New trustee brings two decades of university support to board

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Marcia Aaron, an Oregon native and 1986 graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, will join the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon following her confirmation by the Oregon Senate May 23.

Aaron is the chief executive officer of KIPP LA Public Schools Knowledge is Power Program, a network of charter schools predominantly serving students in the under-resourced communities of South, Southeast and East Los Angeles. She has served on various UO councils and boards for more than 20 years.

Prior to her current role, Aaron served as the founding board chair of KIPP LA, as well as board chair of KIPP Academy of Opportunity. Previously, she worked in the financial sector as a senior analyst at Pacific Growth Equities and as a managing director at Deutsche Bank and Montgomery Securities.

While Aaron brings deep experience in both education and finance to the trusteeship, it is her “demonstrated passion” for the UO that board Chair Chuck Lillis said truly sets her apart.

“Marcia has given so much of herself to this university and has built a strong understanding of its history, its trajectory and its opportunity. I believe that she will make an outstanding member of the board,” Lillis said. “Few have the demonstrated passion for the UO that she has, and we are thrilled to welcome her.”

“To say that I am honored to serve my university this way is an understatement,” Aaron said. “The University of Oregon is so important, not only to me but to the state and the students that it serves. I appreciate the vote of confidence from the governor and the state Senate and cannot wait to get started.”

Aaron‘s service record speaks for itself: She is a member of the UO College of Education Advancement Council; a board member of Ednovate, Inc., a Los Angeles charter management organization; and the charter management organizational representative on the California Charter Schools Association Member Council and the Los Angeles Advisory Council.

Named a UO Outstanding Young Alumni in 2003, Aaron has also served as a member of the UO Alumni Center Campaign Committee, the UO Foundation Board of Trustees and the UO Journalism Advancement Council.

Aaron replaces Rudy Chapa, who stepped down from the board earlier this year.