Jonathan Chavez-Baez
Director of Belonging and Engagement
Pronouns: He/Him
Office: Stevenson Union 306
Email: chavezbjo@sou.edu
Phone: (541) 5526478
Dedicated and experienced higher education leader with a strong commitment to Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and advancing educational and social outcomes for underrepresented communities.
Jonathan Chavez Baez was born in Cuautla Morelos, Mexico. He immigrated to the U.S. at the age of ten. He graduated from Phoenix High School, received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern Oregon University, and his Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership and Policy in Higher Education from Portland State University. For the past 16 years, Jonathan has worked at Southern Oregon University in various capacities. From August 2023 to November 2025, Jonathan served as the Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (the EDI Office was eliminated at SOU).
Jonathan has focused his career on supporting underserved populations, many of whom were in rural southern Oregon. Through programming that improved high school graduation rates, college enrollment, family engagement, and access to resources for undocumented/DACAmented students, his work has consistently prioritized systemic change and equity, particularly for underserved communities, multilingual families, and students. He also has over 20 years of experience working with youth in Southern Oregon. Also, at SOU, Jonathan was a member of University Leadership, the former chair of the Committee for Equity & Diversity (CED), a former member of the Enrollment Management Council, and the Diversity Scholarship and Strategic Planning Committees.
In his free time, Jonathan serves on numerous boards and organizations, including the Oregon Community Foundation’s Southern Oregon Leadership Council, the Latino Partnership Program, and the Britt Festival. He is a former member of the Southern Oregon Latino Scholarship Fund, Phoenix-Talent School District Advisory Board, Latinx/a/o Interagency Committee, and Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC)’s Policy Council OPK. From 2017 to 2024, Jonathan was appointed to the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs (OCHA) by Governor Kate Brown, serving two terms.
Sweets Underwood
Belonging and Engagement Coordinator for Gender & Sexuality Justice
Pronouns: Any pronouns offered respectfully
Office: Stevenson Union 306
Email: underwoods@sou.edu
Phone: 541.552.8582
Sweets Underwood is a seasoned higher education professional with over a decade of expertise in gender and sexuality justice. She holds a B.A. in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she studied and examined the impacts of systemic oppression on marginalized communities.
Known for her gentle guidance and visionary approach, Sweets excels as a change agent and community builder. Her extensive knowledge includes group facilitation, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With a specialization in trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, and curriculum design, she is committed to creating inclusive environments that both illuminate and honor diversity.
Sweets’ passion for supporting individuals and nurturing human connection drives her work, making her a deeply impactful leader in creating spaces where every person’s humanity is acknowledged and valued. She serves as an advisor, mentor, and advocate to students, clubs, and organizations on campus.
Marvin Woodard
Belonging and Engagement Coordinator for Racial Justice
Pronouns: he/him
Office: Stevenson Union 306
Email: woodardm@sou.edu
Phone: 541.552.8791
Marvin Woodard Jr., Belonging and Engagement Coordinator for Racial Justice, has worked in higher education since 1998 and started with SOU in 2001. He has held multiple positions within the Student Affairs division and is seen as a community connector. His passion for people, supporting the development of diverse communities, and being a lifelong learner has helped him find long-term success in higher education.
Marvin serves as advisor to students, clubs and organizations, speaker and panelist on issues of race & ethnicity, as well as mentor to students from diverse backgrounds both on and off campus.
Jay Sorensen
Belonging and Engagement Coordinator for Clubs and Organizations
Pronouns: He/Him
Office: Stevenson Union 312
Email: sorensenj@sou.edu
Phone: (541) 5528827
Rachel Harris
Belonging and Engagement Office Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her
Office: Stevenson Union 312
Email: harrisr3@sou.edu
Phone: (541) 5527098
Rachel Harris is an SOU graduate with a certification in copyediting and a commitment to accessibility. She acts as a jack-of-many-trades supporting the work of the entire Belonging and Engagement team and assists the student leaders of SOU’s myriad clubs and unions. An avid participant in transformative fandom, Rachel is deeply curious about other people’s passions and passionate about maintaining SOU as a place where students can pursue the things that bring them joy and excitement.