Meet the Staff
Rev. Liz Simmons
Director of Residence Life
Education: Doctor of Ministry, Leadership and Spiritual Formation (Portland Seminary), Master of Divinity (Asbury Theological Seminary), B.A. Biblical Literature and English (Indiana Wesleyan University)
StrengthsFinder: Restorative, Consistency, Deliberative, Achiever, Focus
Hobbies/Interests: Cycling, hiking, exploring new places (anything outdoors!), drinking coffee, bridge running in Portland!
Mitzi Martinez
Associate Director of Residence Life | Training and Development
Area Coordinator
Education: M.S. College Counseling and Student Development (Azusa Pacific University), B.A. Business Management (George Fox University)
StrengthsFinder: Strategic, Relator, Ideation, Restorative, Deliberative
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Exploring New Coffee Shops in Portland, Plant Mom, Graphic Design, Watercolor, Spending time outdoors (Going on Walks, Hiking), Podcasts
Amy Ralston
Associate Director of Residence Life | Operations and Recruiting
Area Coordinator
Education: M.A. in Higher Education (Geneva College), B. A. in Social Work and Psychology (Mount Vernon Nazarene University)
StrengthsFinder: Harmony, Restorative, Adaptability, Developer, Consistency
Hobbies/Interests: Board Games, Reading, Crafting, Exploring Portland, Gardening, All Things Coffee
Leo Cruz
Area Coordinator
Education: B.A. in Biology (George Fox University); M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development (Azusa Pacific University)
StrengthsFinder: Adaptability, Connectedness, Communication, Belief, Developer
Hobbies/Interests: Huge Miami Heat Fan! (#Heatlifer), Hiking, reading, watching movies preferably in theaters and watching anime, staying active either by playing basketball or going to the gym, listening to music
Serena Draper
Area Coordinator
Education: M.A. Higher Education and Student Development (Taylor University); B.S. Finance and Management (Grace College)
StrengthsFinder: Positivity, Empathy, Harmony, Communication, Relator
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Drinking Coffee, Podcasts, Swing/Big Band Music, French Fries (always…)
Romare Ashford
Graduate Assistant
Education: M.S. (in progress) College Counseling and Student Development (Azusa Pacific University); B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies: Concentrations in Journalism, Organizational Communication, Sociology (George Fox University)
StrengthsFinder: Positivity, Developer, Responsibility, Arranger, Includer
Hobbies/Interest: Running, Skateboarding, Anime & Manga, Music, Podcasts, Movies
Taylor Hagstrom
Graduate Assistant
Education: Master of Divinity (in progress) (George Fox University); B.A. in Cross-Cultural Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies (George Fox University)
StrengthsFinder: Includer, Developer, Adaptability, Positivity, Empathy
Hobbies/Interests: Climbing, Spending Time in the Sun, Drinking Tea, Hiking/Camping, Plants
Justin Arteaga
Graduate Assistant
Education: M.S. (in progress) College Counseling and Student Development (Azusa Pacific University); B.S. in Psychology (Azusa Pacific University)
StrengthsFinder: Empathy, Individualization, Developer, Context, Restorative
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, running, swimming, relaxing at the beach, amusement parks, baking, watching the Eagles, and playing video games!