Commissioner Shannon Portillo - 3rd District (Chair)

Shannon voted in her first election in Douglas County and has lived here for most of her adult life. Soon after moving to Lawrence at the age of 16 to attend the University of Kansas, Shannon’s parents followed, and Lawrence became home. Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and PhD in Public Administration. Her first academic job took her to George Mason University just outside of Washington D.C.. She was thrilled to return home in 2013 to join the faculty of the School of Public Affairs & Administration at the University of Kansas. Her research explores how policies, social norms, and power dynamics shape public organizations and the experiences of their workers.

Since earning tenure, Shannon has taken on a number of increasingly challenging administrative roles. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Professional Studies at KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park. In that role, Shannon develops and maintains pathways for non-traditional students transferring from community colleges, leads the KU Edwards Campus Honors Program, and co-chairs the campus’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion cabinet.

Outside of work, Shannon prioritizes community service. She has served on Willow Domestic Violence Center Board of Directors for the past six years including as Vice President, President, and Past President and served as Board Secretary on the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity Advisory Board. She currently co-chairs Governor Kelly’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice.

Shannon and her husband, Jevan Bremby, live in West Lawrence. Jevan, a native Lawrencian, is a research project coordinator at the Center for Public Partnerships and Research at KU and is currently working toward a PhD in Behavioral Psychology. They share a deep commitment to public service and Douglas County, Jevan serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Just Food.