Rebecca Hernandez, associate provost of local and global engagement, chief diversity officer, and director of the center for peace and justice at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., will be the featured speaker at Southwestern College’s annual opening convocation Friday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.  There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend.

The opening convocation will wrap up the festivities for Builder Fest 2018 and officially start the academic year. It will also feature the introduction of new faculty, recognition of students included on the Dean’s Honor Roll for the spring 2018 semester, and announcement of the Scholar of the College.

Hernandez earned her bachelor of arts degree in secondary education from Southeastern College, her master’s in public administration from Portland State University, and her Ph. D from Oregon State University in human development and family studies

“Rebecca Hernandez is a strong speaker, has been working on behalf of students as a college administrator since 2008, and has a notable perspective on how to help students succeed by changing institutional structures,” says Ross Peterson-Veatch, academic dean of Southwestern College.  “She also grew up in a migrant worker family and is the only one of her siblings to have gone to college.  Her personal story is quite amazing, and her work in higher education reflects that amazing story.”