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Northwest Institute for Social Change

Media Making Change

3836 N Haight, Portland, OR 97227 (503) 975-4545

AboutUs

The Northwest Institute inspires and educates a new generation of truth-seeking journalists and conscience-raising artists who will bring positive changes to their communities. Each summer, we host a dozen college students for an intensive 8-week session. Students attend media study classes, work with professionals to produce media projects and attend professional development workshops with the long-term goal of helping to build a strong democratic community that is representative of all voices.

Who runs the program?

We have a well-qualified and enthused management staff, and each year work with a strong network of accomplished professionals. We always welcome inquiries about employment.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: PHIL BUSSE

[photo: Phil Busse]

For the past six years, Executive Director Phil Busse served as the managing editor for the Portland Mercury, a popular weekly newspaper in Oregon that he helped launch in 2000. As a spin-off from his political reporting and columns, Phil ran for mayor of Portland in 2004. Out of 23 candidates and outspent by the lead candidate $1 million to $11,000, Phil placed third behind a two-time city councilmember and the former police chief.

A former attorney in San Francisco, Phil has served on the faculty at the University of Oregon School of Business as the assistant director for the Entreprenuership Center. Phil also has worked with other programs in higher education—including working as the Program Director for School for Field Studies sea turtle program in Costa Rica and as the head coach for crew teams at Lewis & Clark College and the University of Portland.

Phil graduated from Middlebury College in 1992 and earned his law degree from the University of Oregon in 1997.

CO-DIRECTOR: LOUIS COHEN

[photo: Louis Cohen]

Louis has a background in education and project-based learning. Louis worked for six years in alternative schools and youth development programs in Colorado, at esteemed programs like Eagle Rock School and The Rocky Mountain School for Expeditionary Learning. Louis moved to Oregon in 1998 and served as the Service Learning Coordinator at Portland YouthBuilders. Bringing his knowledge of community organizations and service learning to higher education, Louis ran the Students for Education, Empowerment, and Direct Service program (SEEDS) at Reed College for the past three years.

Louis graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991 and earned a MA in education from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1997.

TEACHING FACULTY: TONY IACCARINO

[photo: Tony Iaccarino]

Tony Iaccarino is a public historian and educator who believes that knowledge of history is essential for a life of civic engagement. Besides teaching history and politics for the NWISC and leading community history dialogues at the Oregon Historical Society and Portland Center Stage, Tony has taught American history at Reed College as well as an innovative great-books course that introduces low-income adults to the transformative power of the humanities. The author of numerous essays and book reviews on American politics and social movements, Tony also chairs the editorial board of Sockeye Magazine, a regional public-affairs magazine. His is now on staff at the City Club of Portland, an organization that promotes both civic engagement and a greater understanding of public policy.

Tony graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1989 and earned his Ph.D. in history from U.C.L.A. in 1999.

How do you get in touch with us?

You can email us using our online form or call us at (503) 975.4545. Otherwise, feel free to send correspondences to 3836 N. Haight St., Portland, Oregon 97227.

What are others saying about us?

During our inaugural summer, the Northwest Institute received positive local coverage and rave reviews from its students.

Local Coverage

Student Testimonials

[photo: Meg Nanson]“What did I get out of my experience this summer? Increased confidence, a better sense of direction, renewed sense of idealism, a new perspective on the media and the directions it may take, wider knowledge base from which to draw, the ability to stand behind my convictions and argue for them. Lifelong friendships.” –Meg Nanson, Smith College ’08
[photo: Ryan Winger]“It was a tremendous time of personal growth, and the way the summer was structured definitely facilitated that. The fact that I was able to not only learn and work with college students from across the country, but to really become involved with Portland’s community leaders, was an experience certainly unmatched in previous summer internships.” –Ryan Winger, University of Colorado ’09

With whom do we partner?

Many filmmakers, community organizers, and businesses donate their time and expertise to help make this a powerful experience for our students. Each summer we draw from the community and beyond to expose students to experts in their given field. The Northwest Institute partners with the University of Oregon School of Journalism Turnbull Center to secure classroom space and academic credit for students.

Organizations

Professionals working with students 2007

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