Bushnell University’s Dean of Professional Studies Joins OregonServes

SALEM, Ore. – Dr. Latrissa Lee Neiworth, Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Bushnell University, has been appointed to the statewide OregonServes Commission by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and confirmed last week by the Oregon State Senate. The mission of OregonServes is to promote and enhance the culture of service, volunteerism, and civic engagement across communities throughout Oregon.

OregonServes promotes activities that instill a lifelong commitment to service, leading to personal, educational, and career achievements.  The organization partners to increase resources and programs that meet needs in education, environmental stewardship, emergency response, community capacity and resiliency, economic opportunity, workforce development, civic and community engagement, service learning, and senior and veteran services. 

“Service is an integral part of Bushnell University’s mission – fostering wisdom, faith, and service – so Dr. Neiworth’s appointment to the OregonServes Commission and her willingness to serve aligns well with this vision,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Reed Mueller. “By being a part of this commission, she will be able to bring a unique perspective regarding the importance of a commitment to service and its natural connections with education, personal growth, and community engagement.” 

Dr. Neiworth  holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology and a master’s degree in education, emphasizing Teaching and Curriculum, from Fresno Pacific University’s School of Education.  

A long-time innovator in higher education, Dr. Neiworth was honored in 2021 as one of the top 100 Visionaries in Education in the U.S. at the Global Forum for Education & Learning. She leads the College of Professional Studies at Bushnell University, which houses the School of Education and the School of Business, Leadership, and Technology and is one of the largest colleges on campus. 

“Service has been a driving factor in my life; I have witnessed firsthand how service can be transformational,” said Dr. Neiworth. “As a first-generation college student, I found that volunteering at a young age was instrumental in building networks I would not have likely been exposed to. These pivotal volunteer experiences changed my life and inspired me to become an advocate for service for others. I am honored to be a part of OregonServes.”  

OregonServes is an entity of the State of Oregon, housed within the Office of Workforce Investments (OWI), within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). The OregonServes Commission, comprised of 25 members from throughout the state, is appointed by the Governor and conducts the State Service Plan’s goals and mission, among other duties.  Dr. Neiworth’s three-year term begins on October 1, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2027.