Amy Vaught is the new district director and legislative assistant for Sen. Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego. She replaces Gordon Levitt, who left for Washington, D.C. Wagner, the Senate majority leader, represents Senate District 19. Vaught worked for Strategies 360 and was a legislative aide for then-Sen. Shemia Fagan.

Gov. Kate Brown appointed Steve Hoddle and Robert Johnson to the Douglas County Circuit Court. They each won a majority of votes in their judicial election on May 19. Instead of their waiting to take office, Brown’s appointment enables them to promptly replace retiring Judges William Marshall and Frances Burge. 

The governor appointed Hiral Pandya of Beaverton to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, succeeding Chanpone Okamura. Brown named Erica Bailey of Portland to the Commission on Black Affairs, succeeding Mariotta Gary-Smith. Their four-year terms begin Friday, June 10.

The Oregon Senate last week confirmed Brown’s appointment of Wendy Cornelisen as state librarian. Cornelisen began work in March.

Jayathi Murthy will become president of Oregon State University on Sept. 9. She is dean of UCLA’s Samueli School of Engineering.