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.”

Carol joined AAWCC during her first year at Lane. She was attracted to AAWCC
because of its commitment to developing women’s capacities. She has assisted with fundraising
activities and program planning. Carol currently serves as the VP of Communications.

Carol has a 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 on the weekend. She also enjoys attempts at gardening.

Jenni received her B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and her M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on Community College Leadership from Oregon State University.

Jenni’s has held a variety of positions in community colleges and educational organizations over the course of her career from high school Spanish Instructor to community college instructor to Adult Basic Skills Manager and Interim Dean at Portland Community College to Education Specialist at the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. In her role at CCWD, Jenni worked with all 17 community colleges in Oregon and the Department of Corrections.

Jenni is thrilled to join the state board and have the opportunity to work with and learn from so many amazing and talented women working in Oregon community colleges.

Lynn Irvin, Vice President for Summer Conference has worked at Chemeketa Community College since August 1998. Her current position is with the College Support Services Division as executive assistant to the Vice President/CFO, Julie Huckestein.

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. This year she is serving as president of the Exempt Employees Association. Their projects this year include awarding 9 spring term scholarships to students and collect food for the food pantry and funds for the Student Relief Fund. 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 a newlywed! She married her long-time boyfriend/fiancé, Bruce Irvin on July 7, 2012 and honeymooned in Hawaii. She is super proud of her two children. Her son, Ross graduated from Chemeketa’s automotive program in 2011. He is now owner-operator of his own business. Her daughter Sara, is a freshman 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 learned planning the summer conference into coordinating a great fall conference next year!

“I was introduced to AAWCC by attending the OILD conference this summer which was incredible and couldn’t have come at a better time. I was renewed on so many levels and received a wealth of life/work tools and managerial strategies. But more importantly I was inspired by the brave, intelligent and industrious women who shared their personal stories. I want to give back and do what I can to honor and share the spirit of AAWCC.”

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking/baking, reading, international travel, and spending quality time with her family.

Carol received a Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. She began her career in community colleges at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon working in the Child Development Center and later teaching part-time in the Early Childhood Education program. After ten years at Chemeketa, she returned to school to get her Masters of Science degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Oregon. She worked for Weyerhaeuser Paper Company in training and development for two years before coming to Linn-Benton Community College.

Carol joined LBCC in 1994 as a Training Specialist in the Training and Business Development Center. She designed and assessed curriculum and training for business and industry, and implemented a computer-based basic skills education program for local manufacturing businesses. She became Director of Professional and Business Development in 1997 and served in that capacity until 2001, when she was promoted to Director of Curriculum and Instructional Programs. In this capacity, Carol worked with faculty to develop new programs, promote the use of technology, and provide staff development opportunities, including the development of a new Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. She also facilitated the development of a new five-year strategic plan and an accompanying vision, core values, and mission statement for the college.

Schaafsma is an Accreditation Evaluator for the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities. She is president of the Oregon Chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges and past president of the LBCC chapter of that organization.

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 has been active in local AAWCC organizations for 15 years and at the state level since 1997 where she is currently one of the Directors of the Oregon Institute for Leadership Development. She was named Region X Director for the National Association for Women in Community Colleges in 2010. 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 daughters, Rachel (28), Kelly (26) and Erika (22) and one granddaughter, Hannah (20 months). She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling and camping.