Skip to content
Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Category: News

Content that has a shorter shelf life and is less likely to be republished over time.

New opportunity for early-career undergraduates to engage in research

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Posted on

Undergraduate Academic Affairs is delighted to announce the Undergraduate Research Collective, a new paid opportunity for undergraduates with no prior research experience to connect to research in their first and second years at the University of Washington. Leaders in the Office of Undergraduate Research are the program’s visionaries, architects and builders. Startup funding is provided in part by the Ana Mari Cauce Fund for Undergraduate Research, a new giving opportunity to honor President Cauce for her leadership in and support of undergraduate research.

Undergraduate research is one of the most impactful experiences available to students, benefiting students during their time at the UW and well beyond graduation. Students who participate in research often report it reinforced what they are learning in the classroom; increased their ability to think critically; engendered a sense of pride and purpose in being involved in work that contributes to the public good; and built a foundation for their future careers. As one of America’s leading public research institutions, the UW offers first-in-class opportunities for undergraduate research.

Undergraduate researchers present their posters during the Undergraduate Research Symposium in Mary Gates Hall.
Students showcasing their research across a variety of fields at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Students participating in the Undergraduate Research Collective will present their research at the end of their second year in the program. Photo: Photo by David Ryder

“We see the way students light up when they connect with research — many share that their experiences were transformative,” says Sophie Pierszalowski, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. “That said, research opportunities can be competitive and challenging to access for early career students without prior experience. These students are the future of research — our legacy of research excellence starts with them.”

The Undergraduate Research Collective is a cohort-based, two-year program designed for first- and second-year students and first-year transfer students with no prior research experience. It aims to improve systems and increase access to research for early-career undergraduates. Additionally, students in the Collective receive an $8,000 scholarship over the two years of the program.

In the first year, students develop relationships with their cohort; receive advising from the Office of Undergraduate Research; participate in a weekly seminar focused on research preparation and community-building; and are matched with and develop an onboarding plan with their faculty mentor. More than 20 faculty mentors from across disciplines have signed on to support undergraduates through the Undergraduate Research Collective.

In the second year of the program, students work on a research project with their faculty mentor for five to 10 hours per week; participate in cohort-based professional development workshops and events; and present their project at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Startup funding is key and is provided by the Mary Gates Endowment and the Ana Mari Cauce Fund for Undergraduate Research. The Mary Gates Endowment is one of the University’s largest endowments for undergraduates. The Ana Mari Cauce Fund was established by friends, colleagues and admirers of the outgoing UW president to honor and recognize her long-standing commitment to undergraduate research. Throughout her decades-long career at the UW, President Cauce has mentored and been influenced by undergraduate researchers and is a stalwart champion of broadening access to undergraduate research opportunities.

“Undergraduate students involved in research have the opportunity to consider questions and problems that matter,” said Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. “The experience begins with finding their passion, thinking critically about important issues, then applying those insights toward resolving real problems. Guided by mentors and inspired by the legacy of President Cauce, UW students involved in research push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute directly to improving the lives of individuals, communities and our society writ large.”

The pilot phase of the program will support 20 students. According to Pierszalowski, “The Office of Undergraduate Research envisions a future where capacity and infrastructure for early career undergraduate research programming at the UW continues to grow. We hope to partner with departments, research centers, individual donors and other research organizations who understand the value of this work and want to help grow this interdisciplinary effort to engage early career students in research through supportive and accessible pathways.”

Applications for students to participate in this first cohort are open through July 21. Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research’s website to learn more and apply.

The Undergraduate Research Collective two-year pilot is largely funded by donations made to celebrate President Cauce’s leadership and legacy. Visit our fundraising page to learn more about how you can support this program.

 

Impact of recent funding cuts on community engagement programs in UAA

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Posted on

UAA’s Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center is among the programs and organizations impacted by the federal government’s April 25 termination of $400M in AmeriCorps grants. The grant termination led to the abrupt cessation of CELE Center’s AmeriCorps K-12 Community-Engaged Learning Coordinator position. The impact of these grant terminations on the 40 CELE Center students currently enrolled in an AmeriCorps-affiliated program is not yet known.

This came about on April 25, when one of the CELE Center’s partners for AmeriCorps volunteers, the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good (WACC), had its AmeriCorps grant terminated, effective immediately, along with 1,000 other AmeriCorps programs engaging over 32,000 AmeriCorps members across the country. WACC provides funding and support for AmeriCorps positions on more than 30 campuses across Washington state, including all three UW campuses. As AmeriCorps members, students and volunteers contributed to the success of our state and nation by supporting K-12 academic engagement, housing and food security and other critical social issues. AmeriCorps members receive modest education grants or stipends for living expenses, depending on their type of service.

As the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, AmeriCorps has provided opportunities for more than 1.3 million individuals to serve their country, providing billions of hours of service to meet basic needs, improve communities and positively impact young people.

Resources for students

Additionally, the CELE Center recently received notification from National Jumpstart, the umbrella nonprofit the University of Washington Jumpstart program is under, that all 31 of their university-affiliated partner sites will close by this summer. This includes the UW Jumpstart program. The national organization cited financial constraints, a shift in their operational model, and uncertainty about the future of AmeriCorps funding as factors leading to this outcome.

Over the last 20+ years of Jumpstart at the UW, more than 1,200 UW undergraduates worked with over 5,000 Seattle preschool children from low-income families across Seattle to promote quality early learning so all children can be prepared for kindergarten. The lifelong impact of early childhood education is well-documented, and we are proud to contribute to that work. In the last several years, Jumpstart at the UW — which launched in 2003 as a collaboration between Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the College of Education, and the Work Study Office — enrolled dozens of UW students annually to serve as AmeriCorps members to work with preschoolers. Read one student’s experiences here.

These programs make our communities, state and country stronger, safer and more compassionate. Community-engagement opportunities help student AmeriCorps members develop interpersonal, critical thinking and leadership skills that benefit them in their future communities and careers. CELE Center staff are exploring ways to support affected UW students, staff, AmeriCorps members and community partners.

Discovery unfolds at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Written by Danielle Marie Holland
Posted on

On Friday, May 16, more than 1,500 undergraduates will present innovative research, scholarship and creative work as they converge at the 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The all-day celebration features undergraduates actively plugging into and contributing to the University of Washington’s strengths as an engine of discovery, public good and progress. Presenters represent all three UW campuses, as well as local community and regional colleges, highlighting the breadth of undergraduate research across the region.

Celebrating student leadership in action at the CELE Center’s 2025 Spring CELEbration

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Posted on

On May 7, the University of Washington’s Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center will present the 2025 Spring CELEbration, an inspiring undergraduate showcase of student service, leadership and community-engaged work.

The annual event features students in CELE Center programs and Mary Gates Endowment Leadership Scholars, presenting work focused on service, leadership and social change — from mentorship and educational equity to civic engagement and environmental justice.

Tristan Jafari, biochemistry undergrad, selected as Truman Scholar

Written by Danielle Marie Holland
Posted on

Tristan Jafari, a third-year student at the University of Washington majoring in biochemistry, has been selected for the prestigious Truman Scholarship. Set to graduate early, Jafari will pursue a master’s degree in philosophy of population health sciences at the University of Cambridge in England this fall.

A highly competitive award, only 54 students were selected nationwide this year from more than 743 nominations. The Truman Scholarship recognizes aspiring leaders driven to make change at the systems level. Students are selected on the basis of leadership skills, demonstrated civic engagement, academic potential and a desire to pursue a career in public service. Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate school, mentoring and additional benefits to help prepare them for careers where they can make an impact.

Four UW undergraduates named 2025 Goldwater Scholars

Written by Danielle Marie Holland
Posted on

Four University of Washington students have been named Goldwater Scholars by the Goldwater Foundation, advancing the University’s tradition of undergraduate academic excellence and recognition.

“The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award for students pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering and mathematics,”​ says Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. The UW awardees were selected from over 5,000 students nominated by 445 institutions. A total of 441 scholars were named for 2025.

The 2025 UW Goldwater Scholars are Sofia Dahlgren, Shivani Kottantharayil, Keming Qiu and Sahana Subramanian. “These scholars exemplify the excellence fostered by our public research institution, emerging as future leaders in the evolving research landscape and underscoring the vital role of researchers in shaping our collective future,” says Taylor.

UW undergraduate with interdisciplinary AI focus earns fellowship of up to $90,000 for graduate study

Written by Danielle Marie Holland
Posted on

University of Washington Honors student Andre Ye, pursuing bachelors’ degrees in philosophy and computer science with minors in math and history, has been selected for the esteemed Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans is a merit-based fellowship supporting immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate education in the U.S. This year, 30 Fellows were selected out of more than 2,600 applicants for their past achievements and future promise to make significant contributions to American society. Fellows will receive up to $90,000 to fund graduate studies for two years.

UW undergraduate receives prestigious Gates Cambridge scholarship

Written by Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Posted on

Tristan Jafari, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Washington, was selected for the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship. 

Jafari, a departmental Honors student set to graduate a year early this June, will receive a full-cost scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in philosophy in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge, England. 

The highly competitive scholarship recognizes past accomplishments and future potential. This year, 35 students from US-based institutions were selected to join the 2025 class of Gates Cambridge Scholars. In April 2025, 65 additional students from around the world will be named, forming a class of 100 Gates Cambridge Scholars from 36 institutions for the 25th anniversary of the scholarship.

“Being named a Gates Cambridge Scholar is an immense honor,” said Jafari. “It’s both inspiring and motivating to join a global community of scholars who are deeply committed to using their education to improve lives.” 

Photo of Gates Cambridge Scholar Tristan Jafari.
UW undergraduate Tristan Jafari was recently named to the 2025 class of Gates Cambridge Scholars. Jafari is eager to immerse himself in the global academic community at Cambridge, where he will advance his proficiency in spatial epidemiology, biostatistics and public health frameworks. Photo: Photo by Jayden Becles

Alongside this remarkable achievement, Jafari has earned the UW Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship, the UW Chemistry Scholarship and the Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship twice. He was also honored with the Martin and Anne Jugum Scholarship in Labor Studies, each of which provided him with invaluable opportunities and enriched his undergraduate experience.

Jafari was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Mukilteo, Washington, by Iranian parents who left their homeland as teenagers. They resettled in Germany before immigrating to the United States. As dual citizens of the U.S. and Germany, Jafari’s family spoke English, German and Farsi. This multicultural upbringing allowed him to navigate a blend of cultures, shaping his perspective on identity and global health.

After witnessing a life-saving medical response, Jafari became an emergency medical technician (EMT) during his freshman year and has since worked in Snohomish County. At the UW, he has grown through a diverse set of experiences — researching cardiometabolic disease at the UW Diabetes Institute, leading campus blood drives with the American Red Cross, establishing a free CPR training program on campus and volunteering to improve patient health literacy.

Jafari is eager to immerse himself in the global academic community at Cambridge, where he will advance his proficiency in spatial epidemiology, biostatistics and public health frameworks to better understand how systemic health challenges, such as addiction, chronic disease and emergency response, can be addressed.

“I know that this experience will challenge my thinking, broaden my perspective and equip me with the tools to become a more impactful leader in medicine and public health,” said Jafari. He hopes to pursue an M.D. after his master’s degree, with long-term aspirations to integrate public health leadership and clinical medicine.

Jafari expresses deep gratitude to his mentors and professors, including Mr. Eric Timm, Dr. Charlie Barrows, Dr. Hannah Jordt, Dr. Daniel Roberts, Dr. Inma Velasco, Dr. Mauricio Dorfman, and Dr. Josh Thaler. He also thanks his friends and family for their unwavering encouragement.

About the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 

Established in October 2000 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on a student’s intellectual ability, leadership capacity and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society throughout the world by providing service to their communities and applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others.

Learn about scholarship opportunities at the UW

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship application process is supported by the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards (OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with students, faculty and staff to identify and support undergraduate students and alumni in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for scholarships.