| Name: |
Demian Lucas |
| Graduation Year: |
2019 |
| Degree: |
M.S., Communication |
| Current Job: |
VP of Talent, Stand for Children |
| Proudest Accomplishment? |
Sharing my Code-Switching presentation at the Oregon Women in Higher Education conference. I am also very proud of each of my four daughters. My daughter Maya Lucas is currently in the Public Policy Master’s Program at PSU. |
| Hobbies? |
In my free time I enjoy cooking, bargain shopping and traveling. I am looking forward to resuming my travel as soon as it is safe. |
| In what ways were you involved at PSU (clubs and organizations, work, etc.)? |
I was a member of the Student Fee Committee at PSU. Just before I graduated, I was appointed to a Multnomah County Citizen Advisory Board. This board operates very similar to the SFC and because of my experience at PSU I was able to orient quickly to the new group. I now serve as a co-chair of the county committee. |
| What was your favorite class at PSU? Why this class? |
I really enjoyed the elective I took in the Gender, Race, Nations Department – Power & Knowledge. In this class we were encouraged to write about our own experiences and incorporate relevant research. Writing about myself was not part of any of the other classes and I found this opportunity to be very motivating and refreshing. Since that time, I have learned there is a scholarly narrative research methodology that weaves together personal narrative and established research. I just love that and if I pursue a PhD, I will leverage this research method. |
| What was your most rewarding experience at PSU? Why was this experience rewarding? |
I was a graduate teaching assistant in the Communication Department and Multicultural Retention Student Services. In both roles, I had the opportunity to support and encourage students. I found this to be very rewarding. Especially my work in MRSS because I was able to leverage my professional experience to support a diverse group of students as they sought internships, graduate school and their first professional job. |
| Do you have any words of encouragement for prospective or current PSU students? |
On your hardest days remember that you are working toward an important goal. I can say for a fact that completing your formal education will help you in your career and life in general. I would also say, take advantage of the opportunities to get involved at PSU. In addition to joining the SFC, I worked and volunteered on campus. I also became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The friends you make in college will remain with you long after you graduate. I would just say, your experience on campus will be what you make it. |
| Anything else you want to say? |
My strongest recommendation for students and alumni is network, network, network! You can find me on LinkedIn.com and I would love to connect with you there. Also note, the Stand for Children team is currently seeking qualified Staff Accountant applicants. View all current openings and apply at https://standleadershipcenter.org/careers/. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace in which our differences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences, and contribute to our collective strength. |