Dear Alumni, Colleagues, and Friends,
OMA&D’s 2025 was a year of milestone anniversaries and celebration, even amid challenging times. As we enter a new year, I am reminded that we get to work with some of the best and brightest students in the world on a campus enriched by world-class scholars and talented staff. I am deeply grateful for the strength of this community and proud of the many accomplishments we achieved together over the past year.
In March, we marked the IH’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, and wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ was featured in the Spring 2025 edition of Viewpoint. The article highlights the profound impact the longhouse –style facility has had for Native and Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and the university over the past decade and offers a preview of Phase 2, which will primarily focus on creating a hub for Native students and resources.
In May, we celebrated 40 years of Washington MESA with an event at UW, where Governor Ferguson and other leaders recognized four decades of commitment to STEM education, equity, and opportunity across Washington State.
We kicked off the academic year in September with the ECC Block Party, a student-focused social that expands our reach through partnerships with student organizations. Our Champions Program was a highlight in the Fall 2025 edition of Viewpoint, showcasing our work to support students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. Our 20th Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture was delivered by Dr. Carolyn Pinedo-Turnovsky in October. Her timely remarks, given the national context, sparked important conversations about barriers facing undocumented students and graduates. In November, we joined in celebrating National First-Generation College Day honoring first-generation students, faculty, and staff at UW.
These are just a few examples of the many ways we continue to open doors, foster belonging, and build inclusive paths to excellence.
Looking ahead to this spring, we are excited to be introducing a new event focused on the Spark Award, The Spark Social: Celebrating Leadership & Community, on April 9th, 2026, at Walker Ames Hall. Our Annual Celebration gala will be held the following month on May 20, 2026, at the UW HUB. Please mark your calendars! More information will soon be available for both events. Be on the lookout for a formal save-the-date email and the announcement of our wonderful award recipients.
As I noted at the beginning of this message, these remain challenging times in higher education, particularly for those engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work. Yet these moments also call on us to reaffirm our conviction for creating access and opportunity for all communities. I remain hopeful that the University of Washington will continue to be guided by our long-standing values.
As we enter 2026, let us extend grace and support to our friends and colleagues as we reflect on the past, make the most of the present, and prepare for a brighter future. I have convened OMA&D’s 60th Anniversary Committee, which will soon begin organizing our anniversary celebration that will take place in 2028. We WILL be here in 2028, continuing to positively impact the lives of students and communities.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful and joyous 2026!
With gratitude,
Rickey Hall
Vice President for Minority Affairs & Diversity
University Diversity Officer