From Woodburn to higher education: Emanuel Magaña’s mission to uplift underrepresented students

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Emanuel Magaña

By Taylor Pedersen, CLA Student Writer - April 2, 2025

Emanuel Magaña, ‘10, M.S. ‘12, never planned on working in higher education. Growing up in Woodburn, Oregon, a predominantly Latino community, he was surrounded by people who looked like him, shared similar backgrounds, and lived under similar economic circumstances. It wasn’t until he arrived at Oregon State University that he realized just how unique his upbringing had been—and how much work remained to ensure equitable access to education for students from communities like his. Now, as the Assistant Director of Multicultural Retention Services at Portland State University (PSU), Magaña is dedicated to increasing access and retention for underrepresented students.

Magaña’s parents immigrated to Oregon from Mexico, working in the fields picking berries and fruit throughout the year. His family instilled in him the importance of education—his mother had never gone to college, and they wanted a different path for their children. Magaña’s older brothers attended OSU, paving the way for Emanuel to follow.

Growing up in Woodburn, Magaña experienced a unique privilege in a low-income setting. “Because so many of us qualified for free and reduced lunch, the whole school had free meals. Even sports were free—there were no participation fees,” Magaña recalled. “It wasn’t until I got to OSU that I realized that wasn’t the norm.”

The transition to college was a culture shock. Corvallis, a predominantly white town, felt vastly different from his hometown. “It was very odd to experience that on a daily basis. Walking across campus, I’d sometimes feel like I didn’t belong,” he said. This feeling of isolation pushed him toward spaces that reflected his identity, like the Centro Cultural de César Chávez, where he found a sense of home and belonging.

Extracurricular activities played a crucial role in Magaña’s success. He joined ASOSU, became involved with Omega Delta Phi—a multicultural service fraternity—and worked at the Centro Cultural de César Chávez. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he was hired as a graduate assistant at the cultural center while completing his master’s in College Student Services Administration (CSSA). While at the center, Magaña contributed to the development of the center’s now permanent home on campus across from Reser Stadium. In addition to working at the center, it was the CSSA program that solidified his passion for working in student affairs. “I realized I wanted to be that mentor for someone else—the same way my mentors had guided me.”

Magaña’s transition to PSU marked the beginning of a new chapter. When the university opened La Casa Latina, a cultural center dedicated to serving Latinx students, he jumped at the opportunity to build something from the ground up as program coordinator. Then, after a few years, Magaña transitioned into a role at Latine Student Services, advising Latino students and managing a scholarship program for first-generation students. “It was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done,” he said."

Now, as Assistant Director of Multicultural Retention Services, Magaña is focused on expanding PSU’s outreach to multicultural communities and ensuring that underrepresented students not only access higher education but thrive in it. He is also pursuing an Ed.D. in education leadership policy, aiming to create systemic change on an even larger scale.

Despite his professional success, Magaña remains deeply connected to OSU. “I’m always talking about my time at Oregon State and how much it still impacts me today,” he said. His journey—from an 18-year-old feeling out of place in Corvallis to a leader shaping the future of higher education—serves as an inspiration to the very students he now mentors. Through his work, Magaña is proving that access to education is not just about getting students into college—it’s about ensuring they have the support, community, and opportunities to succeed once they get there.