Watanabe new executive director for multicultural students

Paulette Watanabe has been working at Portland State since 1987, and recently moved from managing grants and contracts in the Student Affairs Office to the position of executive director of Diversity and Multicultural Student Services.

Watanabe’s position, which she assumed in January, includes leadership over the following programs: Diversity Scholarship Programs and Services, TRIO Student Support Services Program, Native American Student Services, Latino Student Services, Equity Retention Services, the Native American Student and Community Center, Project PLUS, Upward Bound and more.

This move also gives Watanabe control over the Multicultural Center, which was formerly part of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Watanabe holds a master’s in public health, counseling and secondary education, according to a press release. 

“Every day in our department something fun and interesting happens. Paulette is an excellent leader and we have an excellent department,” said Renee Kim, coordinator of Counseling Services for the Student Support Services Program.

Watanabe hired Kim in late 2007 when Kim was a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work.

Dan Fortmiller, associate vice provost for Academic and Career Services, has worked at PSU for 24 years and has known Watanabe for more than two decades.

“Paulette is a truly dedicated professional with a passion for helping students achieve their academic dreams. She works tirelessly in support of, and [in] advocacy for, students who may be the first in their families to attend higher education, those for whom attending college may place a financial hardship and for those students who have traditionally been under-represented on college campuses,” Fortmiller said. “[Watanabe] assuming the leadership of the new Diversity and Multicultural Student Services alignment within Student Affairs is a testament to her commitment to students and the institution.”

Ombudsman Sandy McDermott has known Watanabe for 22 years while working at PSU.

“Paulette proactively promotes the spirit of inclusiveness on campus through her efforts in supporting diverse hires,” McDermott said.

“She has made influential contributions to PSU by being responsive to differing needs of individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.”

Jackie Balzer, vice provost for Student Affairs, said in a press release that “Student Affairs at PSU is an organization committed to diversity and social justice. I am excited to create more focus and visibility for the multicultural student support services within Student Affairs.”

“Paulette is the perfect choice to lead this new alignment,” Balzer said.

With 20 years already spent working side by side at PSU, Fortmiller knows that he and Watanabe and will continue to work together for years to come.

“I look forward to the next 20-plus years of working with her and her fabulous staff,” Fortmiller said.