meet josh todd, Our new interim director!

Two weeks ago, Josh Todd joined the ORCC team as Interim Executive Director. To get to know him a litte better, we sat down to learn about his background, what he's excited about, and his vision for ORCC.

The ORCC Team- McKenzie Miller, Monica Gerber, Tina Shantz, Josh Todd, Signe Bishop, and Caryn Nelson

Tell us about yourself. 
I have spent my professional career working to bring the passion, wisdom, and innovative solutions of community members into local government. I am a father of two, a marathon runner, and I love exploring local food and music.

What motivates you to the work of Oregon Campus Compact?
So many pressing issues face the communities of Oregon. I am excited to help bring those communities together with campuses and students to create a healthier, more prosperous, and equitable Oregon.

What’s your role as Interim Executive Director?
ORCC is positioned to deepen its impact throughout the state by using the power of students and their service, along with the knowledge and resources of our colleges and universities, to address some of our most pressing issues as a state. 

My role as Interim Director is to help map the strategic opportunities for impact moving forward and to make recommendations to our board for ORCC's next phase of growth, and the skills and abilities the permanent Executive Director will need to take us there.

What will you accomplish as Interim Executive Director?
I am most looking forward to talking with our board, staff, member campuses, and students about our next phase of growth. I hope to develop a provocative, compelling vision for how ORCC can grow its membership, deepen its social impact, and enhance the educational experience of Oregon students.  

What are the top five things you’re looking forward to?

1. AmeriCorps VISTA and Retention Project site visits, especially to Southern Oregon University, which I have never had a chance to visit before.
   
2. ORCC Student Leadership Conference
   
3. ORCC's weeklong LeaderShape training for students in August
   
4. Eugene Marathon in April.
   
5. Portland Marathon in September
   

How will you meet ORCC’s partners? 
I am scheduling coffee, breakfast, and lunch with partners over the new few months and will be traveling with our dynamic duo, VISTA Program and Retention Project Coordinator Signe Bishop and AmeriCorps VISTA Leader Caryn Nelson, on visits to as many campuses as I can.

Since starting at ORCC, what have you learned about the organization that you think would surprise people?
Our member Portland Community College is the largest institution of higher education in the state with over 90,000 students!

Is there anything that hasn’t been asked that you’d like to share?
My phone number and email so all our partners can reach out to me whenever they want: 503-406-3575, josh@oregoncampuscompact.org.