On October 8, 2026, President Robert J. Jones delivered his first State of the University address in which he reflected on his first year as president and shared his vision and the University’s strategy for the future as it navigates the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read news and updates from University of Washington President Robert J. Jones.
Presidential News & Updates
Welcome, Huskies, to a new year full of purpose and possibility
Whether you are arriving at the University of Washington for the first time or continuing on a path already begun here, I hope that, like me, you are experiencing the profound sense of wonder and possibility that infuses our campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma at this time of year.
Inspiration and gratitude in equal measure as we close this academic year
This year has brought its share of challenges. We have navigated uncertainty, grief and moments that tested our resilience as individuals and as a University. And yet, again and again, I have seen what makes the UW so exceptional: your commitment to one another, to our mission, and to the belief that learning, discovery, innovation and public service measurably improve lives and strengthen communities.
UW community update: Arrest in Nordheim Court case
I write to share that an arrest has been made in connection with the horrific act that took the life of one of our students on Sunday night. I hope the arrest brings some sense of relief to our community.
Our community is grieving a terrible loss
I am heartbroken to write to you today following the tragic death of one of our students last night. This devastating act of violence has taken a beloved member from our Husky community and shaken us all. I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim.
Advancing sustainability at the University of Washington
At the University of Washington, sustainability and climate action are central to how we plan for the future of a public university, including efforts to reduce campus emissions, transition to cleaner energy and improve sustainable transportation systems.
Operational excellence is vital to the UW’s mission
UW Operational Excellence is not a series of projects, but a shift in the way we operate, with the aim to raise our administrative functions to the same level of excellence as our teaching, research, service and patient care.
Help shape the University of Washington’s next chapter through the strategic planning process
We are pleased to share with you a key milestone in our University’s strategic planning process: the draft University-wide strategic plan for everyone in our community to have the opportunity to review and help refine, as well as a video that provides the context and overview regarding this important process.
The “network of mutuality” that defines our mission
This coming Monday marks our annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day – a day when we pause to reflect on Dr. King’s life and leadership, the values he called our nation to live up to, and the responsibilities we share as members of a public university committed to the common good.
Our public mission is rooted in community engagement
We are proud to celebrate the news that all three University of Washington campuses — Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma — have once again been recognized by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with the Community Engagement Classification.