About us
Grant Director
Leads the Grants team in overall operations.
Vanessa Wood (she/her) has been with the Grants Office since 2008, and has served as the Director since 2014. She brings over 20 years of experience in grant writing and communication for nonprofit organizations and community colleges. Prior to coming to PCC, Vanessa was a grant writer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Global Studies from Pacific Lutheran University.
Grant Specialist & Assistant
Assists in completing grant budgets and required documentation for grant applications and submission.
Shannan Cox (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2006. She brings 22 years of experience in higher education, including grant budget development, administrative support, and accounting. Shannan has an Associate’s degree in Management and Supervisory Development from PCC, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Western States University.
Marcie Evans (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2022. She brings 15 years of experience in higher education, working in a variety of roles including academic department and program administration, auxiliary services management, admissions, student financial services, and student support services. Marcie has a Project Management certificate from Portland State University, Center for Professional and Executive Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Chico.
Pre-Award Grant Officers
Facilitates the development and writing of proposals and projects to obtain grant funding.
Jill Gear (she/her) has been with the Grants Office at PCC since 2015. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in higher education, working at a large research university, a comprehensive Master’s level private university, and two community colleges. She directed the grants programs at the private university and community college in Ohio prior to moving to Oregon. Jill has a Bachelor’s degree in history from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis on adult education from The University of Findlay.
Lori Gates (she/her) has been with the Grants Office at PCC since 2016. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education as an instructor in pre-college through graduate programs, faculty dean, and an academic and student services administrator. She is an Oregon native and first-generation college graduate. Before coming to PCC, she secured local, state, and federal grants as part of her administrative duties. Lori has an Associate’s degree in Social Sciences from Lane Community College, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from the University of Oregon, and a Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of Toronto (Canada).
Michelle DuBarry (she/her) has been a Grants Officer at PCC since 2009. Prior to joining PCC, she wrote grants for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, the pediatric arm of Oregon Health and Science University. Michelle has a Master’s degree in Political Science from Portland State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Montana State University.
Post-Award Grant Officer
Provides technical assistance to grant project staff and monitors grant implementation.
Beth Gebstadt (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2020. She has worked in higher education and public health for 25 years teaching, chairing a community college department, and managing/providing technical assistance for several large public health grants. She continues to teach part-time for PCC. Beth has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Oregon, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Oregon State University.