Alumni Profiles

Before journalism alum John Strong became the voice of soccer on FOX, he cut his teeth as a broadcaster on UO’s student-run radio station KWVA.
A pair of SOJC alumni discovered a creative connection while pursuing their advertising degrees. Now they’re a professional dynamic duo at Wieden + Kennedy.
Strategic storytelling is where public relations alum Nicole Leverich found her niche. Now she’s vice president of communications at LinkedIn.
Sutton Raphael rode his youthful passion for camerawork to the SOJC and then to a career as a filmmaker specializing in environmental education.
Rebecca Woolington and colleagues at the Tampa Bay Times won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting on the toxic business practices of a Florida lead smelter. But she got her start writing for the Daily Emerald.
Spencer Kupish makes advertising gold by infusing fun into complex ideas for Xbox. He also mentors SOJC students.
Maia Laperle is a reporter, moderator and lead podcast producer. She’s also hyper-creative, charismatic and committed to keeping communities informed.
With a passion for social-change communication and the skills she gained at the SOJC, Maeve Connor is helping people experiencing homelessness in Portland.
Using the skills she acquired in the areas of branding, communication theory and messaging, MJ Jackson realized her dream of a career in the great outdoors.
As the diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist for Sony Music Group, Madilyne Nguyen-Acosta draws on her passion for culture—and the knowledge gained from her SOJC degree.