Parents Leadership Council

Making a Difference in the Student Experience

You are invited to join a dedicated group of Duck parents who serve the University of Oregon as leaders, mentors, and advisers.

What is the Parents Leadership Council?

The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) meets twice a year with our vice president and other campus leaders. Members discuss important challenges and opportunities and explore ways to provide an exceptional experience for UO students. The council focuses on safety, wellness, leadership, and career development while collaborating with key administrators, faculty, and staff. 

In addition, PLC members help us to encourage family engagement and cultivate philanthropic support for the programs and services of the Division of Student Life.

The PLC was instrumental in creating the Students in Crisis Fund, which has assisted students who have encountered unusual financial hardship caused by circumstances out of their control. Thanks to the PLC's leadership, the UO has also been able to create access for students to:

  • Attend leadership retreats
  • Live in a University Housing Academic Residential Community (ARC)

The efforts, energy, and time that our PLC members contribute help to shape the university's services and support for our Ducks, both now and for years to come.

Why Join the PLC?

Higleys

When our son, Nate, decided to attend the University of Oregon, we wanted to find a way to be involved without intruding on his experience. We looked for ways to connect, even though we live in Utah. We planned on attending the scheduled parent weekends—but we wanted to do more. The Parents Leadership Council provides the connection to the university we were looking for. It enables us to not just give donations to the university, but it also allows us to focus our financial support into areas that really impact student life.

—Lisa and Brandon Higley; Salt Lake City, UT; members since 2018


I am a single mother of a freshman who joined the Parents Leadership Council as a way to stay informed, and to be an advocate for the university. The PLC provides a platform to build a strong and engaged connection between UO families and helps positively strengthen campus programs that impact our students’ campus experience. I continue to look forward to serving on the PLC, helping to create positive change and developing connections while my son is a student at the UO.

—Jennifer Wythes Vettel; Menlo Park, CA; member since 2019

Vettel

Berkeleys

When our student first started at the UO, we considered joining the PLC in order to form a tighter relationship with the university on behalf of our student. Additionally, as PLC members:

  • We receive prioritized communications on university developments, and in turn, have a receptive audience with university decision makers.
  • We participate to improve specific initiatives especially in support of enhanced student life and career focus.
  • We have joined a special group of like-minded parents who truly care about helping all students get the most out of their UO experience.

Our membership in the PLC has been rewarding and we plan to continue our membership.

—Brian and Monica Berkeley; Saratoga, CA; members since 2018


Being involved in our students’ education and sports activities from elementary through high school was rewarding in many ways. When we learned that there was an opportunity to continue being involved with their college experience, we jumped on it. Not only do we provide a conduit of information between our students and UO staff, but we also are able to make a difference in improving student life through our focus on student crisis programs. It is good to know we are giving back, and positively impacting students’ university journeys.

—Robert and Susan Munne; San Jose, CA; members since 2017

Munnes

How to Join

All PLC members make a minimum two-year commitment and pledge a $10,000 tax-deductible gift ($5,000 per year) to the Vice President for Student Life Leadership Fund.

If you are interested in being involved in the PLC, please contact Interim Vice President for Student Life Kris Winter via email at winterk@uoregon.edu or by phone at 541-346-1137.