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Community engagement stories


  • Mentorship in Medicine

    Pictured here during her residency, Williams is mentoring a medical student in the operating room (Credit: UW School of Medicine)

    Meet Dr. Estell Williams, ’13, an emergency surgeon, community builder, dedicated mentor and the UW’s 2026 honoree for Black History Month. From the first grade, Dr. Estell Williams knew she wanted to be a doctor. The self-described science nerd isn’t quite sure where that came from, but she’s got a few guesses. Cholecystectomy (galbladder removal)…

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  • Career growth in Eastern Washington

    people in a factory where apples are being inspected. One person is looking at the camera, the others are looking at the apples.

    TRI-CITIES AND YAKIMA, Washington — Corey Smith’s office window overlooks one of the massive production lines inside the Douglas Fruit processing plant at the outskirts of Pasco, Washington. The scene is fantastic, like something out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The Douglas Fruit Company processes apples at its warehouse facility in Pasco, Washington. Conveyor belts…

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  • UW recognized across all campuses with Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement reclassification

    Collage of views of the three UW campuses

    The University of Washington has again earned a prestigious recognition for the impact and importance of the connections faculty, students and staff have with local, regional and global communities. The UW has again earned a prestigious recognition for the impact and importance of the connections faculty, students and staff have with local, regional and global…

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  • Tacoma performance turns dumpling-making into a sensory experience

    Person pouring tea for another, in a cooking class with others

    Cooking is one of humanity’s most ancient communal events. For centuries, we have gathered around fire pits and kitchens to catch up with friends and family while conducting the laborious task of preparing a meal. But in today’s society that increasingly relies on outsourced food, the dedication and community that goes into cooking your favorite…

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  • Restoration projects benefit local communities

    person digging in the ground

    For students who want to go into environmental sciences careers, having opportunities to get outside and get their hands dirty is an integral part of their undergraduate studies. Even better is when learning outside the classroom leads to real-world impacts and engagement with local communities, says Dr. Amy Lambert, an associate teaching professor in the…

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Community engagement stories archive