FHDC and Evolve Board of Directors Member Elias Villegas carries many talents! In addition to an esteemed two decades of serving as Dean of Woodburn’s Chemeketa College campus, he has given many from the greater Woodburn community a reason to get their dancing shoes out on a Friday night.

As headlined by Woodburn Independent, “By day, he’s a Dean. By night, he’s teaching Woodburn to salsa.”

Villegas shares, “Through my salsa class, I’m able to bring people together from different cultures, social backgrounds, different customs, different religions and different countries. So, for me, it’s beautiful to see all these people coming together.”

Former Students share;
Chuy Leonn: “He’s done so much for the community throughout the years, education advocate, community advocate, hosted hundreds of events, helped start the early college program which is now followed by other state colleges, and has personally sponsored students including myself. The man is a living legend and doesn’t get recognition he truly deserves. A very humble individual who only wants to see future generations succeed.”
Joni Dubs Kaady: “I attended this class 10 years ago when I moved to Woodburn. Salsa dance is very fun and many Fridays turned into a dance party. The final exam is awesome.”
Becky Wallis: “I took a Spanish class with him years ago. He’s a great teacher!”

It was wonderful to read his interview by Woodburn Independent, and this scratches the surface of how wonderful Villegas is.

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