IDEEA - Villarroel
CANDIDATE’S NAME: Carlos Villarroel
OFFICE: IDEEA Representative at Large
CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT:
Hi WASFAA,
I am truly honored to be nominated for the IDEEA Representative-At-Large. The work that WASFAA has done over the last few years has inspired me to commit to the needs of our organization, staff, and the students we serve. Each one of us has an individual lived and unique experience that makes us that much stronger as an organization. None of us has all the answers but united, together as one. We have the opportunity to make impactful change. Those experiences are what is important now more than ever. We must be aware of the diverse population of people we are serving and take stock of the needs of our students and how our organizations are serving them and us. With big changes on the horizon, we must commit to what’s already in motion and continue addressing the inequities and advocating for inclusion and justice that our different communities face.
I am currently the Associate Director for Processing and Compliance at Portland Community College; I have been at PCC since 2018 and have had the opportunity to work at two other institutions in a number of capacities over the last 17-years. As a PCC alum, I have really enjoyed giving back to an institution that has made a difference in my life.
I am thankful for what OASFAA has done for our state and members. Serving as the OASFAA President this year has helped me see that there is so much more work we can do above and beyond the state level. WASFAA’s commitments to DEI have inspired OASFAA to create our very own IDEA chair that will sit on our Executive Council, that election will take place in a few weeks. I am appreciative to the group that advocated for this change to the Executive Council. Their actions and change have only made OASFAA a stronger association.
I am grateful for my upbringing and the stories and perspective I can bring to WASFAA. As the son of a first-generation, single mother from Mexico; I have seen how easily inequities can affect the lives and futures of people who lack advocates to fight for them. I have also seen what happens when people champion this work and fight for injustices. My mother has been my inspiration in my life, beyond being the first Mexican woman to receive a PhD at Oregon State University She has been a “social justice warrior” and a change advocate for 50 years. I look forward to advancing the work she and so many people have done before us.
I look forward to working with everyone and addressing the needs of our organization and the populations we serve. This type of work cannot be done alone, I ask that everyone be invested with giving feedback and bringing their ideas to the committee. We will continue to invest in the commitment to advance what our previous Reps-At-Large and committees have already done.
CURRENT POSITION:
Associate Director of Processing and Compliance, Portland Community College
PREVIOUS POSITIONS:
Associate Executive Director of Financial Aid, Pioneer Pacific College
Director of Financial Aid-Campus Affairs Corporate Office, Pioneer Pacific College
Director of Financial Aid, Pioneer Pacific College
Associate Director of Student Financial Services, The Art Institute of Portland
Assistant Director of Financial Aid, The Art Institute of Portland
Senior Financial Aid Officer, The Art Institute of Portland
Financial Aid Officer, The Art Institute of Portland
EDUCATION:
BA, Portland State University
4 NASFAA University Credentials
SUMMARY OF LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES:
NASFAA Ethics Commission, Member (2023-Present)
OASFAA President-Elect/President/Past-President (2023-President)
OASFAA VP-2yr Public (2019-2020)
OASFAA VP-Proprietary (2016-2017)
OASFAA Conference Co-Chair (2017-2018, 2018-2019)
OASFAA Conference Committee (2010-2011,2016-2017, 2019-Present)
OASFAA Site Selection Committee (2017-Present)