Erin Khong

Erin Khong BA '21

Pronouns

she/her

Degree and Class Year

BA ’21, MA ’23

Hometown

Long Beach, California

Current City

Portland, Oregon

Major

Biology

Extracurriculars

Student Life Intern, Student Athlete Advisory Committee(SAAC), Pre-Health Club, Luau Dancer, Women’s Swim, Track and Field, New Student Orientation Leader (NSO)

Job Title, Organization

Assistant Director of Inclusion & Multicultural Engagement

Continuing Studies

Masters Program in Student Affairs Administration, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, ’23

What three words would you use to describe L&C?

Relationships, Connections, Beautiful

Life After L&C

August 2022 Update

What have you been doing since graduation?

Right after graduating, I started graduate school. I am currently entering my last year at L&C’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling and will be graduating with my masters in student affairs administration in the spring of 2023.

During my first year of grad school, I competed on our swim team using my last year of eligibility while also being a graduate assistant for L&C’s Center for Social Change and Community Involvement. In June of 2022 I got my first full-time job in L&C’s Admissions Office as an admissions counselor, and I am loving every moment.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your job and grad school?

Lewis & Clark prepared me to be a better communicator and writer, and to be able to critically engage in the work I am doing and reading. I am able to sit at a table with my colleagues, have conversations about what is important to me, and set a plan of action to achieve those goals as a team.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

I learned that when you have a community that cares and invests in their students, the community they are creating is changing those students’ lives. Also during these pivotal years be immersed in the experience and meet everyone and anyone you can.

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

I attend sporting events and keep in contact with alumni newsletters.

Have you been to Alumni Weekend or other programming, like Homecoming, etc.? What did you enjoy about the event(s)?

Yes I have! I attended my first Alumni Weekend event this summer. My favorite part is hearing all of the alumni stories, learning how we have similar experiences, and how some of the institution’s traditions still live on.

  • Erin Khong BA ’21 MA ’23
    shares one of her favorite L&C memories: performing in the Hawai’i Club’s annual lu’au.
    Erin Khong BA '21 MA '23

Life at L&C

Erin Khong BA '21 What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?

Intro to Sociology with Professor JaDee Carathers. It has expanded my knowledge by showing me how to be more socially aware and correct in the ways that I speak. Also, I learned that cultures vary in every aspect of life and from every single individual that you meet.

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

My mentor on campus is everyone that works in student life because I cannot choose just one person. They are all my mentors because they teach and show me the best ways to handle situations, and they support me in anything I want to pursue.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I wanted to come to Lewis & Clark because of the inclusive community. I knew that getting my education at a small liberal arts school would be the best opportunity and fit for me because of the intimate class size and setting to be able to build close relationships with peers and professors.

How did you get involved with Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME) and/or Campus Living? What has your involvement with IME and/or Campus Living added to your L&C experience?

I got involved with IME because I went on their Great Expectations mentorship retreat. They put together a wonderful event where I got to meet students that are similar to me. During the retreat, they informed us about resources on campus and we got to meet with some of the professors. My experience with IME made me feel included and that I had a safe space to go to if and when I needed anything. My involvement with Campus Living is that I was a New Student Orientation leader this year. It was such an incredible experience to represent L&C and show the incoming class the culture of the college.

Tell us about the offices you’re involved with on campus. What has your involvement with those offices added to your L&C experience?

I am involved with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, and it has allowed me to learn more about the conduct and policy side of our campus. I’ve also learned about our campus’ use of restorative justice and why that is important.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and build those connections.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

The glade right in front of Pamplin on a sunny day.

How do you balance athletics and academics?

I balance athletics and academics by making a schedule and setting a game plan to get all my work done before competitions and making sure I communicate with my professors and coaches.