Jessie Silbert

This is a photo of me with the original cast of my plush toy company, Celestial Buddies. I’ve added the rest of the solar system since I incorporated the company in 2010 and hope to continue to expand into other products for mom and baby.

Degree: MS, Product Design 

Graduation Date: Spring 2020

Previous Degree: BA, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

I’m From: Guilford, CT

Why I Came to the UO and How I Chose My Major
I chose the University specifically to enroll in the Master’s of Sports Product Design degree. I have a background in fashion design but wanted to redirect my career towards designing functional products. As far as I know this is the only program of it’s kind in the country.

Unique Qualities I Bring to My Studies
I have over a decade of design experience in luxury and  women’s apparel. I also started my own company in 2010 of plush toys.

My Influential Professors
Susan Sokolowski has been an incredible influence. She is extremely knowledgable in the field I’m looking to enter and I admire her career and would like to model my own after hers.

My Greatest Learning Experience at UO
My greatest learning experiences have been the opportunities to work with the amazing professors including Prof. Sokolowski, Brett Kirby and Shannon Pomeroy. Also, having the opportunity to work as a research assistant and travel to Lugano Switzerland to present work has been a great experience.

After Graduation
There are so many things I’m excited to explore. I’ve been offered the opportunity to teach in the UO program I just completed and I’m really excited to give back to a program that I have found to be so enriching.  Once the job market turns around, I’m interested in pursuing work in innovation.  Long term, I’d like to pursue my own work including building up my current company as well as starting new business ventures.

Your Gift
My goal is to create products that help women to lead happier, healthier, and more active lives. Receiving this scholarship will help me make that a reality. It is validation that I’m on the right track.

Thank you so much for the honor of receiving this scholarship and thank you for recognizing the work of students and that great ideas can come from anyone. I also want to mention how important it is to be given this award as a woman interested in starting her own business.