Kevin Wright (he/him) ’16

MA Student Affairs Administration ’16

Current Position

Senior Racial Equity Facilitator/Consultant

Organization

Center for Equity and Inclusion

Location

Portland, OR

I facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) related training, employing culturally responsive and experiential learning facilitation techniques; develop internal capacity of client organizations to advance DEI; mentor and coach senior level executives; and serve as a thought leader in the design and development of next generation programs and curriculum.

When you joined the SAA program at Lewis & Clark, what career path did you plan to pursue?

I wanted to become a Senior Student Affairs Officer.

By the end of the program, did you have a different career outcome in mind? What either reinforced your original goal, or sent you in a different direction?

I still aspire to become a Senior Student Affairs Officer, but the program helped me realize I would like to serve in this capacity at specifically small or mid-sized institutions or community colleges.

Where did you complete your practicum and what was that experience like?

During my first year in the program I worked with the Office of Service Learning and Leadership at Lewis & Clark College. During my second year I was with TRIO Student Support Services at Portland State University. I enjoyed my experiences with both practicum sites and developed a greater appreciation for servant leadership, being trauma-informed, and being creative to address student needs and concerns.

How do you apply what you learned at L&C to your daily work?

One of the biggest lessons that came from each course I completed at L&C was how to navigate complex systems. As a Racial Equity Facilitator and Consultant, I have the privilege and opportunity to collaborate with leaders all over the country and support with transforming complex systems, both within higher education, and outside of higher education.