About us

Grant Director

Leads the Grants team in overall operations.

Vanessa Wood (she/her) has been with the Grants Office since 2008, and has served as the Director since 2014. She brings over 20 years of experience in grant writing and communication for nonprofit organizations and community colleges. Prior to coming to PCC, Vanessa was a grant writer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Global Studies from Pacific Lutheran University.

Grant Specialist & Assistant

Assists in completing grant budgets and required documentation for grant applications and submission.

Shannan Cox (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2006. She brings 22 years of experience in higher education, including grant budget development, administrative support, and accounting. Shannan has an Associate’s degree in Management and Supervisory 沙巴体育官网ment from PCC, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Western States University.

Shannon Sullivan (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2024. She has worked in higher education for 17 years and nonprofit administration for 8 years, primarily managing and coordinating education programs for healthcare and the arts, including supporting programs through grant cycles. Prior to coming to PCC she worked at the Casey Eye Institute at OHSU. Shannon has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Oregon.

Pre-Award Grant Officers

Facilitates the development and writing of proposals and projects to obtain grant funding.

Adele Grubb (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2025. Prior to joining PCC, Adele worked as the Grants Manager for Umpqua Community College, and spent the previous decade working in education, local government, and nonprofit organizations in Colorado and Texas. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English from University of Texas at Austin.

Lori Gates (she/her) has been with the Grants Office at PCC since 2016. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education as an instructor in pre-college through graduate programs, faculty dean, and an academic and student services administrator. She is an Oregon native and first-generation college graduate. Before coming to PCC, she secured local, state, and federal grants as part of her administrative duties. Lori has an Associate’s degree in Social Sciences from Lane Community College, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from the University of Oregon, and a Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of Toronto (Canada).

Michelle DuBarry (she/her) has been a Grants Officer at PCC since 2009. Prior to joining PCC, she wrote grants for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, the pediatric arm of Oregon Health and Science University. Michelle has a Master’s degree in Political Science from Portland State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Montana State University.

Post-Award Grant Officer

Provides technical assistance to grant project staff and monitors grant implementation.

Beth Gebstadt (she/her) joined the Grants Office in 2020. She has worked in higher education and public health for 25 years teaching, chairing a community college department, and managing/providing technical assistance for several large public health grants. She continues to teach part-time for PCC. Beth has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Oregon, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Oregon State University.