Emily Guerra

This is a photo of me in my hometown of Babylon, Long Island.* 

Degree: MS in Sports Product Design

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2022

Prior Degree
Bachelor of Industrial Design, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

2021 Scholarship
Michael and Stacy Koehn Award

I Am Originally From Long Island, NY

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
The location in Portland, Oregon was a big part of making my decision to go to UO. My goal is to be a sports product footwear and apparel designer and Portland is the place to be!

I played basketball in college and grew up playing multiple sports and I have always wanted to do something in the sports industry. I have great sports knowledge and understand the athlete. UO is the only school that offers this program.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, being a part of varsity teams and travel teams and I continued my basketball career in college. I have also gone through many injuries, two of which required surgery. I bring a unique experience as I understand the athlete after being one.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
Susan Sokolowski, Professor ad Director of the Sports Product Design program, has been very influential and someone I look up to as a mentor and professor. She has great knowledge about the sports industry. She has helped me improve my presentation skills, graphic design skills, research skills, and apparel skills. I have seen such an improvement and I am very thankful because it has created many more opportunities for me.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
My greatest experience at UO has to be working with my colleagues. Moving across the country during a global pandemic was not easy and took me out of my comfort zone. UO allowed students to work in the studio this past year which has allowed me to meet and work with many of my colleagues who now I consider friends. Professors, studio technicians, and students all work together and create a collaborative environment I want to work in, making my experience at UO even better.

AFTER GRADUATION
I hope to work at a sports product design company as a footwear or apparel designer.

YOUR GIFT
My goal is to manufacture and license my product to companies. Gaining experience in bringing a product to market and work with many different companies and professionals.

Thank you for the resource to help me move this project forward. These funds will help me start working with designers and engineers to create the tooling for my product. It is quite difficult to have the funds to move any of your projects into a manufactured and patented product as a student. It is a great experience I think more students should strive to have.

*Photo Caption—This is the Babylon Docks along the Great South Bay with the Robert Moses Bridge in the background. I grew up boating, fishing, and going to the beach. When I wasn’t sketching, prototyping, playing sports, or coming up with crazy project ideas, I would always do something involving the water and this is a place I have always enjoyed.