Creative writing senior Tresa Handforth discusses how her journey at OSU helped her discover her dreams and aspirations
Tresa Handforth
By Ellie Webb-Bowen, CLA Student Writer - November 19, 2025
Originally from Hermiston, Oregon, Tresa Handforth often felt like she was limited to how she was able to express herself in rural Eastern Oregon. She discovered writing as an outlet early on in elementary school and became an avid reader of novels and fantasy/sci-fi throughout her teenage years.
“I didn't always feel like I could dress the way I wanted to or express how I felt in the classroom,” said Handforth.
She had her eyes set on leaving her small hometown to pursue higher education, initially wanting to attend the University of Oregon in hopes of starting on the path of becoming a lawyer. After touring OSU, Handforth fell in love with the campus, which “felt like home after just a few steps”. Handforth even applied for early admission, getting in with many of her friends from Hermiston.
Initially a business major, Handforth soon became less interested in business and more interested in pursuing her creative aspiration in writing. An impactful instructor of Composition (WR 121) was what finally pushed her to officially switch majors.
“Unfortunately, I don't remember the instructor’s name, but she was a graduate student in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film at the time who was teaching Writing 121. There was something about how she taught writing and reading her feedback that inspired me to change my major to writing. I’ll never forget that class.”
At the end of the year, the student instructor told Handforth that her writing inspired some of their own, even writing a quote from one of Handforth’s stories on a stick note and stuck to her desk.
As a creative writing student, Handforth’s focus is on short stories and poetry, with two of her favorite professors being John Larison and Jennifer Richter. Lessons from Larison’s fiction writing courses, including Classical Mythology (ENG 215), and Richter’s poetry series, have stayed with Handforth and continue to impact her work.
In addition to writing on the side, Handforth has been highly involved in Chi Theta Phi, a design and creative-focused academic sorority on campus. During freshman year, Handforth went with a friend to a recruitment event to learn more and now, four years later, she’s president of the sorority.
In her role, Handforth leads meetings with her executive team and works closely with representatives of the Collective Greek Council and the Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life, as well as helping plan recruitment and sisterhood events.
“It’s a lot of dividing and conquering, you know, trying to make sure everyone else is doing what they're supposed to, but also doing my own tasks that I'm in charge of,” Handforth explained.
Handforth said anyone can join the sorority, whether you’re majoring in something creative or design-related, like graphic design, or creative writing, or just have an interest in creative arts.
“Chi Theta Phi is the perfect chapter to explore your own creativity,” continued Handforth. “You get to work with and learn from your creative peers. It’s a small group with a lot of passion.”
After graduating next spring, Handforth’s goal is becoming a screenplay writer or entering the publishing field. During the school year, she plans to continue working on her short stories and poetry; her eyes are set on moving to a bigger city to accomplish her dreams.