Western Oregon University welcomes Jerry Ambris of Habitat for Humanity of Mid-Willamette Valley and Linda Herrera of Atala Consulting, LLC to its Board of Trustees. The Oregon Senate confirmed Ambris and Herrera on Nov. 20.

Ambris has worked a decade for Habitat for Humanity, most recently as the executive director for the Mid-Willamette Valley affiliate. He graduated from WOU in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communications.

Herrera currently works as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and previously spent nearly 20 years working at Chemeketa Community College. Now, she specializes in strategic planning, professional mentoring and culturally responsive teacher training. She received her bachelor’s from Eastern Oregon University and her master’s from Concordia University.

WOU Board Chairwoman Betty Komp said she looks forward to Herrera and Ambris contributing their innovative ideas and enthusiasm to the board.

“Linda has dedicated her professional career to always putting students first and advancing their lives,” Komp said.

“Jerry, a former student at Woodburn High School whom I knew when I was an administrator, is both visionary and knowledgeable about students’ future challenges. Both of our new board members deeply embrace Western Oregon’s mission to help every student succeed.”

The Board of Trustees will have its next quarterly meeting Feb. 19 in Monmouth. To meet the other WOU trustees, visit wou.edu/board.