Maia Campos

This is a photo of me in a chair that I designed in Copenhagen during my study abroad. In doing this program I am able to graduate a year early so that I may start my career sooner.

Degree: Bachelor of Interior Architecture

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024

2023 Scholarship
Gunilla K. Finrow Excellece in Interior Architecture Scholarship

I Am Originally From Sacramento, CA

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose the University of Oregon because it’s a great place for me to be independent but still close enough to home. I appreciate the support and resources UO has to offer and the communities they try to build to ensure the success of students. For me, my closest friends have been my classmates and I think that having this community and support from each other is what makes UO feel special as opposed to the competitive nature I know other schools have amongst peers. It also feels very equal as we are able to openly communicate to our professors where we collaborate and try to problem solve together, rather than it being a top down college.

I have always been interested in Architecture and interiors. It was easy for me as I was always surrounded by art and design through my dad and grandfather who both taught me the basics of art and design. I always love housing as well and I knew that I wanted to eventually design those spaces and grew even more into critiquing other spaces that it felt right to me.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I am a first generation Asian American where both of my parents had to work hard to get me to where I am today. I grew up with my grandpa who taught me about architecture who gave up his degree to come to America and create a better life for us and so I have always been very focused on community and low-income design to try and give equal opportunity in my designs to allow for it to be universal, not just in a disability aspect but also socially and economically.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
One of my most influential professors has been Junichi Satoh, Visiting Faculty Fellow in Design for Spatial Justice, who I had in my sophomore year. He showed me what it meant to be free with design and that the possibilities are endless regardless of what we know or don’t know. He made me feel as though I was being heard and that my experiences and design talents are valued and something that is necessary to create a better future.

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I am currently the Co-Director for the UO Hui ‘O Hawai’i Club and was the Lu’au Coordinator in 2022. I grew up in Hawai’i when I was younger and my whole family and extended family immigrated there so it is a place I always call home. I grew up with this culture of Aloha and taking care of one another and providing for everyone and the beautiful land. This club has helped me feel that community as my parents and I moved to the mainland and now to Oregon, I am able to feel that culture and embrace again. I also have danced hula and being able to do that in Oregon and showing that to the public makes me proud of where I come from and the culture I have that is a part of me.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
The greatest learning experience I have had is being able to learn how to challenge others and speak up for what we think isn’t working. I think that as students sometimes we are afraid to, but school is about learning and experimenting with what could be and having that ability to do so and watch it come together is the best thing.

AFTER GRADUATION
I hope to design for lower income and hospitality design as I appreciate the intimate home spaces but also social spaces that bring us together. I know I will always have human-centered design at the forefront.

YOUR GIFT
This scholarship is important to me as this will be my final year in college and I have been very independent with my other expenses so this will greatly help offset costs as I will be able to enjoy more than working all the time. I currently work two jobs to support myself and to have this scholarship helps take some of the burden off my parents and myself. This helps me to focus more on my upcoming terminal project that I hope to present and win awards for as it is a project that means a lot to me so I can make it the best it can be.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support. I have had a lot going on to ensure that I can earn a college education and once covid hit, I wasn’t exactly sure what my future would be, as many things were starting to fall apart. So being able to be so close to the finish line makes me so happy and having the help makes me feels so grateful for this opportunity to pursue a degree in design. thank you!