“I am grateful to have the cultural capital of having been a Ford Scholar myself and to be able to bring that experience to the table.”

Zach Jones brings a wealth of real-world experience to his position. As the Postsecondary Success department’s student success counselor, Zach takes the lead in developing and implementing support systems for scholarship recipients. Students can reach out to Zach for personal support, academic planning and more.

It’s familiar ground for the Coos Bay native. Zach is a Ford Scholar alum, Class of 2010. As a first-generation college graduate, his path to academic success was also supported through the federal TRIO initiative. After his graduation from Portland State University, he served as director of TRIO services for two Oregon colleges in Klamath County.

“My job with the Foundation allows me to continue this work and have an even greater impact in Oregon and Siskiyou County,” Zach says. “I love powering the potential of a team and being a thought partner and leader in supporting rural students to achieve their goals.”

Zach and his wife have two children, along with a pair of much-loved dogs. He enjoys playing guitar and kayaking Oregon’s rivers with his family.