Major: Family Human Services and Public Relations
Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon

Baldwin-Chee is a PathwayOregon, Home Flight, Diversity Excellence and Jewel Bell scholar. As an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, she is involved in the Native community both on and off campus. She has been part of the Native American Student Union and interned at the UO's Student Academy to Inspire Learning program and at the Vivian Olum Child Development Center. She has also worked at UO Counseling Services as the Native American Liaison and member of the student advisory board since her sophomore year.

The Native American and Indigenous Studies Academic Residential Community was a resource on campus that shaped her experience at the UO, Baldwin-Chee says. After graduation, she plans to attend the Strategic Communications master’s program through the UO School of Journalism and Communication

What made UO feel like home: “Although transitioning from home to college was more difficult than anticipated, the community potluck dinners at the Many Nations Longhouse reminded me of my family. It made me feel like I had a safe place on campus with people that understood what I was going through.”

Major: Environmental Studies
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Carney, a first-generation, Latinx student, came to UO as transfer student, interested in studying the environment with an emphasis on policy and sustainable design. Her two-year experience at UO was unique because of the inspiring professors in her major, the beautiful campus, the Knight Library (a favorite place of hers) and the entire Duck community.

This summer, she plans to intern at a local community garden that works with Food for Lane County. She is excited about the hands-on learning experience and building a network of people who share a similar passion for environmental studies and agriculture. After graduation, Carney plans to live abroad for six months, traveling across Europe and volunteering for conservation work while she's there. Afterward, she wants to come back to Oregon and pursue a career in conservation or sustainable/regenerative agriculture.

Advice for incoming Ducks: “Utilize all the resources available on campus. From tutoring and office hours to clubs and organizations, there are tons of opportunities intended to help you with anything you’re struggling with, as well as have fun and meet new people.”

Major: Folklore and Sociology
Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Ingraham-Tuttle is a Summit Scholar and Robert D. Clark Honors College student. She has been a member of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Education team and has worked as the chair of Connect the Ducks, which organizes free student events, such as an ‘80s roller-skating night and spring carnival. In those roles, she has helped students build community through engaging and entertaining events and by creating and sharing information to prevent and address substance use. She has been immensely grateful to help build a healthy and safe community for all.

Ingraham-Tuttle also worked as a research assistant on the Searching for the Cayuse 5 project through the Clark Honors College. After graduation, she will be continuing her studies at the UO School of Law.

Advice for incoming Ducks: “My biggest advice is to say yes. I believe in the importance of diving into activities and exploring them. I never thought that event planning might speak to me, but I have ended up feeling so connected to the community and building my leadership and outreach skills through that work.”

Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon

Wong is a Summit scholar. He served as a financial controller supporting UO student government and was a member of the Lundquist College Investment Group. He says that both organizations helped him explore his career interests through hands-on work, developing practical professional and technical skills while building relationships with people who share the same passion and interests.

Wong feels he was able to have a positive impact on his peers, whether helping student organizations put on events that promote diversity on campus or being a mentor to others in the Investment Group and finding ways to make the group more valuable to members.

After graduation, Wong will be moving to Redmond, Washington., to work for Microsoft as a financial analyst. This summer, he plans to spend time traveling and with family.

What made UO feel like home: “After experiencing the atmosphere at Autzen Stadium for the first time, I knew UO was where I belonged. And even as a lifelong Oregonian and someone who was somewhat familiar with the Oregon Ducks already, seeing how much fun everyone was having with ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Shout’ showed me how special of a community I was going to be a part for the next four years.”

Major: Juris Doctor, School of Law
Hometown: Butte, Montana

Before coming to UO, Jaksha had never lived outside Montana, and he feels he could not have been successful without the people he met here and who made Eugene feel like home.

Jaksha has been the treasurer of the Student Bar Association and an academic senator in student government. He’s also been involved with the Sports & Entertainment Law Forum, Law of Entrepreneurship Student Association and the Moot Court. Those experiences have taught him how to work with people of different backgrounds and different life stages, Jaksha says, since law school students range in age from mid-20s to early 60s and bring unique perspectives to solving challenges.

After graduation, Jaksha is moving to Boise, Idaho. Upon passing the Idaho Bar Exam, he will begin his legal career as an associate attorney with the corporate division of the Hawley Troxell firm.

Advice for incoming Ducks: “Take advantage of your early years in college to get out and meet new people who come from different backgrounds. This will help you broaden your perspective of the world and help you become a more well-rounded individual.”

Major: Journalism and Public Relations
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon

Ely launched his undergraduate experience by joining the Media and Social Action ARC, which he says was an incredible way to meet new people. He also got involved early in UO student government, first as a student senator and then as the general chief of staff for the ASUO executive branch.

In the School of Journalism and Communication, Ely worked on a research project with professor David Markowitz that he presented at the International Communication Association conference in Paris, France. He also worked with professor Seth Lewis as a research assistant on projects around ChatGPT and its potential impact on the journalism profession. Ely was selected for the 2023 cohort of SOJC students that attended and reported on the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day at UN Headquarters in New York. He also has had internships for Lane County and Oregon state government, the Polygon Market boutique marketing agency and the U.S. Department of State.

After graduation, Ely plans to find a job as a lab manager/research coordinator at a communications or psychology lab and then eventually pursue a Ph D.

Advice for incoming Ducks: “I would recommend looking into research opportunities on campus. Research doesn't always look like white lab coats in a sterile environment. There are all different types of research out there!”