Having enrolled at Oregon State University after completing an associate's degree at Linn-Benton Community College, Phillip Rakowski is a senior and a proven leader in contributing to the support of students who might otherwise be isolated from their academic community.

Phil arrived at Oregon State with a history of campus leadership at LBCC and immediately became engaged in campus life at the university. He was a founding member of the Collegiate Recovery Community at OSU and a member of the Mental Health Initiative advisory board. Currently, Phil serves as assistant project coordinator for the Men of Color Initiative within OSU's Office of Diversity and Cultural Engagement. The primary goal of this initiative, which focuses on a student population that is typically at risk and that struggles to construct meaningful connections within our university, is to provide mentoring and support to men of color to enhance retention, engagement and success. Phil also serves as a member of the Governor's Re-entry Council for the Department of Corrections. This role is particularly important to him. As a former addict who spent a good portion of his adult life in the corrections system, Phil understands the value of rehabilitation and the power of restorative programs.