Two Tacoma Huskies honored for commitment to civic and community service

Two University of Washington Tacoma students were selected to receive the Student Civic Leadership Award, which honors college students across Washington state who demonstrate exceptional leadership in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship.

Both students were recognized at an awards ceremony in April, hosted by the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good. Each year, up to two students from the Coalition’s member campuses are chosen for this award by their school’s president or chancellor.

“Michael and Raven are making a far-reaching, highly visible impact in the community — on our campus, across our region and state and even nationally,” said UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange. “They each represent what it means to be a Tacoma Husky, and we are proud to celebrate their commitment to service through the Student Civic Leadership Awards.”
Read more about how these Tacoma Huskies are making an impact on campus and in their communities.

Michael Allosada

Sophomore, Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Michael Allosada has established himself as a recognized student leader on campus, known for his dedication to civic engagement, advocacy and service.

As the volunteer coordinator for UW Tacoma’s Husky Volunteers program, Michael connects fellow students with opportunities to give back, building partnerships with local organizations focused on food security, youth support and neighborhood improvement.

Michael’s involvement in campus life extends to his work with the Associated Students of the University of Washington Tacoma (ASUWT), where he supports student outreach, shared governance and advocacy activities. He also helps run student government elections, encouraging more students to get involved in the process.

Michael also serves on ASUWT’s Student Legislative Advocacy Committee, a student-led group that researches issues affecting UW Tacoma students and helps them voice their concerns directly through the legislative process. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue this work by pursuing a law degree focused on public interest and social justice.

“From his first day on campus, Michael has been actively engaged in advancing issues that impact students, demonstrating initiative, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility to the broader campus community,” said Buddy Molina, Student Civic Engagement Specialist at UW Tacoma’s Center for Student Involvement. “His leadership is defined by collaboration, persistence and an unwavering commitment to social responsibility — hallmarks of an impactful civic leader.”

Raven Tyler

Graduate Student, MA in Community Planning

Raven Tyler’s journey as a civic leader is rooted in her longstanding commitment to social and racial justice, community power building and expanding access to political participation for historically marginalized groups.

As a graduate student in UW Tacoma’s Master of Arts in Community Planning program, she draws on an extensive background in community organizing, political training and strategic advocacy.

Her civic leadership is rooted in her work as a certified national trainer with Vote, Run, Lead and as a statewide trainer with Emerge Washington, where she supports women, nonbinary individuals and BIPOC candidates as they navigate political systems. Through these roles, she provides tools, strategy and confidence-building for emerging leaders who have traditionally been excluded from formal politics.

Raven’s contributions are making an impact. In the most recent election cycle, she advised nine local campaigns — and all but one were successful, including the election of Latasha Palmer to the at-large seat on the Tacoma City Council.

In addition to her candidate development work, Raven’s leadership roles include serving on the boards of BlackPast.org, the Seattle LGBTQ Center, the YMCA Social Impact Center and the Seattle Community Police Commission. Across these organizations, she supports efforts to strengthen community representation, elevate marginalized voices and ensure that institutions reflect the people they serve.

Raven is also a co-founder of RiSE Consulting, where she applies her planning education to help nonprofits and community organizations build meaningful communication and engagement strategies.

“Raven brings a rare combination of intellectual rigor, strategic clarity, and charismatic relational leadership,” said Jessi Quizar, Ph.D., an assistant professor in UW Tacoma’s School of Urban Studies. “She studies issues deeply and approaches political systems with curiosity, analysis and a practitioner’s insight. This blend of study and on-the-ground strategy makes her especially effective as an advisor to campaigns and community organizations working toward more just cities.”