The Robinson Center for Young Scholars, a program in Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA), is entering a new phase of operational alignment designed to strengthen its long-term sustainability while preserving its core mission and identity.
Since January 2025, LeAnne Wiles, executive director of academic success and student transition in New Student & Transfer Programs, has served as interim executive director of the Robinson Center. Following a holistic review of the Center’s mission and operations, Undergraduate Academic Affairs’ leadership decided to organize the Robinson Center’s programs alongside UAA’s Student Academic Services unit, which also houses undergraduate transition and academic advising and support programs.
This change moves the Center from a stand-alone structure to a more integrated model with Student Academic Services. This operational alignment acknowledges a changing national landscape in early college entrance and reflects a commitment to innovation through strong professionals, clearer structures and intentional collaboration. This will ensure the Robinson Center remains vibrant, visible and sustainable for the future.
Throughout this transition, the Robinson Center student experience remains central. From the perspective of Robinson Center scholars and families, programming, advising and support will feel familiar and continuous.
What has not changed
The Robinson Center for Young Scholars in name, program offerings and community are unchanged by this administrative update. Additionally, there is no reduction of current staff.
These adjustments are not a dissolution or fragmentation of the Center. The Robinson Center will continue its decades-long work of and commitment to educating youth and supporting Robinson Center scholars in early entrance to the University of Washington.
What has changed
Going forward the Robinson Center’s executive director responsibilities will be shared by Wiles and Dan Feetham, executive director of advising curriculum and policy in Undergraduate Academic Advising. The Robinson Center and Student Academic Services will align their marketing and communications functions into a shared administrative service model to support all units more effectively and consistently.
Feetham will support the Robinson Center Scholars team and students (undergraduates who matriculated into the UW through the Robinson Center’s Transition School or UW Academy). Wiles will support the teams focused on the Transition School, enrichment programs and the Center’s administrative functions. Wiles and Feetham will continue to lead their current units while also supporting the Robinson Center team.
Robinson Center and Student Academic Services staff strengths are being matched to existing and emerging needs to ensure program operations are smooth and staff have opportunities for professional growth.
The Robinson Center will no longer be formally connected to a faculty member focused on advanced learning research but remains committed to staying engaged in the K–12 advanced learning field.
Together, these changes ensure the Robinson Center remains a strong, sustainable and student-centered program for years to come.
For more information, please contact LeAnne Wiles or Dan Feetham.