Major:  Biological Anthropology and Linguistics with a minor in African Studies 
Hometown: Eunice, Louisiana

Jyhreh is a student in the Robert D. Clark Honors College and a McNair Scholar. She is president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which is the first African American Greek-lettered sorority. She says what made her time at the UO special was the opportunity to take part in and conduct her own groundbreaking research, which in turn has helped her grow as a student, writer, and person. 

“My advice for incoming freshmen would be don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” says Jyhreh. “At times college may seem very intimidating so instead of constantly being overwhelmed, utilize your resources!”

Major: Advertising
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon

Gustavo has worked for advertising groups such as Allen Hall Advertising and Upstream Advertising, serving as art director, designer, and copywriter for clients such as Oregon women’s basketball. He is also the executive director of Taking Up Space, a group for students of color in advertising, and has worked at the UO's Multicultural Center.

“My undergraduate experience was truly the greatest stretch of growth in my lifetime,” Gustavo says. “With support from family, friends, and faculty, I learned to never dull my shine and always demand better. I don’t plan on forgetting my time here at UO any time soon.”

Major: Linguistics and Spanish
Hometown: Nagoya, Japan

Sabrina is a member of the Humanities Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and part of the linguistics department’s Speech Perception and Production Laboratory, experiences which have allowed her to grow as a researcher. She is also a writing tutor through the Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center. 

“I am constantly grateful to be in an environment where I am simultaneously applauded for the work I do and challenged to take my work an extra step further,” says Sabrina. “Working with other undergraduate researchers at the UO has served as a powerful reminder to me that undergraduate research is valid research.”

Major: Political Science, minoring in Legal Studies, Queer Studies, and Theatre Arts 
Hometown: Arizona and Virginia 

During his time at UO, Jude coordinated several campaigns with OSPIRG Students, helping thousands of Oregonians and Ducks vote in the 2020 election, and promoting food security resources on campus. He also served as education and activism coordinator of the LGBTQA3 Alliance and ran the Pocket Playhouse board last year, helping students create and produce their own theater. 

“It was so incredible to have the opportunity to pursue so many different interests,” Jude says. “UO is the perfect size because it’s small enough to make personal connections with professors and classmates, but big enough to find programs for all of your passions.” 

Major: Human Physiology
Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon 

Nisha is a student in Robert D. Clark Honors College, a research assistant at the Stress Neurobiology and Prevention Lab, a Wayne Morse Scholar, and a University Innovation Fellow. She is also a member of the TEDxUOregon planning team and co-founded the university’s first ethics bowl team. After she graduates, Nisha will be pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at the UO.

“Do not be afraid to step outside your major and pursue interdisciplinary opportunities,” Nisha says. “This may sound cliché, but do not be afraid to try new things: my favorite experiences at the UO were the result of trying something for the first time.”

Major: Family and Human Services and Spanish
Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon

During his time at UO, Alexander helped establish a new student group called Latinx Male Alliance & Allies. He, along with his peers, established the group his freshman year. He has also been involved with UO MEChA and UO Impact as a peer mentor. Alexander says that meeting new people from different walks of life was what made his undergraduate experience special. When he graduates, Alexander hopes to secure a job in a non-profit organization that works with underrepresented youth.

“If you’re scared to take chances, you’ll never have the answers,” Alexander says. “Try new things and grow from it.”

Major: Cinema Studies, minors in Music and Creative Writing 
Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Katie was in the Oregon Marching and Basketball Bands all four years of her time at UO, which she says was the best part of her college experience. She was in the Robert D. Clark Honors College where she studied abroad with Professor Mossberg’s Genius of Study Abroad program over the summer of 2019. She wrote her thesis on the music video and lyrical censorship battles in the 1980s and how it impacted the current structure and politics of the music industry.

“Get to know your professors,” says Katie. “They’re there to help and have been really influential during my time at the university.” 

Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Portland, Oregon

During his time at the university, Sawyer has been involved in the Warsaw Sports Marketing Club as well as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club. He is also pursuing his Certificate in Global Business and is currently interning for Pro Trending. Post-graduation, Sawyer is working with McKenzie SewOn to bring a new patented product called Helmet Hoodie to the UO.

“Being a part of the Duck community helped make these past four years so special,” Sawyer says, “The relationships I’ve built all the way from my peers, to faculty to community members, have helped me prosper.”

Major: Art History and Cultural Anthropology
Hometown: Syracuse, Utah

During her time at UO, Alexis participated in the Undergraduate Research Symposium and published an article in the Oregon Undergraduate Journal. She says that the highlight of her college experience was studying abroad in one of the GEO London programs. After she graduates, Alexis is going to be pursuing her master’s degree in art history at the UO. 

“My advice for incoming freshmen is to be open to new interests,” says Alexis. “College general education classes are an easy way to broaden your horizons and it might help you figure out what you ultimately want to do.”