Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

As I envision undergraduate education, I am reminded of a story about a woman in France who lived to be 111 years old and who once sold flowers to Van Gogh from her bicycle basket. One hundred-eleven years old! Imagine the scope of change she witnessed over the course of her life, and consider the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind and body she needed as a young woman to prepare her for a nearly inconceivable century.  

More than 27,000 undergraduates attend our UW Seattle campus. They come with diverse interests, experiences and talents. Our collective goal is for every undergraduate to access discovery, whether it’s discovering a new genus of bacteria, his or her passion of art, medicine, or business, or realizing a mentor in his or her professor. To this end, Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) cultivates excellence and innovation in undergraduate teaching and learning by supporting and creating transformative educational experiences for all undergraduate students within and beyond the classroom. 

For example:

• Undergraduates discover their interests and broaden their talents through research and service-based experiential learning opportunities found in the Center for Experiential Learning.
• New students are welcomed and learn how to navigate the University through advising in the Gateway Center.
• Students deepen and enrich their learning through unique and interdisciplinary learning contexts such as the Honors Program, and the Robinson Center.
• Through the Teaching Academy, faculty members find resources to enliven and extend excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduates.
• Departments and programs assess and enrich their courses and degree programs with the help of the Office of Educational Assessment.
• Students learn in first-rate classrooms with the latest technology because of the resource management of Classroom Support Services.
  

Our job is to prepare these students who, like the woman who sold flowers to Van Gogh, will encounter untold change. The knowledge and experiences students obtain as undergraduates should prepare them for lifelong learning so they may contribute to their communities in continually innovative ways. By facilitating and creating opportunities for discovery we uphold our profound public responsibility and educate undergraduates for a world we have yet to imagine.  

I invite you to be a part of this exciting journey. 

Sincerely,
Ed Taylor
Vice Provost & Dean 

* * * 

Edward Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the University of Washington Seattle where he oversees educational opportunities that deepen and enrich the undergraduate experience including First Year Programs, educational assessment, experiential learning, academic advising and support and the University Honors Program. Dr. Taylor joined the UW’s College of Education in 1995 as an assistant professor. His research and teaching center around diversity and leadership in education and social justice and he has written, taught, and presented extensively on these topics. Taylor earned his PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington. At Gonzaga University, he earned a masters degree in counseling psychology and bachelors degrees in sociology and psychology.

A leader in the community, Taylor is a trustee and former regent of Gonzaga University; founding board member of Molo Care, a non-governmental organization helping children in South Africa attend school; board chair and a founding board member of Rainier Scholars, a scholastic preparation program for high-achieving children of color; and has served on numerous other boards. In both 1999 and 2000, the East Madison YMCA recognized Taylor with the Volunteer of the Year Award.