Comings and Goings
Jill Downing joins the university this month as director of university events. She brings more than 15 years of experience in leading the planning and implementation of domestic and international events, ranging from corporate executive programs to nonprofit conferences. Since November, she’s served as sponsorship fulfillment coordinator for the Portland-based Drupal Association. She also worked as a travel director for the ITA Group of Des Moines, Iowa, since October of last year. In other recent assignments, Jill was a program coordinator and conference manager for Willamette Valley Development Officers (2011-13), an events manager for Portland’s Essential Health Clinic (2012-13), and the BizGrowth Summit exhibit manager for the Portland Business Journal (2011-12). Previously, one of her most memorable assignments was coordinating with the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, D.C., the arrangement of the Festival of American Folklife exhibition on the National Mall in 1996. Jill earned a bachelor’s degree in art history in 1984 from the University of Iowa. She lives in Portland and enjoys cooking, attending the weekly PSU Farmer’s Market, visiting art museums and hiking in the beautiful Oregon outdoors.
The nursing department welcomes Paul R. L’Espérance this semester as a visiting assistant professor of nursing. Paul has been a registered nurse for the past 10 years with a broad clinical background. He has worked as a staff RN, a clinical training associate at Oregon Health and Science University, and as a nurse manager both at OHSU and at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash. As a nationally certified critical care nurse, he has medical, cardiac and end-of-life clinical nursing expertise. Paul will graduate with a Master of Nursing degree in nursing education from OHSU this year. Prior to becoming a nurse, he worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor working with abused children and families at Namaste, Inc., and with the State of New Mexico. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New Mexico (2004), a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Webster University in St. Louis (2000), and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from New Mexico State University (1997). Paul lives in Tigard with his wife, Erica, son Lucas (13) and daughter Jordan (6). They attend St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tigard.
Holly Kirby (Physical Therapy) left the university in late February to spend more time with family while transitioning to a new opportunity.
Kelsey Bennett (Financial Affairs) left George Fox in late February when another opportunity arose for advancement in accounting.
Justin Hudec (Undergraduate Admissions) left the university last Friday. He is joining the Knights of Columbus as his next career opportunity. He wished to thank his friends at George Fox for “an incredible decade at the university.â€