Alumni Profiles

The documentary filmmaker, author, creative director, and activist focuses on telling stories about Black people, history, and culture – stories he longed to see more of growing up in the Portland area in the ’80s and ’90s.
A lifelong love for storytelling led the Oregon native to carve out a path for himself as a full-time freelance journalist, educator and Black activist, telling stories that expose social injustice.
The double Duck found learning the brand responsibility approach to advertising and building the confidence to articulate big issues has given him a distinctive advantage in his career.
Ryan Kang developed his sports-photography eye at the UO. Now he’s getting all the angles as an NFL photographer.
Yordanos Tesfazion honed her storytelling and communication skills through the Journalism Master’s program. Now she works for NPR podcasts, adding humor and empathy to discussions about race.
Duck fans will recognize journalism alum Nate Jackson’s voice as the live emcee for Oregon football and basketball. He took a wide-ranging journey to come full-circle back to UO.
Before journalism alum John Strong became the voice of soccer on FOX, he cut his teeth as a broadcaster on UO’s student-run radio station KWVA.
A pair of SOJC alumni discovered a creative connection while pursuing their advertising degrees. Now they’re a professional dynamic duo at Wieden + Kennedy.
Strategic storytelling is where public relations alum Nicole Leverich found her niche. Now she’s vice president of communications at LinkedIn.
Sutton Raphael rode his youthful passion for camerawork to the SOJC and then to a career as a filmmaker specializing in environmental education.