Service and leadership
Community engagement is at the core of what we do. Being a public university calls us to connect with communities in Washington state and around the world in meaningful, authentic and reciprocal ways. Our faculty, staff and students serve in partnership with leaders in nonprofits and neighborhood organizations, coming together to nourish our communities by combining knowledge and resources. UAA programs stand at this nexus, enlivening the UW’s aims to educate undergraduates to be servant-leaders in and with community.
What you’ll find here: Service and leadership opportunities // Peer-to-peer leadership opportunities // UAA’s university-wide service and leadership // Community engagement and leadership stories
New Huskies join the pack
Last summer, the First Year Program team turned on the dime to offer Advising and Orientation virtually, setting up thousands of students to succeed. This summer, they’re busy welcoming our newest Huskies through virtual A&O.
Read about A&O >
CELE Center Virtual Showcase
Even in a year of remote learning, staff, faculty, community partners and students have thought creatively about how to pivot their work and address critical issues in our communities. Students presented their projects in a virtual showcase.
View the showcase >
Service and leadership opportunities
Community Engagement
Through community engaged courses, civic fellowships and paid internships, students explore their own identity, gain a deep understanding of complex social issues, and learn how their leadership skills can make a difference in their community.
Dream Project
UW undergraduates mentor students at under-resourced middle and high schools to support planning for life after high school, including the college applications process. UW students develop leadership skills and learn about education equity, college access and social justice. Course credit and/or paid positions are available.
Husky Leadership Initiative
The Husky Leadership Initiative provides and promotes leadership education opportunities for undergraduates within and beyond the classroom. Through its programs, curriculum and cross-campus collaboration, students cultivate the knowledge, skills and mindsets of effective and ethical change agents and involved community members.
Jumpstart
Through Jumpstart, UW students provide language, social-emotional and literacy programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promote quality early learning for all children. UW students gain experience in preschool classrooms, setting goals, teamwork and leadership skills. Workstudy paid positions and class credit are available.
Mary Gates Endowment for Students
Scholarships for original leadership projects. Students work with a mentor to create a service or leadership project that enables them to learn and develop skills to become future leaders in business, nonprofit organizations and their communities. (Research and innovation scholarships are also offered.)
Riverways Education Partnership
UW undergraduates tutor and mentor in K-12 schools in Seattle and across Washington state. Through Alternative Spring Break, seminars and tutoring K-12 students, undergraduates become familiar with diverse cultures, build relationships with communities, gain leadership skills and study issues of equity and access in education. (The Pipeline Project was renamed Riverways Education Partnership in 2020.)
Peer-to-peer leadership opportunities
Peer leaders serve as mentors, supporters, tutors and coaches to other Huskies, helping students feel a sense of belonging on campus. By having a trusted, more experienced student to ask questions and bounce ideas off of, undergrads learn how to make the most of their Husky experience. It’s a win-win for students, and many UAA programs offer peer-to-peer leadership opportunities.
Academic Support Programs
Academic Support Programs helps UW students realize their potential through the Center for Learning and Undergraduate Enrichment (CLUE) and academic success coaches. Leadership positions include CLUE tutors, student success coaches, discussion leaders and front desk manager.
CLUE staff and student coaches
First Year Programs
Empowers entering students to succeed by building community and helping students find their way at the UW. FYP offers several volunteer and paid leadership roles, including First-year Interest Group leaders, orientation leaders and Dawg Daze volunteers.
Honors Program
Honors students can be mentors, or peer educators, to assist others in navigating academic and extra-curricular pathways through the University. The Honors curriculum requires participation in experiential learning, including community engagement, service and leadership.
Office of Undergraduate Research
Students gain leadership capacities through engagement in research. Moreover, through the Undergraduate Research Leaders Program, students serve as catalysts who bring awareness and insights about research to peers, gaining outreach, professional development and leadership experience.
Undergraduate Research Leaders
Undergraduate Advising
UAA peer advisers are UW students trained in advising work, and work with students on major exploration, course registration, accessing academic resources, problem solving and decision making.
UAA’s university-wide service and leadership
We advocate for undergraduate education in shaping University policy. Our leadership champions undergraduate education at the individual, University and state levels.
Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity
Programs in the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity (EXPD) offer opportunities for undergraduates to connect with mentors to participate in research, engage in community-based learning and leadership and apply for scholarships to support their undergraduate education and to participate in post-graduate opportunities.
Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center
Provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to thriving communities; building authentic community and campus partnerships drive the Center’s work. Our programs include CELE Fellowships, Community Engaged Learning Courses, Dream Project, Husky Leadership Initiative, Jumpstart, Othello-UW Commons, Riverways Education Partnership and Undergraduate Community Based Internships.
Othello-UW Commons
The Othello-UW Commons includes community partnerships and academically grounded community service informed by research, teaching and scholarship. Located in the Othello neighborhood, it’s a physical space for the UW community and local partners to come together to benefit Southeast Seattle.
Student Academic Services
Student Academic Services supports all students on their path into and through the university, while also advocating for students who need more connection and support. Their programs include Advising, Academic Support Programs and First Year Programs.
Community engagement and leadership stories
UAA statement on leadership transition for the Robinson Center for Young Scholars
December 6, 2024
Undergraduate Academic Affairs is recognizing Dr. Kristina Henry Collins for her leadership of the Robinson Center for Young Scholars. After much consideration, Dr. Collins has decided to resign from her position of executive director of the Robinson Center, effective Jan. 27, 2025. She intends to continue her research, teaching and leadership foci of broad-based advocacy…
Sean Gehrke named assistant dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
November 26, 2024
Undergraduate Academic Affairs is pleased to announce Sean Gehrke’s new role as assistant dean. Sean Gehrke has served over 20 years in higher education, holding a variety of administrative, research and assessment roles.
University of Washington recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting
November 26, 2024
The University of Washington is one of 471 colleges and universities recognized for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation in the 2024 election. The University of Washington joins 471 campuses in being named a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The UW has been recognized by the ALL…