Melinda W. Grier - 2009
Melinda W. Grier has served as General Counsel for the University of Oregon since 1998. Previously, she worked for the Oregon University System as Director of Legal Services and Compliance Officer and as Executive Director for the University of Oregon Campus YWCA. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon School of Law, teaching employment discrimination law.
Melinda first joined NACUA in 1984. Since then, she has served as President (2005-2006), as Treasurer (1999-2002), and as an active Board member (1996-2007). Her NACUA service also extends to participation on several committees including serving as Chair of the Committees on Strategic Planning, Finance and Audit, Program for the Annual Conference, CEO Search Committee, Nominations and Elections, and Honors and Awards. She has also served as Vice Chair of the Committee on Continuing Legal Education. In addition, she has participated on a plethora of other committees including: Committee on Membership and Member Services, Committee on Board Operations, Committee on Publications, the Editorial Board of The Journal of College and University Law, the NACUANOTES Editorial Board, and the Board Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusivity. Melinda has also been a frequent speaker, discussion leader and moderator at NACUA CLE workshops and annual conferences.
In addition to her NACUA service, Ms. Grier has spoken on legal issues related to higher education, ethics and civil rights and authored work on risk management and liability. She received her A.B. from Stanford University in political science and communications, her M.A. in political science from the University of Connecticut, and J.D. from the University of Oregon Law School.
She is currently president of the board of directors of ShelterCare, a non-profit organization that provides housing and housing support services to homeless families, to adults with severe persistent mental illness or to brain injury survivors, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Mozart Players.
NACUA is pleased to award Melinda Grier as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding and exemplary service to the Association, most especially for her ongoing commitment to NACUA service through her extensive Board and Committee involvement, and for her distinguished services as both its President and its Treasurer.