This Beaver is a Lifelong Learner.

Lydia Mills ’91 knows that when your lift takes a turn, it sometimes puts you on the right path.

She began her academic career as a nutrition major, and when she decided that a Human Development and Family Studies degree was more aligned with her passion, she finished both. After receiving her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University, she began a career in the medical field as a licensed clinical social worker, where she continues to learn about and adapt to changes in medicine and society, such as COVID-19.

Now, Lydia’s responsibilities include supporting out-patient oncology patients and practices across the country – an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an added service during this time, she has offered a few digital lectures on how to manage anxiety and self-care during quarantine.

As a volunteer, Lydia gives her time as a career ambassador for the OSU Alumni Association, where she mentors fellow alumni and attends local networking events in Portland.

When asked about what motivates her to volunteer, Lydia said, “I would’ve liked to have someone to talk to when I graduated, and I like being able to share my experiences, give advice to others and learn from my fellow alumni.”

Learn about how the OSU Alumni Association’s career resources could support your next step, help you build your network and allow you to support future generations of OSU alumni.