Check out this fact sheet on Advising and Orientation, and learn about first-year students鈥� pathway into understanding 91爆料 values and the Husky Experience as well as the impact a thoughtful University transition has on student retention.
Category: Features
Typically longer in length and relevancy than content in the news category. Features content is more likely to be republished over time.
Cathy Beyer reflects on her career at 91爆料
After 30 years of working at the 91爆料, Catharine Beyer retired. During that time, she spent 17 years working in the Office of Educational Assessment and three in the Interdisciplinary Writing Program. We chatted with her to learn more about her time at the 91爆料.
What drew you to the 91爆料?
At 37, we moved to Seattle with our two kids so my husband could start a Ph.D. in applied math, his long-held dream. I had taught college writing courses and worked as an editor for an engineering consulting firm, so, I applied for a lecturer position in the 91爆料鈥檚 (IWP). The last thing I was told in my interview for the job was, 鈥淢icrosoft is hiring technical writers; you might check over there.鈥� This was 1984. Had I checked with Microsoft, I might be a millionaire today, but I got the job in the IWP and took it.
In your 30-year career at the 91爆料, what work have you done that you believe is the most important to others?
Institutionally and nationally, my big assessment projects 鈥� the and the , both of which resulted in books co-authored by beloved colleagues 鈥� would probably be considered my most important work. I loved that work, don鈥檛 get me wrong, but I think my teaching work might be more important over time. Not only did I have the honor of helping 13-years worth of students become better writers and thinkers, but I learned a ton about what undergraduates and faculty members experience that I then could carry into my later assessment work.
What have you found through your work that has most inspired you?
Our students are always inspiring. They are amazingly bright, interested in and knowledgeable about such diverse things. Sometimes they are shockingly brave 鈥� recovering from failure and loss or navigating an environment that feels unwelcoming, for example. They come to us from great pinnacles of success, but they have to start over here, and what counts for success is often very different from what mattered before. They come here hoping to be challenged and to grow. We owe them an experience that does that for each one of them.
What advice do you have for students, faculty and staff about the value of teaching and learning?
Because learning is complex, the ways we assess it must also be complex. Generic tests and surveys of students鈥� experience can鈥檛 tell us much about what our students have learned in college or how to improve our work. If we want to get that kind of information, we need to talk with students about their learning. We need to get faculty involved in looking at students鈥� work over time and discussing it together, identifying the growth (or lack of it) they find there. We need to also track learning that doesn鈥檛 fall neatly within our academic boundaries but that may inform them or have value beyond them.
You鈥檝e always had a rocking chair in your office. What meaning do rocking chairs hold for you?
Rocking may well be our first memory of comfort. I have always had a rocking chair in my office at the 91爆料 and elsewhere because I want whomever is talking to me 鈥� friends, interviewees, colleagues 鈥� to feel at home, comfortable and accepted in my presence. My rocking chairs are always big, capable of accommodating every size, age, color, temperament, mood and shape.
What鈥檚 next for you?
Really, I have no idea. I鈥檝e written a letter to the mayor and the chief of police asking them what changes they are making to get rid of discriminatory policing, but beyond that I鈥檓 reading, doing a little creative writing, and researching Angry Birds 鈥� once such an amazing, creative, beautiful set of games and now in the toilet. I want to find out what happened there. Other than that, I鈥檓 hoping to have the chance to get bored.
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Scholarship recipients announced!
This has been a remarkable year for scholarships! Twenty students, including 10 undergraduates, received . These students will spend the year either teaching English or researching internationally. Graduating senior, Krittika D鈥橲ilva will be attending Cambridge University on a . Recent graduate Benjamin Lee will be working on issues of Chinese security as part of the . Fifteen students will be embarking on solo trips around the world on . And, this is just a handful of the many scholarships our students received.
Ed Taylor Reflects on the 2015-16 School Year
The common thread running through the 91爆料鈥檚 purple and gold tapestry is a campus-wide commitment to service and the public good. I am inspired to watch the Husky culture of service grow year after year.
The Undergrad Research Symposium in Pictures
The Nineteenth听Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium,听organized by the听, gives听research experiences for undergraduates in all academic disciplines. The Symposium gives听undergraduates the听chance to present what they learned through their research experiences to a larger audience. It also provides a forum for students, faculty and the community to discuss cutting edge research topics and to examine the connection between research and education. The event includes poster sessions, oral presentations, visual performances and art exhibits by students from all three 91爆料听campuses, local community colleges and out-of-state universities, plus invited guests.
to see听our previous press release听on the event.
Photos from the event
Photos from Mary Gates Endowment Event 2016
The Mary Gates Endowment expands opportunities for undergraduates by providing听 and scholarships that ask students to articulate their goals, identify mentors, reflect on their experiences and actively engage in their own learning processes.听Each year, a celebration dinner is held to honor the recipients of the Mary Gates Endowment for Students scholarship.
Learn more .
Photos from the event
Congratulations to the class of 2016!
It’s graduation season and we wanted to hear more about our graduating seniors’ time at the 91爆料. We asked and they answered the following questions:
- What advice do you have for the incoming class?
- Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.)?
- Who had the biggest impact on their Husky experience and why?
Meet:
Ashley Alday | Katie Burkhauser | Elizabeth Castro | Mauricio Majano | Larry Mose | Ben Siegel | Jennifer Smith | Amy Wang
Ashley Alday
Major(s): Social Work
Minor(s): Education, Learning and Society and Diversity
What advice do you have for the incoming class?听Step out of your comfort zone and try something you never thought of trying! You never know, it may change your life! There are many opportunities here on campus that you can be a part of. By taking these chances, you create memories that will last you a lifetime while also expanding your network and developing a community you might have never knew existed if you didn鈥檛 try!
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): I鈥檝e had many proud achievements beyond the classroom. From being a team leader for Jumpstart and Pipeline Alternative Spring Break (ASB), to being an officer for the School of Social Work, to interning at the Children鈥檚 Administration and Northwest Adoption Exchange, to studying abroad in听Cambodia, to even being a part of a dynamic group of 91爆料 students as a Husky 100, all of my experiences have helped me grow in many different ways and I鈥檓 glad to have taken part in them! It was through these various experiences that I was able to deepen my skills and become the leader I am today, and I couldn鈥檛 be more thankful for all the experiences that 91爆料 had to offer me!
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) Oh boy, I can鈥檛 just choose one! My family definitely continued to motivate me to do my very best, my friends were always there to remind me that it was okay to take a break, and my Social Work cohort reminded me why I loved the field of social work so much! Along with these amazing people, I definitely have to say my Jumpstart and Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity (EXPD) family really contributed to my growth during my undergraduate career. They were there to push me during some of my roughest times and gave me the boundless opportunities I never knew I had. This office was more than an office to me, it was my home away from home and the place I spent TOO much time in during the past four years. I can鈥檛 thank all these individuals for supporting me along the way, and I couldn鈥檛 have done it without each and every one of them!
Katie Burkhauser
Major(s): Mathematics
What advice do you have for the incoming class? Be a sponge. There is so much information surrounding you that you should soak up! Get involved with a program that aligns with your passions because it’s a great way to meet new people and do what you love.
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): Being a high school lead at Global Connections High School through the Dream Project. This experience not only allowed me to pursue my passion for educational equity, but it allowed me to help support other college students in learning about social justice within our society.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) All of the staff members at the 91爆料 Disability Resource Center. Being able to work with such amazing people for the past three and a half years has been wonderful. I learned so much from each of these individuals and each one of them has contributed to me growing as an individual.
Elizabeth Castro
Major(s): International Studies
Minor(s): Education
What advice do you have for the incoming class? Never stop asking questions. I am amazed by the resources on this campus and how some of these services can even be underutilized. I am a fan of using the Chat with a Librarian feature when I am stuck on a research question; I practice speeches at the Speaking Center in the Communications Building; and I even bought one of my required course books at the monthly sales at the HUB. Sometimes hours of work (and money) can be saved with a short email to the right person, or multiple people.
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.):听 Riding on buses, trains and tuk tuks across five states in India was one of the most transformational experiences of my life. After my junior year, I studied abroad in the Women鈥檚 Leadership & Social Entrepreneurship program where I was humbled to meet an array of female leaders. These women run family businesses, hold top leadership positions at national organizations and participate in village governance. I draw life-long lessons from my peers and the individuals I met in India.
One of my proudest achievements at 91爆料 is developing a commitment toward my own self-care in the areas of meditation and mindfulness. It might sound so simple, but I am appreciative of just taking a step back and breathing. My time in India was crucial to understanding who I am as a person and a leader.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.)听 I am a first-generation college student from a Latinx farmworking family. The person who has made the biggest impact on my Husky experience has been Josue Cuevas, my roommate for two years and a dear friend who shares many aspects of my family background. Josue and I transferred to 91爆料 from Columbia Basin College in Eastern Washington. We鈥檝e gone through triumphs and trials as we navigate this huge university. On a long day, it鈥檚 so encouraging to see someone who is working toward his own amazing goals in a completely different field. Not to mention, Josue has the best jokes and gives great hugs. When I opened my acceptance letter to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, I will never forget that Josue was right there to support me.
Mauricio Majano
Major(s): Social Welfare
What advice do you have for the incoming class? I always heard that college is both the most fun and most stressful time. Fun because everything is new and there’s so much to explore. Stressful because there’s so much you’re learning and growing in as a person. My advice is to make sure it’s both.
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): 听One of my proudest moments was actually not my own achievement, but rather a mentee’s in the Dream Project. I saw my mentee grow from being so confused in where to even start in the college application process, to enrolling at 91爆料 Tacoma and receiving one of Dream Project’s Live the Dream Scholarships. Seeing her with her family at the scholarship reception, I felt so proud to see where she was headed and excited to have been a part of that process as a mentor.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) I was lucky to have a Husky experience with many impactful friends and peers. One of the very first and most lasting impacts came from my big [fraternity brother], Daryn Atkinson. He was one the first people I met at the 91爆料 and showed me the ropes for getting involved on the 91爆料 campus, staying strong academically and making time for fun and self-care. Daryn aided my transition into college and made sure I was able to start my full Husky experience.
Larry Mose
Major(s): Biology
What advice do you have for the incoming class? I would suggest that you gear yourself for the long haul. Transitioning to a four-year college is hard. You鈥檒l need to assemble a team that will help you throughout this journey. This means finding mentors, interacting with instructors and being best friends with your adviser. These people will help you in your journey in various ways. In this journey you are going to have some obstacles. You鈥檒l get frustrated, maybe have an instructor that鈥檚 not great or have a class that is really difficult. Yet, you have to be persistent and dedicated to succeed. Don鈥檛 let self doubt and resistance make you cynical. Lastly, take advantage of any opportunity, scholarships or internships.
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.):听 Last September, I was selected to join the Sidor Lab to work with graduate student Megan Whitney. I was able to learn more about the diversity of extinct vertebrate fauna at an anatomical level. Being part of this lab has given me the opportunity of being a Mary Gates Scholar and presenting my work on evidence of cancer in a fossil specimen.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.): My family, close friends, mentors Megan Whitney and Christian Sidor who have supported and facilitated my excitement in learning. By collaborating with them, they have encouraged me to be independent in pursuing topics that suit my interest in bridging disease of the past with the present. While my research does not apply to Dr. Sidor and Megan Whitney鈥檚 larger research goals, examining diseases of听the past is fascinating and remarkable.
Ben Siegel
Major(s): Geography
Minor(s): Education, Learning and Society
What advice do you have for the incoming class? Discover what you are passionate about and you will find a supportive community of like-minded individuals. While I have really enjoyed the outstanding academic experience at 91爆料, my time as an undergraduate has been defined by my involvement outside of the classroom. Through my involvement programs on campus, RSOs and intramural sports, I have developed a greater sense of direction in college experience and future plans.
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to volunteer and work with the 91爆料 Dream Project, a program on campus focused on supporting low-income and first generation high school students throughout the college application process. I’m proud to have the opportunity to represent and contribute to Dream Project. I currently work at Rainier Beach High School as a Dream Project college and career readiness assistant. I have really enjoyed getting to know students and feel fortunate to be a part of the community of staff and students at the school.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) The Dream Project staff members and student leaders have had a powerful impact on my Husky experience. They saw some potential in me that I was not yet aware of and supported me unconditionally in my growth as a mentor and leader. I have dedicated myself to Dream Project in large part because of their passion and selflessness they demonstrate on a daily basis.
Jennifer Smith
Major(s): History and the Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)
What advice do you have for the incoming class?听Take advantage of all the wonderful resources and opportunities the 91爆料 has to offer. Do not be afraid to explore majors, and most importantly, find your community early. Being such a large school, finding that small group who support you and share in your successes and your struggles will make your undergraduate experience more meaningful and your transition to college more manageable. Also, do not forget to have fun, make friends and explore the beautiful city of Seattle!
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): Remaining involved in undergraduate research and seeing all of the opportunities that come from engaging in meaningful research is one of the things I am most proud of. Working with mentors and communities, analyzing sources and sifting through stacks of documents to craft my own original project has been such a wonderful experience, giving me tools to succeed in graduate school and beyond. However, my greatest accomplishment beyond the classroom is knowing that I am setting a good example for my children by showing them it does not matter where you came from, it only matters where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. When I wrote my personal essay for the transfer application to 91爆料, I stressed the importance of obtaining an education to make my children proud. I could not have gone through this journey without the support of my family, to know that my children are proud to call me “mom” makes all of the late nights and hard work completely worth it.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) The person who had the biggest impact on my Husky Experience is my research mentor, Professor Mar铆a Elena Garc铆a. No matter how crazy my ideas, she always supported and encouraged me to follow my dreams and to be true to myself. Her kindness, generosity and knowledge helped me to grow so much both as an academic and a person that there are no words to express how much I appreciate her.
Amy Wang
Major(s): Human Centered Design & Engineering
What advice do you have for the incoming class?听Try a little bit of everything. Join organizations on campus and seek opportunities. 91爆料 is so huge that there is something for everyone to fall in love with. Academics are important but don’t make it your sole priority. Go have fun 鈥� you’re in college!
Tell us about your proudest achievement beyond the classroom (ex. community-based service, research learning, leadership, etc.): I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to run for president just after two months of joining an organization. The outcome of what I’ve created has been the proudest achievement of my college career. As a second-term president of the (SWE), I’ve grown our organization from what once was only 30 members to what is now 470 members. I’ve been able to build an organization from the ground up and create a supportive and inspiring network of women engineers. I am confident that 91爆料 SWE will continue to grow, helping students pursue degrees in engineering through career development, social events and community outreach. I’m proud to say that I built an organization that is here to stay.
Who had the biggest impact on your Husky experience and why? (Ex. faculty, mentor, roommate, etc.) There are so many people who I’m thankful for in helping me shape my Husky experience. Some of my biggest supporters have been my family (parents, brother, grandparents and relatives), Cathryne Jordan and Dan Feetham who supported my leadership development, my best friend Begum, my boyfriend Jordan, the SWE executive officer team, my mentor Megha, Human Centered Design & Engineering friends, professors and advisers, and friends who I’ve known since high school, my freshman year, and through summer internships. I’m really grateful for these people.
91爆料 undergrad’s project helps restore hand movement
At the 91爆料, undergraduates like Sasha Portnova research issues that can impact the world. Portnova, a senior in the , uses her research to help solve the difficulties individuals with spinal cord injury may face. Growing up in Kazakhstan, Portnova was discouraged from studying engineering, which was viewed as a more typical male subject.
After coming to the U.S. and enrolling in the 91爆料, she discovered her passion for engineering and helping others. This passion led her to begin working on her project – a wrist assistive device for individuals who have lost hand movement. The 3-D printed device assists in hand movement for an estimated cost of $15. In addition to being cost-effective, the designs will be available online via open source for anyone to print their own.
Along the way, she has presented her research to multiple conferences including Posters on the Hill in Washington D.C. After graduating this spring, Portnova’s next steps include obtaining a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. She plans to use her passion for research to help others, specifically veterans.
Undergraduates to present research spanning academic disciplines on May 20, 2016
On Friday, May 20, more than 1,000 91爆料 undergraduates and visiting scholars will participate in the 19th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium 鈥� an event that is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The Symposium is organized by Undergraduate Academic Affairs鈥� Undergraduate Research Program and takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 91爆料 Seattle campus. Students will present in poster and oral sessions in Mary Gates and Johnson Halls; a performing arts session in Meany Studio Theatre and a visual arts and design showcase in Odegaard Undergraduate Library (see event details below).
Undergraduate research allows students to contribute to groundbreaking work and helps them gain the experience necessary to one day lead innovative research themselves. 91爆料 undergraduates are getting involved in research in increasing numbers 鈥� more than 7,400 students participated in research in 2014-15. Over 900 faculty, post-doc, research staff and graduate student mentors supported this year鈥檚 Symposium presenters through their research, helping students develop subject area knowledge, transferable skills and an entrepreneurial perspective that will prepare them for future employment, education and citizenship.
The Symposium is open to undergraduates from other institutions, and we are thrilled to welcome presenters from 20 other institutions including , the Seattle Colleges, Montana State University, Washington State University and the University of Victoria (complete list below).
The ideas explored this year are notable for their diversity and breadth. Students will share their research on topics such as direct brain-to-brain communication of simple images; an exploration of the NFL鈥檚 鈥淣O MORE domestic violence鈥� campaign; therapeutic targeting of protein function in cancer cells; an interactive narrative to create empathy for people experiencing homelessness; managing hardwood forests for long term objectives and many more.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Baldasty and UAA Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor will address Symposium participants and attendees in a brief welcome at 11:00 a.m. in the Mary Gates Hall Commons. The will also be recognized at this time for excellence in guiding undergraduates to become scholars and researchers.
Event Details
鈥� What: The 19th Annual Research Symposium at the 91爆料
鈥� Who: More than 1,000 inspiring undergraduates at 91爆料 presenting ground-breaking research.
鈥� When: Friday, May 20, 2016 鈥� 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
鈥� Where: Mary Gates Hall, select rooms in Johnson Hall, Meany Studio Theatre and Odegaard Undergraduate Library
鈥� Plan ahead: See event schedule and search the Online Proceedings at
Institutions Represented
Bellevue College
Edmonds Community College
Everett Community College
Heritage University
Lake Washington Technical College
Lewis & Clark
Montana State University
North Dakota State University
North Seattle College
Portland State University
Seattle Central College
Shoreline Community College
South Seattle College
University of Oregon
University of Victoria
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Whitman College
91爆料 sophomore selected for Goldwater Scholarship
Formed to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, the Goldwater Scholarship awards $7,500 per year, for up to two years of study, to students studying the STEM fields. The foundation seeks to 鈥渇oster and encourage outstanding students to explore careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.鈥�