Transferring to the 窪蹋勛圖厙 is a major milestone for thousands of Huskies who start at Washingtons community and technical colleges. This fall, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 is opening the in Mary Gates Hall, uniting programs and partnerships under and providing transfer students with a centralized, welcoming home for advising, peer mentorship and campus connections. As a central space for connection, collaboration and celebration, the Center builds transfer community year-round.
Located in Mary Gates Hall 141, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Transfer Center offers drop-in advising with UAA and OMA&D advisers and also hosts small-group campus visits for Washington’s community and technical colleges.
Establishing a Transfer Center is the critical next step, said Joslin Boroughs, director of advising initiatives and partnerships for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising. Centralizing brings visibility to the transfer student experience and improves coordination so we can support student success. Think of the Transfer Center as your campus partner. Its a single front door for referrals and a resource hub for best practices. A central point of contact, transfer guides and departmental connections streamline referrals for prospective and current students, as well as faculty and staff.
The Transfer Center unites long-standing partnerships between 窪蹋勛圖厙 advisers and Washingtons community and technical colleges to remove barriers to timely transfer. It also connects existing initiatives such as Path to 窪蹋勛圖厙, which gives prospective students early access to 窪蹋勛圖厙 resources. The Center’s space is reservable for partner-hosted, transfer-supportive events.
The Path to 窪蹋勛圖厙 partnership with Seattle Colleges is re-writing the story of transfer to a flagship university, said Melody McMillan, senior executive director of Seattle Promise at Seattle Colleges. Built with student access and success at the center, Path to 窪蹋勛圖厙 was shaped by student and faculty feedback and acting on that feedback works.
Coordinated advising through the Path to 窪蹋勛圖厙 program meets students earlier and more consistently expanding access to a world-class public research university, said Michaelann Jundt, senior associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Transfer students at a glance 2025
Enrolled: 1,685 transfer students
From Washington community and technical colleges: 1,400 (83%)
Regions: Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, Southwest, Central and Eastern Washington (such as Seattle Colleges, Bellevue, Peninsula, Clark, Yakima Valley and Spokane)
Top majors: business, computer science, psychology, biology, nursing, communication, economics, informatics, engineering, design, English, sociology, environmental science and resource management
Students will also meet , a peer leadership team developed with who host welcome events, offer one-on-one support and help students navigate their first year on campus.
Adjusting to new teaching styles and the course load can be overwhelming, said Transfer Ambassador and psychology major, Iqra Mohamed, 26. What helped me was introducing myself to people near me on day one and joining study groups. It can feel intimidating, but it sets you up for success and builds self-advocacy.
With a dedicated space, theres a go-to for questions and drop-in support, Mohamed added. It shows a place designed for transfer students, which can strengthen belonging. Transfer can feel like a short stop, but the Center will help students feel more connected and find accessible opportunities to create a memorable 窪蹋勛圖厙 experience.” Kitchen access, study spaces and lockers remain available in the Commuter and Transfer Commons.
Ambassadors continue outreach at partner colleges, closing the loop from exploration to enrollment. Seattles students are brilliant and driven, added McMillan. When institutions align around them, applications turn into admissions, admissions into enrollment, and enrollment into graduation and career.
One year in, we expect growth in ambassador engagement, referrals and event participation clear signals that students are reaching support sooner, said Boroughs.
Over the past decade, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 has become more vocal and intentional about transfer student success, said Jundt.
The Transfer Center is that commitment made visible a place where students can find their path, and their people, from day one.
窪蹋勛圖厙 Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising
Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising supports undergraduates across all majors with academic planning, exploration and success connecting students with advising, resources and opportunities that help them graduate on time and thrive at the 窪蹋勛圖厙.
In the Honors Program, where interdisciplinarity and inquiry define the student experience, Professor Jon C. Herron exemplifies the kind of teaching that changes how students see the world and themselves.
窪蹋勛圖厙 alumnus Evan Siu, ’23, has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar, one of the worlds most competitive graduate and fellowship programs.
Siu, who earned a bachelors degree in informatics, joins the programs 10th class of 150 scholars chosen from nearly 5,000 applicants worldwide. will pursue a fully funded masters degree in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, where they will study Chinas role in global trends alongside leaders in business, technology and policy.
Whether through software, policy, investment or classrooms, my goal is to widen access through technology to finance, information and trade networks so geography isnt the limiting factor in human potential, Siu said. Im excited to walk that path with my classmates, giving as much as I learn from all of them.
In Beijing, Evan Siu, 23, plans to engage with Chinas technology sector and explore the regions design, consumer services and global economic connections.
Siu is an associate product manager at Visa in San Francisco, where he has supported products across AI-powered fraud and identity, cross-border payments, small-business tools and cryptocurrency. He now works with Visa Ventures, helping shape the firms strategy for investing in fintechs and startups worldwide.
My professional experiences have shown me how financial technology can bank the unbanked, reduce barriers in commerce and make interactions between nations more seamless, Siu said. I hope to apply those lessons to deepen U.S.China collaboration.
At the 窪蹋勛圖厙, Siu combined his informatics studies with leadership roles in entrepreneurship and technology communities. He was active in the Lavin Entrepreneurship Program, DubHacks Next, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Blockchain Society, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Consulting Association, and helped open undergraduate access to the Creative Destruction Lab during its inaugural year on campus.
Born in the United States and Chinese by ethnicity, Siu traces his passion for U.S.China exchange to a middle-school trip to Shanghai, where QR-code payments first showed him how technology could simplify everyday life.
With the incoming class, the Schwarzman Scholars network includes more than 1,300 members from 104 countries and 459 institutions. Alumni of the program are leading across industries and working together to address urgent global challenges. This years record-high number of applications demonstrates young leaders growing investment in understanding China and shaping the future of global cooperation.
窪蹋勛圖厙 the Schwarzman Scholars Program
The is an elite scholarship program founded in 2013 by Blackstone Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman. The program was created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century by preparing the next generation of global leaders.
Up to 200 scholars are selected annually from a broad range of backgrounds, including business, technology, science, politics, healthcare and more.
窪蹋勛圖厙 the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards
The Schwarzman Scholars Program process is supported by the (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.
Every fall, new Huskies arrive at the 窪蹋勛圖厙 curious, driven and a little nervous. More than 25% of our first-year students are the first in their families to seek a four-year degree. Of the 窪蹋勛圖厙s undergraduate population, 55% receive financial aid, 74% are Washington state residents, representing all 39 Washington counties. Throughout their undergraduate journey, thousands will plug into research and community engagement, gaining experience and developing character traits that prepare them for their future.
Why should you care? Because its not just about current students. What happens at the 窪蹋勛圖厙 doesnt stay on campus. In just a few fast years, undergraduates will leave with more than a diploma: Theyll carry with them the persistence, empathy and civic responsibility our workplaces, communities and democracy demand.
Undergraduate experiences beyond the classroom, like research, community engagement and leadership education enliven and animate classroom experiences and bring students into the breadth and depth of the 窪蹋勛圖厙.
We readily see the ripple effects of undergraduate education, from the alum who teaches your child multiplication, to the nurse who cares for your parent, or the software engineer at your office who solves a thorny problem. However, undergraduate experiences beyond the classroom, like research, community engagement and leadership education have the potential to become difference-makers for students and the world they graduate into. They enliven and animate classroom experiences and bring students into the breadth and depth of the 窪蹋勛圖厙, one of Americas leading research universities. Teaching the next generation the foundations of research and service for the public good matters to Washington state residents personally, publicly, profoundly for decades to come.
Research, community engagement and leadership education the areas we focus on in our work are integral to students career preparation and teach skills, habits and mindsets that AI cant generate. Undergraduate researchers learn persistence, flex the muscle that discerns fact from fiction, apply knowledge across a range of complex problems, and so much more. Students who learn to lead through communities wrangle with ethics, deepen their self-awareness, practice respectful dialogue, and develop a sustained commitment to our civic spaces.
One undergraduate researcher explored how people diagnosed with Alzheimers feel about different interventions and saw firsthand how those facing this disease have different opinions and approaches to the idea of memories. She was surprised to learn that some viewed forgetting as a gift. She plans on taking the lesson of being curious about different perspectives to her journalism career.
Another undergraduate volunteered in schools, helping students apply to post-secondary education. In this service and leadership work, he practiced public speaking and community-listening skills. Hes brought these skills to his law career representing victims of crime. He learned that listening and effective communication builds trust between communities and the justice system.
Sophie Pierszalowski, left, is the director of the 窪蹋勛圖厙s Office of Undergraduate Research. Fran Lo, right, is the executive director of the Community Engagement and Leadership Education Center at the 窪蹋勛圖厙.
Lets look at the big picture again. By 2031, an estimated 72% of jobs will require education beyond high school. Students who take part in research, community engagement and leadership education are more likely to persist to graduation. These opportunities help students articulate their why, which sets them apart in scholarship applications, job interviews, graduate school applications and more. More than two-thirds of 窪蹋勛圖厙 graduates stay in Washington state. Undergraduate research, community engagement and leadership development teach the habits of heart and mind we should expect from our business community, politicians, civic leaders and the neighbors next door.
Summers over and fall is here. We are delighted to begin again as we do at the start of every new school year with this newest group of Huskies. We cant wait to see what inspires them within and beyond the classroom and, most importantly, how they will contribute to the world beyond them. There is no time like the present, for their future and ours.
Fran Lo is the executive director of the Community Engagement and Leadership Education Center at the 窪蹋勛圖厙. Sophie Pierszalowski is the director of the 窪蹋勛圖厙s Office of Undergraduate Research.
Four 窪蹋勛圖厙 undergraduates have been awarded Fulbright scholarships for the 202526 academic year, joining three other 窪蹋勛圖厙 students and alumni selected for the prestigious international program. They join about 2,000 recipients nationwide who will pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad.
This years undergraduate awardees will travel to Germany, Mexico, Tajikistan and the United Kingdom to engage in research, teaching assistantships and advanced study in the arts.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the is the nations flagship international exchange initiative, supporting students in building global connections through education, service and scholarship.
Seven 窪蹋勛圖厙 students and recent alumni were selected for Fulbright exchange awards. Top row: Emily Bassett, Thomas Key, Vincent Da, Elana Skeers. Bottom row: Sabrina Prestes Oliveira, Jack Regala and Annabella Li. Photo: 窪蹋勛圖厙
窪蹋勛圖厙 the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards
The Fulbright application process is supported by the(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. The(and other scholarships supporting graduate studies around the world) will get started this spring. Watch for updates about OMSFAs.
The 2025 Spring CELEbration produced by the 窪蹋勛圖厙s showcased the dedication and impact of Mary Gates Leadership Scholars and CELE Center program participants like Otoniel Velasquez-Paz, Braedyn Reed and Finn Guzman all committed to leadership, community engagement and civic health. The annual event highlighted projects spanning educational equity and mentorship, civic participation and environmental justice.
Through table talks, poster presentations and lightning talks, students connected academic learning with real-world change and demonstrated a powerful truth: When supported in aligning their values with leadership, students impact extends far beyond the walls of campus.
The Spring CELEbration highlights students deep engagement with community issues and their work to strengthen civic health and democracy, said Fran Lo, CELE Center executive director. Heres how these graduating seniors are preparing to take the lessons, skills and relationships theyve cultivated through CELE Center programs into new chapters in policy, entrepreneurship, education and beyond.
Supported by CELE Center programming and Mary Gates Leadership Scholarships, Velasquez-Paz, Reed and Guzman, along with all CELE Center graduating seniors, enter the next stage of their lives as community leaders. They will continue shaping neighborhoods, institutions and systems, demonstrating ethical leadership that sets the future of our communities and democracy in motion.
Programs: Dream Project, Mary Gates Leadership Scholar
Otoniel Velasquez-Paz is an advocate for community college pathways, citing their strong language support and affordability. Photo: Photo by Jayden Becles
Otoniel Velasquez-Paz works to expand college and career access for students in communities where a college-going culture is still developing. He is a Mary Gates Leadership Scholar and mentor at Evergreen High School, located in the Southwest Seattle neighborhood of White Center. There, he supports the schools college and career center by providing guidance and resources tailored to students goals.
As a bilingual Spanish and English speaker, Velasquez-Paz understands the unique challenges many primarily Spanish-speaking students face in the college process. These students often have limited opportunities to explore the full range of postsecondary options and need more personalized support to plan for life after high school.
We support students in achieving whatever dreams they have, he said. Our goal is not just to push them toward college; its to support any post-high-school plans they have.
Growing up in Moses Lake, a community with a large Hispanic population and many families involved in seasonal work, Velasquez-Paz was shaped by mentors who helped guide his path. As a student from this community myself, I saw the need for targeted support, he said. Velasquez-Paz launched a series of postsecondary panels focused on empowering students to take charge of their own futures.
A key feature of his project was a live document capturing panelists’ responses, translated into multiple languages including Spanish and Vietnamese. Many students come to me wanting to speak Spanish, Velasquez-Paz said. Having written knowledge in their language makes a difference.
Velasquez-Paz is an advocate for community college pathways, citing their strong language support and affordability. He attended community college before transferring to the 窪蹋勛圖厙, and his mother is currently studying English at the same college.
He sees his work as part of a broader effort to offer hope and access amidst recent changes in federal policy that have increased barriers for undocumented students. The goal of my project is to show students that despite these barriers, there are still people and resources they can rely on to succeed, he said.
Velasquez-Paz received a a $5,000 award that supports undergraduates developing their leadership skills through hands-on experience, reflection and mentorship. The funding eased his financial burden and allowed him to focus on outreach and coordination. Ive developed skills in collaboration, public speaking and event planning, all of which are helping me grow as a leader, he said.
His academic and leadership experiences are deeply intertwined. Environmental justice is closely linked to social justice, he said. This work has given me a better understanding of the real-world impacts of environmental decisions.
Velasquez-Paz plans to enter the private sector after graduation to gain experience, with the long-term goal of working in policy. Engineers can design great solutions, he said, but without government support, nothing happens. Civic engagement has to be part of the work.
Building more connected communities
Braedyn Reed, 25
Major: Community, Environment and Planning
Programs: Husky Leadership Certificate, Leadership minor, Mary Gates Leadership Scholar
Braedyn Reed connected her diverse experiences in mentoring, entrepreneurship and nonprofit work into a cohesive leadership philosophy and earned a Husky Leadership Certificate. Photo: Photo by Jayden Becles
Braedyn Reed, 25, believes leadership begins with curiosity and a deep love for humanity. As a participant in the program, a Husky 100 honoree, and co-founder of Tread, a student-led platform connecting consumers with local businesses that share their values, Reed shared insights on leading with intention, service and impact in her lightning talk.
The Husky Leadership Certificate guides students to reflect on their leadership journey throughout their undergraduate education. Each participant is paired with a 窪蹋勛圖厙 faculty, staff or alumni mentor and creates an e-portfolio to articulate their growth, values and vision for continued impact.
For Reed, that reflection has been key to her leadership growth. I enjoy pushing myself to grow, but theres no greater challenge or reward than inspiring positive change in the people and systems around me, Reed said. Seeing the impact I can create is deeply fulfilling.
Reeds drive to create meaningful impact led to the creation of Tread. One afternoon over coffee, Reed and her Tread co-founder began to ask why it was so hard to learn a local businesss moral values; like paying a living wage, practicing sustainability or fostering inclusion. That question sparked action.
Tread is about putting your money where your heart is, Reed said. You can shape your community by choosing who and what you support. Still in development, the platform has recruited volunteers and partners, built a website and begun testing its viability; a real-world experiment rooted in a year of community-building.
Over the past year, Reed has served on the U District Partnerships Business Improvement Area Ratepayer Advisory Board. What started as an exploratory email turned into a seat at the table and deeper engagement with the neighborhoods complex ecosystem.
I found the behind-the-scenes look at how neighborhoods function incredibly interesting, she said. I learned about local businesses and municipal systems, and I shared those insights with my 窪蹋勛圖厙 network. Any chance to get people involved is worth sharing.
The Husky Leadership Certificate helped Reed connect her diverse experiences in mentoring, entrepreneurship and nonprofit work into a cohesive leadership philosophy. The HLC pushed me to see my leadership as taking ownership. That its about stepping up to solve problems and building trust, not titles, she said.
That mindset has helped her navigate uncertainty. One big lesson: Dont think too many steps ahead. Focus on the present, trust your mentors and teammates, and take it one step at a time.
Braedyns motivation to effect change, along with her introspection on leadership, truly shines, shared mentor Sean Gehrke, assistant dean in Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Her commitment to improving communities stands out.
Reed sees leadership programs as transformative. The power isnt just in learning, its in the shift of seeing yourself as a leader. Confidence grows, skills build and ideas take root.
Her advice to her peers: Dont wait to lead. Whether or not you have a formal role, ask how you can contribute and build a better world.
After graduation, Reed plans to continue exploring community development strategies like Tread, apply her civic leadership skills during her internship and embrace opportunities. I dont have all the answers yet, but Im excited to keep learning and experimenting.
Finn Guzman will continue in the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership masters program, where he plans to make athletics and education more inclusive and accessible for all students. Photo: Photo by Jayden Becles
For Finn Guzman, 25, leadership means building trust, listening with intention and creating space for others. A first-generation Latino college student from Moses Lake, Washington, Guzman grew up in a community with limited access to sports and educational resources, an experience that shaped his commitment to service and advocacy in athletics.
During the evenings table talk, Guzman shared how he explored authentic, inclusive leadership through the Husky Leadership Certificate and the Dream Project.
The HLC gave me time to be introspective, to reflect on the person I was, who I am now and who Im becoming, he said. It helped me understand that leadership isnt about being in charge. Its about showing up, creating space and leading with empathy.
Through the Dream Project, Guzman mentored high school students; many of whom, like him, were the first in their families to pursue higher education. That experience deepened his understanding of community-based education and helped him connect classroom theory to real-world impact.
In class, we talk about equity and access, he said. But it becomes real when youre sitting with a student trying to figure out college on their own. Thats when you see what equity looks like in action.
As an intern and squad leader with , Guzman continued to grow a leadership style rooted in relational care, flexibility and accountability.
For me, coaching is more than sports, he said. Its about supporting the whole student-athlete and making sure they feel safe, can show up as themselves and have someone who believes in them. I try to be the person I didnt have growing up.
After graduating this spring, Guzman will continue as a Double Dawg in the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership masters program, where he plans to make athletics and education more inclusive and accessible for all students.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, he said. Im excited for the growth, challenges and opportunities this next chapter will bring.
What you care about can change the world
When you support the Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center, you help Huskies create a more just, equitable and thriving world. Join us today in advancing the intelligent, compassionate and ethical leaders our communities and our democracy demand.
The U.S. Department of State has recognized the 窪蹋勛圖厙 for producing 41 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship during the spring 2025 cycle. The Gilman Scholarship supports U.S. undergraduates with financial need in studying or interning abroad. The 窪蹋勛圖厙s strong showing reflects the Universitys commitment to expanding global learning opportunities for all students.
The 28th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium brought together more than 1,500 undergraduate scholars from the 窪蹋勛圖厙 and regional colleges to present 1,138 projects in over 100 disciplines. For many undergraduates, research is more than an academic pursuit its a way to connect classroom learning to urgent real-world issues.
窪蹋勛圖厙 undergrad Lorenzo Roel Flores McCleese, 27, was recently named a Udall Scholar. Lorenzo is pursuing bachelors degrees in environmental science and terrestrial resource management as well as informatics, with a focus on data science. He is also minoring in diversity.
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 窪蹋勛圖厙. Leaders in the Office of Undergraduate Research are the programs 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 窪蹋勛圖厙 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 Americas leading public research institutions, the 窪蹋勛圖厙 offers first-in-class opportunities for undergraduate research.
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 and the . The Mary Gates Endowment is one of the Universitys largest endowments for undergraduates. The Ana Mari Cauce Fund was established by friends, colleagues and admirers of the outgoing 窪蹋勛圖厙 president to honor and recognize her long-standing commitment to undergraduate research. Throughout her decades-long career at the 窪蹋勛圖厙, 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, 窪蹋勛圖厙 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 窪蹋勛圖厙 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.”
The Undergraduate Research Collective two-year pilot is largely funded by donations made to celebrate President Cauces leadership and legacy. to learn more about how you can support this program.