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Former boss says MSU prez candidate Roger Thompson does many things ‘exceedingly well'
Roger Thompson is a self-described “people person” with a love of sports. He once dreamed of being a sports broadcaster.
Here are 10 accomplishments the Hauxeda gleaned from the 20-page curriculum vitae (resume) of Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management at the University of Oregon since 2016. He has been at the university since 2010.
- Designed and implemented a 10-year strategic plan for enrollment growth, which is progressing ahead of schedule.
- Communicated the institution's identity and brand to a broad-based audience during a time of tremendous institutional leadership change — eight presidents in 14 years.
- Designed and implemented an initiative to increase student retention in the freshmen to sophomore years. This research-based solution increased retention from 84 percent to 87 percent.
- Partnered with faculty colleagues to build one of the first-in-the-country phone apps to address food insecurity, making leftover catered food available to students.
- Increased mental health services for students by adding five therapists to the counseling center.
- Surpassed division fundraising campaign goal of $70 million by raising $119 million and reaching goal years ahead of schedule and securing the largest scholarship gift in the history of the institution.
- Successfully increased the diversity of the student body by a socio-economic standpoint — as well as race and ethnicity — for 11 consecutive years.
- Successfully met internal division-wide goal to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, both in hiring and in professional development.
- Introduced professional development certificate programs to meet business and industry needs in technology and to fill digital skill gaps in the work-force in Portland, Oregon.
- Initiated sponsorships and participated as the university representative in community events across Oregon, such as the Pendleton Roundup (rodeo in eastern Oregon); Portland Rose Festival (second only to Pasadena, California); Fiesta Mexicana (oldest Latino(a) festival in the state); Good in the Hood (oldest predominately African American event in state); and the Pear Blossom Festival (southern part of state) and others.
