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 University of Washington Bothell’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. “Student engagement with places and the communities that they support is central to my teaching,”…
Tag: student engagement
Five CELE-community connections we loved in 2025
Across Seattle and throughout Washington state, the Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center is instrumental in the University of Washington’s community engagement — connecting the UW with neighborhoods, schools and community organizations to address critical social issues. Through authentic, reciprocal partnerships, the CELE Center provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to thriving communities. The CELE Center’s programs are centered around four focus areas: community-engaged learning, leadership education, pre-K–12 student success and…
Community partnerships spawn salmon education for local park
Students, faculty and staff collaborate to bring new signage and geocaching tours to O.O. Denny Park in Kirkland, Washington. As any good outdoor enthusiast knows, the first rule of exploring nature is: “Leave no trace.” There are, however, the occasional exceptions to this principle — such as when small, human-made additions to wild places raise awareness about conservation and other environmental issues. When Ash Putzke spent their summers as a kid catching salmon fry at the mouth of Denny Creek…
Local grassroots climate action
Dr. Dana Campbell’s vision for community-based climate action takes shape in the Lake Forest Park Climate Hub. When it comes to an issue like climate change, the sheer magnitude of the problem can, at times, be enough to make anyone feel hopeless. It’s tough to know where to even begin — especially when large-scale solutions fail to materialize or are set back because of politics or a priority of profits over people and the natural environment. One of the best…
Capstones benefit local businesses
MBA students shared their expertise with members of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association. A capstone project is an integral part of many degree programs. It’s the culmination of everything a student has learned throughout their studies, and often, it’s a chance to put their knowledge and skills to the test in the real world. Master of Business Administration students at the University of Washington Bothell got to do just that in two spring 2025 capstone courses taught by Dr. Stephen…
UW Bothell students poised to impact the community and the world
he University of Washington Bothell honored more than 1,300 graduates in two Commencement ceremonies at the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on June 15. The Purple Ceremony included students from the schools of Business, Educational Studies and Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, while the Gold Ceremony included students from the schools of Nursing & Health Studies and STEM. The Class of 2025, totaling more than 1,900, brings the number of UW Bothell alumni to more than 34,000 as the…
Undergraduates learning to lead real-world change
The 2025 Spring CELEbration produced by the University of Washington’s Community Engagement and Leadership Education Center showcased the dedication and impact of Mary Gates Leadership Scholars and CELE Center program participants like Otoniel Velasquez-Paz, Braedyn Reed and Finn Guzman — all committed to leadership, community engagement and civic health. The annual event highlighted projects spanning educational equity and mentorship, civic participation and environmental justice. Through table talks, poster presentations and lightning talks, students connected academic learning with real-world change and…