Program Facilitators

Sierra Dawson

Sierra Dawson currently serves the University of Oregon as the associate vice provost for faculty & leadership development in the office of the provost. She began as a faculty member at UO in 2003, in the department of human physiology. Sierra is passionate about creating inclusive environments, and supporting continual learning and growth. She currently designs and facilitates programs for new faculty, mid-career faculty, new department heads and associate deans, and a peer leadership coaching program.

Jennifer Espinola

Jennifer Espinola currently serves the University of Oregon as dean of students at the School of Law. Jennifer’s career in higher education spans over 20 years with most focused on leadership education and development. Along with assisting to create the UO Leadership Academy, Jennifer is also helping to design the School of Law’s Frohnmayer Leadership Program. Enhancing the personal and professional success of others is her mission and these new initiatives are exciting efforts to advance those goals.

UO Leadership Academy Graduates 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Looking to connect with one of the program participants? This spreadsheet includes all past participants sortable by cohort year, unit and role on campus. 

Acknowledgements

The UO Leadership Academy was designed by Program Coordinators Sierra Dawson, Jennifer Espinola, and Chris Esparza. The first cohort met during the 2018-19 academic year, and Dr. Idahlynn Karre was hired to serve as the program facilitator. Dr. Karre utilized curriculum she had developed from working with other university leadership programs. Jennifer Espinola, Sierra Dawson, and Chris Esparza participated in the original cohort of the program, with a plan to take over as facilitators during the 2019-20 academic year.

Together, the trio coordinated and facilitated the 2019-20 and 2020-21 cohorts building upon, modifying, and refining Dr. Karre’s original curriculum to best suit the UO context and the particular moment in time. In September 2021, Chris Esparza departed the UO to serve as the Vice President for Leadership & Culture at Koppett. He left a lasting legacy as a coordinator, developer, and facilitator of the program.

Sierra and Jennifer continue to coordinate and facilitate the program and acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the curricular insights, knowledge, and experiences that Idahlynn and Chris contributed to the program’s formation.