Emma Cantor

Emma Cantor
This photo is of my flag football team, the ArchiDucks, right before one of our games last fall! I am the one kneeling with a gray headband on.

Degree: BIArch, Minor in Architecture and Business Administration

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2021

I’m From: Novato, CA

Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I chose the University of Oregon because it felt like a second home. The energy on campus, the laid-back environment of Eugene, and the shared passion for being a Duck amongst students led me to see endless possibilities for myself here. The College of Design also means a lot to me because not only has it helped me discover my passion for design, but it has also given me a close-knit group of friends that I would have never met otherwise.

My journey to choose my major was a little bit different than the standard Interior Architecture student. I actually spent my first year at the UO as a business major, and it was not until a pivotal art history class that reminded me of how much I love art and design, that I realized that business was not for me. After searching through a few options I finally landed on interior architecture and was accepted into the program. I have never regretted my decision to change majors!


Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
I grew up surrounded by art and construction, with family members working in both. While I was painting and sewing, I was also visiting job sites and looking at construction documents. These two fields, and countless experiences, have made me who I am and have influenced how I approach every project I work on. My background in business also influences my work. Combined with art and construction, I am able to look at a project from multiple perspectives, which is beneficial for the entire design process.


My Influential Professors
Professor James Harper is the reason I am studying interior architecture, because he is the one who taught the art history class that changed my perspective on my major. It was not just the content of his class, but the passionate way he talked about it that helped me rediscover my own passion. This class made me rethink why I was a business major, and gave me the confidence to switch.


My Extracurricular Activities
Currently, I am a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students. This organization puts on amazing events throughout the school year that connect me to students, architects, and other professionals in the field. I’m also on an intramural flag football team known as the Archiducks. We are hoping to expand into soccer during the spring term next year. During my my sophomore year I was on the leadership team of the International Business and Economics Club . All of these experiences have been so much fun and have helped me grow. Each one has helped me gain confidence and leadership experience that I was missing before college. They’ve also helped me make some really great friends.


My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
My  greatest learning experiences at UO have been the opportunities to discover what I am passionate about. The art history class that I took my freshmen year was extremely influential in my decision to switch to interior architecture. However, it was not the only experience that convinced me to do so. My freshmen year I was part of the International Business and Economics Club through the Lundquist College of Business. As a member, I had the opportunity to go on a site visit to different companies in San Francisco. It was while standing in one of these companies’ offices that I had my second “ah-ha” moment. After walking through their office and learning about their business strategies, I realized that I was more interested in and excited about their office design than their business tactics. I even asked the tour leader who had designed their space. This experience, combined with the art history course, made me realize that I was in the wrong major. The University of Oregon gave me the resources and the experiences that I needed to figure this out.


After Graduation
My hopes for after graduation are many, and I’m still trying to figure out the details. First, I plan to work for an architecture firm doing a range of different projects so I can figure out what I really enjoy. Eventually, I  want to go back to school for a Masters degree in either Architecture or Set Design. While at UO, I’ve had a student work position building sets at the university’s theater, and I was part of theater tech in high school. I love what I do at the the university theater, but I’m not sure if creating temporary structures is going to be the most fulfilling work, which is why I am also interested in becoming a certified architect. My education in the College of Design sets me up to go into either field, which I am extremely thankful for. Lastly, my ultimate, and craziest, hope for after graduation is to design the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics. It is a massive goal, with no set path to achieving it, but I am determined to make it a reality.


Your Gift
This scholarship is important to me because being in college for five years was not initially the plan. This allows me to continue my education with a little less stress and worries. It will help me  graduate on time, and set me up for the future career I am hoping to achieve.

Thank you!! I am so grateful for your support of my education and goals. With your help, I’ll be able to continue doing what I love and turn it into a career. If I could meet Noma Hanlon in person, I would ask for her advice on navigating the professional world after graduation. Specifically, I’d want to know about her path into branding and communications versus a typical architecture career, why she chose to do so, and what running her own firm is like.