Administrative Changes
Back row: Joset Grenon, Liz Becker, Tracy Sullivan ’00, Libby Davis ’93, and David Carter Front row: Sarah Petersen ’08, Suraya Barbee ’10, and Martha Spence ’84
After 30 years, Martha Spence ’84 has stepped down from her position as associate dean for academic affairs. During her transition to retirement over the course of the 2015-16 academic year, she is focusing on special projects. Watch your email in early 2016 for details on her retirement celebration. A tribute to Spence will appear in the 2016 issue of Advocate Magazine.
Libby Davis ’93 is our new associate dean for student affairs. Previously, she served in the Career and Professional Development Center for more than 20 years, most recently as associate dean. Davis also ran the Office of Alumni Relations earlier in her tenure. Responsible for Advocate Magazine, she has continued to take an active role in alumni affairs. Davis advises students on academic planning and issues, and oversees the Office of the Registrar, the Academic Enhancement Program, and the Career and Professional Development Center. She will also continue to administer the law school’s extensive externship program.
Sarah Petersen ’08 has been named assistant dean for career and professional development. Previously, she served as the director of alumni relations and recent graduate advising. Petersen worked as an employment and labor law attorney prior to joining the law school. In her new role, she will continue to advise alumni and students and support networking and job-search needs. She will also oversee other Career and Professional Development Center programs.
Tracy Sullivan ’00 has been named executive director of the Public Interest Law Program. She brings years of experience as a career counselor, most recently serving as the director of career and professional development, and a deep commitment to public interest law careers. Sullivan continues to work as a member of the law school’s Judicial Clerkship Committee, which has been instrumental in increasing the number of graduates serving as judicial clerks at all levels.
Joset Grenon joins us as assistant dean of development and external relations. A native Oregonian, Grenon spent 27 years in the Los Angeles area working in marketing and development at California State University; the AFI Conservatory; the Writers Guild of America, West; and the University of Southern California. Most recently, she was the development director at Portland’s Catlin Gabel School.
David Carter is the new director of financial and administrative services. He has 30 years of experience in similar leadership roles. Most recently, as senior associate, he oversaw the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions at David Evans and Associates. An alumnus of Lewis & Clark College, Carter earned his master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Suraya Barbee ’10 is the new director of alumni relations. Her goal is to keep graduates connected to current students, the law school, and each other by hosting events and being the first point of contact for alumni. Barbee, who lives in Portland with her two young sons, husband, and Boston terrier, previously worked as a contract attorney for several firms in the area.
Elizabeth (Liz) Becker is our new development coordinator. She supervises operations in the Office of Development, managing and processing all gifts to the law school, providing donor stewardship, and overseeing social media for special campaigns. Previously, Becker worked with the College of Arts and Sciences development team at Washington State University.
