News
The undergraduate experience at the University of Washington is, like our students, dynamic and diverse. Gain behind-the-scenes insight into the way UAA deepens and expands academics at the UW through stories about the people and programs in UAA.
Feature Stories
First Year Programs now hiring an associate director
December 30, 2022
Undergraduate Academic Affairs - Student Academic Services has an outstanding opportunity for an associate director of First Year Programs. Within UAA, First Year Programs (FYP), a department under Student Academic Services, is responsible for the annual entry and transition of all new University of Washington students (approximately 9,200 first year and transfer students) and family…
UW grad Daniel Chen named prestigious Marshall Scholar
December 12, 2022
https://youtu.be/ZyCPQNMMZ_A Daniel Chen ’22, has been named a Marshall Scholarship recipient. Chen graduated last spring with majors in microbiology and informatics, and will be pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences and genomic medicine and conducting genomic medicine research at the Sanger Institute at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Originally established in…
Undergraduate Academic Advising is now hiring for an assistant director
December 9, 2022
The assistant director oversees the operational aspects of UAA Advising services, creating systems that support student engagement, overseeing student staff and leading communication efforts. As a key member of the UAA Advising (UAAA) leadership team, the assistant director shares responsibility for effectively managing academic advising for current and prospective UW students.
15-seconds at a time: Academic Support Programs [video]
November 10, 2022
https://youtu.be/DC93uB_fABA In this video, Academic Support Programs Director Ryan Burt takes on the challenge of explaining Academic Support Programs in less than 15 seconds at a time. “15 Seconds at a Time” is a series in which different Undergraduate Academic Affairs programs explain their work in bite-sized bursts. Academic Support Programs, located at the…
This autumn, let us begin again
September 28, 2022
It’s the beginning of another academic year. The leaves on the iconic cherry trees in the Quad are turning red, orange, gold. We often focus on these trees in the spring — and with good reason, the blossoms are spectacular and represent a kind of joyful renewal — but autumn and the start of classes…
Emily Kolby named director for First Year Curriculum and Engagement
September 22, 2022
Undergraduate Academic Affairs is pleased to welcome Emily Kolby to her new appointment as director of First Year Curriculum and Engagement. Kolby identifies First Year Programs’ guiding principles of intentionality, collaboration, equity and access as essential to the work of serving students. She believes that with continuing the work of intentionally connecting with each student,…
15 Seconds at a Time: Undergraduate Research Program [video]
September 19, 2022
In this video, Undergraduate Research Program Director Sophie Pierszalowski takes on the challenge of explaining the Undergraduate Research Program in less than 15 seconds at a time. “15 Seconds at a Time” is a series in which various Undergraduate Academic Affairs programs explain their work in bite-sized bursts.
Creating your UW academic adventure
September 9, 2022
Welcome to the University of Washington! This story is your own choose-your-own-adventure story, and begins right here with you. You are a first-year student in your first quarter. As you read, you will face challenges that ask you to decide which way to go. What will your pathway be? As you jump from storyline to…
An act of bridging
August 12, 2022
Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor speaks to his recent experience co-chairing the Mind and Life’s 2022 Summer Research Institute, the act of bridging and the greater purpose for a public research university and our work here at Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
15 Seconds at a Time: The CELE Center [video]
August 9, 2022
In this video, CELE Center Executive Director Francesca Lo takes on the challenge of explaining the UW Community Engagement Center and Leadership Education (CELE) Center in less than 15 seconds at a time.
A pathway with promise
July 14, 2022
In June, 2021, Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor joined then-Mayor Jenny Durkan and educational leaders to announce increased funding for the successful Seattle Promise college tuition and success program. The new funding prepares and supports Seattle Promise students in several ways, including their application and then transfer to the UW. As reported by The…
A quarter century with Riverways
June 13, 2022
Christine Stickler, retiring director of Riverways Education Partnerships After 25 years of service to the University of Washington and our local and statewide communities, Christine Stickler will be retiring July 2022. Stickler, founder and director of Riverways Education Partnerships, has transformed the learning and growth of countless students, connecting over 1,000 UW students with thousands…
Honors Director Vicky Lawson prepares for next adventure
June 7, 2022
After more than three decades of service to the University of Washington, Vicky Lawson will retire at the end of the academic year. Lawson, professor of geography and poverty researcher, has spent the past eight years directing the Honors Program, contributing to the deepening of its interdisciplinary focus and approach to intentional community building, innovative…
UW sophomore Jonathan Kwong awarded selective Udall Scholarship
June 1, 2022
University of Washington sophomore Jonathan Kwong was recently named a Udall Scholar! Kwong is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and resource management with a minor in oceanic and Pacific Islander studies. Jonathan Kwong , UW sophomore, was recently named a Udall Scholar.Photo by Ian Teodoro This year, the Udall Foundation awarded 55 scholarships…
Stephanie Smallwood named director of Honors Program
May 23, 2022
Congratulations to Stephanie Smallwood, acclaimed professor and historian, who has been appointed the new director of the University Honors Program, officially beginning her term in September, 2022. The University Honors Program, now celebrating its 60th birthday, serves as an academic core of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, bringing students and faculty from every corner of campus together…
The community and discovery of undergraduate research celebrated at 25th Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 16, 2022
Join students, faculty, staff and the broader UW community on May 20, 2022, as we celebrate the 25th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Engage in conversations surrounding the problems and questions of our times. Gather for innovative research that matters most to you.
Rosalie Fish, student, athlete and activist, selected as Truman Scholar
April 14, 2022
Congratulations to junior Rosalie Fish, the University of Washington's newest Truman Scholar! Learn more about her and the national, competitive scholarship recognizing student leadership.
Melinda Whalen, UW junior studying history and Russian, one of 20 nationwide to be awarded the selective Beinecke Scholarship
April 11, 2022
University of Washington junior and Honors student Melinda Whalen was recently named a Beinecke Scholar! Melinda is pursuing majors in history with a concentration in war and society and Russian language, literature and culture. Each year, only 20 undergraduates from across the country are awarded the selective Beinecke Scholarship of $34,000 to go toward a…
More than money: Scholarships, jobs, internships map to students' interests
February 18, 2022
Funding opportunities abound across UAA with a broad range of funded opportunities — scholarships, internships and jobs — that connect to and support students’ interests.
Celebrating the 2020–21 Undergraduate Medalists
February 17, 2022
From the thousands of undergraduate students at the University of Washington, three are selected each year for the prestigious President’s Medalist Award. Piper Coyner, Olivia Brandon and Catherine Chia are the medalists for 2020–21, selected by a committee for their high GPAs, rigor of classes and numbers of Honors courses. All three are students in…
15 Seconds at a Time: The Resilience Lab [video]
February 9, 2022
In this video, UW Resilience Lab Director Megan Kennedy takes on the challenge of explaining the Resilience Lab in less than 15 seconds at a time.
Connecting, belonging, being well: Across UAA, programs welcome back students
November 10, 2021
The pack is back! For the first time since the transition to mostly virtual learning in March 2020, Huskies are crossing Red Square on their way to class. These Dawgs include two classes who are completely new to campus: incoming first-year students and second-year students, in addition to upperclassmen who’ve spent more than 18 months…
CCRI receives nearly $1.2 million grant for work to increase equity in STEM
October 14, 2021
CCRI will work with two- and four-year institutions across WA state to build partnerships that support transfer experiences for low-income STEM students. Community College Research Initiatives, a program within Undergraduate Academic Affairs, received a $1,173,375.00 grant from Ascendium Education Group to work towards equity in STEM education for low-income learners across Washington state. Community College Research Initiatives…
Welcome to campus, we belong together
October 5, 2021
Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor We belong together. I made that statement at this year’s New Student Convocation, an annual event filled with academic flourishes to mark the beginning of a student’s university journey. This year’s event was decidedly different and intentionally formatted for public safety. We are still trying to emerge from a…
A subject to love, a determination to speak her truth
June 11, 2021
The diagnosis came on her first day of fall quarter. Cancer. Maha Alhomoud, newly arrived from Saudi Arabia had two options: Return home for treatment or stay in Seattle, attend the University of Washington and receive cancer treatment in the states. Maha Alhomoud at the UN General Assembly as a youth delegate for Saudi Arabia…
Pandemic pivot to jump into literacy
June 10, 2021
“What’s next, what’s next!” exclaimed Yuna as she jumped up and down in her seat. My heart filled with joy as I saw the story unfold on her face. Kylee-Ann Tawara in the Quad, pre-pandemic. // Photo courtesy of Kylee-Ann Tawara. I thought back to the beginning of the year. It was 2018, my first…
The 24th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium to happen virtually on May 21
May 16, 2021
On Friday, May 21, nearly 750 undergraduates from all three University of Washington campuses as well as local community colleges and regional colleges will participate in the 24th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will be held online for the second year. The UW’s Undergraduate Research Symposium is one of the largest in the country and…
UW senior Maha Alhomoud named Carnegie Junior Fellow
April 22, 2021
Maha Alhomoud, a University of Washington senior majoring in political science, has been selected as a 2021-22 Junior Fellow by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. A highly competitive award, only 5% of applicants are selected for the Carnegie Gaither Junior Fellows program each year. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a unique global…
UW Junior Sophia Carey named Beinecke scholar
April 21, 2021
University of Washington junior Sophia Carey was recently selected for the Beinecke scholarship! Carey, who is majoring in English and comparative history of ideas and minoring in theatre studies, was selected from 95 applicants to join this year’s class. Each year the Beinecke Scholarship offers 20 scholarships to undergraduates who intend to pursue a master’s…
UW junior awarded selective Goldwater Scholarship
March 26, 2021
Congratulations to University of Washington junior Daniel Chen, whom the Goldwater Foundation honored with its undergraduate scholarship for students studying the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Chen, who is majoring in informatics and microbiology, is one of 410 undergraduate students selected for the award from a pool of 1,256 students nominated by 438 institutions across…