Features – Page 16 – Undergraduate Academic Affairs

UAA鈥檚 Associate Dean Janice DeCosmo elected to president of national Council on Undergraduate Research

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Posted on May 24, 2018February 9, 2020

Janice DeCosmo, associate vice provost and associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Photo: Photo by Bryan Nakata

Janice DeCosmo, associate vice provost for undergraduate research, associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and affiliate faculty member in the has been elected president of the national nonprofit听听(颁鲍搁).

A longtime proponent of undergraduate research, DeCosmo was the first director of the UW鈥檚 and has been involved in or running the Undergraduate Research Symposium since its inception in 1997. Her work has been instrumental in developing a national model in undergraduate research at the UW. In 2016-17, more than 8,400 undergraduates participated in undergraduate research. In the recent 2018 Undergraduate Research Symposium, more than 1,250 students presented their work.

鈥淥ur Undergraduate Research Program 鈥� its size, breadth and excellence,” says UW President Ana Mari Cauce, “is one of the crown jewels of our Husky Experience.鈥�

鈥淢y early experiences with undergraduate research were as a graduate student,鈥� says DeCosmo, 鈥渨here myself and my peers found ourselves mentoring first-generation college students who were struggling with coursework and finding their way at a large university. As the students learned our protocols and became part of our teams, we saw them blossom and gain new confidence; their grades also improved. That experience stayed with me, and later I jumped at the chance to develop a grant-funded undergraduate research initiative.鈥�

DeCosmo says the community and network of CUR members helped bring ideas and collegial support as the UW鈥檚 Undergraduate Research Program developed and matured.

For nearly two decades, DeCosmo has been an active CUR member. Her diverse volunteer experiences within CUR include service on program review and nominations vetting committees, undergraduate research programs division chair, two terms on the governing board for the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, and a term on CUR鈥檚 executive board. A prolific writer and presenter on undergraduate research scholarship, DeCosmo serves as issue editor for CUR鈥檚 flagship journal,听听(SPUR).

鈥淚 am humbled to be president-elect of [CUR],鈥� says DeComo, 鈥渁nd I look forward to advancing opportunity for students in all disciplines and types of institutions to have the chance to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and communications skills 鈥� so essential to their future success in work and life 鈥� through research.鈥�

DeCosmo earned a BS in physics from the University of Iowa in 1979 and a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences from the 天美影视传媒 in 1991, specializing in atmosphere-ocean interaction. She oversees the UW鈥檚 Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity, which includes undergraduate research, service learning, leadership, and scholarship programs. She represents the UW on statewide higher education policy groups that oversee new academic programs and the transfer process for students from Washington鈥檚 two-year colleges to four-year institutions. DeCosmo was director for 10听years of the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded effort to support innovative education and research initiatives across the state.

天美影视传媒 Undergraduate Research Program

The facilitates research experiences for undergraduates with UW faculty members across the disciplines. Its signature event is the annual , which happens each May. This year, more than 1,250 students presented their research. The Undergraduate Research Program is an Undergraduate Academic Affairs program, housed in the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity.

天美影视传媒

The is one of the world鈥檚 preeminent public universities. Our impact on individuals, our region and the world is profound 鈥� whether we are launching young people into a boundless future or confronting the grand challenges of our time through undaunted research and scholarship. Ranked No. 13 in the world on the听, the UW educates more than 54,000 students annually.

Council on Undergraduate Research

The听听supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. More than 700 institutions and nearly 13,000 individuals belong to CUR. CUR believes that the best way to capture student interest and create enthusiasm for a discipline is through research in close collaboration with faculty members.

This announcement draws upon and is based on .

Two UW undergrads receive the Udall Award

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Posted on May 23, 2018February 9, 2020

Udall scholars Ashley Lewis (left) and Alishia Orloff (right).

Juniors Ashley Lewis and Alishia Orloff will join 50 students from around the country as Udall Scholars. A competitive award, the review committee selected this year鈥檚 scholars from 437 nominees based on the student鈥檚 commitment to careers in the environment, Native health care or tribal policy, as well as their leadership potential, public service and academic achievement.

The scholarship provides each student with up to $7,000 for use on tuition, room, board or supplies. The Udall Foundation also hosts a five-day orientation in Tucson, Arizona. There, scholars will meet each other and program alumni, complete a case study and interact with community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care and governance.

For both Lewis and Orloff, this scholarship aligns closely with their career goals.

Ashley Lewis

Udall Scholar Ashley Lewis

Hometown: Elma, WA
Graduation: 2019 (projected)
Major: Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; Communications

“Being named a Udall scholar for the second time provides more opportunity to strengthen tribal nations and to protect resources of the Pacific Northwest, I couldn’t be more proud to be among a group of people that are committed to changing our world.”

Business owner and outdoor enthusiast Ashley Lewis is eager to protect the outdoors she loves so much. As a female Native American fishing guide, she is eager to show the world that leaders come in all forms. Through her fishing business, she has become a leading voice in the community: as a brand ambassador for Shimano, and as a contributor to ESPN鈥檚 show 鈥淭he Outdoor Line.鈥� Connections to her community are strong. As an active member of the Quinault Indian Nation, Lewis is dedicated to working with her tribe to advocate for our natural resources. She also volunteers with The Fallen Outdoors, where she supports American Army Veterans鈥� rehabilitation through connecting with nature.

The combination of her passion for the outdoors, with her drive to protect our Northwest environments, prompted her to return to college. She is currently pursuing her bachelor鈥檚 degree, with the long-term goal of earning a master鈥檚 in aquatic and fishery sciences. Professionally, she plans to work in public policy, where she can help strengthen Pacific Northwest fisheries, and show that investing in outdoor spaces benefits the larger community. 听听听

Alishia Orloff

Udall Scholar Alishia Orloff

Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Graduation: 2019 (projected)
Major: Environmental Science and Resource Management

An active researcher, Alishia Orloff has a strong interest in terrestrial and riparian environments. Fascinated by the interdisciplinary processes that drive our environments, Orloff is dedicated to continuously learning more about these complex ecosystems. Throughout her research, Orloff has partnered with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Ojibwe Resource Management and the Tulalip Tribes. Orloff believes the management of natural resources affects each person鈥檚 daily life. She views helping people understand the source of these resources is crucial to protecting the environment. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, she currently volunteers as a Students Expressing Environmental Dedication (SEED) executive, where she promotes sustainability on campus, and as a native plant nursery volunteer, where she cultivates native plants.

In the future, Orloff aspires to earn a doctoral degree and become a leading researcher at an organization that proactively engages the community to preserve our natural resources.

鈥淭he Udall award serves as a recognition of my stewardship in the environment with a specific focus in traditional ecological knowledge thus far. Through this award, I can more vigorously develop a stronger connection to protecting our natural resources and serving the communities that are impacted. I am greatly appreciative of this opportunity to collaborate with other great stewards from around the nation and work together to broaden our understanding and exposure of environmental and social issues.鈥�

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at UW

The Udall Scholarship application process is supported by the (OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards.

Spring Celebration honors Huskies’ commitment to service and leadership

Written by

Posted on May 22, 2018February 9, 2020

天美影视传媒 students鈥� dedication to community-based service and activism will be recognized at the on May 23 from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Husky Union Building (HUB) on the UW Seattle campus. The annual event showcases UW undergraduate and graduate students who develop their leadership skills while committing their time and talent to serving their communities. On campus and off, UW students are expanding definitions of service and leadership and blurring the boundaries between classroom and community. This year鈥檚 theme 鈥� Explore. Ignite. Impact. 鈥� encapsulates how UW undergraduates are engaged with leadership, service and activism. In 2016-17, more than 5,500 students engaged in academic service-learning, volunteering an astounding 495,152 hours.

This year鈥檚 Spring Celebration features culminating presentations from nearly 200 participants, including students in the and Undergraduate Community Based Internship (UCBI), , Jumpstart, and Ellis Civic Fellowship programs; as well as breakout sessions from students in the , social sciences and . To cap off the celebration, we鈥檒l hear from members of and about their community-based work. The entire UW community and network of community partners are welcome to attend.

In offering their valuable skills and time, students support the work of numerous organizations while simultaneously growing their own capacity for leadership and reflecting on the value of service.

Heaven Tesfamarium, a junior in medical anthropology and political science, stays connected to her Eritrean roots by organizing young people in the region and across the country through the Young People鈥檚 Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ). Heaven is leading her peers in YPFDJ to listen to the needs of youth serving organizations in Eritrea, and mobilize resources from the U.S. to address the community鈥檚 articulated needs. Ultimately interested in a global health career, she also volunteers as a nurse鈥檚 assistant at the Bryant Elementary health room. Through her service and leadership activities, she is finding ways to address global and local health concerns.

A service-learning class during her first year at the UW introduced Jessica Lo, a senior in biochemistry and neurobiology, to a community member with traumatic brain injury (TBI). That interpersonal connection ignited her academic curiosity about the condition, and inspired her to find ways to help individuals with TBI. Over the last two years, Jessica founded the UW chapter of 鈥� a national organization connecting those with TBI to university students and community resources. In addition to her work with Synapse, and her research studying how to regrow brain cells, Jessica supports folks with TBI and other chronic illnesses through a Undergraduate Community Based Internship with Full Life Care.

Public health and neurobiology double major Ruweida Ahmed鈥檚 project focuses on youth tutoring in Rainier Vista. Her focus is to increase parents鈥� engagement with their child鈥檚 education. Through her work, she helps her students increase their reading level, strengthen their math skills and grow their confidence. Over the course of the year, she鈥檚 proudly watched her students continually push themselves to better understand their classwork.

and Ruby Linsao Scholar Eya Lazaro is passionate about education for all. As an immigrant to the U.S., education didn鈥檛 feel like a realistic option for her. Yet, she persevered and is now a junior at the UW majoring in early childhood and family studies. Grateful for the opportunities given to her, she is dedicated to giving back to her community and inspiring the next generation of Pacific Islanders to attend college. Through her involvement with the and Jumpstart, Lazaro is reaching out to marginalized communities to help them find paths to higher education. Along with the Sisterhood of Pi Nu Lota, she is organizing an event to highlight the Pasifika culture and its values through early literacy.

The Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership is planned and coordinated by programs in , , and the .

Schedule overview

All events take place on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 and are in the HUB Ballroom, unless otherwise noted.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Digital Storytelling and Global Citizenship
1:30-3:20 p.m. in HUB 250

Ellis Civic Fellowship Capstone
2:00-3:00 p.m. in HUB 214

Exploring Internships in the Social Sciences: Story Share and Panel Discussion
2:00-5:00 p.m. in HUB 145

School of Medicine Service-Learning and Advocacy Groups
6:00-7:30 p.m. in HUB 250

POSTER SESSIONS
3:30-5:00 p.m.

PROGRAM AND AWARDS
5:00-5:30 p.m.

CELEBRATION AND RECEPTION
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Celebration! Food, photo booth with Dubs, networking

Undergraduates to present research spanning academic disciplines on May 18, 2018

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Posted on May 15, 2018February 9, 2020

On Friday, May 18, more than 1,200 天美影视传媒 undergraduates and visiting undrgraduates student scholars will participate in the 21st Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium 鈥� an event that is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

The Symposium runs from 11 a.m.鈥�6 p.m. on the UW Seattle campus. Students will present their research in poster, oral and performing arts sessions in Mary Gates Hall and Johnson Hall, and in a visual arts and design showcase in Odegaard Undergraduate Library (see event details below). UW President Ana Mari Cauce is scheduled to provide opening remarks at 11 a.m. in Mary Gates Hall.

Through undergraduate research, students contribute to groundbreaking work and gain the experience necessary to one day lead innovative research themselves. UW undergraduates are getting involved in research in increasing numbers 鈥� more than 8,400 students participated in research in 2016鈥�17.听More than 1,000 faculty, post-doc, research staff and graduate student mentors supported this year鈥檚 Symposium presenters through their research, helping students develop subject area knowledge, transferable skills and an entrepreneurial perspective that will prepare them for future employment, education and civic engagement.

Students will share their research on topics as diverse and broad as better diagnosis of pediatric concussions; improving regional climate prediction; innovations in pain management; predicting tooth decay; gratitude in relation to adolescent mental health; the complexity of the canoe in Samoan culture; forensic anthropology; and much, much more.

The titles of students鈥� presentations gives more detail about the range and complexity of their projects. A small sampling of titles include:

BrainNet: First Three-Person Brain-to-Brain Communication System
Star Formation in Low Metallicity Environments
Curation: A Performance
My Work as an Artist and Designer on the DFL鈥檚 3D Game, Hug the Line
Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights in Latin America

The Symposium is open to selected undergraduates from other institutions, and we are thrilled to welcome presenters from听22 other institutions in addition to听, the Seattle Colleges, Montana State University, Washington State University and the University of Victoria听(complete list below).

The Symposium is organized by Undergraduate Academic Affairs鈥櫶�Undergraduate Research Program.

Event Details

What: The 21st Annual Research Symposium at the 天美影视传媒

Who: More than 1,200 inspiring undergraduates at UW presenting ground-breaking research and selected undergraduates from other institutions

When: Friday, May 18, 2018, 11:00 a.m.颅鈥�6:00 p.m.

Where: Mary Gates Hall, select rooms in Johnson Hall, and Odegaard Undergraduate Library
Plan ahead: See event schedule and search the Online Proceedings at听

Institutions Represented

Bellevue College
Boise State University
California State University San Marcos
College of St. Scholastica
Edmonds Community College
Everett Community College
Grays Harbor College
Heritage University
North Seattle College
Pacific Lutheran University
Pierce College
Portland State University
Shoreline Community College
Seattle Pacific University
South Seattle College
Seattle Central College
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Wenatchee Valley College
Western Washington University
University of Puget Sound
University of Wyoming
Whitman College

Photos by David Ryder.

Three UW undergrads earn competitive Goldwater scholarships

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Posted on April 26, 2018February 9, 2020

The Goldwater Foundation honored four 天美影视传媒 students this year. Selected from 1,280 nominees from across the country, Nelson Lui, Kimberly Ruth and Tyler Valentine were named Goldwater Scholars. Andrew Luo earned an honorable mention.

Goldwater Scholarships are granted to sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise and plan to pursue research careers in math, engineering or the natural sciences.听 .

Nelson Liu, scholarship recipient

Major: Computer Science; Statistics; Linguistics
Expected graduation: 2019

Andrew Luo, honorable mention

Major: Computer Science; Bioengineering
Expected graduation: 2019

Kimberly Ruth, scholarship recipient

Major: Computer Engineering; Mathematics
Expected graduation: 2020

Tyler Valentine, scholarship recipient

Major: Earth and Space Sciences
Expected graduation: 2019

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at UW
The听Goldwater Scholarship听application process is supported by the听听(OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards.

First-year Interest Groups celebrate 30 years of shaping student experience

Written by Bryan Nakata

Posted on April 24, 2018April 15, 2019

Dr. Lovenoor Aulk presents his data to UAA staff at the 30-year anniversary celebration of Freshman Interest Groups. According to his team’s study, FIGS increase the graduation rates for undergraduate students, especially those in the underrepresented demographic. Photo by Bryan Nakata.

Among this year鈥檚 milestones for Undergraduate Academic Affairs is the 30^th anniversary of , formerly known as Freshman Interest Groups. To mark the occasion, hosted an event marked by lively conversations between attendees led by FIG leaders, a faculty panel discussion and a presentation of a recent study that demonstrates the FIG program鈥檚 impact on undergraduate student persistence through to graduation.

First Year Programs created FIGs in 1987 as a way for students to find a smaller, more connected community within the large university. In FIGs, a cluster of courses are linked with peer instructors, who are typically upperclassmen who help guide the new students through the university setting. These 2-credit general studies courses have continued expanding since its inception, starting as four clusters and growing to more than 150 today: About 48% of first-year students enroll in a FIG.

For the anniversary, new data was released on FIGs by the , which demonstrated just how integral FIGs have been for the UW. was led by , a Ph.D. student in informatics science, and looked at an estimated 58,000 students between 1998 and 2018.

Results of the research showed that students who participated in FIGs have a higher chance of re-enrollment compared to their counterparts: 94% of students who participated in FIGs re-enrolled the following quarter, 3% higher than those not in FIGs.

This trend was also reflected in graduation rates; those who participated in the FIG program saw a 6% increase in the likelihood of graduating within 6 years. The greatest impact was shown with underrepresented student demographics.

鈥淲hen looking at underrepresented students, the differences are huge,鈥� Aulk said at the event while presenting his team鈥檚 findings. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a 14% difference in graduation rates 鈥� [that鈥檚] double digits.鈥�

Archive photo of students gathering for their FIGs, circa 1997. Photo Courtesy First Year Programs at the 天美影视传媒.

For the 天美影视传媒, which is already the national average for six-year graduation rates, the impact FIGs have for underrepresented students is increasing in importance. Students from this demographic graduate at lower rates than their peers, and FIGs increase their chances greatly. In addition, since 2006 the enrollment of underrepresented and international students rose by 6% and 13%, respectively. This means that more students of color are coming to the school and will look to the program to help them navigate their first quarter.

For both international and minority students, it can be especially challenging to connect with others during their first year. Nearly half of students in the study said that FIGs succeeded most by helping them make friends and find community.

“There was a different energy because they were walking in [to class] together,” said panelist Dr. Andrea Carroll, senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. “You can see that community feeling… that’s huge.”

On the other side, the program is an opportunity for older students to practice teaching skills and make valuable connections. One such student, Alyssa Eckroth, enjoyed teaching her FIG so much that she is already preparing for another one next fall.

鈥淚 had one student come up to me and say 鈥榯his is the best class I鈥檝e ever taken,鈥� Eckroth said. 鈥淚t made my heart feel warm.鈥�

Whether the focus is on graduation rates, peer-led courses or student experience, the FIG program has positively shaped our university 鈥� and will continue to do so in years to come.

鈥淔irst Year Programs鈥� mission is really to think about strategic programming for all undergraduate students: freshman, transfer, first generation, low income and international students,鈥� LeAnne Wiles, director of First Year Programs said at the event. 鈥淭o think about how they can strategically plug into the university and aim to have a smoother transition while they鈥檙e here.鈥�

The FIG program is one way 鈥� and a successful one at that 鈥� to achieve that smooth transition for new students.

My Luce year in Cambodia

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Posted on April 3, 2018April 15, 2019

Varsha In Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

Varsha Govindaraju鈥檚 year as a Luce Scholar was a rollercoaster. As the sole scholar in Cambodia, she navigated a new culture, lived in a developing nation and adapted to a challenging work environment. At the same time, it was thrilling. She solidified her beliefs and goals; taught Indian dance to a group of Khmer teachers and parents; learned Khmer; formed a group of like-minded friends; became the proud owner of a motorbike and reconnected with family in India.

Varsha (鈥�15, anthropology and law, societies and justice) spent her first two months in Cambodia studying the Khmer language in Siem Reap. As the only student in her class, and one of two non-Khmer students in the entire language school, Varsha noticed people staring at her. Constantly. She asked her language teacher why.

My Khmer teacher told me that people are staring because they are trying to understand me or something about me, and it鈥檚 not normally considered rude. She also said it might be because I鈥檓 Indian and have dark skin.

This explanation helped her understand why making friends in Siem Reap was difficult. According to past Luce Scholars, studying Khmer in cafes would pique people鈥檚 interest, prompting them to strike up a conversation. Varsha was met with more stares.

After two months of acclimating to Cambodian life in the smaller city of Siem Reap, Varsha was excited to move to the capital Phnom Penh. There, she would start her work placement at the Cambodian Women鈥檚 Crisis Center.

Gallery: Life in Siem Reap

Varsha poses with her language teachers.

Students stand on one leg, stretching their right quad.

Safety first! Varsha models her motorcycle helmet.

Working to address gender-based violence in Cambodia

As an undergraduate, Varsha worked with victims of gender-based violence through (Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Activists). Because of this experience and her interest in learning about domestic violence in other cultures, the Luce Program placed Varsha at the Cambodian Women鈥檚 Crisis Center.

Designed for emerging leaders with little to no experience in Asia, the provides stipends, language training and individualized job placements in countries throughout Asia. The year begins with an orientation, and Luce Scholars have several opportunities to meet throughout the year.

Working for the Cambodian Women鈥檚 Crisis Center (CWCC) is where I had to adapt the most. After working at several jobs that emphasized productivity and efficiency, I became immersed in a professional culture that valued face-to-face communication and relationships above all. My email savvy was no longer helpful, as in-person communication was where the real work got done. In our office converted from a Khmer house, I found myself walking up the narrow stairs to talk about a specific project and often ended up learning or making progress on something entirely different. I鈥檝e come to value the relationships I built with my coworkers and the importance of learning directly from them.

At the Cambodian Women鈥檚 Crisis Center, Varsha wrote grants and rewrote English documents to be more effective fundraising tools. While Varsha recognized the importance of this work, she was eager to get out into the field and work with local communities.

Through various outreach programs, I traveled to villages outside Phnom Penh and Kampong Thom, to meet and chat with men who are abusers in their communities as they receive anger management training. Meeting these men was initially incredibly uncomfortable, as one even showed up drunk to the training. However, their commitment to changing their behavior was stunning. I met wives who spoke frankly in women鈥檚 support groups about their husbands still beating them, and yet they still managed to host events in their village to help other women. These conversations, while difficult due to my limited Khmer abilities, have given me direct insight into rural domestic violence issues and how CWCC can help. My Khmer language training gives me the opportunity to not only understand what people are saying, but laugh with them, cry with them, and show I care enough to try and communicate.

For UN Women鈥檚 Day, CWCC hosted a march through a rural village near Kampong Thom, involving the community to stop cycles of domestic violence.

A changing perspective

Going into her Luce year, Varsha was considering a career in international law. However, over the course of her work in Cambodia, she came to believe that locals are the best equipped people to help their communities. As a foreigner, she could never have the same innate understanding of the culture. To that end, Varsha is now in law school at the UW, on a , with the goal of being a public defender.

Moving to Cambodia, leaving the traditional path to move abroad for a year has been about investing in myself. I鈥檓 the first to say that being in a developing country from a privileged background can be a difficult adjustment, and it鈥檚 not for a lot of people if they don鈥檛 hold the right mindset. If you let every time you vomit, see bugs and run into trash on the streets define your experience in the country, you鈥檙e going to have an awful time. But, if you take it as an opportunity to understand poverty, development, and recognize the privileges your home country brings you, you鈥檒l leave forever changed.

Gallery: Life in Phnom Penh, traveling through Asia and making friends

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at UW
The Luce Scholars Program application process is supported by the (OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards. The UW campus application process for students interested in (and other scholarships supporting graduate studies, research, and community engagement around the world) will get started this spring for 2019-20 awards. Learn more through the program.

UW seniors Tobi Du and Caleb Huffman selected as China鈥檚 Yenching Academy scholars

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Posted on March 13, 2018February 9, 2020

天美影视传媒 seniors Tobi Du and Caleb Huffman will join approximately 125 scholars from around the world as part of the Yenching Academy of Peking University鈥檚 2018-19 cohort. A U.S. News & World Report poll ranked Peking University the fifth best global university in Asia, and second-best university in China. The opportunity to join is highly competitive. In 2017, only 4 out of 124 Yenching Academy Scholars from the states studied at public research universities in the United States.

Launched by China鈥檚 Peking University in 2014, the Academy aims to build bridges between China and the rest of the world by educating the next generation of leaders and innovators. As Yenching Scholars, students design their own research in humanities or social sciences, take language classes and study China鈥檚 past, present and future. The 1-2 year program culminates with students earning a master鈥檚 degree in China studies. In addition to covering the costs of tuition, the award includes round trip air travel from the student鈥檚 home country, housing on campus and living costs.

“Undergraduate education at the UW aspires to prepare students for cross-cultural leadership, scholarship and impact in the world,鈥� explains Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. 鈥淲e are so proud of Tobi and Caleb for this recognition of their accomplishments-to-date as well as the promise of their future work and impact in the world.鈥�

This opportunity for a focused look into China鈥檚 role in the world closely aligns with both Du鈥檚 and Huffman鈥檚 academic interests and future career goals.

Tobi Du

Major: Political science (departmental honors)
Expected graduation: June 鈥�18

A Taiwanese-American student studying political science with a focus on international security, Du plans to pursue a career in diplomacy and policymaking as a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State. While at Yenching Academy, Du seeks to study the role of China in global politics, envisioning a close diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and China as critical to the international community. 鈥淸The Yenching Academy] will strengthen my personal and professional development by honing my cultural adaptability and personal resilience, and provide a basis for future intensive international assignments,鈥� says Du. 鈥淭he regional expertise that I will gain from this program is invaluable to my potential career as a diplomat.鈥�

To deepen her knowledge about East Asia, the Sammamish native served as a project leader in her Korean Peninsula and World Politics course and studied the construction of Japanese identity in Tokyo via an Honors Program study abroad class. She is currently writing her honors research thesis about how North Korean domestic political changes and Kim Jong-un鈥檚 external and internal threat perceptions have affected the country鈥檚 accelerating nuclear and ballistic missile agenda.

Beyond her studies, Du is focused on giving back to the community. She serves as volunteer director for the UW Foundation鈥檚 Senior Class Gift Council and is a lead of a local Family Readiness Group, connecting families of soldiers with information from their commanders.

Caleb Huffman

Majors: Political science, communication (college honors)
Expected graduation: June 2018

Originally from Onalaska, WA, Huffman鈥檚 eagerness to build bridges between cultures prompted him to take advantage of any and all foreign-service-related opportunities. As a freshman, he was selected as a Gilman Scholar to study human migration in Rome and Amsterdam. He next served as a Husky Presidential Ambassador, traveling to Tsinghua University in Beijing and went on to earn a fellowship with the U.S.-China Initiative Student Fellows program at Georgetown. There, he attended conferences with senior U.S. and Chinese diplomats in Washington D.C. and Beijing. Most recently, he served as a delegate as part of the Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford, attending conferences at Stanford and Peking University. Huffman believes that the U.S.-China relationship will be a critical, and perhaps, the most important bilateral relationship of his lifetime. He is eager to improve his Mandarin skills and gain a better understanding of Chinese law, history and culture.

鈥淪tudying China鈥檚 legal system at Yenching Academy will be my foundational study of a legal system (my master鈥檚 degree will be in Chinese law and society), the first of many ventures examining legal systems around the world. I aim to be a leader, one who sees a vision of what could be with an ability to understand what is, while always working to persuade others to change what is because of what could be.鈥�

Huffman鈥檚 interest in cross-cultural leadership and international policy led him to double major in political science and communication. His future plans include pursuing a degree in international law, with the aim of holding an influential role in American foreign relation鈥檚 peace-building efforts.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at UW
The Yenching Academy application process is supported by the听听(OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards. The听听(and other scholarships supporting graduate studies around the world) will get started this spring for 2019-20 awards. Watch for updates about OMSFA鈥檚 Global Fellowships Prep program.

Find inspiration through audio from the 2018 Leadership Firesides

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Posted on March 7, 2018February 9, 2020

Husky Leadership Initiative Leadership Firesides offer ongoing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse range of civic, corporate and campus leaders in an informal setting. These leaders share their personal journeys and perspectives on leadership and become momentary mentors for students attending the event. The Firesides are a way for students to learn more about and reflect on leadership and build their leadership competencies and confidence.

The Husky Leadership Initiative is pleased to be a partner of the UW (OMA&D) 50^th anniversary festivities in 2018. To recognize this milestone, the winter quarter Fireside series showcased five influential alumni who were impacted by OMA&D programs and/or served as champions of diversity, equity and inclusion during their time at the UW. Mentioned here are three of these alumni, whose unique stories of leadership captured the attention of students in attendance. We were also fortunate enough to host Attorney General Bob Ferguson, another 天美影视传媒 alumnus, who shared stories ranging from being a chess master to filing a lawsuit against the federal government.

The audio recordings, photographs and biographies of these speakers can be found below.

Franklin Donahoe

Franklin Donahoe is chief information security officer at Mylan Pharmaceuticals. He has more than 25 years of experience in cyber and physical security, as well as military service in the United States Marine Corps. He is the former director of information security architecture and design and risk management at T鈥揗obile USA and manager with Deliotte and Protiviti consulting firms and also the former chief information security officer of Costco Wholesale. Franklin has experience developing and executing strategy, operations and budgets for the protection of enterprise information assets and managing security programs.

He is the principal and founder of Donahoe Advisory Group, a cybersecurity consulting firm offering executive level consulting, as well as deep technical security penetration testing for IT, industrial and IOT systems.

Franklin is the commissioner for Washington State African Affairs, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the 天美影视传媒 and two masters’ degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.

Franklin Donahoe speaks during one of the 2018 Leadership Firesides.

Magdalena Fonseca

Magdelena Fonseca is the interim director for the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity鈥檚 (OMA&D) Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center.

Fonseca has been particularly instrumental in leading OMA&D鈥檚 efforts to better serve and support undocumented students on the UW campus. Her early work in this area started quietly, but as time passed and laws changed, she helped bring greater visibility to both the needs of undocumented students and the ways in which faculty and staff can serve as allies. Her efforts have been led by the creation of the Kelly ECC鈥檚 Leadership Without Borders Center, which offers a space for connecting undocumented students to campus and community resources, as well as leadership development resources and peer advising.

Fonseca鈥檚 contributions extend into the community as well. She is co-chair of the UW Latino/a Faculty Staff Association, and through a partnership with a Seattle organization called YouthCare, has volunteered at a transitional home center where undocumented, unattended youth stayed until being united with family.

Magdalena Fonseca speaks during one of the 2018 Leadership Firesides.

A student listens during one of the 2018 Leadership Firesides.

Anita Johnson-Connell

Dr. Connell completed her undergraduate degree, medical school and residency program at the UW, and has given back to her community both professionally and philanthropically. Since 1982, Dr. Connell has run her own private OB/GYN practice in Seattle鈥檚 First Hill neighborhood. She delivered babies until 2004 and now focuses primarily on surgery and office gynecology at her Johnson Connell Clinic for Women in the Nordstrom Tower. Among the highlights of her very successful career was delivering the youngest son and grandson of one of her UW mentors and friends, Dr. Samuel E. Kelly.

While she was an undergraduate student at the UW in the late 1960s, Dr. Connell was among a group of African-American and minority students who chartered the first Black Student Union and, in doing so, helped build a springboard for the development of what is now OMA&D. When she began her studies at the UW Medical School, she was part of the largest class of women to have ever been accepted to the program, but was just one of three African-American females. She overcame the challenges of opening up her own practice during a time when few female doctors even practiced in the Seattle area.

On top of juggling a solo practice and raising her family, Dr. Connell makes sure to always remain accessible to the community. She has been a keynote speaker for various events, raising awareness of women鈥檚 health issues and education. In addition to serving as a member of various professional associations, her most recent community involvement has focused on working with the Seattle chapter of Links, Inc., a predominantly African-American women鈥檚 organization that gives back to the community in many ways.

Anita Johnson Connell speaks during one of the 2018 Leadership Firesides.

A student listens during a Leader Fireside event in 2018

Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson is Washington state鈥檚 18th attorney general. As the state鈥檚 chief legal officer, Ferguson is committed to protecting the people of Washington against powerful interests that don鈥檛 play by the rules. He is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, a graduate of the 天美影视传媒 and the New York University law school. Ferguson began his legal career in Spokane. He clerked for two federal judges before returning to Seattle to join Preston, Gates, and Ellis (now K&L Gates) where his civil litigation practice included work on behalf of taxpayers, corporations and small businesses. In addition, Ferguson is an internationally rated chess master and twice won the Washington State Chess Championship.

Videos and photos from MLK Week 2018

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Posted on February 28, 2018February 9, 2020

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.听continues with demonstrations of strength, resiliency and compassion. During MLK week, 天美影视传媒 students, faculty and staff partnered with surrounding communities to serve and lead together. From prepping food at meal centers and cleaning up neighborhood centers to sharing their stories through the creativity of hip hop and performance poetry, see the different ways they worked toward creating a more beloved community.

Video highlights from MLK Week

Video by Bryan Nakata, UAA Digital Media Producer

Photo highlights from MLK Week

Enjoy these photos of the students, community members and others in events designed to honor the memory of MLK through service.

Birthday Kickoff and Mobile Museum

A celebration of听King’s birthday helped kickoff the week, along with the return of the mobile museum. The听museum, which exhibits more than 150 rare artifacts,听had a specific focus on 1968, the year of King’s death.

A student gets cake from the MLK birthday event at the Samuel Kelly Cultural Center.

A student eats birthday cake from 2018 MLK Week.

Students look at items during the MLK Mobile Museum event.

Day of Service

Each year, the 天美影视传媒 and the United Way of King County host the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Through this event, nearly听2,000 volunteers provide vital people-power to organizations that support our county鈥檚 most vulnerable populations.

Students from the honors program organize paintings during MLK Week 2018.

Students pose while preparing food during MLK week 2018.

A student cleans a wall during MLK Week 2018.

A Student shreds onions during MLK Week 2018.

Students from the honors program pose during MLK Week 2018

A worker takes out food during MLK Week 2018.

Joe Carolus from OSL speaks to students during MLK Week 2018.

A student washes dishes at OSL food preparation center during MLK Week 2018.

Students and a volunteer pose at Fremont Arts Center during MLK Week 2018.

Hip Hop Show

To close , the produced the “Still Dreaming” showcase to honor the messages that King presented to the world in his “I听Have a听Dream” speech.

Davon White speaks at the Hip Hop show during MLK Week 2018.

A woman sings at the Hip Hop show during MLK Week 2018.

A student reads a poem at the Hip Hop show during MLK Week 2018.

A student DJs at the Hip Hop show during MLK Week 2018.

Troy Osaki speaks at the Hip Hop show during MLK Week 2018.

All photos by听Bryan Nakata, UAA Digital Media Producer