MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University President Jesse Peters announced the appointment of Venu Nair as the General Counsel for the institution. Nair will begin this role Oct. 23.

“Mr. Nair’s deep experience in higher education and his commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives make him a great fit. He is familiar with many aspects of higher education and is eager to continue serving students and employees as we further strengthen Western. His approachable personality and collaborative philosophy are assets to our community and to Oregon, and I look forward to having him on campus,” expressed President Peters.

Nair brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Western community. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alabama, a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington School of Business, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas.

“Western Oregon University aligns perfectly with my value system. Specifically, it is of utmost importance to celebrate and highlight both our similarities and differences, to champion individuals who are breaking educational boundaries, and to provide a learning space that is conducive for every voice to be heard and accepted,” shares Nair.

Prior to joining the team at Western, Nair spent eight years at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he most recently served as the Interim Chief Legal Officer. His tenure at UTSA allowed him to develop a profound understanding of the legal intricacies within higher education institutions.

The legal team at Western offers extensive in-house legal services, such as employment law, student affairs, grievances and complaints resolution, collective bargaining negotiations, the development and implementation of institutional policies, and the management of legal actions.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 in Monmouth, is the state’s oldest public university. Serving about 4,000 students, WOU is a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution with about 70% of the student population being from Oregon. A significant portion of attendees are members of under-represented groups, veterans, or non-traditional students. WOU is Oregon’s campus of choice for those seeking a transformative education in a supportive, student-centered learning community where classes are taught by faculty. Together we succeed.