Hello Huskies,
I couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to a new academic year. For those of you who are new to campus, I’m Denzil Suite, your Vice President for Student Life.
We in the Division of Student Life are all here to be your support team as you learn, explore and grow during your time at the UW. The HUB, UW Recreation, Housing and Food Services, Disability Resources, Hall Health Center and others are all part of that team.
In conjunction with our partners across campus, Student Life supports your health, safety, and well-being; builds supportive communities; and cultivates opportunities for you to build your own pathway to success at the UW.
Part of being at the UW involves navigating a big, complicated place and asking for help when you need it. Asking for help is normal — and necessary. Here’s where to go and how to ask.
I will send messages like this to you throughout the academic year. My goal with these messages (Pawket Guide — get it? Anyone?) is to equip you with need-to-know info and tips to help you maximize your Husky Experience, in a format that’s quick to read and easy to digest.
Ok, let’s get started …
Husky Experience
Safer together
Huskies watch out for each other. Who will you contact if you have safety or well-being concerns for yourself or others? Help build a stronger community by learning about the UW’s many safety resources, including UW Alert, SafeCampus, the UW Police Department, Husky NightWalk and more.
Connections
Study Abroad 101 & Let’s Talk Money — information sessions
Are you considering studying abroad? Register for Study Abroad 101 and Let’s Talk Money (Financial Aid & Scholarships) info sessions happening between Oct. 11 and Nov. 15. Learn about the diverse range of available programs, the application process, deadlines, scholarships and how financial aid and study abroad work together to lower out-of-pocket costs.
Career conversations between UW students and alumni
With Huskies@Work, students and alumni join together for a unique job shadowing/career conversation program. You can connect with alumni for short, one-time conversations about careers. Whether you’re curious about a new career field or already have a dream job in mind, sign up for Huskies@Work by Oct. 22.
Live reading of the US Constitution on Oct. 6
Join us for the annual UW Libraries’ live reading of the U.S. Constitution on Oct. 6. It’s open to the public and a great group activity for your class, RSO, team, affinity organization and friend group. Stop by to meet other students, build community, enjoy snacks and listen to the reading. You can also sign up to read a section.
Health & Well-Being
Your health & well-being support teams
Hall Health Center, LiveWell, UW Counseling Center, UW Recreation and others are here to support your health and well-being so you can make the most out of your Husky Experience.
Did you know?
- Hall Health offers one subsidized visit for a medical issue per quarter for enrolled students.
- LiveWell Confidential Advocates are a free, important resource for students impacted by stalking, relationship violence, sexual assault and sexual/gender-based harassment to learn about their rights and get connected to resources in a confidential space.
- The Counseling Center offers these great groups to get support at no out-of-pocket cost.
- Husky HelpLine (formally MySSP) gives students access to same-day, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support.
The Husky Health & Well-Being website is your go-to spot to see all UW health services for Seattle students in one place.
Career and Internships
In-Person Autumn Business Career Fair, Oct. 11
Meet employers representing all industries looking to recruit UW students and alumni for job and internship opportunities. This fair is open to all majors and years of study!
When: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Where: In person, Husky Union Building
How: Registration in Handshake is requested.
Bonus: Webinar on how to prepare for an in-person fair.
Navigating the UW
Find the tech you need to succeed
Check out UW-IT’s resource guide for all things tech you may need to help power your education: chart your academic path, study smarter with teaching and learning tech, get key software and navigate all the UW has to offer.
Welcoming new UW Provost Tricia R. Serio
Pop quiz: What is a provost, and what do they do? (Hint: A provost is not cheese that you put on a sandwich.)
Answer: As the University’s academic and budget officer, the provost leads the faculty, allocates resources and promotes student success through academic services such as admissions, financial aid and advising. In fact, we have a new provost, Tricia R. Serio, who joined the UW in August. Learn how excited she is to be here.
UW Libraries Student Guide
Start your year out with tips and tools that will help ease your journey and propel you to success. Bookmark the UW Libraries Student Guide for quick links and a comprehensive summary of all the resources and services provided to you by UW Libraries.
Leaders of the Pack
Name / Leadership Position: A.J. Balatico, Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) President
Pronouns: he/him/his
Academic Year: Year 6 of Ph.D. program
Major / Studies: Learning Sciences and Human Development Ph.D.
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
What does your position entail?
I represent the 16,000 graduate and professional students of the Seattle campus to UW administration, the Graduate School, our Board of Regents, community partners such as the Alumni Association and the University Book Store, and local, state and federal governments. GPSS directly funds Travel Grants for academic conferences and professional development. We also support departmental and Registered Student Organization activities.
Why did you get involved in student leadership?
Before graduate school, I was a high school science teacher. Part of my decision to go into a doctoral program in education was the realization that I’ve played an integral role in creating our future. As the years went by, a lot of my former students reached out after finishing college to say they were continuing on as grad and professional students themselves.
What do you wish you’d known about the UW sooner?
Our alumni network is huge and pushing the frontiers of knowledge and innovation across so many different fields. Someone out there probably has similar interests and goals and would be more than happy to get connected.
How can the UW community contact you or learn more?
Visit the GPSS website, email me at gpsspres@uw.edu or stop by my office in HUB 314.