Keylah Boyer, Ph.D

Director

Keylah Boyer is a second-generation Oregonian whose commitment to education and the community was instilled in her at a young age. Her maternal grandparents relocated from the South to Oregon in the 1940s during The Great Migration. Affectionately, known as Nana and Papa, they devoted their lives to building a family legacy of giving back. Throughout her formative years, alongside her parents - local community activists, Keylah spent time engaging in civil rights gatherings, political rallies, voter registration drives, and many other sponsored community events. 

Keylah’s passion for working with students started while she was a high school student – alongside her mother, she would tutor students every Saturday morning as part of a community partnership program with The Black United Front (a local community-based civil rights & education organization). This experience led Keylah to pursue education as her chosen career; beginning at Grambling State University, and finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Concordia University. Keylah also holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Portland in addition to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education from Capella University. Her dissertation, based on a qualitative study topic was, “Improving College Access and career readiness for African American High School Students.” 

With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, Keylah’s experiences range from being an elementary teacher, charter middle school teacher, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Director of Urban Education. In 2015, her path led her back into K-12 education first as high school Vice Principal at Roosevelt High School and then at McDaniel High School (formerly Madison High School). Throughout her time as a Vice Principal, Keylah remained committed to removing barriers while ensuring an equitable education for students in partnership with families. This commitment led her to bring students, families, and staff together to create individual plans to assist seniors in completing their high school credits. These individual plans were reviewed frequently with students and families which led to an increase in the overall graduation rates. 

As a collaborative leader and consistent advocate, Keylah continuously identifies opportunities to continue her family legacy of giving back. In 2010, she was appointed by the founder and the board as the President of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (OABSE). For 10 years, she led OABSE, one of the over 100 affiliates of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). During Keylah’s tenure alongside the board, she led OABSE through obtaining its non-profit status, completing a strategic plan, and hosting the annual student recognition banquet for rising 9th graders and graduating seniors. 

A lifelong educator and learner, Keylah continues her pursuit of opportunities to gain new knowledge. In 2020, she participated in the Women in Education Leadership residential program at Harvard University. Most recently, Keylah finished the courses and is now preparing to complete the final requirements to become a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Currently, Keylah holds the position of Associate Director of Recruitment, Retention, and Strategic Initiatives in the North Clackamas School District. A primary focus for her work is the development of a Grow Your Own program to build career pathways for current staff and