2026 Opening Days Leader Profiles

Adriana she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major(s): Exercise and Health Science
Minor(s): Chemistry

Favorite thing about WU!
The relationships you get to build with professors, also the cherry blossoms!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a dentist, I still want to be a dentist...

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be a monkey and I would wear a backpack filled with bananas.

Allison she/her/ella

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon
Major(s): Sociology
Minor(s): Civic Communication and Media & Women's and Gender Studies

Favorite thing about WU!
Campus throughout the seasons 🍂🌸

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be the President of the United States and now I want to be a social worker :)

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a blue whale and swim in the ocean 🐋

Andrea she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major(s): Biology

Favorite thing about WU!
All the professors and advisors are so helpful and truly want to see you succeed.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be an actor, now I want to be a biomedical researcher

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a duck and just wander around campus and sit in the millstream.

Cassie she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
Major(s): Communications
Minor(s): Public Health & Global Cultural Studies

Favorite thing about WU!
There is always an event going on and there are always spaces to learn outside the classroom too

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be Batman and I still want to be Batman

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a whale and I would explore the ocean

Clare she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Stockton, California
Major(s): Exercise and Health Science
Minor(s): Spanish

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing about Willamette is the tight knit communities found on campus. Professors know their students, people know their peers and can recognize them on around school, and it's much easier to make long-lasting connections and friendships!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I really wanted to be a Veterinarian! Now, I am on track to attend nursing school and become a Nurse Anesthesiologist

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I'd be a sleepy and old dog. I'd lay in the sun for hours and enjoy the world around me

Derec he/they

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: sherwood, oregon
Major(s): comp sci, data sci
Minor(s): music

Favorite thing about WU!
The Professors/Faculty!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Lawyer, now I want to be a teacher!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
House cat so I can sit in the sun :)

Dylan he/him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai'i
Major(s): Sociology
Minor(s): PPLE

Favorite thing about WU!
My friends <3

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a Power Ranger, now I want to be a social worker.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
An otter because they're just vibing.

Em she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major(s): Public Health + Chinese
Minor(s): Business

Favorite thing about WU!
The sweet, supportive, and driven people :)

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I used to wish I could be a hair dresser because turning people's hair different colors seemed like such fun! Currently, I would love to work in health administration to increase supports for underserved communities and populations.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would love to be a hawk so that I could fly and travel anywhere in the world via the sky.

Ernest he/him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major(s): Political Science and Economics

Favorite thing about WU!
The people

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Lawyer

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A bat

George she/they

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major(s): Environmental and Data Science

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing about WU is how you are able to pursue many different passions through majors, minors, clubs, and events.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger. Now, I want to work as the liaison between scientists and the general public.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be a harbor seal. I would be able to swim and explore while also having the option to find a rock and lay in the sun.

Grace she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Silverton, OR
Major(s): Public Health
Minor(s): CCM

Favorite thing about WU!
Being a part of a community that encourages creative learning

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Teacher and Teacher

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a tree frog so that I could climb up walls and jump around all day

Hannah any pronouns

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Chemistry

Favorite thing about WU!
The community

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina now I want to be a physician.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a bird and wait until a day it’s pouring rain so I could eat all the worms on the sidewalk.

Ingrid she/ her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Fairbanks Ak
Major(s): Intending chem and PPLE

Favorite thing about WU!
The small campus

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a teacher but now I want to be a lawyer (unless that doesn’t work then I’d want to be a Lineman)

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Manatee

Izzy she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Denver, CO
Major(s): Computer Science & Data Science
Minor(s): Mathematics & Studio Art

Favorite thing about WU!
The connections I've made here with both students and staff are so beyond amazing!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I used to want to be a crazy-cat-lady, now I want to go into data analysis for astronomy.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be a manta ray so that I could explore the ocean and lay in warm sand.

Justin he/him

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Mountain View, CA
Major(s): Public Health
Minor(s): Biology

Favorite thing about WU!
The supportive and fun community

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be an architect and now want to be a family nurse practitioner

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A penguin! I would go swimming and sled down the glaciers on my stomach.

Katelyn she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Major(s): PPLE, Sociology

Favorite thing about WU!
The ducks!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a engineer as a kid, and now I want to be governor!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a bird so I could fly, walk and swim.

Lisa she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): Public Health

Favorite thing about WU!
The professors here are supportive and take the time to get you the help you need :)

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a doctor! Now, I want to go into radiation therapy.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
My cat, she's spoiled and sleeps all day, but I would take advantage of the flexibility and climb

Lola

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major(s): Computer Science and Data Science
Minor(s): Mathematics

Favorite thing about WU!
The numerous opportunities!! There are so many things to do on campus, from lectures to extracurriculars to research opportunities (it’s amazing)!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was younger I wanted to be a pop singer, now I want to be a software engineer!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I think I would be an owl and fly through the night.

Maddie she/her/they/them

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Ketchikan, Alaska
Major(s): Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics (PPLE)

Favorite thing about WU!
All of my truly amazing and caring professors.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be marine biologist by day and a pop star by night. Now I want to be a policymaker.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I'd be an otter and I would go diving for clams and then take a nap on some kelp!

Mariana she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Miami, FL
Major(s): International Studies

Favorite thing about WU!
Dance CO!!!!!!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
back-up dancer... girl idk

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A snake cause I wonder what it would be like to have no limbs lol.

Matthew he/him

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Long Beach, California
Major(s): Environmental Science and Biology
Minor(s): Religious Studies

Favorite thing about WU!
There’s always something happening on campus, you can always find something fun to do or meet new people!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a claymationist when I was a kid, but now I want to work in research and conservation in entomology or mammalogy

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be a mudskipper, they’re just living life and look wonky.

Morgan she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Hastings, NE
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Philosophy

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing about WU is the wide variety of people! There's someone for everyone!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a teen and family therapist, but now I want to become a neuroscience professor.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would definitely be a jellyfish and I would simply float around the ocean—without a care in the world—and let the current carry me wherever it takes me!

Nyakuoth she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Kearns, Utah
Major(s): Public Health
Minor(s): CCM

Favorite thing about WU!
I love the people I have met here.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid I wanted to be a midwife or pediatrician. Now I want to work with refugees as a healthcare navigator or program coordinator for the youth.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a capybara. I would eat and sleep all day.

Oliver he/they

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Major(s): Music

Favorite thing about WU!
The community

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
An ornithologist, now I want to be a high school choir teacher

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A large bird, and I would fly around and sightsee

Peyton she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska
Major(s): PPLE+Econ

Favorite thing about WU!
The community

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to rule the world, now I want to work in energy policy

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a shark and scare some tourists

Priyanka she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Bellingham
Major(s): Exercise Science

Favorite thing about WU!
I've really enjoyed the few days of sun where I could lay out on the quad

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I think I really wanted to be an ice maker like the ones from frozen now I want to be an athletic trainer for a professional team or a physical therapist

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I think I would be a cat and I would want to have one of those cat cameras on me as I explore a neighborhood

Salah she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Wahiawa, HI / Birmingham, AL
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Japanese

Favorite thing about WU!
The beautiful plants and animals we have on campus!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Veterinarian , I want to be a Therapist

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be blue jay and I would fly around to different places and just explore

Sheridan she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana
Major(s): Environmental Science
Minor(s): Biology

Favorite thing about WU!
I love the community and learning environment!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a teacher, now I want to go into research.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a giraffe so I could eat leaves on tall trees.

Sophia she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Silverton OR
Major(s): PHEAL
Minor(s): BUS

Favorite thing about WU!
The people and the fact that it is so pretty!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a vet, but now I have no idea!!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I'd be a giraffe so I could be super tall and reach the best trees

Sorya she/her

Year: Class of 2029
Hometown: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Major(s): International Studies and Psychology

Favorite thing about WU!
The people. I love that you can walk across the Quad and see 5 people you know.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid, I wanted to be an artist (I still love painting). Now, I’m aspiring to be a lawyer.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A cat

Zelda they/she

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: California, USA / Warsaw, Poland
Major(s): Musical Theater
Minor(s): Psychology

Favorite thing about WU!
The small town feel, like saying hi to everyone when I walk to class!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a performer and that's what I'm doing now!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I'd be a bird so I could sing a little tune all the time and force all the humans to listen