Written by Maureen Brakke
MONMOUTH, Ore. Western Oregon University announces its 2025 commencement on Saturday, June 14 at 10 a.m. on the MacArthur Field. Over 1,240 students are eligible to walk across the stage and graduate, completing a significant milestone in their lives. Nearly 50 percent of Western students are first-generation, meaning they are the first in their families to graduate with a four-year degree, and over 25 percent of Western students identify as Latiné/Hispanic. Western recently became the first public, four-year university in Oregon to achieve the official Hispanic-Serving Institution designation.
This year, WOU is honored to welcome Teresa Alonso León, a former Oregon State Representative and the first Indigenous Latina immigrant legislator in Oregon, as the speaker for Western’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony. A proud alumna of Western Oregon University, Alonso León earned her bachelor’s degree in social science in 2002 and went on to receive her Master of Public Administration from Portland State University. Her educational journey has paved the way for a distinguished career in public service.
Alonso León’s educational journey started when she was young, as she was the oldest of five and had to quickly learn how to delegate responsibilities. As a first-generation student, Western provided the support she needed to develop critical skills to achieve her career goals.
“When I talk to students, including first-gen students, I tell them that Western Oregon University is the place that you need to be. It’s a place where you’re going to be able to achieve your goals and help you find the career that you want,” shared Alonso León.
Before starting her consulting company, Parakata Consulting LLC, Alonso León served as a City Council Member for the City of Woodburn and as an Oregon State Representative from 2017 to 2022, which elevated her passion for serving her community. She continues to advocate for higher education, racial and social justice issues, including healthcare equity. She is currently the team lead for the Oregon Community Table on Postsecondary Education and Training, which is Oregon’s first statewide community advocacy group on higher education. They are focused on systemic transformation of our postsecondary education system through policy change and civic engagement training.
“We are honored to welcome Teresa Alonso León, a distinguished alumna of Western Oregon University and a dedicated advocate for public service, as our commencement speaker for this year. Her journey from a first-generation college student to becoming the first Indigenous and Latina Oregon State Representative exemplifies her spirit of determination and leadership,” said President Jesse Peters. “Her commitment to higher education, community service, and equity resonates deeply with our values at WOU. As she inspires our graduates at commencement, we celebrate her remarkable achievements and the impact she continues to make in advocating for the future of Oregon.”
Get more information about the 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
###
About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
