Behind every update, event, and answer from Parent & Family Programs is a small team that cares about your family. Get to know us, and reach out anytime!
Director
Jannah Maresh
Jannah is a proud product of public education, from her first day at Santa Monica Elementary through her UCLA degree. She has seen firsthand how a public university transforms not just students, but the families and communities standing behind them. She has spent her career making sure parents and families are part of that transformation. As a fellow Big Ten alumna, she is glad to be part of the UW family.
As Director of UW Parent & Family Programs, Jannah leads the team that helps your family stay connected to the UW. Together, they make sure every family has equitable access to the resources and information that support student success. Her work is anchored in two beliefs: families are vital to a student’s success, and “family” is whoever helped raise this Husky.
On any given day, Jannah and her team are your point of contact at the University of Washington. They answer your questions, send the deadlines and updates that matter, and host the events that bring your family back to campus. When something specific comes up, they connect you to the right person. Whatever your title in your student’s life, you have a place at PFP.
Assistant Director
Katie Christ
Katie is passionate about educational equity, lifelong learning, and creating opportunities for people to learn, connect, and grow. Before joining PFP, she was a Strategic Initiative Specialist and Program Manager for the Mayo Center for Asset Management at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. There, she strengthened academic programs and helped grow Darden’s leadership in investment management. Her work included strategic initiatives, event administration, faculty support, and student and alumni engagement.
Katie’s background also spans academic operations, program management, and global programming. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Psychology, with a focus on Applied Developmental Science, from the UVA School of Education and Human Development. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia.
Outside of work, Katie gives back through nonprofit volunteering, where she has moonlighted as a grant writer, outcomes analyst, and graphic designer. She is also a lifelong learner in the less traditional sense: always happy to pick up a new puzzle, experiment with watercolor, explore the outdoors, or hunt for interesting rocks.
And, of course, much of her free time is happily supervised by her dog, Chewbacca (Chewy), who is convinced that every moment is the right moment for a game of fetch.
Program Coordinator
Kaylie Nakaya
Kaylie Nakaya is the Program Coordinator for Parent & Family Programs (PFP), where she works behind the scenes to keep families informed and connected throughout their student’s UW experience. A proud UW alumna, she earned her computer science degree from the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and joined the team after serving as PFP’s Operations Intern.
Kaylie is passionate about family engagement, clear communication, and creating meaningful experiences for UW families. Her work spans web content, event operations, and student volunteer leadership. She is also pursuing her master’s degree in cybersecurity and loves learning something new every day!
Student Intern
Aeva Taing
Aeva is the newest intern on the PFP team! She is currently a sophomore at the University of Washington and brings a strong background in student leadership and service. In high school, she served as a public relations officer, vice president of the Philosophy and Psychology Club, choir section leader, and president of the Japanese Club.
Aeva is passionate about helping others feel comfortable and supported, and she often finds her way back to service. As a current UW student, she can offer an inside perspective on the college experience and help students navigate the transition to college with greater confidence.
Outside of school and work, Aeva loves staying active, trying new things with friends, and enjoying quiet craft nights. Ask her about philosophy, and you may find yourself discussing hypotheticals for hours!
Reach out to the team
PFP is your team at the UW
A real person on the PFP team reads every message and writes back, usually the same business day. For monthly updates on what is happening at the UW, sign up for the Parent Insider newsletter.