Before the 2024-2025 school year began, University President Dr. Deana Porterfield filled out her cabinet, hiring a new Chief Academic Officer and Chief Financial Officer and appointing two special advisors.
The first hire to be announced was Dr. Kathy Lustyk, the new chief academic officer (provost). Lustyk joins SPU from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she served as the vice chancellor and associate chief academic officer.
Lustyk is not unfamiliar with SPU, having spent more than 20 years as a professor in the psychology department. Before her move to ERAU, she held the position of department chair for the school of psychology, family and community.
Alissa Mahar joins SPU from the University of Washington, where she was the vice president of strategy and operations for UW’s information technology department. A graduate of Portland State University, Mahar has held CFO roles with the Portland Housing Bureau, Clackamas Community College and the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
The most recent hire, Mahar has had to hit the ground running.
“We have gelled as a team in a very short period of time through many strategy work sessions, and although the work in this season has been difficult and sometimes emotional, we are able to confide in one another and leave space for levity,” Mahar said. “They are seasoned leaders in each of their areas of oversight, and they bring deep knowledge and expertise to the table as we explore university strategy and problem-solve together. “
Mahar’s familiarity with Workday software and experience at Clackamas CC provide crucial relevant expertise to help her ensure the long-term financial stability of SPU.
“We have to work collaboratively across our university administrative offices to be innovative, create efficiencies, and streamline business processes,” Mahar said.
In addition to the two vice president positions brought in from outside of SPU, Dr. Porterfield also recruited from within. Adding two special advisor positions from SPU’s faculty.
Dr. Bo Lim was appointed as a special advisor for diversity and belonging, filling the DEI gap that was left when Dr. Sandra Richards Mayo resigned in 2022. Having worked at SPU for 19 years Lim has a robust knowledge of the school’s community and mission.
“I’ve witnessed the transformation of SPU from being a predominantly white student body to today, where students of color are now the majority,” Lim said. “I’ve served in the faculty, in student life and ministries, and in administration, including sitting in the President’s cabinet. I have advised intercultural clubs, gave oversight for the Perkins Center, and led the search for SPU’s first Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
With his deep knowledge of the student body and the demographic shifts SPU has seen, Lim hopes that he can help the university serve diverse communities long into the future.
“Diversity and Reconciliation are important to me personally and professionally,” Lim said. “I have worked with students, staff, faculty, and administration on these efforts for nearly two decades here at SPU. I have witnessed the successes and failures of many of these efforts and have observed the intended and unintended consequences of decisions made. I cannot predict the future, but perhaps my experience may provide wisdom for how decisions made today might affect diversity efforts going forward.”
Brian Lugioyo joined SPU in 2021 as the Dean of the School of Theology. He will now also serve as the special advisor for mission integration.
The president’s cabinet now consists of Chief of Staff Kristen Brown; VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing Ken Cornell; VP of Student Life Jeffery Jordan; VP of Academic Affairs Kathy Lustyk; VP of Business and Finance Alissa Mahar; and VP for University Advancement Doug Taylor.
