Derek Brandow is the Instructor of Confidence in the School of Journalism and Communication. He received an undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Oregon in 2000, and a graduate degree in Education from Pacific University in 2002. Since 2002 Derek has been an elementary school teacher, business school professor, start-up CEO, chicken farmer, and he has traveled all over Oregon for AT&T. It has been in the past 10 years Derek has embraced confidence as a state of being, versus a state of doing, and vulnerability as the pathway to the kind of connections we want the most. The two FIG courses he is teaching this year are guided explorations outside of comfort zones to find a place of belonging we are desperate for.

In his spare time Derek can be found in his garden with his daughters singing to tomatoes and bees, drinking americanos at Vero Espresso House, cooking with his wife, or sitting around a backyard campfire with his pipe, laughing, swapping stories.

Email: dbrandow@uoregon.edu

Hi! My name is Bree Johnson and I am an incoming junior from Dallas, TX. I’m majoring in Public Relations and Advertising as well as minoring in Legal Studies. I was in Face to Face my freshman year, so I am super excited to be joining that class for my third time this year! 

In my free time, I love making playlists, reading (send me book recommendations if you have any!), and driving around our beautiful Eugene with a matcha in hand. I know first-hand how difficult the transition can be, especially coming from across the country. I encourage y’all to reach out with questions regarding anything about U of O and specifically about FIG’s! Joining a FIG and having the experience that I did with my FA and FIG Faculty 100% changed my college experience for the better. I am so hyped to work with y’all this fall and show you just how incredible the U of O community is! 

Email: aubreej@uoregon.edu