Nearly 25% of students play on one or more of Willamette University’s 20 athletics teams. Combining the dedication it takes to compete at an NCAA Division III level with the rigor of Willamette academics, these student-athletes are leaders who demonstrate what it takes to achieve excellence both on and off the field. Taking that leadership to the next level is Willamette University women’s volleyball student-athlete Dream Takemoto BA’28.
This spring, Takemoto was elected president of the Northwest Conference (NWC) Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the 2026–2027 academic year, a position that represents student-athletes from the nine member colleges in the Pacific Northwest region. She is in good company, with many Bearcats also taking on leadership roles in the region. Currently, Abbey Staniec BA’26, Emma Noffsinger BA’26, and Director of Swimming Brent Summers also represent Willamette University in SAAC athletic leadership positions.
As president, Takemoto will serve as a voice for the student-athlete body within the region, while continuing her work in fostering a supportive athletic community on campus. The role of the SAAC is to provide direct student input on rules, regulations, and campus policies, which develops student-athletes’ engagement and leadership within their college communities. With Takemoto representing Willamette at the head of the committee, the SAAC will gain an active, committed student advocate who is dedicated to embodying Willamette’s motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”
“Division III athletics has given me many opportunities to not just play and compete, but to grow as a leader,” says Takemoto. “I want to find ways to bring our student-athletes together in the same way that I found a community here at Willamette.”
A sophomore majoring in Business, Takemoto is already building an impressive stat sheet. She was named 2025 NWS Defensive Player of the year, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, and First Team All-Conference.
“We strive to cultivate scholar-athletes, fuel passion for competitive excellence, and build community and leadership,” said Willamette University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Leslie Shevlin. “At Willamette, all these things are possible because of the commitment of our coaches, the experience of our faculty, and the support from the campus community.
As a dedicated student and libero, a specialized position that serves as the team defensive leader, Takemoto continues to build trust and community on her team and among her fellow student-athletes. Takemoto’s drive to promote connection is integral to her experience at Willamette. When deciding on a university, she had a strong desire to find a community-focused collegiate atmosphere, and found a perfect fit in the interconnected environment of Bearcat athletics.
Looking forward to her upcoming term, Takemoto expressed a vision of unity and cultural connection that relates to her experience growing up in Waipahu, Hawai’i.
“By being born and raised with the community and culture from Hawai’i, I wanted to bring my own experience and values to be part of a group that can find ways to connect and build bridges within our community,” said Takemoto.
In her new role, Takemoto will lead fellow student-athletes in creating engagement throughout the conference and advocating for their interests on both regional and national levels.
