PLU alum takes leadership role as Tacoma’s chief equity officer
As far back as middle school, others noticed Lisa Woods’ quiet strength and power of observation. “My demeanor is to listen, hear people and see people,” she says. “I’ve developed that over time, but I’ve always been the listener in the room and not necessarily…
Sarah Saavedra ’22 shares her experience as a first-gen college student
Sarah Saavedra ’22 is a social work major with a minor in psychology and a certificate in Peace Corps Prep. The Auburn resident is the first in her family to go to college. She credits her many scholarships for navigating college as a first-year student.…
Makaela Whalen ’23 pursues newly launched pre-law minor
Makaela Whalen ’23 has a passion for the environment and animals. Her desire to find a meaningful vocation that feeds those passions resulted in her pursuing a degree in either environmental or animal law. “As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to…
The Head in the Game: Q&A with PLU Coach Goes Inside the Mind of an Athlete
Zach Willis ’19 earned a BA in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness promotion and minored in sport and exercise psychology while playing on the football team at Pacific Lutheran University. Last year he returned to the university to serve as the football…
Lutes Participate in Alumni Job Shadow Program
Pacific Lutheran University’s Lute Job Shadow Program is an opportunity for current students to connect with alumni working in their chosen careers. The Alumni and Student Connections Office do a great job of connecting students to alums who are working in the field they are…
Matthew Conover ’19 explains how PLU helped prepare him for a career in software engineering
When Matthew Conover ’19 was a student at PLU, he recalls someone telling him there were two types of software engineers: the ones who chose to chase the money, and the ones who had no other choice. “I fall into the latter camp,” Conover said.…
Despite a shaky past, April Reyes ’21 built a strong foundation for her future
Social work major April Reyes ’21 loves to talk about her tattoos. She has 13 total, nine of which she received while studying at PLU. She struggles to choose a favorite but says she loves to flaunt the lotus flower on the back of her…
Ian Lindhartsen ’20 uses his individualized major to pursue his passion for music
Ian Lindhartsen entered PLU with a plan. The 253 PLU Bound scholarship recipient from the Key Peninsula began his first year with plans to major in music education. But best-laid plans often go awry. Lindhartsen soon realized that wasn’t the path for him. He knew…
Global Studies major pursues medical school to support health equity
While at PLU, Margaret Chell ’18 decided to join the Peace Corps after a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer visited her global development class. She was excited about the idea of putting her global studies major to work to help others. In March of 2020, she…
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