Brian Ulbricht is a 2021 graduate from Seaside, Oregon who majored in Public Policy and Administration.

 

Where did you transfer from and what has the experience been like?

I am a transfer student; I completed my associate’s degree in General Studies from Central Texas College while I was serving on active duty in the United States Army.

 

Are you an honors student?  

I am a member of SALUTE, a national honors society for student veterans. My experience with academic honors is that it motivates me to complete all assignments with quality work.

 

What has been your most memorable class? 

My most memorable class was Intro to Public Administration, because it was my first class on the WOU campus and it allowed me to connect many experiences I had as a leader in the United States Army with working in civil service. 

 

What has been your favorite annual event at WOU?  

My favorite annual event was the Tree Lighting, because it’s a great event that signifies the start of the holiday season and the conclusion of the fall term. 

 

What have some of your extracurriculars been? How did those impact your time on campus?

I have served as the treasurer and president of the Western Oregon University chapter of Student Veterans of America, where I planned events and fostered a commitment to the success of military-connected students. 

 

Do you have any advice for current and prospective students? 

My advice would be to speak up in class and engage in conversation. The professors appreciate it when students are engaged in conversations and ask questions during lectures, and it pays off in the long run.

 

What has been the highlight of your time at WOU? 

A highlight of my time at WOU was getting to travel to the National Conference of Student Veterans of America, where I got to represent the university on a national level.

 

Who stands out from your time at WOU?

The person who stands out during my time at WOU is the former director of the Veteran Resource Center, Collin Haines. He helped me transition successfully from an active duty soldier to a WOU student.

 

What was your most visited spot on campus?

During my junior year, I visited Bellamy Hall the most, largely because that’s where most of my classes were. My senior year, however, I found myself at the Veteran Resource Center socializing with other students when the campus was largely closed. 

 

What are your plans for after graduation? 

My plans after graduation are to move to Athens, Georgia to earn a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and begin a public sector career in the southeastern United States.