As a new group of Ducks takes flight, hear from some of the members of the class of 2026 in their own words.
Sophia Morgan
Major: Child behavioral health
Hometown: Belmont, California
“Some advice I would give to incoming and current students is to take the time to slow down and enjoy the little moments with the people around you. Four years go by so much faster than you think, so be sure to take a moment and soak up all the time you have with the friends you have made and will make.”
Carrie Bohannon
Major: Planning, public policy and management
Hometown: Bel Air, Maryland
“A large part of my student experience was completing an undergraduate thesis through the honors college. While the project was daunting, it is one of the things I’m proudest of from my collegiate career. To incoming and current students, if research is something that interests you, get started early!”
Sydney Weddle
Major: Human physiology, minor in chemistry
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
“A moment I felt at home was when I was rowing at Dexter with my teammates. It’s always beautiful, and those women made me feel like my contributions mattered.”
4,413
Bachelor's Degrees
815
Master's Degrees
198
Doctoral Degrees
164
Law Degrees
Jorney Baldwin
Degree: Master’s of science in couples and family therapy and master’s in strategic communications
Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon
“Don’t underestimate the value of community spaces and the people who help you feel grounded. The work will stretch you, especially in graduate school, but you don’t have to do it in isolation. Let yourself be seen, ask for help sooner than you think you need it, and remember that your story and lived experience are not separate from your academic or clinical work — they’re part of what makes your voice meaningful.”
Julio Barrales Miranda III
Degree: Master’s in applied chemistry, polymer track
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
“During my time at UO three programs made a direct difference: TRIO, DucksRISE and OPIRC. To program staff: Thank you for all the support, from providing financial support, meals, someone in your corner, and tutoring sessions to succeed in classes. And to new students: Don't be afraid to ask for help and help others when you can.”
Monica J. Parra
Degree: Juris doctorate
Hometown: Bucaramanga, Colombia
“I loved that UO offers students the opportunity to do their final year in Portland. Students can enjoy the small city vibe of Eugene while also opening doors in a bigger city like Portland. I have made wonderful connections and gained valuable in-house and judicial externship experience because of the many opportunities that we can access in these two cities.”
364
double majors
7
triple majors
67
age of oldest graduate
19
age of youngest graduate
Ji’Ri Ash-Shakoor
Major: Accounting, minor in psychology
Hometown: Murfreesboro, North Carolina
“After graduation I plan to pursue jobs in banking and finance. Over the summer I will be working and studying to pass the Securities Industry Essentials exam to set myself up for future employment in higher paying environments. My goal is to become financially free and to help others who look like me to attain the financial literacy needed to pursue their dreams.”
Ellie Auvinen
Major: Music education
Hometown: Keizer, Oregon
“The UO School of Music and Dance offers a beautiful balance of theory and practice for music education majors. I’ve learned fundamentals by reading textbooks and discussing topics. I’ve also gained hands-on experience during class exercises and hours of supervised teaching in public schools. So you learn the material, but you also connect that curriculum to the act of teaching. I think that’s prepared me for a career in education.”
Sophie Fowler
Major: Journalism, minor in multimedia
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
“Through everything that I’ve done during my time here, I have learned so much, including the importance of balancing my time, finding a community of people who are as passionate about their work as I am, and growing out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful for the past four years, the memories I have made, the skills I have learned and the people that I have met who have made me feel at home.”
