By Chloe Meyere, Duck Career Network Communications Associate and UO Student

Connie Seeley ’92
Sr. Vice President and Chief of Staff, OHSU

Politics, a thrilling and fast paced career, employs some of the most caring and compassionate people. However, those who spend time in the field are often faced with negativity that they must overcome. Connie Seeley ’92, senior vice president and chief of staff at Oregon Health and Sciences University, does just that. She refutes the stereotypes, explains the nature of her field, and shares her focus on making a positive impact.


 

Beginnings of a Political Career

From an early age, Seeley was intrigued by the political world and the functions of government. She was drawn to the University of Oregon due to its active political landscape and developed student government. During her time as a political science undergraduate, Seeley was appointed by the ASUO president to be a member of the Student Government Advancement Committee. She also ran for a position within student government her senior year, giving her an in-depth understanding of the political campaign process. 

Despite her solid foundation from the UO, Seeley was met with an unforgiving job market upon her graduation. She tested the market, working in different industries. She remembers, “Working some jobs that I didn’t particularly like let me weed out the career paths I knew were not for me early on.”


 

A Backup Plan Turned Opportunity

The new alumna decided to enroll in graduate school in Portland to expand her potential opportunities. In 1995, Seeley’s undergraduate campaigning experience paid off as she was offered an opportunity to work on a political campaign during the 1996 midterm election cycle. Though graduate school had been her plan, Seeley took the job because it was in the field where she ultimately aspired to excel. 

“At that point, I was ready to start working.” Seeley recalls. “I had been in school for so long that taking this job sounded like a change of scenery that I was looking for. I think [leaving school] was the best decision for me and started me on the path to where I am today.” 

Seeley immersed herself in the political world, working for several elected officials. After working for Congresswoman Darlene Hooley in 1998, Seeley moved to the Oregon State Senate, taking a job as a legislative director for then Senate Democratic Leader Kate Brown. In these roles she focused on policy and strategy.


 

Climbing the Ladder

In 2003, Seeley began to climb the political ladder. She was offered the role of Chief of Staff to the Senate President, a role that she filled for seven years. 

“The transition was tricky, but I felt so privileged to serve the state. I was in charge of a bigger office, and my responsibilities shifted from solely policy to management as well. But I didn’t stop working on the policies and political aspect of the job; it was the best of both worlds,” Seeley explains. “I liked it a lot, and I realized that administrative roles really worked well for me.” 

In 2010, after twelve years with the Oregon State Senate, Seeley heard of a new opportunity.

“I loved my job in the Senate. We were a family there, and leaving was incredibly hard. I knew that most political positions in government have expiration dates, and I decided to leave before I had to in order to pursue an opportunity that was offered. I was definitely nervous, but I decided to take the new job.”

Seeley began working at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) as the senior vice president and chief of staff, a position she fills to this day. Interestingly, her job at OHSU is not as different as she imagined it would be. Her goal is to “protect and promote the university,” and her role is just as dynamic as the work she did in politics. She prides herself on the fact that part of her responsibility is maintaining the “trust people have in OHSU as an institution.” 


 

Balancing Administrative Responsibility with Personal Life

Today, Seeley works full time at Oregon Health and Sciences University; however, Seeley has more than one full time job—she is also a mother.

“I won’t say that the two jobs won’t ever overlap—they will,” she explains. “You would be surprised at how many kids would hang out in the office when I worked at the state senate. And I’ve brought my daughter along with me to a lot of work events in the afternoon or evening, but honestly, I think it has made her a more civic-minded person. She’s been exposed to all sorts of political processes and issues, and it really has been for the better.”

Seeley also discourage people from turning down opportunities, simply because they worry their commitments will conflict.

“Don’t short circuit the process; there is value in putting yourself out there and trying, even if you don’t know how committed you can be [to a job]. People wouldn’t imagine that there is flexibility in politics, but there is when it comes to family. I have always been lucky to be surrounded by supportive people.”


 

Political Words of Wisdom

In politics, Seeley explains that jobs do not usually last long, and you have to be prepared for change while you’re moving up. There are very few permanent positions in the field. But what is more permanent is the impression you make in the political community. 

She emphasizes, “Oregon is very small; everyone knows everyone in government. The relationships you make with people will ultimately serve you through your whole career. Networking matters.”