Linda Ringo-Reyna is the coordinator of Multicultural Student Services, or MSS. According to the college’s website, “the MSS serves the entire campus community by offering multicultural education through various activities with an emphasis on inclusiveness and awareness”. The Multicultural Center, where MSS is housed, is located in Building 2 Room 177.

Q: What did you major in in college?

A: It’s Management and Organizational Leadership. 

Q: What brought you to Chemeketa?

A: I relocated to Oregon from Washington state for work and I was here about 18 months and the company that had brought me here…closed down. And so, the week after they laid everybody off I happened to be on campus and applied for a part-time hourly position, in May of 1999, and was hired a week later as a part-time hourly administrative assistant. And then a position opened up full-time and I was hired full-time a month later.

Q: Who is someone who has really helped you get to where you are currently at?

A: My husband, Lupe Reyna. My children, all four of them. Jim Eustrom, who hired me initially in ‘99, [when] he was the Dean of Students. He was a really instrumental part of me going back to school. And then Karen Edwards, a dear friend of mine, she teaches here in Business. 

Q: What is one thing that has stood out to you during your time here at Chemeketa?

A: The people. The people in the campus community are good people. I had a big tragedy in my life eight years ago and it was my colleagues and students that came together in the community to surround my family and I. The love and the care that was outpoured by people I didn’t know or people I barely knew at the college. But for me, the people. The people are genuinely good people.

Q: If you could give students one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Don’t quit. If you can help it, see it through. Get your education because once you get it nobody can ever take it from you.

Q: You mentioned your degree was in Management and Organizational Leadership. I’m kind of curious about that journey from that degree to leading the Multicultural Center. 

A: Well, I think my experience in traveling…has helped with that. I am biracial so I’ve always had this desire for learning about culture and my cultures. I grew up in a very diverse area. I grew up in Seattle, Washington — very diverse area. I think traveling, like I said, abroad and meeting people from all over the world and different religions and different ways of looking at life helped open that and broaden my perspective on people and life.