2025 Opening Days Leader Profiles

Addison she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Longmeadow, MA
Major(s): Data Science
Minor(s): none

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing is seeing so many people on the Quad when it's nice out!

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 photographer, now I want to do something with statistics and data science, although I am not completely sure what.

Go-to karaoke song?
Careless Whisper by George Michael

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a jellyfish so that I could explore the ocean and just float around all day.

Adriana She/her

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

Favorite thing about WU!
The cherry blossom trees!

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.

Go-to karaoke song?
How Far I’ll Go by Auliʻi Cravalho

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a a chimpanzee and I would spend the day climbing tall trees and swinging on vines.

Ali She/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Business or Spanish

Favorite thing about WU!
The supportive professors, amazing friends, and our beautiful 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 because I saw that my teachers got food from the teachers lounge. I want to be a group therapist/clinician in a rehabilitation facility for people struggling with addictions and mental health problems.

Go-to karaoke song?
Piano man by Billy Joel

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a sea turtle because I would want be able to live underwater with the fish

Allison she/her/ella

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

Favorite thing about WU!
Campus in the Spring!

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, but now I want to be a lawyer or social worker.

Go-to karaoke song?
Una Rosa - 3AM

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be an owl and sleep on a branch.

Arthur He/Him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Kamuela Hawaii
Major(s): I'm about to declare: Envi-Sci & Data-Sci Double Major
Minor(s): None

Favorite thing about WU!
I LOVEEEEEEE The Nature!!! Specifically the Star Trees

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be an entomologist and study bugs. Now I just want to do environmental research and solve problems

Go-to karaoke song?
I can't sing, to be honest with ya'll. But, If I had to pick: Rusty Cage by Soundgarden to choose, it would be

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A cow, or an octopus. As a cow I'd just chill and enjoy having 4 stomachs. As a Octopus, I would explore every nook and cranny of the Ocean that I could.

Ava She/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Major(s): Psychology & Public Health
Minor(s): None

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing is how connected everyone is! I love the intimacy in classes that then translate into student life. People care about each other and there is a lot of support.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be an OBGYN when I was younger. Now, I am interested in child advocacy and child policy.

Go-to karaoke song?
Love Story

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a panda. Pandas are super cute, silly, and lazy. I would just eat all day, play, and sleep.

Ava Any/all

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Santa Barbara, California
Major(s): psychology, music
Minor(s): none

Favorite thing about WU!
I love how important community is to everyone!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I've known I've wanted to work in the psychology field since childhood. Now, I want to either be a therapist or go into music education.

Go-to karaoke song?
Love Song - Sara Bareilles

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
seagull! I want to fly and also explore the ocean :)

Cassie she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
Major(s): CCM
Minor(s): Public Health

Favorite thing about WU!
The campus is beautiful and all the staff are super supportive!

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

Go-to karaoke song?
Any One Direction song

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a jellyfish and just float around all day with no thoughts.

Chloe

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Eugene, OR
Major(s): Art History
Minor(s): Archeology

Favorite thing about WU!
The history departments and 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 geologist, and now I want to be an Art Historian/Curator of 20th century art movements

Go-to karaoke song?
I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A red fox, I'd hop through a field during the summer and have fun.

Clare she/they

Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Helena, Montana
Major(s): Spanish and math
Minor(s): none!

Favorite thing about WU!
The community and community spaces

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 open my own cafe, now I'm thinking of becoming a high school teacher

Go-to karaoke song?
Vehicle (ides of march)

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a cat and I would knock as many things off the counter as I could and then fall asleep in a sunny spot

Derec he/they

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Sherwood, OR
Major(s): Data Science & Computer Science
Minor(s): Music

Favorite thing about WU!
The birds on campus!!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a lawyer, now I want to be a Professor!

Go-to karaoke song?
Super Bass by Nicki

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Some sort of falcon

Dylan He/Him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai'i
Major(s): Sociology, Psychology
Minor(s): N/A

Favorite thing about WU!
Definitely the community and active club environment-- there's so much to do and there's something for everybody!

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 veterinarian, but now I want to do social work or work in social services.

Go-to karaoke song?
Love - Keyshia Cole OR Touch - Katseye

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
An otter because they don't do much. I would make a best friend who is also an otter and hold hands while we sleep so we don't drift from each other.

Emilie She/her

Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Oceanside, California
Major(s): History and Civic Communications and Media
Minor(s): Cinema Studies

Favorite thing about WU!
The community! Also the cherry blossoms in the spring :)

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 mermaid! Now I want to be a teacher or a librarian

Go-to karaoke song?
Mr. Brightside or Hotel California

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would like the be a pampered house cat, and I would spend the day lounging in the sun

Ernest He/Him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Major(s): PPLE & Econ
Minor(s): Data Science

Favorite thing about WU!
My friends

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
World Leader - Corporate Lawyer

Go-to karaoke song?
Liquid Smooth by Mitski

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
The ducks by the millstream

Evyn

Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Salem Oregon, United States
Major(s): Data Science
Minor(s): Computer Science

Favorite thing about WU!
The Mill Stream + The Local Ducks

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 entomologist (someone who studies insects) and work with the FBI’s forensics department. But now, I think I’d like to apply my data science background, enlist in the United States Air Force, and work in IT or cybersecurity.

Go-to karaoke song?
Katy Perry - California Gurls

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I'd be a duck, and I would float around in the mill stream all day, enjoy sunbathing, and spin in circles.

Grace She/Her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Silverton, OR USA
Major(s): Public Health Ethics, Advocacy and Leadership
Minor(s): Civic Communications and Media (Undeclared)

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing about Willamette is the small class sizes! I like that I get to know my classmates and that I get more focused feedback from my professors than I would at a bigger university.

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 teacher. Now, I want to work in public health education in some way.

Go-to karaoke song?
My go-to karaoke song is The Other Side (from the Greatest Showman). Its a great duet and I don't like to sing by myself.

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
If I could be an animal for a day I would love to be a frog so I could climb up trees and walls and just jump around.

Hannah any/all

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Hawaii
Major(s): Biology
Minor(s): None

Favorite thing about WU!
The ducks!!

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 ballerina, now I want to be a doctor (idk what kind just yet).

Go-to karaoke song?
Let it go

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a house cat to feel what it's really like to be spoiled and laze around all day.

Isabel Any

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Denver, CO
Major(s): English Literature, CCM
Minor(s): None

Favorite thing about WU!
The community and the ducks

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 artist, now I want to be a librarian.

Go-to karaoke song?
Anything by ABBA

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

Izzy she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Denver CO, USA
Major(s): Currently undeclared, I intend to take Computer Science and Data Science.
Minor(s): Currently undeclared, still experimenting!

Favorite thing about WU!
The community! I love knowing so many people and feeling at home here. Everyone is always willing to meet someone new and have a conversation. It truly is a special place, and I wouldn't trade the people here for the world.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I always wanted to be an astronaut-or a cat lady. Now I want to work with data from space to understand our universe better, and make games.

Go-to karaoke song?
The Other Side from The Greatest Showman - I call Zack Efron's part!

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would love to be a Peregrine falcon. I think flying would already be amazing, and being able to dive over 200 miles per hour would be so fun! The freedom and perspective you would have sounds uneatable.

Izzy She/Her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Portland, OR
Major(s): I'm still exploring but I'm leaning towards something in humanities.
Minor(s): N/A

Favorite thing about WU!
I love the campus and how community-oriented everyone is!

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 anesthesiologist, but now I am not sure what I want to do.

Go-to karaoke song?
"No Rain" Blind Melon

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a swan, and for half the day I would fly, and for the other half I would swim!

Jasper he/him and they/them

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major(s): Studio Art and Chemistry
Minor(s): French

Favorite thing about WU!
The community and clubs! (shoutout Willamette Rugby!)

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 veterinarian! Now I want to go into making art for video games and comics.

Go-to karaoke song?
Boys Don't Cry- The Cure

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Red Tailed Hawk so I could experience what its like to fly!!

Jay he/him

Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): n/a

Favorite thing about WU!
The chocolate chip cookies from the Bistro!

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 construction worker. Now, I want to pursue a career in Student Affairs in Higher Education.

Go-to karaoke song?
I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys)

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a snipe for a day and I would just sit there and "MEEP!" all day :)

Katelyn She/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Las Vegas
Major(s): PPLE
Minor(s): 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?
Fashion designer, a State Governor

Go-to karaoke song?
It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, Celine Dion

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Cat, I would probably sleep in the sun all day.

Katie She/Her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major(s): Civic Communications and Media
Minor(s): Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics

Favorite thing about WU!
The connections I’ve made and the classroom experience

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a candy store owner/film director, now I want go into advertising and design

Go-to karaoke song?
Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a barn owl, and I would turn my head all the way around and fly.

Kaya she/they

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Major(s): Psychology & Sociology
Minor(s): n/a

Favorite thing about WU!
the nature and the bistro!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
marine biologist, outdoor educator

Go-to karaoke song?
suit n tie - justin timberlake

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
a hawk, I wanna be able to fly around

Kendall she/her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Major(s): PPLE
Minor(s): Studio Art

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 teacher, and now I want to be an attorney

Go-to karaoke song?
Since U Been Gone

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
A moose, and I’d just hang around.

Kiele She/Her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Keizer, OR
Major(s): Theatre
Minor(s): N/A

Favorite thing about WU!
Hatfield Library

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Actor when I was a kid...and Actor now!

Go-to karaoke song?
Party in the U.S.A

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

Kole He/him

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Yokohama, Japan
Major(s): Computer Science, Theater
Minor(s): Data Science

Favorite thing about WU!
The people!

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Used to want to be a paleontologist. Now I want to be film actor and program on the side

Go-to karaoke song?
The Line - Twenty One Pilots

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Lizard. Sun bathe on a rock.

Lev He/Him

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Major(s): Math and Data Science
Minor(s): N/A

Favorite thing about WU!
The people! All the different communities that I've been apart of so far have been full of really awesome and cool people :)

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I really wanted to be a chef or any food related job, but now I really have no clue beyond something to do with Math.

Go-to karaoke song?
Bye Bye Bye !

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be an otter and be unbothered and moisturized, focused and flourishing being happy in my own lane.

Lola

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Steilacoom, Washington
Major(s): Computer Science and Data Science
Minor(s): Potentially Mathematics

Favorite thing about WU!
All the opportunities (and the people)!!

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 would love to be a software engineer!

Go-to karaoke song?
Riptide by Vance Joy (I think)

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a butterfly and fly through the sky

Lynn They, them

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Oregon, Utah
Major(s): History/English
Minor(s): Spanish

Favorite thing about WU!
My favorite thing about campus is all 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 singer when I was a kid, but now I want to travel the world.

Go-to karaoke song?
Applause by Lady Gaga

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would want to be a dragon and fly, but if that's not an option then I would be a manta ray and swim around a reef with my manta ray friends

Maddie she/they

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Ketchikan, AK
Major(s): PPLE
Minor(s): History and Economics

Favorite thing about WU!
The cherry blossoms in the spring 🌸

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
A pop star. Now a senator.

Go-to karaoke song?
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
An otter- the cat of the sea

Meghla she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Bangladesh
Major(s): Data Science & Psychology
Minor(s): Computer Science

Favorite thing about WU!
Close connection with Professors

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Kpop idol, UX researcher at Google

Go-to karaoke song?
Fantastic Baby

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

Rhianon She/Her

Year: Class of 2027
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado
Major(s): English
Minor(s): History and Classics

Favorite thing about WU!
The campus! I love watching the leaves change in the Fall and seeing all the trees bloom in the Spring.

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 author, now I want to be a Librarian.

Go-to karaoke song?
That's What I Like- Bruno Mars

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a bird and fly around a forest, just to see what its like.

Sage she/her

Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Valley Springs, California
Major(s): Environmental Science
Minor(s): Biology

Favorite thing about WU!
The weather (rain, snow, four seasons!), getting to know our Professors, and meeting so many other cool people!

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 veterinarian, now I want to pursue wildlife conservation and preservation

Go-to karaoke song?
The Climb by Miley Cyrus

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a snow leopard and explore the Himalayas.

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 people and the supportive environment. Willamette has a strong sense of community and I appreciate the friendships I have made 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 veterinarian. Now, I want to work in a National Park and be an environmental researcher.

Go-to karaoke song?
Pitch Perfect Treblemakers Final Performance

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I would be a grizzly bear and climb some trees.

Sophia She/Her

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

Favorite thing about WU!
I love how gorgeous the campus is in the spring and fall!

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

Go-to karaoke song?
Dancing Queen

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
Something that lives underwater so I could see what it was like swimming around all day

Sydney she/her

Year: Class of 2028
Hometown: Okahoma City, Oklahoma
Major(s): PPLE & History
Minor(s): not decided

Favorite thing about WU!
the community and the ability to connect with so many people

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
a juvenile lawyer as a kid and still a juvenile laywer now (my mom worked for dhs)

Go-to karaoke song?
9-5 by Dolly Parton

If you could be any animal for a day, which would you be and what would you do?
I’d be a baby sea otter. I’d float on my back in a kelp forest, holding hands with other otters so we don’t drift apart (because, yes, they actually do that 😭).