2025 Recognition Scholars

Brian Aguas
Lydia Gonzales Scholar

Major | Business Administration
Minor | Informatics

Brian, a life-long mixed martial arts coach, sits on the finance committee of the Association of Latine Professionals of America and the Undergraduate Business Council’s marketing team. They have plans to begin a career as a financial advisor and eventually work toward becoming an attorney.

CHRISTINA YA ZOU
Dr. Millie Russell Scholar

Major | Early Childhood and Family Studies, Psychology
Minor | Leadership

Christina is currently a research lab manager, overseeing a team of 15 assistants, and a First-Year Interest Group Leader. She also serves as an officer in the Chance See Club, an educational service organization, raising funds supporting rural students. After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in child development and autism spectrum disorders.

Devyn Gilbert
Margo Wyckoff Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar

Major | International Studies
Minor | Human Rights

Devyn has been a tutor with Literacy Source supporting adult language learners and is an intern with the UW Honors program in Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Devyn is serving as the co-president of a queer-trans sports student organization. After graduation, they plan to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D.

Elias Plaster (Lummi)
Robert T. and Nancy J. Knight Undergraduate Scholar

Major | Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management
Minor | American Indian Studies

Elias works as a Student Lead at wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, creating a sense of community for other Native students. Elias has served as the Coastal Chair and Treasurer for First Nations, a Peer Mentor for Native Scholars, and a committee member for the Campus Sustainability Fund. He is an intern at the Lummi Natural Resources Department. After graduation, Elias plans to earn a master’s degree and travel internationally to collaborate with communities who are most affected by climate change.

Isa Saiz (Ponca)
Robert T. and Nancy J. Knight Undergraduate Scholar

Major | Environmental Science, Restoration Ecology, and Environmental Horticulture

Isa is a member of the Sisterhood Initiative and the Husky Boxing Team. As a boxer, Isa also serves as a volunteer at the Emerald City Boxing Gym in addition to helping to clear invasive species with Sound Salmon Solutions. After graduation, Isa plans to help underserved Tribal communities strengthen systems that have protected lands for generations and advocating for Indigenous perspectives in sustainability practices and teachings.

Jami Schlueter
UW Athletics Scholar

Major | Psychology, Sociology

Jami is an elite and highly-decorated Track & Field athlete. He is a 2025 Big Ten Indoor Heptathlon Silver Medalist and was a member of the 2024 All-America Second Team (Decathlon). He currently serves as the President of the University of Washington’s Black Student Athlete Association, fostering a sense of community among alumni and current student-athletes, recently earning the National Student-Athlete Group of the Year Award at the Black Student-Athlete Summit.

Jasleen Kaur
Sea Mar Community Health Center – United Healthcare of Washington Scholar

Major | Public Health-Global Health,
Education Studies

Jasleen has participated in Center for Equity and Inclusion cohorts and volunteers with the UW Food pantry, assisting students to access food. Jasleen is also the co-chair of the Champions program’s student committee and is a peer advisor with the Educational Opportunity Program. After graduation, Jasleen plans to become a community educator, focusing on marginalized first-generation youth.

Jason Pham
Emile Pitre Instructional Center Student Tutor Scholar

Major | Biology, Physiology
Minor| Education

Jason has served as a volunteer as a patient coordinator at the Pulmonary and Urology department as Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Buddhist Meditation Center Chua Phuoc Hue in Tacoma. He has supported other students as a chemistry tutor at the UW Instructional Center and plays the flute, and piccolo, as a member of the UW Concert Band. Jason plans to pursue a medical career and become an ophthalmologist, focusing on underserved communities around the globe.

Malia Callier
Lorne Murray Scholar in Honor of Emile Pitre, William Baker, & Karlotta Rosebaugh

Major |Microbiology

Malia serves as the executive secretary of the Wesley Club, creating a safe LGBTQ-affirming space for college students, and a member of the pastoral committee for Panther Lake Community Church. She conducts neurology research in the UW Davis Laboratory and is a reviewer for the UW Film Club. After attaining her bachelor’s degree, she will pursue an M.D. and Ph.D., with a goal of becoming a clinical physician focused on the effects of microbes and parasites that alter the nervous system.

Mikyla Sakuri (Diné, Palauan)
Graduate Student Equity and Excellence Scholar

Major | Social Work, Public Health

Mikyla is a co-lead of the Graduate Student Advisory Board and the Graduate Staff Assistant for the UW Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence. She has contributed to several scholarly publications, putting forth research on culturally responsive public health.

Najmo Abdi
President’s Achievement Award Scholar

Major | Education, Communities, and Organizations

Najmo works as a student assistant for the Health Sciences Minority Students Program. She also conducts research focused on student engagement within hybrid synchronous and asynchronous modalities. She has presented on her work at the Association of Environment Studies and Sciences Conference and the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. After graduation, Najmo will pursue a master’s of social work degree.

Noah Kaloeaholokai Lum (Native Hawaiian – Kānaka Maoli)
Cesar Cauce Memorial Scholar

Major | Political Science
Minor | Oceana and Pacific Islander

Noah is a student ambassador with OMA&D’s Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment program, has been a peer mentor for the Brotherhood Initiative, and a member of the Polynesian Student Alliance and Micronesian Islands Club. He is involved in First Nations at UW, the UW Canoe Family, and was a volunteer lead for the Living Breath Indigenous Food Sovereignty Symposium. After graduation, Noah intends to pursue a master’s degree and attend law school, focusing on environmental law.

Talalelei Paueli Upuese
Gary D. Kimura Family EOP Scholar

Major | Education, Communities,
and Organizations

Talalelei is a peer leader and member of the Burke Museum’s Pacific Islander Research Family. His work is focused on identifying factors that impact the Pacific Islander community and the under-representation of Pacific Islanders in higher education. After graduation, Talalelei plans to pursue a master’s degree and pursuing international teaching.

Vanessa Perez
Vice President’s Achievement Award Scholar

Major | Public Health

Vanessa is a member of the UW Pre-Med Opportunities Club, solidifying her interest in a career in the medical field. After graduation, Vanessa plans to pursue a master’s degree with the UW Health Systems and Population Health’s Social and Behavioral Science program and continue to medical school. Her goal is to become a plastic surgeon.

Victor Roman
Del Rio Global Citizens Scholar

Major | Business Administration, Accounting

Victor is currently participating in the Foster Leadership Academy, a certification program partnership between the Foster School of Business and UW Athletics. He has been a cohort member of the Business Bridge and is now a member of the First Gen Business Leaders. After graduation, Victor intends to seek a master’s degree.