“The UO was always on my radar,” said Jurell Scott, a Portland native now at the Lundquist College of Business.
“The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the building was,” he said of his high school summer camp visits to the Lillis Business Complex, the university’s first LEED-certified sustainable building.
Scott said the college’s updated and efficient curriculum was another draw.
As a Pathway Oregon student, Scott’s tuition is covered. Scott is also the recipient of the Ann and Mark Edlen Scholarship.
“On top of that I got a couple outside scholarships that covered my room and board,” he said.
During his freshman year, he realized marketing was a great fit.
“It is always changing, and you can always do it in so many different ways,” he said.
He also added a minor in psychology to his course load.
“I realized what drew me most was learning about people and studying people,” he said.
Other academic highlights include a creative idea for interactive short films on social media to promote the new Space Jam movie and a project for Euphoria Chocolate Company addressing marketing, rebranding, signage, and displays.
Scott said his courses and clubs, including the Oregon Blockchain Group, connected him with other students, and he enjoyed making friends from different concentrations. He has also gained friendships and insights through networking—including at the Black Alumni Network tailgate.
“I've talked with some of the alumni, and it’s nice to hear what kinds of work they did post-college, the steps they took to get to where they are, and how they got to that level,” he said. “I learned people’s lives go all over, and there are multiple paths to success.”
When the UO temporarily transitioned to online class meetings due to COVID-19, Scott decided to focus on his priorities: graduating on time and making sure he was taking care of himself.
“I wanted to come out a better person, so I really went all in,” he said. “I spent time doing a lot of self-reflection outside of school and taking care of my health—like working out or even just stretching—just being more aware of my personal well-being.”
Another example of personal improvement: “Using my voice as a whole is a big thing that I got out of it,” he said. “I’m glad I did because now if I’m not OK with something, I’m comfortable with saying it. Before I might just let it slide. I even talk in class now.”
Outside the business college, Scott is the codirector of the Black Male Alliance—a support space for students, staff, faculty, and alumni to gather and create community. He is also a member of a Black Student Union and the National Association of Black Journalists. Scott is a photographer and contributes to “We the Cookout,” UO’s student-led publication for amplifying multicultural voices.
He said he can also be found at Oregon Hall, visiting the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence (CMAE) or seeing a Pathway or Trio advisor.
“I feel like the university has a lot of great spaces. I especially want minorities to know you have places you can go to have community,” he said.
—AnneMarie Knepper-Sjoblom ’05, Lundquist College Communications