Dana Lopez was appointed to be University of Portland’s new Vice President for Human Resources, Acting President and Provost Herbert Medina announced at the Academic Senate meeting on Oct. 19.
She will be taking over for Sandy Chung, who left the University in January.
Lopez previously worked at Mount Saint Mary’s in Los Angeles, CA, where she was the Senior Director of Human Resources for approximately seven years. Her first day will be Dec. 1.
First-generation college graduate and Honolulu, Hawai’i native, Lopez is also a proud parent of a current UP junior nursing student.
“I am thrilled to be joining this very special community on the Bluff,” Lopez said in a campus-wide email sent by Medina. “Throughout my career in human resources, I have aspired to lead with integrity, innovation, and inclusiveness. I am excited to bring these skills to my work as Vice President for Human Resources at UP.”
But with staff shortages heavily impacting the University, Lopez joins in a time of immense challenges.
“We’re pursuing several strategies to help ensure that we attract and maintain employees,” Medina said. “Dana will be an excellent leader and partner as we undertake some of these efforts.”
Janea Melido is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at melido24@up.edu.
