Dressel Scholars Program

Moira is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma, majoring in Business Management with minors in Political Science and Global Engagement. She is actively involved in campus leadership and community engagement, serving as President of Pride Pack (UWT’s LGBTQIA+ student organization) and a member of the Milgard Women’s Initiative. Moira is part of the Global Honors program and the Milgard Distinction of Excellence program, recognizing her commitment to academic achievement and leadership. She has also served as a Resident Advisor for the past two years, supporting student success and community building in campus housing.

Currently, Moira works as a Programs and Community Engagement Student Assistant for the Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility, where she contributes to initiatives that foster ethical leadership and community involvement. Additionally, she serves on the Services and Activities Fee Committee, helping to allocate resources that enhance the student experience. Moira’s professional interests include employee engagement, organizational development, and community relations.

Paul is a first-generation student in his senior year at the University of Washington Tacoma, majoring in Elementary Education K-8 with an endorsement in Teaching English Language Learners. Paul was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He is dedicated to teaching the next generation of learners through methods that are culturally relevant and that connect their funds of knowledge into their learning. For Paul, it is his goal to ensure that every future student feels a sense of belonging and safety inside his classroom. Paul is currently doing his year-long student teaching, hoping to learn and gain valuable experience that he can apply to his teaching.

Paul is currently doing research on developing an Open Educational Resource (OER) for the University of Washington Tacoma. His research is focused on developing a multimedia textbook for UW Tacoma’s first-year writing program while centering the experiences and perspectives of the community.

During Paul’s free time, he loves staying on his feet by playing tennis, pickleball, going to the gym, and playing basketball with his friends. He also loves adventuring throughout the greater Puget Sound area to explore different cafes to study at.

Kailey Lawless is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Washington Tacoma, majoring in Social Welfare with a minor in Criminal Justice. She currently serves as the Senator for the School of Social Work & Criminal Justice in the Associated Students of UW Tacoma (ASUWT) and as the President of the Formerly Incarcerated Student Association (FISA). Through these leadership roles, she actively advocates for equity, access, and belonging for nontraditional and justice-impacted students across UW Tacoma.

In addition to her campus involvement, Kailey works as an Overnight Case Manager supporting youth in transitional housing as they pursue stability, employment, and independence. She also serves as a Peer Navigator for Husky Post Prison Pathways (HP3), where she connects students with resources, coordinates outreach, and helps justice-impacted individuals navigate higher education post-incarceration. Beyond campus, Kailey is the Communications and Outreach Subcommittee Chair for the Behavioral Health Advisory Council through the Washington State Health Care Authority.

Her leadership and community work have earned her several recognitions, including the Governor’s Civic Leadership Award and the Chancellor’s Civic Leadership Award. Kailey is deeply passionate about social justice, policy, and reentry advocacy, and plans to pursue a law degree after graduation to advance systemic change for those impacted by the criminal justice system.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, and supporting peers who are rebuilding their lives through education and service.

Melaina is a first-generation student and senior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Economics and Policy Analysis. She is passionate about equity, education, and human-centered systems that create lasting community impact.

At her previous university, she served as a student liaison with the Multicultural Department, collaborating with organizations such as BSU, AAPI, and Latinx clubs to advocate for anti-racism, manage funding initiatives, and lead strategic outreach campaigns. She also volunteered as a childcare provider for working mothers, deepening her commitment to service and access.

More recently, Melaina completed a project management internship with MultiCare and is beginning a marketing internship with Degrees of Change, a nonprofit focused on educational equity. Currently, she works as a writing tutor at UW Tacoma, supporting students in finding their voice and confidence in academic writing.

Her career interests lie at the intersection of project management, communications, policy design, and community-centered leadership. Long term, she aims to contribute to initiatives that design equitable, innovative spaces for learning and connection.

Nathalie Linden is pursuing a double major in Writing Studies and Business Management at the University of Washington Tacoma. Drawn to UWT’s close-knit and collaborative environment, she values how the campus encourages students to connect ideas across disciplines and communities. Her studies reflect a passion for both analysis and storytelling—how language and leadership shape the way people understand one another. As a Writing Consultant, she enjoys helping peers find clarity and confidence in their writing while learning from the perspectives of the students she works with. Raised in a strong union family, Nathalie has always believed in fairness, collaboration, and the strength of collective voice. Those values continue to guide how she approaches her education, her work, and her involvement in the UWT community. After graduation, she plans to attend law school, where she hopes to combine her background in communication and management to advocate thoughtfully for equity and workers’ rights in the legal field.

Anahi Martinez is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Washington Tacoma pursuing a major in Criminal Justice. She is a proud first-generation college student and the daughter of immigrant parents. Anahi’s journey is built on cultural pride and commitment. Her lived experiences have shaped her passion for community empowerment and justice but as well as belonging. Anahi is proud to share her culture and embrace her roots with others, and she hopes to inspire other first-generation students to step confidently into their potential and to know that anything is possible.

Throughout her time at UW Tacoma, Anahi currently holds two leadership roles that show her dedication towards advocacy and representation. She currently serves as President of the Latinx Student Union, where she creates a space for unity within the Latinx community, while also empowering others to share their culture and embrace their roots. She aims to make sure everyone is included wherever she is because everyone deserves to be included. Along with that, she also serves as Vice President of the Formerly Incarcerated Student Association, working to reduce stigma, build support systems, and promote access to resources for individuals who are system-impacted.

Anahi is passionate about restorative justice and re-entry work. Her long-term goal is to support formerly incarcerated individuals through rehabilitation and reintegration, helping create a world where second chances are given. She believes in a justice system rooted in compassion as well as accountability. Outside of her academic and leadership roles, Anahi remains closely connected to her community back in her small hometown of Westport, WA. She stays connected to her former high school for any help they may need and is always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the smallest acts, she knows that they can make someone’s day complete and wants to be the person that anyone can go to when they need help and support.

Jannat is a first-generation student and a senior double-majoring in Psychology and Social Welfare and minoring in Global Engagement. She was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and immigrated to the United States when she was 11 years old. During her time at UW Tacoma, she was President of the Middle Eastern South Asian Association (MESAA), Vice President of the Student Social Work Organization (SSWO), and Ambassador of the Next Generation Civic Leader Corps. She has also worked as a College and Career Readiness Assistant for the UW Dream Project, a Peer Success Mentor, and a Writing Tutor. Jannat is passionate about the issue of generational trauma and wants to be involved in community nonprofit work to mitigate it. For her next step, she is planning to get her Master's of Social Work (MSW). In her spare time, Jannat loves to read, hike, research new things, and most importantly, spend time with her family and friends."

Jamie Nguyen is a senior at the University of Washington Tacoma, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Criminal Justice. She currently serves as the Marketing Coordinator for the Office of First Gen, where she leads campaigns that highlight student stories and strengthen campus community. With a background that blends business strategy and creative design, Jamie also freelances in social media marketing—collaborating with The Pearl Foundation of Puget Sound, Charme Nails (under her current mentor), and the Japanese American Citizens League (under her previous mentor). Passionate about beauty, aesthetics, and fashion within the marketing space, she aims to continue building her career in marketing after graduation.

Samuel Peña-Rojas is an undergraduate at the University of Washington Tacoma, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Finance with a minor in Business Data Analytics. A first-generation student dedicated to public service, ethical leadership, and financial innovation, Samuel serves as the Director of Finance for the Associated Students of UW Tacoma (ASUWT). In this role, he manages financial operations, funding strategy, and budget transparency across various student-led initiatives, ensuring responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

Previously, Samuel chaired the Services & Activities Fee Committee (SAFC), where he led multimillion-dollar allocation processes aligning fiscal priorities with UW Tacoma’s mission of equity, access, and community. He now continues to contribute as an ex-officio member, providing insight and continuity in advancing financial accountability and student engagement.

Samuel is also a key member of the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), performing portfolio analyses and helping shape strategic asset allocation decisions. His approach combines data analytics, market research, and ethical finance to generate sustainable value and tangible impact.

Samuel aspires to a career as a financial analyst or in financial planning & analysis (FP&A), using his analytical skills to boost organizational performance and mission alignment. He seeks to develop systems that foster transparency, equity, and long-term value in both public and private sectors.

As a Dressel Scholar, Samuel embodies the principles of leadership, scholarship, and service, consistently striving to strengthen his community through data-informed decision-making, collaboration, and integrity-driven impact.

Bobby is a senior majoring in Business Management at the University of Washington Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business. Originally from Munster, Indiana, Bobby is a first-generation college student and an active-duty service member with over 14 years in the United States Army. He earned the opportunity to attend college full-time through the Army’s Green to Gold program and is proud to be the first service member to receive the Dressel Scholarship. Bobby is currently enrolled in Army ROTC at Pacific Lutheran University and will commission as a U.S. Army officer upon graduation. He plans to serve as a Human Resources officer and continue working in this field after his military career, focusing on building inclusive, effective teams and supporting professional development within the Army and beyond. On campus, Bobby serves as the treasurer of the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) and is an active member of the First-Gen Fellows program, as well as the Phi Sigma Pi and Omega Nu Lambda honor societies. Outside of school and the military, he is a devoted husband and father of four. He volunteers regularly with All Kids Win, delivering food bags to children in need, and coaches youth soccer as a way to strengthen his community and inspire the next generation. He continues to strive toward making a meaningful impact in every community he serves.