Summary
If you missed Provost Tricia Serio’s Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, here’s a quick family-friendly recap of the main themes, why they matter for students, and a simple conversation starter you can use at home.
Key takeaways for families
- UW acknowledged the pressures students and families are navigating right now — and emphasized staying grounded in community, purpose, and practical action.
- Student success and access were front and center, including academic support through the UW Instructional Center (IC). One highlight shared: students who participate in IC programs are 45% more likely to graduate, and nearly 32% of undergraduates across UW’s three campuses identify as first-generation students.
- AI is part of learning today. UW is advancing AI literacy and responsible use through efforts like AI@UW — with a focus on equity and real-world readiness.
- UW emphasized the importance of critical thinking and constructive dialogue (including work through the UW Dialogue Initiative) to help students navigate information, disagreement, and complex issues.
- UW reaffirmed its public mission and research impact for Washington and beyond — and described work to strengthen research infrastructure and partnerships during a time of uncertainty in higher education.
A simple “Talk with your Husky” prompt
Try one of these low-pressure check-in questions:
- “What’s one UW resource or support that has helped you this quarter?”
- “What’s one thing you want to try next (office hours, tutoring, advising, a student org, a wellbeing resource)?”
Want the full details?
We’ll share the full transcript (and any available replay link) when it’s posted. In the meantime, this recap is intended to help families understand the themes and talk about them together.
Replay & Transcript link: https://www.washington.edu/provost/townhall/