Many of our graduate degree recipients have gone on to further graduate study either here at the University of Oregon or elsewhere, including institutions such as Northwestern University, Indiana University, the University of Washington, and the University of Oslo. Others have proceeded to teach English as a foreign language in German-speaking countries, to teach German language at the secondary-school or college level, or put their linguistic and cultural knowledge to work in other fields.
Connect with an Advisor
Jeffrey S. Librett
Department Head, Director of Graduate Studies
Email: jlibrett@uoregon.edu
Phone: 541-346-0649
Office: 327 Friendly Hall
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UO Professional Development Resources
The University of Oregon offers a multitude of professional development resources for graduate students. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in or outside of academia, students can seek career counseling and exploration, resume and CV reviews, interview preparation, teacher training and certificates, graduate workshops, and more.
Graduate Teaching Initiative
The UO Teaching Engagement Program’s Graduate Teaching Initiative offers graduate students structured and rigorous, yet flexible, pathways to develop as college teachers. The program is meant to develop inclusive, engaged, and research-led teachers who will, in turn, help shape the campus teaching culture.
Alumni Spotlight: Robert Mottram
Robert Mottram left UO to assume the position of visiting assistant professor of German at Oakland University in the Detroit metropolitan area. He taught a wide variety of courses from beginning German to a capstone course on longing and resignation in 19th-century German literature, and has also presented his research at multiple conferences including the International Conference on Romanticism, as well as the German Studies Association.
PhD Placements
Jacob Barto (PhD 2017), Lecturer of German, UNC Greensboro
Eva Hoffmann (PhD 2017), Visiting Assistant Professor of German and Gender Studies, Whitman College
Alexis Smith (PhD 2017), Assistant Professor of German, Hanover College
Robert Mottram (PhD 2015), Visiting Assistant Professor of German, Oakland University
Josiah Simon (PhD 2014), Assistant Professor of German, Valparaiso University
Nicholas Reynolds (PhD 2014), Visiting Assistant Professor of German, Trinity University
Chet Liesiecki (PhD COLT 2014), Assistant Professor of German, Colorado College
Yvonne Toepfer (PhD COLT 2014), Visiting Assistant Professor of German, Montana State University
Sandra Dillon, (PhD 2011), Assistant Lecturer of German, Idaho State University
Alumni Spotlight: Alexis B. Smith
After graduating in 2017, Alexis B. Smith taught first- and third-year culture courses and co-directing a choir at the Middlebury German School in Vermont. She then moved to Ohio, where she held a position as visiting assistant professor in the Department of German Language and Literatures at Oberlin College. In addition to teaching first- and second-year languages courses and a third-year literary survey course, she offered GERM 308 Music in Literature and Literature in Music, a course derived from her dissertation.
Alumni Survey
Alumni like you are traveling the world, building careers, and making an impact in their communities. We'd love to know more about where you are and what you're doing and share success stories of other alumni. We invite you to support current students in making their experience at the UO a strong foundation for future careers.
We’d love to know what you’re doing and how your experience in the Department of German and Scandinavian has made a difference in your career. We're always eager to hear from our alumni. Drop us a line at gsl@uoregon.edu or fill out the survey below.