The Office of Financial Aid is fortunate to welcome Patricia Patyrak to the FinAid team! Patricia comes to UP after working at Portland Public Schools as a TAG/AP Proctor. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, camping, and spending time with her family. Welcome, Patricia!
New to The Bluff
New to The Bluff—Anne Taylor, Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in admissions and recruiting. Prior to joining the UP community, Anne worked as a recruiter for Oregon State University and Washington State University. She is thrilled to be at UP and loves the outdoor life that Portland has to offer. Welcome, Anne!
New to The Bluff—Ever Baez, Budget Analyst, Financial Affairs.
Ever received his undergraduate degree in International Economics from California State University Chico and began his career in finance working in the olive oil industry. He moved to Oregon in early 2020 and has continued to explore and enjoy the great Pacific northwest and all it has to offer.
An outdoors enthusiast, Ever enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, backpacking, wine tasting, hiking and so much more here in Oregon. He looks forward to being part of our community on The Bluff.
Welcome Ever!
New to The Bluff—Abby McMahon, Registrar
The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce that Abigail McMahon has been appointed the University of Portland’s Registrar, effective January 1, 2024.
Abby is well prepared for her new duties, as she has advanced through a series of roles within the Registrar’s office since 2013. For the past five years, she has served as Associate Registrar. This experience provides her with an unusually comprehensive understanding of the range of critical functions within the Registrar’s office. Abby also brings to this role her experiences as a UP student and graduate, as she earned both her BA in Elementary Education and her MBA from University of Portland.
Abby looks forward to collaborating with colleagues across the University to meet the needs of our students and to implement the University’s strategic plan. Congratulations, Abby!
New to The Bluff—Jason McDonald, Major Gifts Officer, University Relations
Originally from Olympia, WA, Jason attended Whitman College where he received his bachelor’s in psychology and played Division 3 basketball. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Washington State University.
He began his career at University of Portland in 1997 as Hall Director in Kenna Hall, transitioning to the Office of Admissions in 1998 as an Admissions Counselor. He served in the Office of Admissions for 22 years, including the role of Dean of Admissions from 2006-2021.
After 2021, he decided to take some time off to spend time with his family: including his wife, Tasha, a proud ’98 UP alum, and their two daughters, Ava (19), who attends Santa Clara University, and Isabel (16), who attends Central Catholic High School. Jason returned to UP last year as an Enrollment Consultant for 8 months and enjoys being back on The Bluff.
New to The Bluff—Peytyn Kubo, Office Manager of Events and University Relations
Peytynn graduated in 2022 with a major in organizational communication. She founded the Japanese Student Association and was involved in DEI programs.
New to The Bluff—Denise Neu—Construction Project Manager, Facilities Planning & Construction
Denise will serve as Construction Project Manager within the Facilities Planning & Construction department. She joins UP from Houston, Texas, where she managed planning, design, and construction for Lone Star Community College and Sam Houston State University. She has a BA in Construction Science from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) from the American Institute of Constructors.
New to The Bluff—Deacon Nicholas (Nik) Guiney, CSC—Hall Director, Christie Hall
Nik serves as Hall Director in Christie Hall. He is a Deacon and member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He completed his undergraduate studies at Holy Cross College and holds a Master of Divinity degree from University of Notre Dame. He previously worked in residence life at Notre Dame.
New to The Bluff—Frank Bruno—Assistant Hall Director, Villa Maria Hall
Frank serves as Assistant Hall Director in Villa Maria Hall. He completed his undergraduate studies at Assumption University and has worked professionally at Chestnut Hill College, Gonzaga University, and Saint Joseph’s University. He plans to study in UP’s graduate school.
New to The Bluff—Katie Hamrah—Assistance Hall Director, Haggerty & Tyson Halls
Katie serves as Assistant Hall Director in Haggerty & Tyson Halls. She completed her undergraduate studies at California State University Chico where she was a leader in student government. She plans to enter the master’s program in Higher Education and Student Affairs here.