Channing Bushman is a 2021 graduate from Morgan Hill, California. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Special Education and Humanities, plus a minor in American Sign Language Studies. She is also an award winner from WOU’s Leadership Recognition Month, where she was recognized as the Outstanding Residence Hall Association Executive Board Member of the Year.

 

What has your experience been like as a student in the Honors Program? 

Being in the Honors Program has been a wonderful experience for me. I have particularly enjoyed the colloquium courses I took, which allowed me to be connected with passionate professors and their specific interests. 

 

Why did you choose WOU? 

I chose WOU for the ASL program, but I have always been drawn to Oregon. The first time I saw snow, embarrassingly late as a 16 year old, was driving through Oregon from California to visit family in Washington. When I found a school with an ASL program in Oregon, it felt like it was meant to be. 

 

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

I have worked in University Housing in a few different capacities on campus; hall government and Green Team my first year, then the both Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) my second and third years. I also worked in the Writing Center for a time, and [I] attended lots of various events on campus. After I got out of my homesickness shell my first term, I really dove in and got as involved as possible. All of these things have only made it more enjoyable to be a part of this campus community. 

 

What is your favorite building on campus? 

I spent lots of my time in RWEC, or the Richard Woodcock Education Center. It is a beautiful building with lovely lounge areas. I’d spend time before and after classes there, and walking past the big flower sculpture out front always makes me smile. 

 

What do you love most about the major/minors you completed?

I have loved the ASL program and all of the amazing people that I have met through it. Not only have the professors been amazing and supportive, but also the interpreters that work on campus and my peers in the various ASL classes. All of my study groups have yielded fulfilling and long-lasting friendships, and I can’t wait to continue to be involved in the Deaf Community. 

 

What has been your biggest achievement in college?

I am so proud of the fact that I am graduating. In only three years, and half of that time being entirely online due to a global pandemic, I consider it a great achievement to graduate. 

 

What do you know now that you wish you knew your first term in college?

When I first arrived at school, a state away from everyone I had ever known, I was hit with a seemingly endless wave of homesickness. I wish I knew then that there would be a day that I would look forward to returning to campus instead of dreading the day I had to leave my home and hometown. I have grown so much in the past three years, and wish I could’ve gotten a glimpse of the life I live and love now. 

 

What are your plans for after graduation? 

After graduation, I will be continuing my education with WOU’s Master’s Program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. I have also been selected to be the Graduate Assistant for that program, and I could not be more excited to continue to be involved here at Western.