Melody Rose became the first female chancellor of the Oregon University System when she was named to the position on an interim basis today (Feb. 14) by the State Board of Higher Education.
Rose was previously the vice chancellor for academic strategies at OUS and has held leadership positions at Portland State University. She will take office a chancellor on March 2, succeeding outgoing chancellor George Pernsteiner.
Pernsteiner announced his resignation Jan. 25, and it was accepted by the state board three days later. He agreed to help with the transition by working for OUS on special assignment through March.
State board President Matt Donegan described Rose as an innovator and a leader who gets things done.
"She is an obvious choice to lead the university system as we work to advance innovations in teaching and learning, collaborate with our many partners across the education spectrum, and ensure that students have a clear path to a degree," Donegan said.
Rose is expected to play an important role in informing legislative discussions on the OUS budget and educational reforms being considered by the legislature.
“I’m very excited about working with our many partners to advance the state’s educational goals,” Rose said. “Our job is to increase student success and degrees in the state. This is a turning point in higher education in Oregon, during which new technology, teaching innovations and efficiency gains will help us meet the state’s education and workforce needs.”
As interim chancellor, Rose will serve as OUS’ chief executive officer, providing leadership and a statewide focus for higher education. In her previous role as OUS’s vice chancellor, Rose led and implemented a portfolio of academic initiatives to improve student outcomes. She championed collaborative efforts across the system and with community college and K-12 partners, built partnerships with employers, and led other important efforts such as managing OUS’ achievement compacts.
She is a tenured professor of political science at PSU who joined OUS last August. She founded and was the first director of New Leadership Oregon and the Center for Women, Politics and Policy at PSU. She has authored several books and articles on the presidency, social policy, women and politics, and election campaigns, including her 2013 book, "Women and Executive Office: Pathways and Performance."
Rose earned her bachelor's degree in politics from the University of California-Santa Cruz; and master’s degrees in public administration and government, and a doctorate in government, from Cornell University.