Eric joined the UOAA as a project manager for alumni engagement in 2019. In that role, he collaborated with volunteers, led alumni chapters, and created opportunities for interaction with the UO both online and in-person. In August 2021, Eric transitioned to the UOAA's Membership team as Associate Director for Membership and Business Development. In his current role, Hjelm is responsible for soliciting UO alumni and friends to become members of our UOAA community, stewarding and renewing active members by providing up-to-date campus information and member rewards, and working closely with UOAA business partners to deliver valuable member benefits. With over a decade of experience working in higher education and five in fundraising, he finds that the most rewarding part of his current position is being able to give back to the UO—a place that played a large role in his self-development and in creating the relationships that he holds dear.

Eric graduated from the UO in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and completed his master’s in 2022 in the same field. During his time as an undergraduate, Eric studied abroad in Denmark as part of a Lundquist College of Business program and competed on the men's lacrosse club. Athletics are incredibly important to Eric and prior to working for the UOAA, he held positions in the athletics departments at Colorado State University and the UO.

Eric is married to UO alumna, Michelle Hjelm, and his parents were also both affiliates of the university, having taught there for many years. Eric’s motto is ‘shoot your shot’ and when not in the office, he can be found reading, listening to music, exploring the outdoors, building his shoe collection, playing with their two adopted dogs, Roman and May, volunteering at the Greenhill Humane Society, or playing video games.