We celebrate national heritage and history months at UW Tacoma to build bridges of understanding. We are deeply proud of the rich backgrounds and life experiences represented within our Tacoma Husky community.

We are writing with an important update to share about UW Tacoma’s AAPI THRIVE Project. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will end several national grant programs for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) nationwide, including funding for AAPI THRIVE.

Beginning this fall, you will notice an increased presence of Campus Safety Officers in parking lots and transportation areas.

I hope that you have had a restorative summer. Please see below several important transitions, updates and resources for Academic Affairs.

I am pleased to share the news that Dr. Yoko Furukawa will join the UW Tacoma Office of Research as our new director beginning Sept. 8.

Just four years ago, Juneteenth received unanimous support in the U.S. Senate and became our newest federal holiday. Juneteenth is a much-needed cause for celebration.

Starting Autumn quarter 2025, our bookstore partner, Follett Higher Education, is introducing Kortext, a new ebook platform that will improve the student and faculty experience with digital course materials.

On Memorial Day, we honor military service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. If you walk along the Prairie Line Trail through campus, you’ll see small American flags planted by UW Tacoma’s Veterans & Military Resource Center.

After 24 years of dedicated service to the UW Tacoma community, Patrick Pow will retire as Vice Chancellor for Information Technology at the beginning of June. 

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is a time for us to celebrate the histories, cultures, and societal contributions of community members with roots in Asia, Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.