Elana Goff

What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?

I loved taking The Body and Art with Assistant Professor of Art Dru Donovan. It was an amazing experience to work with other art students with concentrations outside of my focus. It was very valuable to have insight from students who have such different artistic backgrounds from me. This class was also held during spring 2020, and I felt like we became a community during the unexpected shift to online learning.

Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?

Associate Professor of Art Jess Perlitz. She is my academic advisor and teaches the sculpture courses. We have grown very close over the last three years, and she constantly inspires me to work my hardest and be my best self. I genuinely don’t know where I would be without her input and encouragement. I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to learn from her, and she has been a key part of my experience at Lewis & Clark.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I wanted to be somewhere close to nature and a big city. I had visited Portland a few times, and I loved the city. It seemed like a great place to be. I liked the small class sizes of Lewis & Clark, and I wanted to be somewhere a little more secluded. When visiting the campus for the first time, I liked the way the school felt like its own little community.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

Diverse knowledge with a wide range of topics. I feel like a well-rounded individual, and I don’t feel confined to the areas of my major.

Where do you find community on campus?

I find community through my group of friends and social life on campus. One of the joys of a liberal arts education is constantly meeting and connecting with people from all backgrounds and interests. One of my best friends is a biology major, and I feel very lucky to be able to be close with people who have such different mindsets than my own.

If you went on a New Student Trip with College Outdoors, how did it shape your experience as an incoming student?

I am very shy, so it was a great feeling to have been able to come into college with a group of people that I had gotten to know during my New Student Trip. It really took the pressure off of beginning my college experience and I felt really supported by my newfound friends.

Did you choose to do all-remote learning or hybrid learning this academic year? How did you make your choice?

I chose hybrid learning this year because I live close to school in off-campus housing. I wanted to be able to come into class and have access to facilities like the library and art building.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Get involved! I have met some of my closest friends through extracurriculars and clubs. It may seem really daunting and scary at first, but it has been extremely rewarding to feel involved in campus life and culture. It was such a great way for me to get to know people who had the same interests and passions as I do.