Ethnic Studies students go on to contribute to both local and global communities. Here are some of our most recent graduates and what they have gone on to accomplish using their Ethnic Studies background.

Alumni of Ethnic Studies? Keep in touch and let us know what you are up to these days!

 

Ricardo Larios

Ricardo Larios graduated summa cum laude in 2005. In addition to a degree in Ethnic Studies, Ricardo received an international degree. Ricardo was one of twelve students selected as College of Liberal Arts outstanding seniors. His article, Ay dolor, me das otra vez: Cultural Mourning among Mexican Immigrants in Salem, OR, received the Fred Cervantes outstanding undergraduate paper award given by the National Chicano and Chicana Studies Association and was published in this organization's journal.

 

Diana Pan

Diana Pan is currently professor of Sociology at Brooklyn College CUNY.  She graduated from OSU in 2002 with degrees in Ethnic Studies and Political Science. She finished an MA degree in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State. She completed her PhD in Sociology at UC Irvine.  See her webpage. 

 

Nichole Maher

See Nichole Maher's feature story on the Ethnic Studies main page.  She graduated in 2001 (Ethnic Studies and Public Health), and has since made her impact in Native American and other communities across the Northwest.  She currently serves as President and CEO of the Northwest Health Foundation, a non-profit that supports programs and projects to improve the health of underserved people in Washington and Oregon

 

Takuichiro Kobayashi

Takuichiro Kobayashi received his BA in Ethnic Studies 2002. After completing his internship at the Nisei Cultural Center in Portland, he returned to his home in Japan where he is working as a disc jockey.

 

Jessie Leach

Jessie Leach graduated in 2013.  He lead the revival of the Ethnic Studies Student Association at Oregon State University.  He is currently enrolled as a Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) student here at OSU. 

 

Maria Ballard

Maria Ballard is a recent graduate from Oregon State and received a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Ethnic Studies. She is now pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Alaska (Anchorage) in Clinical Psychology and plans on receiving a Ph.D. in the same field. She is interested in trauma recovery and working with veterans as well as minority groups.

 

Renee Roman Nose

Renee Roman Nose graduated in 2010 from the MAIS program focusing on Applied Anthropology, Art, and Ethnic Studies. After working at the Northwest Indian College as a site manager, Renee is now the Health and Social Services Coordinator for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe.

 

Zandro Lerma

See Zandro Lerma's feature story on the Ethnic Studies homepage and the OSU main website!  He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) student here at OSU, and continues his important community work on reforming prison sentencing policy and practices for youth of color in Oregon.  

 

Megan O'Quin

Megan graduated in 2011 with an MAIS degree focusing on Adult Education, Sociology, and Ethnic Studies. She is now working right here at Oregon State as an athletic academic counselor where she takes pride in watching student athletes develop as they progress toward graduation. She also serves as the chair of the Academic Standing committee.