Records
Deb has worked at Southwestern Oregon Community College for nearly 30 years. She has worked in various positions at the College, starting with Switchboard Operator. Commenting on her first position, Nicholls said “Starting at ground level was a blessing as it enabled me to feel the heartbeat of the institution, getting to know the facilities and the people firsthand.” Over the years she’s worked in various positions in the Office of Instruction, including Office Manager, before becoming the Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Education in 1999. The instructional background provided a breadth of knowledge that has proven beneficial throughout her career. Earning her associate’s degree at Southwestern and a bachelor’s at Southern Oregon University while raising three children with husband Tom, Deb exemplifies the meaning of “lifelong learner” as she continues to take classes and explore new areas of interest.
Deb has been a member of her local chapter of AAWCC for many years and is a past participant of OILD. Regarding her position on the Oregon AAWCC Board she said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with such brilliant women and to assist in bringing development opportunities to others.”
When not working, Deb enjoys spending time with her family and friends doing anything outdoors and travelling when possible. She is an avid Duck fan!
Heather White, VP-Registrar
Heather works at Mt Hood Community College, as the Library Technical Services Coordinator managing the library collection and technical operations behind the scenes. Prior to MHCC she worked as a part time Reference and Instruction librarian at Portland Community College for three years, and held the same position at Portland State University for one year. Before moving to Portland in 2007, she worked as a librarian in a high school, and then at a college, in Buffalo, NY where she was born and raised. Heather attended OILD 2013 and quickly realized AAWCC was an organization she wanted to be involved in. She is currently serving as Archivist for MHCC’s local AAWCC chapter, on the interim-executive board, and she is absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to join the state chapter’s board of directors as VP of Registration. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, gardening, jigsaw puzzling, hiking, meditating, practicing yoga and Pilates, and spending quality time with her friends, family and pets.
Teri Olsen, VP-Special Projects
Teri has worked for Clackamas Community College for 18 years. She has worked in the Business Office, the Small Business Development Center and the last 16 years in the Customized Training & Development Services department. That experience has allowed her to work with many different organizations and industries, and she strives to turn every customer engagement into a continuing long-term customer relationship. Teri has an Associate’s degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
This is Teri’s first time on the AAWCC board although she has attended AAWCC conferences for over 13 years. “I was very fortunate to work with an AAWCC board member when I was new to the college and that introduction to the organization has stayed with me for 13 years. It is my pleasure to be a part of this organization and I am eager to work with the board on special projects.”
Melissa Aaberg, VP-Web Development
Melissa started her position as a web content specialist at PCC in 2011. She joined AAWCC shortly after, and is delighted to be surrounded by strong women doing amazing work. She has a BA in English from PSU, and prior to joining PCC worked as an art teacher, PSU UNST Mentor, and web developer for a local clothing/shoe company. Melissa is currently the webmaster for the PCC chapter of AAWCC and chair of the PCC Sustainability Council’s Community Outreach subcommittee. She is a past participant in OILD, Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication, and PCC’s Classified Lead Training. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her wonderful family, bake, practice yoga, garden, fix up her house, play with her pets, and make things.
Jan Woodcock, VP-OILD
Jan Woodcock has been a full time faculty member at Umpqua Community College since 1994. She teaches psychology and human services. Jan directs the Pacific Northwest Great Teaching Seminar for community college faculty. She is a co-director of OILD (Oregon Institute for Leadership Development). Jan has a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Harvard University and a BA in English and Secondary Education from Westminster College. Her past jobs include junior high English teacher, elementary school counselor, hospital chaplain, and YMCA Camp Program Director. She has also worked on a tall ship in the Mediterranean, a horse ranch in Molalla, and a youth camp in Kentucky.
“I love teaching in this small southern Oregon community where I can see the deer and the river from my classroom, yet staying in touch with a broader view of reality is essential to my well being. For this reason and many others, AAWCC has been a wonderful resource to me. I always get new ideas and a better perspective on best practices and current issues.”
Karin Magnuson, President Emeritus
Karin has worked at Linn Benton Community College for 17 years as a Workforce Training Specialist in the Business and Employer Services Department. She is a dedicated and creative teacher, facilitator and instructional designer. Karin has been active in LBCC’s local chapter of AAWCC, serving as Co-President twice and holding a variety of other offices as well. She is currently serving as LBCC-AAWCC Vice President for Program & Publicity. She has been a regular presenter at the AAWCC Annual Fall Conference and always looks forward to the opportunity to grow and learn with other women committed to the AAWCC mission. In her time away from work, Karin plays the bassoon in community music groups, loves arts and crafts and spends more time in her garden than she does doing housework which, as she sees it, is at it should be!
Mary Spilde, Ex-Officio Member, OILD co-director
Mary Spilde, President, Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, August 2001 to present. Mary joined Lane in 1995 as Vice President for Instructional Services. In 1997, she became Vice President for Instruction and Student Services. Prior to that, she served 15 years at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon, in a variety of positions including dean of business, health, and training. Mary served on the Oregon Workforce Quality Council for six years and the Oregon Workforce Investment Board for three years as well as serving on numerous local boards.
Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in business and social systems and a law degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She completed a master’s in adult education and a doctorate in post-secondary education at Oregon State University.
Presently, Mary is past chair of the American Association of Community Colleges board of directors and serves on their Sustainability Task Force. Lane Community College is a League for Innovation in the Community College board college, and Mary currently serves as a board member and was co-editor of the League publication The Sustainable Community College: Holistic Approaches to Sustainability. She is also a board member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and recently served on the steering committee for the American Presidents Commitment to Climate Control.
Julie Huckestein, Ex-Officio Member, OILD co-director
Julie Huckestein has over 26 years of experience in community colleges and is currently the Vice-President/Chief Financial Officer at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, the second or third largest college with two campuses and five outreach centers serving 42,000 students per year (13,900 FTE). Her responsibilities include oversight of the Budget and Finance, Business Services, Human Resources/Payroll, Employee Development, Risk Management and Public Safety, Facilities and Capital Projects, Information Technology, Bookstore and Legal Resources departments of the college. She is also a member of the policy making Executive Team at Chemeketa. Prior to joining Chemeketa, Julie worked at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon. She earned an AS degree in Business Administration from Linn-Benton Community College, a BA degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University and a Master’s degree in Education: Policy, Foundations and Administration from Portland State University; all while pursuing her community college career. Other work experience includes seven years at an accounting firm and two years working for a non-profit.
Julie has been the VP for Finance for the National AAWCC organization since 2011. She has been active in the local AAWCC organization for over 20 years and at the state level since 1997 where she currently co-directs the Oregon Institute for Leadership Development. She has presented at various conferences on the topics of budget and finance, computer software conversions and leadership and is an evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She attended the National Institute for Leadership Development in 2007 and the Oregon Institute for Leadership Development in 1993. She and her husband Jim have three adult daughters, Rachel, Kelly and Erika and two fabulous grandchildren (Hannah 3 1/2 and Holden 8 months). She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling and camping.
