Graduation profile: Rachel Cushman (with video)
Rachel Lynne Cushman, 23, will receive her bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies when she graduates from the University of Oregon on June 14. She is from Portland.
Academic accomplishments:
I was the recipient of the 2010 Frohnmayer Award for Public Service. Awarded annually by the Oregon Law Alumni Association, (it) recognizes a graduate, faculty member or friend of Oregon Law whose public service brings honor to the school.
Extracurricular/leadership activity:
I am the Associated Students of University of Oregon legislative affairs coordinator, as well as the Oregon Student Association Joint Committee chair. During 2008-09, I was the Oregon Students of Color Coalition coordinator and co-chair. I have been the Native American Student Union co-director, as well as general member since 2005. In 2007, I was co-director of the Multicultural Center, focused on outreach and external activities, and also served as its resources coordinator (2006-07). I participated in MEChA’s Mujeres (2006-08) and am a member of The Friars.
Attending and graduating college is significant to my family because … I am a first-generation college student and an enrolled member of the Lower Chinook Indian Nation. I come from a low-income family, and my parents and siblings sacrificed a lot to make sure that I had the ability to attend college. They did everything in their power to make sure that I had the ability to do well while I was here, even though they did not have the financial means of sending me to college.
The reason I chose the University of Oregon for my education is … because it is close to home, yet is a creditable institution. The University of Oregon had the ability to give me the tools for success.
The most rewarding experience/challenge I’ve had while earning my degree was … writing my senior thesis. I was able to write about issues that incorporated my culture with academia.
My proudest accomplishment while at the UO is … being an active member of the Oregon Student Association and helping pass the Safer Schools Act, a piece of state legislation that gave K-12 public schools the tools to prevent bullying and harassment. Testifying in Salem on behalf of students was a rewarding experience.
While pursuing my degree I was most inspired by … two different groups of people. First, the students I attended the University of Oregon with are amazing. The leadership development that takes place on this campus is unprecedented. Students have a voice and a power to direct the cultural and physical development of this campus. The second group of individuals that were most inspirational was the professors in the Ethnic Studies Department. They are dedicated to their students and their students’ dreams.
My UO degree is valuable because … I will be able to further my educational experience and one day I will be a Sovereign Nations lawyer.
After graduation, I plan to use my degree from the UO to … work as a community organizer for a couple years before moving on to law school.
