14 Facts About Ron Oden

Ron Oden attended Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History, Sociology, and Theology.

Ron Oden went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Ethnic Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY.

Ron Oden is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister, who resigned shortly before entering politics.

In 1990, Ron Oden moved to Palm Springs, California, to begin teaching at the College of the Desert as an adjunct sociology instructor.

Concern about educational and social issues motivated Ron Oden to enter politics, and in 1995, he was elected to the Palm Springs City Council.

Ron Oden brought in the Palm Springs City Council's first gay majority.

Ron Oden saw success in building Palm Springs as a destination resort city, helped by a new concourse being added to the Palm Springs International Airport in 2007 and new amenities like the Palm Springs Skatepark, considered one of California's best skateparks.

In 2015, eight years after the completion of his initial stint as mayor, Ron Oden ran for mayor of Palm Springs.

Ron Oden campaigned on a platform calling for governmental transparency and restoration of trust and faith in city leadership.

Ron Oden used to teach there, and it disappeared without much discussion.

In 2023 Ron Oden was unanimously appointed to the Desert Community College District Board of Trustees to finish Fred Jandt's term before winning his own term for District 3 in 2024.

Ron Oden is openly gay and is the father of two daughters, Brooke and Brittany Ron Oden.

Ron Oden is the grandfather of two granddaughters and two grandsons.

In recognition of his role in the Palm Springs community as the first openly gay African American elected as mayor of a California city, and 30 year of public service, Ron Oden was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Great Palm Springs Pride at the 2019 Pride Honors Awards.