The Goldwater Foundation honored four 91爆料 students this year. Selected from 1,280 nominees from across the country, Nelson Lui, Kimberly Ruth and Tyler Valentine were named Goldwater Scholars. Andrew Luo earned an honorable mention.
Goldwater Scholarships are granted to sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise and plan to pursue research careers in math, engineering or the natural sciences.聽 .
Major: Earth and Space Sciences Expected graduation: 2019
Learn more about scholarship opportunities at 91爆料 罢丑别听Goldwater Scholarship聽application process is supported by the聽聽(OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards.
91爆料 seniors Tobi Du and Caleb Huffman will join approximately 125 scholars from around the world as part of the Yenching Academy of Peking University鈥檚 2018-19 cohort. A U.S. News & World Report poll ranked Peking University the fifth best global university in Asia, and second-best university in China. The opportunity to join is highly competitive. In 2017, only 4 out of 124 Yenching Academy Scholars from the states studied at public research universities in the United States.
Launched by China鈥檚 Peking University in 2014, the Academy aims to build bridges between China and the rest of the world by educating the next generation of leaders and innovators. As Yenching Scholars, students design their own research in humanities or social sciences, take language classes and study China鈥檚 past, present and future. The 1-2 year program culminates with students earning a master鈥檚 degree in China studies. In addition to covering the costs of tuition, the award includes round trip air travel from the student鈥檚 home country, housing on campus and living costs.
“Undergraduate education at the 91爆料 aspires to prepare students for cross-cultural leadership, scholarship and impact in the world,鈥� explains Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. 鈥淲e are so proud of Tobi and Caleb for this recognition of their accomplishments-to-date as well as the promise of their future work and impact in the world.鈥�
This opportunity for a focused look into China鈥檚 role in the world closely aligns with both Du鈥檚 and Huffman鈥檚 academic interests and future career goals.
Tobi Du
Major: Political science (departmental honors) Expected graduation: June 鈥�18
A Taiwanese-American student studying political science with a focus on international security, Du plans to pursue a career in diplomacy and policymaking as a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State. While at Yenching Academy, Du seeks to study the role of China in global politics, envisioning a close diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and China as critical to the international community. 鈥淸The Yenching Academy] will strengthen my personal and professional development by honing my cultural adaptability and personal resilience, and provide a basis for future intensive international assignments,鈥� says Du. 鈥淭he regional expertise that I will gain from this program is invaluable to my potential career as a diplomat.鈥�
To deepen her knowledge about East Asia, the Sammamish native served as a project leader in her Korean Peninsula and World Politics course and studied the construction of Japanese identity in Tokyo via an Honors Program study abroad class. She is currently writing her honors research thesis about how North Korean domestic political changes and Kim Jong-un鈥檚 external and internal threat perceptions have affected the country鈥檚 accelerating nuclear and ballistic missile agenda.
Beyond her studies, Du is focused on giving back to the community. She serves as volunteer director for the 91爆料 Foundation鈥檚 Senior Class Gift Council and is a lead of a local Family Readiness Group, connecting families of soldiers with information from their commanders.
Caleb Huffman
Majors: Political science, communication (college honors) Expected graduation: June 2018
Originally from Onalaska, WA, Huffman鈥檚 eagerness to build bridges between cultures prompted him to take advantage of any and all foreign-service-related opportunities. As a freshman, he was selected as a Gilman Scholar to study human migration in Rome and Amsterdam. He next served as a Husky Presidential Ambassador, traveling to Tsinghua University in Beijing and went on to earn a fellowship with the U.S.-China Initiative Student Fellows program at Georgetown. There, he attended conferences with senior U.S. and Chinese diplomats in Washington D.C. and Beijing. Most recently, he served as a delegate as part of the Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford, attending conferences at Stanford and Peking University. Huffman believes that the U.S.-China relationship will be a critical, and perhaps, the most important bilateral relationship of his lifetime. He is eager to improve his Mandarin skills and gain a better understanding of Chinese law, history and culture.
鈥淪tudying China鈥檚 legal system at Yenching Academy will be my foundational study of a legal system (my master鈥檚 degree will be in Chinese law and society), the first of many ventures examining legal systems around the world. I aim to be a leader, one who sees a vision of what could be with an ability to understand what is, while always working to persuade others to change what is because of what could be.鈥�
Huffman鈥檚 interest in cross-cultural leadership and international policy led him to double major in political science and communication. His future plans include pursuing a degree in international law, with the aim of holding an influential role in American foreign relation鈥檚 peace-building efforts.
Learn more about scholarship opportunities at 91爆料 The Yenching Academy application process is supported by the聽聽(OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards. 罢丑别听聽(and other scholarships supporting graduate studies around the world) will get started this spring for 2019-20 awards. Watch for updates about OMSFA鈥檚 Global Fellowships Prep program.
Husky Leadership Initiative Leadership Firesides offer ongoing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse range of civic, corporate and campus leaders in an informal setting. These leaders share their personal journeys and perspectives on leadership and become momentary mentors for students attending the event. The Firesides are a way for students to learn more about and reflect on leadership and build their leadership competencies and confidence.
The Husky Leadership Initiative is pleased to be a partner of the 91爆料 (OMA&D) 50th anniversary festivities in 2018. To recognize this milestone, the winter quarter Fireside series showcased five influential alumni who were impacted by OMA&D programs and/or served as champions of diversity, equity and inclusion during their time at the 91爆料. Mentioned here are three of these alumni, whose unique stories of leadership captured the attention of students in attendance. We were also fortunate enough to host Attorney General Bob Ferguson, another 91爆料 alumnus, who shared stories ranging from being a chess master to filing a lawsuit against the federal government.
The audio recordings, photographs and biographies of these speakers can be found below.
Franklin Donahoe
Franklin Donahoe is chief information security officer at Mylan Pharmaceuticals. He has more than 25 years of experience in cyber and physical security, as well as military service in the United States Marine Corps. He is the former director of information security architecture and design and risk management at T鈥揗obile USA and manager with Deliotte and Protiviti consulting firms and also the former chief information security officer of Costco Wholesale. Franklin has experience developing and executing strategy, operations and budgets for the protection of enterprise information assets and managing security programs.
He is the principal and founder of Donahoe Advisory Group, a cybersecurity consulting firm offering executive level consulting, as well as deep technical security penetration testing for IT, industrial and IOT systems.
Franklin is the commissioner for Washington State African Affairs, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the 91爆料 and two masters’ degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.
Magdalena Fonseca
Magdelena Fonseca is the interim director for the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity鈥檚 (OMA&D) Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center.
Fonseca has been particularly instrumental in leading OMA&D鈥檚 efforts to better serve and support undocumented students on the 91爆料 campus. Her early work in this area started quietly, but as time passed and laws changed, she helped bring greater visibility to both the needs of undocumented students and the ways in which faculty and staff can serve as allies. Her efforts have been led by the creation of the Kelly ECC鈥檚 Leadership Without Borders Center, which offers a space for connecting undocumented students to campus and community resources, as well as leadership development resources and peer advising.
Fonseca鈥檚 contributions extend into the community as well. She is co-chair of the 91爆料 Latino/a Faculty Staff Association, and through a partnership with a Seattle organization called YouthCare, has volunteered at a transitional home center where undocumented, unattended youth stayed until being united with family.
Anita Johnson-Connell
Dr. Connell completed her undergraduate degree, medical school and residency program at the 91爆料, and has given back to her community both professionally and philanthropically. Since 1982, Dr. Connell has run her own private OB/GYN practice in Seattle鈥檚 First Hill neighborhood. She delivered babies until 2004 and now focuses primarily on surgery and office gynecology at her Johnson Connell Clinic for Women in the Nordstrom Tower. Among the highlights of her very successful career was delivering the youngest son and grandson of one of her 91爆料 mentors and friends, Dr. Samuel E. Kelly.
While she was an undergraduate student at the 91爆料 in the late 1960s, Dr. Connell was among a group of African-American and minority students who chartered the first Black Student Union and, in doing so, helped build a springboard for the development of what is now OMA&D. When she began her studies at the 91爆料 Medical School, she was part of the largest class of women to have ever been accepted to the program, but was just one of three African-American females. She overcame the challenges of opening up her own practice during a time when few female doctors even practiced in the Seattle area.
On top of juggling a solo practice and raising her family, Dr. Connell makes sure to always remain accessible to the community. She has been a keynote speaker for various events, raising awareness of women鈥檚 health issues and education. In addition to serving as a member of various professional associations, her most recent community involvement has focused on working with the Seattle chapter of Links, Inc., a predominantly African-American women鈥檚 organization that gives back to the community in many ways.
Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson is Washington state鈥檚 18th attorney general. As the state鈥檚 chief legal officer, Ferguson is committed to protecting the people of Washington against powerful interests that don鈥檛 play by the rules. He is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, a graduate of the 91爆料 and the New York University law school. Ferguson began his legal career in Spokane. He clerked for two federal judges before returning to Seattle to join Preston, Gates, and Ellis (now K&L Gates) where his civil litigation practice included work on behalf of taxpayers, corporations and small businesses. In addition, Ferguson is an internationally rated chess master and twice won the Washington State Chess Championship.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.聽continues with demonstrations of strength, resiliency and compassion. During MLK week, 91爆料 students, faculty and staff partnered with surrounding communities to serve and lead together. From prepping food at meal centers and cleaning up neighborhood centers to sharing their stories through the creativity of hip hop and performance poetry, see the different ways they worked toward creating a more beloved community.
Video highlights from MLK Week
Video by Bryan Nakata, UAA Digital Media Producer
Photo highlights from MLK Week
Enjoy these photos of the students, community members and others in events designed to honor the memory of MLK through service.
Birthday Kickoff and Mobile Museum
A celebration of聽King’s birthday helped kickoff the week, along with the return of the mobile museum. 罢丑别听museum, which exhibits more than 150 rare artifacts,聽had a specific focus on 1968, the year of King’s death.
Day of Service
Each year, the 91爆料 and the United Way of King County host the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Through this event, nearly聽2,000 volunteers provide vital people-power to organizations that support our county鈥檚 most vulnerable populations.
Hip Hop Show
To close , the produced the “Still Dreaming” showcase to honor the messages that King presented to the world in his “I聽Have a聽Dream” speech.
All photos by聽Bryan Nakata, UAA Digital Media Producer
Timothy Welsh is the 91爆料’s most recent Churchill Scholar. Photo: Bryan Nakata
A Pacific Northwest native, Timothy Welsh grew up fascinated by the natural world. Over the years, his career goals transitioned from geology to forestry, until he discovered chemistry.
鈥淲hat made me finally decide on chemistry as the path for me is an appreciation for the remarkable microscopic and biochemical functions that are crucial to every aspect of interactions between the biotic and abiotic environment.鈥�
A triple-major in chemistry, biochemistry, and applied and computational mathematical sciences, and Honors student, Welsh’s research endeavors seek to better understand some of the biochemical mechanisms underlying these processes. 鈥淓lucidating these mechanisms will not only deepen our understanding of nature, but I believe will help provide solutions to some of the biggest problems facing the human race,鈥� he says. Welsh鈥檚 drive to discover led to his selection as a Churchill Scholar.
鈥斅燱elsh is one of only 15 in the country 鈥� are selected for their proven talent in research and ability to make significant contributions in the sciences, engineering or mathematics. Welsh was selected from 101 applicants for this scholarship, which covers full tuition for one year of master’s study at Churchill College in the University of Cambridge; a stipend; travel costs; and a chance to apply for a $2,000 special research grant.
“Receiving the Churchill is truly a great honor. I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to pursue research at Cambridge, and I believe that the academic environment at Cambridge will teach me what it means to be a global research collaborator and will set me up to be successful for the rest of my academic career.”
鈥擳imothy Welsh
Welsh first worked in a lab as a high school student during a summer internship at the Oregon Health & Sciences University, and has been researching ever since, working in labs from the 91爆料 to Switzerland. In 2017, Welsh published a first-author paper, sharing the results of his summertime work in Dr. Walter Loveland鈥檚 nuclear chemistry lab at Oregon State University. Currently a member of Professor Stefan Stoll鈥檚 lab, Welsh鈥檚 research now focuses on developing techniques to determine the structure and changing shapes of proteins.
鈥淭he Churchill scholarship,鈥� says Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, 鈥渋s a prestigious opportunity for Timothy to continue working toward understanding our world in critical ways. It reflects his ambition and capabilities and also reflects well on the mentorship he鈥檚 experienced as an undergraduate researcher. The 91爆料鈥檚 research community and campus-at-large are proud of Timothy and encourage him as he continues to live out 91爆料鈥檚 mission at Cambridge.鈥�
As a Churchill scholar, Welsh will complete a master鈥檚 degree in chemistry at Cambridge. There, Welsh will join the lab of Professor Tuomas Knowles 鈥� a leader in the field of microfluidic techniques within biophysics 鈥� to study properties of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granule formation and propagation. Building on his past research experiences, Welsh plans to use microfluidic techniques to better understand how granules function within the cell, both when healthy and when mutated. The long-term goal of this research is to better understand how these mutations are related to neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS and Huntington鈥檚.
After earning his master鈥檚 at Cambridge, he plans to return to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. with an emphasis in chemical biology. He hopes to one day educate the public about the importance of the microscopic biochemical world and act as a liaison between scientists and policy makers.
The Churchill Scholarship application process is supported by the聽聽(OMSFA), a UAA program. OMSFA works with faculty, staff and students to identify and support promising students in developing the skills and personal insights necessary to become strong candidates for this and other prestigious awards.
罢丑别听聽(and other scholarships supporting studies in the UK) is open for 2019-20 awards.
For nearly 40 years, the 91爆料 has celebrated the top undergraduate in each class by awarding them the President鈥檚 Medalist distinction. Selected by a committee for their high GPA, rigor of their classes and number of Honors courses, this year鈥檚 recipients feature three well-rounded students who excel in both the sciences and the arts. Freshman medalist Grace Wang is an aspiring pediatrician with a strong background in violin and visual art. Sophomore medalist, Isabelle Tully wants to be a psychology professor by day and poet by night. And junior medalist, Alder Strange splits her time between the lab and stage as a biochemistry and musical theater double major. These exceptional students will be recognized at a reception with President Ana Mari Cauce, and this award will be listed on the student鈥檚 permanent academic record.
Growing up in the Waldorf educational tradition, Grace Wang learned early on the importance of having children explore the world through their own senses. This natural curiosity and excitement for learning drew her to the , which integrates discussion-based learning and experiential learning. A pre-med biochemistry student with the goal of becoming a pediatrician, Wang recently joined a qualitative clinical research team at Seattle Children鈥檚. Along with her team, she is working on improving care coordination for medically complex cases through cloud-based care plans. Outside of research, Wang plays violin in chamber groups on campus and even started her own business teaching violin to children. An avid artist, she also volunteers as an illustrator for the undergraduate neuroscience journal, , where she is able to combine her love of art with her interest in scientific research. For now, her dedication to helping people is clear. She is a founding member of Synapse at the 91爆料, an organization that connects people with traumatic brain injuries to resources in the greater community, and volunteers as a healing music volunteer at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). In this role, she plays welcoming and soothing violin music in waiting rooms throughout SCCA.
Going to college can be daunting, especially when you come in as a younger student through the , which is exactly what Isabelle Tully did. However, Tully worked hard to find her place. 鈥淚 live with a group of wonderful roommates and am so thankful to be in such a supportive environment on campus鈥�. The people and opportunities I am surrounded with have confirmed choosing this path was the right decision.鈥� The psychology major recently joined Dr. Lori Zoellner鈥檚 lab to work on Project STEP and Dr. Lynn Katz鈥檚 lab as a research assistant for a study on children who display low pro-social behavior. Under the guidance of Dr. Curtis Hisayasu and Dr. Henry Laufenberg, Tully discovered her passion for teaching while working as a teaching assistant for 91爆料 Academy students. This combination of research and teaching solidified Tully鈥檚 career goal: working in academia as a psychology professor and researcher. Eager to take advantage of the opportunities available at 91爆料, Tully tried a couple of service learning classes, and discovered two wonderful organizations 鈥� Seattle Against Slavery (part of a class on human trafficking class) and the North Helpline Food Bank (part of a sociology class.) Tully鈥檚 love of experiential learning also led her to a study abroad trip through Italy, studying migration across the Mediterranean Sea, which she describes as 鈥渓ife-changing.鈥� A writing minor, Tully hopes to one day publish a book of poetry in addition to her academic career.
Hailing from Seattle, Strange dreamt of attending the 91爆料 as a little girl. Now that she is a Husky, Strange is taking advantage of all the opportunities: 鈥淚 have many diverse passions, and I am thrilled to be able to pursue so many of them at 91爆料.鈥� A biochemistry and musical theater double major, Strange also participates in the . Through Honors, she鈥檚 taken advantage of several unique learning-beyond-the-classroom opportunities, including a natural history field study course and study abroad trip to Ecuador. Outside of class, you can catch Strange in one of her many co-curriculars: In the lab, as a researcher in Dr. Cole DeForest鈥檚 lab where she investigates the application of a new protein to the hydgrogel-based systems of drug delivery. On the soccer field, as a regular member of her pick-up soccer team. At her old elementary school with Professor Marjorie Olmstead, teaching math to students. And, on stage, as part of the 91爆料鈥檚 production of . With the long-term goal of being a pediatrician and researcher, she is excited to draw from her broad interests to find balance.
One of the few days my mother wept in my presence was April 4, 1968, the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed in Memphis, Tennessee. Fifty years ago this year. When I think of Dr. King鈥檚 life and death, I often think of women like my mother who seemed to hold undisclosed and unnoticed stories of suffering.
Black women of my mother鈥檚 time held true to a quest for positive identities, complicated by the overlapping oppression of race, class and gender. They were brave survivors who lived under the shadow of oppression but did not lose their faith or humanity. The memory of their efforts, routinely missing in history, is coming to light now.
In the closing comments of his final book,聽“,” Dr. King wrote: 鈥淲e are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. 鈥� This may well be mankind鈥檚 last chance to choose between chaos or community.鈥� According to him, 鈥淔or its very survival鈥檚 sake, America must re-examine old presuppositions and release itself from many things that for centuries have been held sacred. For the evils of racism, poverty and militarism to die, a new set of values must be born.鈥�
Police dog attacks a civil rights protester.
I think about some of those key phrases and ideas in a 2018 context: 鈥渢he fierce urgency of now;鈥� 鈥渃haos or community;鈥� a re-examination of our values. Our values and habits relating to women must change. It can start by seeing truth in the overlooked contributions women made to the civil rights movement. Dr. King鈥檚 call to moral vision without hubris asks us to see that the historical images of the most dramatic moments of the civil rights movement 鈥� protesters blasted by fire hoses and dogs lunging at Black people 鈥� are often images of women and girls.
Little Rock Nine and Daisy Bates posed in living room. Photo from Library of Congress archives.
The 1957 image of six young Black women who became the Little Rock Nine and who risked their lives to integrate Arkansas high schools shows us truth. To see the 1964 image of Mississippi beautician Vera聽Pigee styling hair and educating her customers on voter registration is to see a certain truth. The 1963 photo of students, mostly women, at Florida A&M University, a historically Black college, answering court charges for protesting segregated movie theaters shows truth.
Women served as teachers, civil rights organizers and as lawyers on school segregation lawsuits, and they “played vital roles in the struggle for human rights and justice in the South and the nation,鈥� according to , the first Black female director of the nonpartisan Voter Education Project. a long-time secretary of the NAACP, discussed the importance of women leaders in local branches: 鈥淲ell, actually when you think about women’s contributions to the NAACP, without the women we wouldn’t have an NAACP.鈥�
Some of the 220 African-American students from Florida A&M in a circuit court room to face charges of contempt for demonstrating against segregated movie theaters.
In society, and even within the movement, many Black women experienced discrimination and harassment. Starting in 2009, the interviewed participants in the struggle and included points of pride along with candid assessments about the difficulties women faced within the movement.
was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and one of three women to serve as field director for the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. She noted that gender equality was not a given: 鈥淚 often had to struggle around issues related to a woman being a project director. 鈥� We had to fight 鈥� it was a struggle to be taken seriously by the leadership, as well as by your male colleagues.鈥�
I love this statement made by , an extraordinarily effective leader for civil and women鈥檚 rights who 鈥� along with so many involved women 鈥� most people probably don鈥檛 know. Dorothy Height wanted to 鈥渂e remembered as a woman who used herself and anything she could for justice and freedom. I want to be remembered as one who tried.鈥�
Women marching in 1963 March on Washington. Photo from Library of Congress.
How will we try? As individuals and as a community, how will we change our habits, listen with humility, learn to trust women鈥檚 stories, and not just bear witness to but march alongside women? It is time to聽extend the work for justice and equality where Dr. King left off in Memphis the day he died. If we are to learn from this moment, on the 50th anniversary of his death, let鈥檚 choose community over chaos and view King鈥檚 birthday and his death as a renewed call to action to use ourselves for justice and liberty for all.
Our work within UAA and out across the University is tied together and interdependent. Research, service and scholarship go hand in hand. The first-year experience, and students鈥� transitions through to declaring a major and graduating into lives outside the University are one and the same. Leadership, service and ethics all serve the same purpose: To become a more thoughtful and compassionate public.
Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor offered his thoughts on today’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Links to President Cauce’s statement and resources are also available here.
Congratulations to the 2016-17 Undergraduate Academic Affairs staff recognition awardees. Selected for their dedication to supporting UAA鈥檚 mission of creating innovative academic experiences for undergraduates, these six UAA staff members made an indelible impact on 91爆料 students, faculty and staff.
Bryan Nakata, digital media producer, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Award for Excellence
Awarded to employees who have worked in UAA for at least five years, this award celebrates the employee鈥檚 leadership in creating formative student experiences and building the necessary infrastructure to support their vision. Recognizing the critical role advisers play in the undergraduate experience, Aley Mills Willis evolved the Honors advising program to be an essential piece of her students鈥� experience. Understanding the importance of experiential learning, Kathryn Pursch Cornforth actively works with peers across the campus and community to lay the foundation for students to engage in service learning.
Aley Mills Willis, the advising mastermind
鈥淎ley is a natural and gifted adviser, always fully engaged with each student she works with, while simultaneously thinking about the bigger picture of academic services. She is thoroughly dedicated to students and works tirelessly and creatively to ensure that they have rich and challenging experiences, while also supporting them in that journey. When recent graduates of our program are asked 鈥楬ow did Honors help you in your time as an undergrad?鈥� the nurturing, individually tailored advising experiences is most-often cited.鈥�
鈥� 91爆料 Honors Staff
Achievements of note: Created the Honors advising program, consistently provides support for her staff to grow; founded the Honors Field Studies Program; played a key role in building the Honors admission process; integral in developing the Honors 100 first-year seminar and the 2010 Interdisciplinary Honors curriculum; instrumental in creating the peer mentoring program; and formalized the National Collegiate Honors Council鈥檚 Partners in the Parks program.
Kathryn Pursch Cornforth, the visionary facilitator
鈥淜athryn is an inspirational, thoughtful and patient lead for UAA and for faculty teaching around the presence of Tent City 3 on campus during winter quarter. She worked tirelessly with the Tent City Collective, Tent City residents and with faculty to ensure that our collaborations were substantive, ethical and appropriately engaged. I could not have successfully offered my own class, 鈥楨ngaging Homelessness,鈥� without her wonderful partnership. We are so lucky to have Kathryn in the Carlson Center!鈥�
鈥� Dr. Vicky Lawson, director of Honors and professor of geography
Achievements of note: Played a critical role in fostering an impactful stay for Tent City 3, including building relationships with Tent City 3 residents, vetting learning opportunities with Tent City 3, including classes, conversations and meals; led the development of MLK week; heads the service learning teams, which impacts 3,000 students, 350 community partners and 100+ faculty; assisting with the development of a pilot study aboard program in Berlin, Germany.
See highlights from MLK Week, which Kathryn Pursch Cornforth plays a large role in organizing.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Recognizing the innovation, collaboration and tenacity it takes to initiate change, this award acknowledges the leaders behind some of UAA鈥檚 innovative programming. Ali Albrecht鈥檚 commitment to serving transfer students led her to create more robust experiences for them. Carey Christie鈥檚 vision for an Honors alumni network inspired her to build an active and engaged community of alumni.
Ali Albrecht, the transfer student advocate
“Ali has taken the lead on improving the transfer experience for more than 2,000 new transfer students every year. Even before she formally took on this role, Ali exhibited innovative thinking by hosting a Transfer Husky Kick-off event with remarks from President Cauce … Ali has always thought creatively about how we can broaden the UAA footprint to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity a transfer student brings to our campus.”
鈥� The First Year Programs Team
Achievements of note: Collaborating cross campus to improve the transfer student experience, including: hosting a Transfer Husky Kick-off event, establishing the Transfer Ambassadors peer mentor program, a seminar for transfer students and strategic plan to stay engaged with these students year-round and actively mentors students.
Virtually attend Transfer Dawg Daze, which Ali initiated:
Carey Christie, the alumni network architect
鈥淐arey has made the position her own, defining and crafting it to create a model of innovation, imprinting her creativity, her ‘can do’ attitude, and diverse communication skills to the task of alumni outreach and community building. Her special achievement of increasing alumni engagement in Honors has accomplished many layers of good for the Program and ripples across our work in Honors, as well as advances UAA鈥檚 mission to deepen and strengthen community.鈥�
鈥� 91爆料 Honors Staff
Achievements of note: Establishing the Honors Alumni Program from scratch; producing and coordinating the Global Challenges Event; creating the Honors Alumni Panel, now an integral part of the program; managing and steering the Advisory Board; Honors Hearths, which brings faculty and alumni into the residence halls for heartfelt conversations; and marketing the Honors Program.
Outstanding Student Employee Award
Student employees are an integral part of the UAA staff. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of two student employees. Chloe Lee鈥檚 enthusiasm for her work as a TA is contagious and regularly inspires those around her to get involved with causes they feel passionate about. Bryan Nakata鈥檚 creativity has played an integral role in shaping UAA鈥檚 communications work.
Chungeun 鈥淐hloe鈥� Lee, leading by example
鈥淢any Robinson Center students have been inspired by Chloe鈥檚 initiative and leadership and have followed her into these groups to give back to their community in ways that Chloe has modeled. … Chloe鈥檚 contributions to the Robinson Center鈥檚 mission have been vast and, in every role she takes on, she demonstrates exceptional professional integrity, personal responsibility and care for others. We simply could not ask for a better teacher, leader and mentor for our community of students, and we feel so lucky that Chloe has given so much of her professional and personal energy to supporting others who wish to follow in her footsteps.鈥�
鈥� Curtis Hisayasu鈥�, associate director of programs, 91爆料 Academy, Robinson Center
Achievements of note: Founder, 鈥淗uskies for Kids鈥� registered student organization (RSO) which raises awareness of childhood poverty and illness; officer in 鈥淗and2Hand,鈥� which works with several women鈥檚 and youth shelters. As a T.A. performed better than most graduate students and set the bar for future T.A.s
Bryan Nakata, the up-and-coming filmmaker
鈥淏ryan has great technical knowledge and ability, and he also has a strong degree of self-awareness, creativity, drive, narrative instinct, receptivity to others鈥� ideas, and empathy to tell stories really, really well. His technical ability supports his creativity in his video work. He knows the effect of a particular camera lens, or lens flare, or angle, or lighting. And he鈥檚 constantly striving to push himself to learn more and use the technical to support the story.鈥�
鈥� Kirsten Atik, communications director, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Achievements of note: Consistently producing top quality films and photos, including the MLK video above. Here are some additional videos he’s produced:
Mary Gates Endowment 20th Anniversary
Making art out of rejection: Miha Sarani paints his heroes
