Alumni from the College of Arts and Sciences have gone onto successful careers across the world. From advice for current and prospective students to classes and mentors that made an impact in their lives and a variety of journeys from the UO to where they are now, hear from our alumni and learn about their paths to success.
Alumnus Spotlight: Mitchel Thomson
Thomson earned his degree in Chinese and Asian Studies, and went on to a successful 30-year career in global management industries.
UO Alumna Part of Webb Space Telescope Team
Now that the NASA James Webb Space Telescope has reached its destination a million miles from Earth and begins beaming back images of the deepest parts of space this summer, Charity Woodrum, a 2018 UO alumna, will be among the first to pore over them, looking for clues to how our galaxy came to be.
Oscar-nominated Alumus Films Hunger Ward, Lifeboat, 50 Feet from Syria
Six years in the making, three powerful films by UO theater arts alumnus and award-winning documentary filmmaker Skye Fitzgerald raise awareness and shine stark light on the plight of their subjects. He calls the projects his “humanitarian trilogy.”
AK Ikwuakor Is Hurdling The Pandemic
Sociology alumnus AK Ikwuakor is now founder of MobileXA business consulting and sales excellence coach lead at Google, as well as producer to the Mornings with Coach AK podcast.
For "The Five Wounds," Four Words
Creative writing alumna Kirstin Valdez Quade is an award-winning novelist and creative writing professor at Princeton University.
In Pursuit of Justice
UO alumna Nayeon Kim believes there is benefit to society in reducing the prison terms of people of color and others victimized by excessive sentences and systemic racism. And she is dedicated to this work.
Native Voice: Jana Schmieding
With Rutherford Falls, Jana Schmieding promotes Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
Alumnus Spotlight: Nathan Harris
Nathan graduated with a BA in English, and now he’s a New York Times bestselling author.
Alumnus Spotlight: Rudy Omri
Rudy earned his MA in Geography, and now he works for Planet helping customers use satellite images of the earth to fight wildfires.
Alumna Spotlight: Lauren Tierney
Lauren graduated with a BA and M.S. in Geography, and how she works for the Washington Post as a Graphics Editor.
Alumnus Spotlight: Jesse Nett
Jesse earned his degree in Geography from UO and now he’s the Regional Cartographer for the USDA Forest Service in Colorado.
Alumnus Spotlight: Mark Carrato
Mark earned his MA in Global Studies, and now he’s the coordinator for the Power Africa Program.
Alumna Spotlight: Ava Jamerson
Ava graduated from the UO in 2018 with a double major in Chinese and Business Administration and now, she is working for the Department of Commerce as an international trade specialist at the International Trade Administration and Director of Operations for The China Guys.
Alumnus Spotlight: Bennet Voorhees
Bennet double majored in Chinese and Economics, and now he’s using both as a data scientist.
Alumna Spotlight: Peace Corps to the Oregon Forest
Kathryn Desvignes Holder graduated in 2017 with a master's in global studies. Holder's coursework focused on cross-cultural communication, which provided her with a foundation to work alongside diverse voices surrounding the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon.
Gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences can help our students make the most of their college careers. Support from our alumni and friends can provide students access to hands-on learning, internships, research opportunities and more. Our faculty, the new professional advisors in Tykeson Hall and our staff prepare students from the moment they arrive on campus to when they launch into their career. Your contributions help assure that teaching, research, advising, mentoring, and support services are robust and fully available to every student.