(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University student Michelle Fuentes, a Criminal Justice and Sociology major from Central Point, has been appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek and confirmed Wednesday by the Oregon Senate to serve on the university’s Board of Trustees.

Fuentes, whose two-year term begins July 1, will succeed Garima Sharma as one of two undergraduate student members of the 17-member board.

She is a nontraditional student – a mother of two – and is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminology & Criminal Justice. She is the recipient of a Ford Foundation Scholarship, is a Policy Council member for HeadStart and has served in a variety of leadership roles, on- and off-campus.

Fuentes has served as a detention specialist for the Jackson County Juvenile Services Department, coordinator of SOU’s Pirates to Raiders pathway program for Latino/a/x youth, instructor for Academia Latina and Juntos en Familia programs in SOU Youth Programs, summer school assistant at Phoenix High School, teacher’s assistant at the Southern Oregon Education Service District’s Espial Child Environment, receptionist at Asante heath system and after-school aid at Kids Unlimited. She is serving a policy and advocacy internship with the nonprofit Our Children Oregon and will begin work April 21 as a family coordinator for state Department of Human Services.

“As I continue my own education, I will take what I have learned from my students, my own experience growing up and the mentors that have helped me along, and prepare myself to better support my community,” Fuentes said.

She is the second undergraduate member of the SOU board to be appointed and then confirmed this year by the Oregon Senate, following Ryan Goodrich in February.

“Student members provide a unique and valuable perspective on the Board of Trustees,” said Sheila Clough, the board’s chair. “Michelle is an incredibly accomplished student with an obvious commitment to public service. We look forward to welcoming her onto SOU’s governing board.”

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