
The Class of 2023
In 2023, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of almost 1,900 newly-minted UW degree holders.
On June 9, 2023, UW Tacoma celebrated it's 34th annual Commencement at the Tacoma Dome. Here are a few facts and figures to put the event into perspective. Be sure to scroll down to read profiles of some of the amazing members of the Class of 2023.
- We were back in the Tacoma Dome after a three-year absence
- It was the largest single ceremony in UW Tacoma history
- We hosted nearly 1,400 graduates and 14,000 guests
- More than 250 staff and faculty supported the ceremony on the day
- 96% of graduates are Washington residents who come from three counties (Pierce, King and Thurston)
- 58% of spring/summer graduates are students of color
- 54% are the first in their family to attend college
- 6.5% are serving or have served in the military, and 17% are military-connected (including military dependents)
Medals of Excellence
Learn more about the 2023 UW President's Medalist from UW Tacoma, Samantha Smith, '23, B.A. Sustainable Urban Development/Law & Policy; and the recipients of the 2023 UW Tacoma Chancellor's Medals, Salese Clark, B.A. Business Administration/Marketing; and Exita Lealofi, B.A. Ethnic, Gender & Labor Studies.

JAI'SHON BERRY, '23
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JAI'SHON BERRY, '23
B.A. Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
Jai'Shon Berry took his mother's words to heart: renew your commitment every single day and work hard for it. As ASUWT President, Berry, in his own words, “fell in love with the community at UW Tacoma.”
Learn Jai'Shon's Story
CHASTITY BRYANT, '23
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CHASTITY BRYANT, '23
M.S. Accounting
As she juggled child-rearing, working two jobs and multiple extracurricular activities, Chastity Bryant was constantly boosted by love and support from her family and mother.
LEARN ABOUT CHASTITY
EVAN CAMPBELL, '23
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EVAN CAMPBELL, '23
B.A. Business Administration/Marketing
Evan Campbell seems to have an instinctive facility for keeping track of business.
LEARN EVAN'S STORY
SALESE CLARK, '23
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SALESE CLARK, '23
B.A. Business Administration/Marketing
Cello brought solace to a young Salese Clark. UW Tacoma transformed her.
Learn Salese's Story
DEANN DILLON, '23
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DEANN DILLON, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
DeAnn Dillon is a mom, a teacher, an auntie, a Native American, a legislative aide, and now a doctor. She is also a giver of energy.
Learn DeAnn's Story
PHILLIP DONTJE, '23
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PHILLIP DONTJE, '23
B.S. Mathematics
When not delving into algebraic topology, Army veteran Phillip Dontje is raising his children and preparing for his upcoming Ph.D. studies.
LEARN PHILIP'S STORY
JUANA GALLEGOS, '23
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JUANA GALLEGOS, '23
Master of Nursing
Juana Gallegos had an idea to help dementia patients. Her idea landed her an audience with a queen.
LEARN JUANA'S STORY
SAIMA GHAFOOR, '23
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SAIMA GHAFOOR, '23
B.A. Healthcare Leadership
College is at the center of life for the family of Pakistani-native Saima Ghafoor. Her husband has a UW Tacoma degree and is about to start working on another, and their oldest son is also a Husky.
LEARN SAIMA'S STORY
MONA HALCOMB, '23
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MONA HALCOMB, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
After years and decades of being told she was in the wrong place, Mona Halcomb is just getting started.
LEARN MONA'S STORY
DEBBIE HALES, '23
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DEBBIE HALES, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Support from the circle of students in the Muckleshoot Cohort Ed.D. program is a key element that got Indigenous ally Debbie Hales through the rigors of her doctoral studies. LEARN DEBBIE'S STORY

EILEEN JIMENEZ, '23
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EILEEN JIMENEZ, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Eileen Jimenez embodies the spirits of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and proudly aspires to be, like them, a persona educada.
LEARN EILEEN'S STORY
MERISA JONES, '23
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MERISA JONES, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Carrying on the traditions of her education-oriented family, Marisa Jones is fulfilling her sacred obligations to future generations.
LEARN ABOUT MERISA
NYAH LAURETA, '23
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NYAH LAURETA, '23
B.S. Biomedical Sciences
Inspired by her mother, Nyah Laureta is well on her way to her dream of becoming a physician.
LEARN NYAH'S STORY
EXITA LEALOFI, '23
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EXITA LEALOFI, '23
B.A. Ethnic, Gender & Labor Studies
Exita Lealofi's journey took her from American Samoa to UW Tacoma. The Global Honors scholar served as a Pack Advisor and as ASUWT's Director of University Affairs.
LEARN EXITA'S STORY
IVAN LIEVANOS, '23
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IVAN LIEVANOS, '23
B.A. Urban Studies
B.S. Urban Design
Ivan Lievanos used his experience in the National Guard to help veteran-connected students succeed in college, and to smooth his own path toward his two degrees.
LEARN IVAN'S STORY
AMY MAHARAJ, '23
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AMY MAHARAJ, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Born in Fiji, Amy Maharaj lived through a coup on the island. She sat down to record an episode of Paw'd Defiance, the UW Tacoma podcast. She talks about her experience in the Ed.D. program's Muckleshoot Cohort.
LISTEN TO AMY'S STORY
ADA MCDANIEL, '23
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ADA MCDANIEL, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Ada McDaniel is part of the inaugural Muckleshoot Cohort and, when she graduates in June, will be the first person in her family to earn a doctoral degree.
LEARN ADA'S STORY
DAVID PAVENKO, '23
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DAVID PAVENKO, '23
B.S. Electrical Engineering
David Pavenko used money he earned from an internship to see first-hand the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War. His experience was so inspiring and concerning that he is doing it again.
LEARN DAVID'S STORY
ANGEL REDDY, '23
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ANGEL REDDY, '23
B.S. Biomedical Sciences
Angel Reddy's interest in science and travel opened doors for her both on and off campus.
LEARN ANGEL'S STORY
MARTIN SHEHATA, '23
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MARTIN SHEHATA, '23
B.A. Business Administration/Marketing
Martin Shehata balances his education and his career as a professional soccer player. LEARN MARTIN'S STORY

TEIYA SHIMOMURA, '23
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TEIYA SHIMOMURA, '23
B.A. Psychology
Teiya Shimomura's experience in the classroom connected her to a local historian and an opportunity. LEARN TEIYA'S STORY

DANI SMALL, '07, '23
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DANI SMALL, '07, '23
Master of Social Work
First-gen alumna Dani Small wants to bring the values she defined through both her undergrad and grad experiences at UW Tacoma into the corporate world. LEARN DANI'S STORY

SAMANTHA SMITH, '23
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SAMANTHA SMITH, '23
B.A. Law & Policy/Sustainable Urban Development
Samantha Smith decided now was the right time and UW Tacoma was the right place to study sustainable urban development.
LEARN SAMANTHA'S STORY
JOANNIE SUINA, '23
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JOANNIE SUINA, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
One of the Muckleshoot cohort, Joannie Suina is intent on restoring balance to the world. LEARN JOANNIE'S STORY

JENNIFER VASILEZ, '23
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JULIE VENEZIO, '23
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JULIE VENEZIO, '23
B.A. Psychology
Julie Venezio credits career and academic advisors for her success as a student and as inspirations for her future career plans.
LEARN JULIE'S STORY
PARIS WEBER, '23
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PARIS WEBER, '23
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
In UW Tacoma's mechanical engineering program, Paris Weber found the intimate class size and connection to faculty she was seeking.
LEARN PARIS'S STORY
RONEE K WOPSOCK, '23
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RONEE K WOPSOCK, '23
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Ronee K Wopsock Pawwinnee, the Ute Indian Tribe Education Director, is one of the Muckleshoot Cohort in UW Tacoma's Educational Doctorate program. She recorded an episode of Paw'd Defiance, the UW Tacoma podcast.
LISTEN TO RONEE KRecent news
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