LeAnn Adam
Corvallis,USA
Summary
Strategic nonprofit and higher education leader with over 20 years of experience managing grant-funded initiatives and cultivating partnerships to enhance educational access for diverse communities. Expertise in writing, fundraising, program evaluation, budget management, and collaboration across institutional, nonprofit, and governmental sectors. Skilled in developing sustainable systems and leading mission-driven projects in multicultural environments, with a strong focus on equity and social impact.
Overview
1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, National and Global Scholarships Advising
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
01.2015 - Current
- Provide university-wide subject matter expertise and leadership for the National and Global Scholarships Advising program including outreach, recruitment, advising, nomination, and publicity for select nationally competitive scholarships while integrating principles and practices that advance equity, inclusion, and diversity
- Advance communication and alliance with external stakeholders including national scholarship foundations, the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), peer institutions, fellowship advisors at public and private institutions, and contacts at international universities
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders university-wide including OSU administration, department contacts, advisors, and faculty
- Construct and sustain an advising curriculum emphasizing student learning outcomes to improve scholarship application success
- Create long-term strategies, goals, staffing plans, program assessment, and fiscal planning
- Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to enhance program visibility and support for scholarship advising
- Mentor and supervise the National and Global Scholarships Coordinator and graduate assistants
Advisor, Latin America/Caribbean and Spain
Oregon State University, Office of Global Opportunities
Corvallis, OR
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Advised students and administered application processes for both internal and nationally competitive education abroad scholarship competitions including Fulbright, Gilman, CLS, and Boren
- Leveraged world regional expertise to enhance program selection, development, and policy making
- Executed outreach initiatives to boost participation of underrepresented individuals in education abroad
- Advised students and managed application processes for internal and nationally competitive education abroad scholarships, including Fulbright, Gilman, CLS, and Boren
Research Assistant, Evaluation Team
WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS)
San Francisco, CA
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Contributed to project-based research for CCFS Evaluation Team by supporting design, implementation, and analysis stages
- Conducted interviews with preschool administrators and caregivers in English and Spanish to gather qualitative insights
- Coordinated data collection, edited findings, and reported results to ensure accuracy and clarity
National Project Director, Community Science Workshops
San Francisco State University, UMass Boston and Green Mountain College
01.2002 - 01.2010
- Managed outreach, administration, implementation, budgets, evaluation, and reporting for a $3.1 million National Science Foundation project to establish a network of self-supporting interactive youth community science centers in neighborhoods across the United States and Puerto Rico
- Facilitated cross-communication and training among national network members, enhancing project development, sharing best practices, and strengthening site sustainability and capacity building
- Coordinated independent evaluators, ensuring timely project completion and adherence to evaluation standards
Program Leader, Educational Travel
The Center for Cross-Cultural Study
Havana, Cuba
01.2000 - 01.2001
Coordinated and led 14-day educational travel across Cuba, partnering with educational institutions, nonprofits, tour agencies, and the Cuban government to enhance cultural exchange and learning opportunities.
Coordinator, Overseas Resource Center
Stanford University, Bechtel International Center
Stanford, CA
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Recruited and guided students through competitive application processes for prestigious international scholarships and fellowships, including Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and the National Security Education Program, resulting in increased student engagement and success rates.
- Administered campus application processes and coordinated faculty for candidate interviews and nominations, ensuring smooth operations and timely endorsements.
- Advised the Stanford community on study, volunteer, and internship abroad opportunities
- Supervised a staff of student peer advisors and community volunteers
International Programs Assistant
San Francisco State University Office of International Programs
San Francisco, CA
01.1996 - 01.1997
Supported the Director by hosting international dignitaries, managing grant-funded programs, and planning events.
Italy On-Site Coordinator
University of California, Berkeley Extension “Travel with Scholars” program
Verona and Venice, Italy
06.1996 - 07.1996
Coordinated logistics, translation, budgets, and educational materials for 28-day study tour across Italy, ensuring seamless execution and participant satisfaction.
Education
M.Ed. - College Student Services Administration
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR2017
Graduate Coursework - Nonprofit Management
Universidad Del Sagrado Corazón
San Juan, Puerto RicoBachelor of Arts - World and Comparative Literature
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CAStudy Abroad - California State University International Program
Università Degli Studi Di Firenze
Florence, ItalySkills
- Written communication
- Organizational development
- Fundraising initiatives
- Donor relations
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- Staff development
- Coaching and mentoring
- Team collaboration
- Creative solutions
- Multitasking and organization
- Decision-making
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leann-adam-524b8bb8/
Affiliations
- NAFA: National Association of Fellowship Advisors
- NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators
- SDI: Scuba Diving International
- PADI: Professional Association of Dive Instructors
- AAUS: American Association of Underwater Sciences
- Search Advocate, Oregon State University
- Safe Space and Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training, Oregon State University
- Social Justice Education Initiative, Oregon State University
- Journey into Leadership, Oregon State University
- Pacific Northwest Women Divers, Willamette Valley Regional Representative
Certification
- Scuba Diving International (SDI) Divemaster
- American Association of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver
- Scubility certified to assist adaptive divers
- PADI, Open Water, Advanced, Rescue Diver
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) Emergency O2 Administration, Basic Life Support and First Aid
LANGUAGES
Fluent in Spanish and proficient in Italian
TEACHING
- HC 407 Apply Here: National Awards, Scholarships and More, Oregon State University Honors College Seminar, 2021-2025
- HC 408 Honors College Stage 1 Thesis, Oregon State University Honors College, 2023
- PS 499 Cuban Society, Politics and Culture Guest Lecturer: Afro-Cuban Music and Religious Practices in Modern Cuban Society Oregon State University, 2013-2017
RECENT GRANTS/FUNDRAISING
- INTO OSU Joint Venture Internationalization Fund ($70,000)
- Beavs Give crowdfunding campaign ($4,467 in 2024, $19,900 in 2025)
- Institute of International Education American Passport Grant, 2023 ($4,125)
- Oregon State University Internationalization Grant, 2023 ($5,000)
- Oregon State University Women’s Giving Circle, 2024 ($4,375)
- Oregon State University Office of the Provost, 2024 ($10,000 matching funds)
SERVICE TO THE FIELD OF NATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS
- Morris and Stewart Udall Scholarship, National Selection Committee
- U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship, National Selection Committee
- Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship, National Selection Committee
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program, National Selection Committee Observer
SELECT PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
- Adam, LeAnn (2023) English belongs to those that use it: Cultivating authentic voices with inclusive writing pedagogies and linguistic pluralism. Panel presentation at the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA) Biennial Conference, New Orleans, LA
- Adam, LeAnn (2017) Advising as Teaching: Using an Advising Curriculum to Emphasize Student Learning Outcomes in Fellowship Advising. Poster presented at the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA) Biennial Conference, Philadelphia, PA
- Adam, LeAnn (2016) The Rhodes Scholarship in the Current Era of Student Activism: What Do We Consider “Prestigious” and Who Benefits?, Journal of College and Character, 17:3, 197-200, DOI: 10.1080/2194587X.2016.1195753
- Adam, LeAnn (2016) The Politics of Memory Concerning Cecil John Rhodes: Legacies of Injustice and the Rhodes Scholarship in an Era of College Campus Activism. 5th Social Justice Conference, Oregon State University
- Adam, LeAnn (2015) It’s the Journey, Not the Destination: Student Development Through Competitive International Scholarship Applications. Poster presented at the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA) Biennial Conference, Oakland, CA
- Adam, LeAnn (2013, 2014) Interviewing for the US Student Fulbright Program. Presented at the annual Northwest Study Abroad Returnee Conference, Portland and Eugene OR
Timeline
Director, National and Global Scholarships Advising
Oregon State University
01.2015 - Current
Advisor, Latin America/Caribbean and Spain
Oregon State University, Office of Global Opportunities
01.2011 - 01.2015
Research Assistant, Evaluation Team
WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS)
01.2008 - 01.2011
National Project Director, Community Science Workshops
San Francisco State University, UMass Boston and Green Mountain College
01.2002 - 01.2010
Program Leader, Educational Travel
The Center for Cross-Cultural Study
01.2000 - 01.2001
Coordinator, Overseas Resource Center
Stanford University, Bechtel International Center
01.1997 - 01.2000
Italy On-Site Coordinator
University of California, Berkeley Extension “Travel with Scholars” program
06.1996 - 07.1996
International Programs Assistant
San Francisco State University Office of International Programs
01.1996 - 01.1997
M.Ed. - College Student Services Administration
Oregon State University
Graduate Coursework - Nonprofit Management
Universidad Del Sagrado Corazón
Bachelor of Arts - World and Comparative Literature
San Francisco State University
Study Abroad - California State University International Program
Università Degli Studi Di Firenze