Learn from the best
All classes are taught by experienced faculty who are highly respected student services professionals and are known for their research, expertise and innovation.
They are passionate about promoting social justice and creating equitable and successful environments – and are dedicated to including these aspects in all areas of their courses. They are also very heavily involved in community and professional organizations, and have a wide network of colleagues.
Program faculty
Jackie Balzer, Ed.D.
Instructor, CSSA online program coordinator
In addition to teaching at both Oregon State and Portland State University, Jackie has held various university roles, including serving as the vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at Portland State. At Oregon State, she served as the dean of Student Life and director of Student Retention Programs and as a student activities advisor. Prior to OSU, Jackie served as the director of Student Orientation Programs and the coordinator of Diversity and LGBT Support Services at the University of Oregon. She also has worked at Eastern Washington University as the assistant director for Residence Life Programs.
Throughout her career, Jackie has been a champion for student success, having both created and curated numerous programs and initiatives designed to improve the student experience and learning outcomes at several major research and land-grant universities.
Education
- Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education Leadership, OSU
- M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration, OSU
- B.A. in Sociology and Psychology
Spirit Brooks, Ph.D.
As the interim director of the CSSA program and an educational anthropologist, Spirit is committed to research practices that are rooted in collaboration, community-centered and focused on equity. She is a graduate of the CSSA program, has taught and advised at the community college level, coordinated first-year seminar programs, worked in admissions, the University Exploratory Studies Program, as well as advised and taught in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. Spirit is also the research, evaluation and assessment coordinator for the OSU Extension Service Outdoor School.
Education
- Ph.D. in Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education, University of Oregon
- M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration, OSU
- M.A.I.S. in Women and Gender Studies/Anthropology, OSU
- B.S. Political Science/Anthropology, University of Oregon
Marigold S. Holmes
Instructor
Marigold currently serves as the manager for Sponsored Student Programs in the Office of International Services (OIS) within the Division of International Programs at Oregon State.
She has served in the field of international education for nearly 20 years. From 1997 to 2012, she worked at the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan) in Tokyo.
Marigold is bilingual and bicultural (Japanese-American) and is passionate about promoting mutual understanding through educational exchange.
Education
- Graduate Certificate in College and University teaching, OSU
- Master of Science in College Student Services Administration, OSU
- B.A. in English Literature
Kim McAloney
Instructor
Kim serves as the academic engagement coordinator in the Educational Opportunities Program at Oregon State, where she coordinates the EOP bridge program and tutoring services in OSU’s cultural resource centers, and serves as an academic counselor.
Prior to joining the EOP, Kim worked in OSU’s Office of the Dean of Student Life coordinating student support for the CSSA program and serving as the on-campus coordinator for the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program.
Kim’s areas of emphasis focus on access and equity in higher education, first generation college students, bi/multiracial identity development and teaching pedagogy.
Education
- Current doctoral student in the OSU Language, Equity and Educational Policy program
- M.S. in College Student Services Administration, OSU
- B.S. in Ethnic Studies
Janet Nishihara, Ph.D.
Instructor
Janet is the director of the Educational Opportunities Program at OSU and has been connected with the CSSA program since she was a student in the program herself.
Janet has served in various roles, including new student orientation, developmental education and access programs for underserved student populations.
She has been involved with shared governance and with Asian American/Pacific Islander students on campus, serving as a faculty advisor for several API student organizations.
Her current areas of study include identity development among students of color, first-year student success programming, the history of students of color at OSU and support for first-generation and low-income students.
Education
- Ph.D. in Educational Leadership
- Ed.M. in College Student Services Administration, OSU
- B.A. in English Education
Tom Delve Scheuermann
Instructor
Tom has served as a CSSA faculty member since 1993. He teaches courses in the law of higher education, American higher education history, projects, and reading and conference. From 1992-2013, Tom served as the director of University Housing and Dining Services at Oregon State.
Tom’s research and writing focus on legal issues in higher education, race and employment issues, and supervision and management. He has articles published in the Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Classandthe Journal of College and University Student Housing.
Tom is a member of the District of Columbia, Maryland and United States Supreme Court bars.
Education
- M.A. in Student Personnel Work in Higher Education
- B.S. in Psychology
Tristen Shay
Instructor
Tristen is the associate director of Student Services and Student Diversity Liaison for the College of Liberal Arts.
In addition to advising and student services, they also sit on multiple boards and committees, including the Leadership Council for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (OSU), the National Liberal Arts Steering Committee (NACADA), Faculty Senate (OSU), and the National Out N About board (non-profit LGBTQ+ youth services).
At OSU, they support several student groups, including Hillel (Jewish Student Union), Alpha Kappa Psi (International, Coeducation Business Fraternity) and TREX (Trans* Resource and Education eXtravaganza!).
Tristen’s interests within advising are broad, but currently include persistence for trans* college students and recruitment and retention of indigenous populations.
Education
- B.A. in Gender Studies
- B.A. in At History and Visual Culture Studies
- Ed.M. in College Student Services Administration, OSU
Important dates
See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.
Degree details
* Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. This program's 54 quarter credits are equal to 36 semester credits.
† Cost per credit is calculated using tuition per credit for the current academic year. It does not include associated fees, course materials, textbook expenses, and other expenses related to courses.
‡ You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online. View the curriculum.
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