Student Speakers Debra Kidney DEBRA KIDNEY is graduating with a Master of Science degree in educational leadership and policy, with a specialization in adult education and a certificate in training and development. In addition to earning her master’s degree, Ms. Kidney also recently finished a th tee-week program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Ms. Kidney began her career at Portland State University in 1977 and finished her Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1984 all while working, getting married, and having two children. Ms. Kidney currently works as an education coordinator for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a union that represents 1.4 million public employees around the United States and Puerto Rico. When not working or studying, Ms. Kidney is an avid gardener, a passionate reader, and for the last 15 years has had weekly “walking therapy” sessions with her girlfriends where they power walk, talk, sweat, and solve all family, community and world problems. She and her husband, Dan, have bicycled all over the world on their tandem bicycle, including an epic bicycle trip across the United States in 2008. They are always planning for their next adventure. Shangar Meman SHANGAR MEMAN is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Born in Kurdistan, Iraq, Ms. Meman is the first in her family to attend and graduate college in the United States. During her tenure at Portland State University, Ms. Meman worked in Senator Jeff Merkley’s office and researched law and policy for the Oregon State Legislature’s 2011 session. Ms. Meman currently works at one of the state’s top law firms, Gevurtz Menashe, where she is furthering her knowledge of the American legal system and preparing to attend law school. Ms. Meman hopes to return to Iraq one day to teach international law. She aspires to help reform Iraq’s legal processes to be more democratic. Ms. Meman is eternally grateful to her mother and father for the sacrifices they have made in their lives and careers, including moving to the United States, so that their children would have better opportunities for success. 2
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