Meet Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s new M.S. in business cohort
The newest Master of Science in business cohort started class in August 2026, bringing diverse academic backgrounds, professional experiences and passions. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½’s unique graduate-level business program will help them through specific tracks and coursework in sport leadership and design and innovation.
Student spotlights
Mason Bowles
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Aliso Viejo, California
Undergraduate studies: sport management
Key strengths: Hardworking, good project partner
Excited to: Learn more about the sports world.
Goals: Become comfortable speaking in front of people.
Jackson Bui
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Tigard, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Finance
Key strengths: Quantitative reasoning, problem‑solving, data analytics, evidence‑based decision‑making
Excited to: Dive into the design & innovation track, hands‑on capstones and mentorship.
Goals:
Short‑term: Develop design thinking and innovation frameworks that turn data into strategy.
Long‑term: Move into a leadership role bridging finance, analytics and innovation strategy.
David Contreras
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: McMinnville, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Finance, management minor
Key strengths: Disciplined, self‑aware, competitive, resilient, detail‑oriented
Excited to: Collaborate with new people and grow as a student and adult.
Goals: Continue personal and academic growth, create new relationships and apply program learning to future endeavors.
Kyle Fairbanks
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Bend, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Kinesiology
Key strengths: Strong communicator, people‑first mindset, leadership, teamwork
Excited to: Learn what makes a good leader in sports business and to travel to Spain for capstone projects.
Goals:
- Create a meaningful fellowship project.
- Make new connections.
- Learn skills for a passion‑driven career.
- Gain knowledge to start a business.
- Travel to Barcelona for the international capstone.
Joseph Henderson
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: New Braunfels, Texas
Undergraduate studies: Business management
Key strengths: Work ethic, positivity, leadership
Excited to: Work with a small class and get to know and learn from my professors and classmates. I’m also looking forward to the end-of-year trip!
Goals: Improve my entrepreneurial skills, expand my network, become a better leader and finish the program with a better sense of direction for my future.
Mary Huber
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Amity, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Project management; minor in computer information systems
Key strengths: Honesty, humor, fairness, humility, perseverance
Excited to: Deepen leadership and business skills and learn from real‑world case studies.
Goals: Build a rewarding career that blends my passions with program skills to positively impact my community.
Kaanan Huffman
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: West Linn, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Business administration
Key strengths: Communication, public speaking
Excited to: Further leadership development.
Goals: Be the best learner possible.
Brooks Lerfald
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Eugene, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Finance major, economics minor
Key strengths: Positive, resilient, hardworking, strong communication
Excited to: Build skills for a future career.
Goals: Build a career that is meaningful and allows me to create positive impact.
Lukas McNabb
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Scappoose, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Business management, minor in sports management
Key strengths: Strong work ethic, strong leadership skills, effective communication
Excited to: Work with others and gain valuable knowledge for the future.
Goals: Build valuable career skills and strong connections through the program.
Keighton Preston
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Kaneohe, Hawaii
Undergraduate studies: Communications
Key strengths: High energy, understanding, motivated
Excited to: Complete the capstone project in Spain.
Goals: Be the best group member in the cohort.
Tanner Relling
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Eugene, Oregon
Undergraduate studies: Business management
Key strengths: My ability to lead as well as work well within a team.
Excited to: Learn more about the business world and sharpen academic skills.
Goals: Complete the master’s program with diligence.
Matua Tomas Whalen
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Umatac, Guam
Undergraduate studies: Marketing major, sports management minor
Key strengths: Public speaking, presenting, market analysis, public outreach, marketing
Excited to: Improve teamwork abilities and learn new workplace skills.
Goals: Try my hardest and succeed in all I do!
Trenton Wainfeld
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½town: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate studies: Finance
Key strengths: Hardworking, organized, adaptable, works well with others
Excited to: Work with others passionate about business and to problem‑solve.
Goals: Develop leadership skills, become more creative and work better in team environments.