Bella Albiani '26 Multidisciplinary Science
Bella Albiani is studying Multidisciplinary Science with minors in Global Health and Service, Biology, Anthropology and Chemistry in the Clark Honors College. She became passionate about resource insecurity while volunteering with her local food bank during the COVID pandemic. In college, she has engaged with vulnerable communities through the UO’s prison education program, research with people experiencing homelessness and continued volunteering at food pantries and a free medical clinic. These experiences have empowered her to develop a stronger understanding of human rights frameworks in order to channel career path into shaping research and policy addressing social determinants of health.
Jessica Brannan '28 Economics | Planning, Public Policy & Management
Jessica Brannan studies Economics and Public Management in hopes of pursuing a career in economic development. She is interested in exploring the globalization of economies and its effect on small communities, specifically the exploitation of laborers in developing economies. Learning more about human rights will be integral to her understanding of these issues. Outside of academics, she works for the University of Oregon Basic Needs Program and the Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, where she equips students with the physical resources and skills they need to succeed in education and life.
Sameeha Chowdhury '26 Psychology
Sameeha is pursuing her B.S. in Psychology with minors in Legal Studies and Business Administration at the University of Oregon. A Muslim Bangladeshi American from Portland, she is passionate about addressing systemic issues like implicit racial bias and improving decision-making in the justice system. She has worked with Distressed Children & Infants International to combat child labor and expand access to education globally. At the C2 Diversity and Social Cognition Lab, she supports research on bias, categorization, and racial attitudes. By combining insights from psychology and law, she aims to help create a legal system that understands and serves diverse communities.
Andrew Gorecki '26 Architecture
Andrew is studying Architecture with a minor in Sociology and Historic Preservation at the University of Oregon. During the previous winter and summer breaks, Andrew has been interning at Scott Edwards Architecture, primarily working on sustainability initiatives and public projects. He hopes to continue this work by incorporating biophilic design within community-oriented projects. Through his involvement with the Carnegie Global Oregon Ethics Program, Andrew hopes to incorporate human rights through an architectural and advocacy lens. It's his mission to create an environment where our shared architecture and physical environment promote art, accountability, and human rights.
Tara Sarbacker '28 Architecture
Tara is studying Architecture with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Oregon Clark Honors College. As an aspiring architect, she's curious how inequity stems from the structures that define our societies. Her passion for food security prompted her to organize an Empty Bowls fundraiser and grow produce for the Linn-Benton Food Share in her hometown. Through participation in the Carnegie Global Oregon Ethics Program and Prison Education Program, she has expanded her design education to include important perspectives on human flourishing. Her goal is to help address social disparities that are caused by the built environment.
Sophia Barghouti '27 Political Science, Middle Eastern and North African Studies
Sophia Barghouti is a Palestinian student at University of Oregon, majoring in Political Science and Middle Eastern and North African Studies. With a passion for human rights work, she has gained valuable experience as a Human Rights and Disability Rights Intern at Mobility International USA, where she engages with government officials in Bahrain to discuss disability laws and programs. Sophia's commitment to advocating for social justice and equality is further showcased in her published work, "'Til Bombs Do US Part." This narrative story, inspired by real events during the 2006 war in Lebanon, highlights her deep understanding and interest in promoting human rights. She hopes to pursue a law degree in international human rights.
Bryonie McMahon '27 Political Science, Educational Foundations
Byronie McMahon (she/her) is a freshman at the University of Oregon, where she studies Education and Political Science. She hopes to use her degree to one day impact public educational policy and become a teacher. Previously, Byronie served on the Portland Public School Board, where she developed a passion for educational equity and access. She now carries this passion into her work as a Youth Advisory Board member at Plan International US. Her advocacy with Plan has led her to engagements with organizations such as the White House AI Task Force, World Bank and the Untied Nations regarding technology and girl's leadership.
Colleen Uzoekwe '24 Human Physiology
Colleen is a Human Physiology major at the University of Oregon. She participated in a research internship on public policy for human rights in medicine and she hopes to eventually become a doctor who can advocate for other with limited health knowledge. Colleen was a 2024 Rhodes National finalist.
Ruby Wool '25 Journalism
Ruby Wool is studying journalism and global health at the University of Oregon. She is entering her second term as the Governor-appointed student represtatative on the UO Bard of Trustees. As a news correspondent for the UO-UNESCO Crossings Institute, Wool aims to highlight journalism's crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future that respects human rights and welcomes diverse voices. This past May, she covered World Press Day 2024 in Santiago, Chile, where she explored the importance of freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
Miriam Yousaf '24 Global Studies
Miriam Yousaf recently graduated from the University of Oregon Clark Honors College with a BA in Global Studies and minors in Spanish, Global Health and Environmental Studies. She has worked with Environmental Justice NGO, Beyond Toxics on community health data collection and analysis, and the UO Prison Education Program, which provides education opportunities to incarcerated men and women. This fall, Miriam is attending Columbia University to pursue a Masters in International Affairs (Economic Development, Conflict Resolution). In the future, she aims to work on human rights documentation in migrant communities and conflict zones.