The Class of 2023
In 2023, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of almost 1,900 newly-minted UW degree holders.
Mona Halcomb: Banking on Her Future
After years and decades of being told she was in the wrong place, Mona Halcomb, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, is just getting started.
Dani Small: The Barrier Breaker
First-gen alumna Dani Small, ’23, Master of Social Work, wants to bring the values she defined through both her undergrad and grad experiences at UW Tacoma into the corporate world.
Salese Clark: Shining Like a Star
Cello brought solace to a young Salese Clark, ’23, B.A. Business Administration/Marketing. UW Tacoma transformed her.
Eileen Jimenez: Persona Educada
UW Tacoma in the News
Nashville shooting exploited by right to escalate anti-trans rhetoric
Dr. Eric Madfis, associate professor in UW Tacoma's School of Social Work & Criminal Justice, is quoted on intentional mischaracterization of perpetrators of mass shootings, who are "cisgender male ... by and large. ... This is a cynical, bigoted attack."
Hometown Hero: Federal Way veteran, researcher isn’t deterred by death
Biomedical sciences student and Army veteran Melissa Swain is a Federal Way Mirror Hometown Hero and a Soroptomist Club Live Your Dream scholarship recipient. Tragedy led to her role as a single mother and a research intern with the King County Medical Examiner's office.
UW Tacoma holds business plan competition with $30K prize
The 2023 VIBE Business Plan Competition is open to all Washington college students and those who graduated between 2020 and 2022. Submissions are due Feb. 3.
The Russell Family Foundation Announces Class 10 of Jane's Fellowship Program
The 10th cohort of this leadership program includes alumna and current Master of Social Work student Christina Qiao, '19, alumnus Jake Nau, '17, and current social welfare student Maira Mariscal.
Rachel Endo: Making history and lasting change at UW Tacoma
This in-depth profile of UW Tacoma's Dean of the School of Education describes Dr. Endo's experience as a first-generation student and academic leader.
Opinion: When the homeless die on the street, the trauma multiplies. My neighbor is an example
Former faculty member and alumna Jan Runbeck writes about recent deaths of local housing advocate Maureen Howard and Terry, a homeless individual. She calls for their deaths “to be the impetus for making our country a better place for all, the fortunate and the forgotten.”
How America Has Failed to Achieve MLK's Vision for Economic Justice
In a panel discussion on San Francisco's largest public radio station, UW Tacoma Professor Emeritus Michael Honey provides an historical analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quest for economic justice.
Opinion: Why Washington's capital gains tax should be upheld
UW Tacoma Economics Professor Katie Baird calls on the Wash. State Supreme Court to uphold the capital gains tax passed by the Legislature in its 2021 session, in order to adequately fund child care, especially for rural areas of the state.
This local park might get a sprayground, fire pits. Here’s your chance to weigh in
A UW Tacoma Urban Design studio class partnered with the city of Sumner to recommend redesigns to downtown Sumner streets and parks. The City is now seeking public input on the changes.
How Tacoma’s yearlong guaranteed income experiment fared
UW Tacoma alumna Abigail Lawson and others are interviewed about the impact of Tacoma's guaranteed basic income pilot, called GRIT.
Debbie Hales: A Sisterhood of Support
Support from the circle of students in the Muckleshoot Cohort Ed.D. program is a key element that got Debbie Hales, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, through the rigors of her doctoral studies.
Evan Campbell: Taking Instinct into Account
Evan Campbell, ’23, B.A. Business Administration/Accounting, seems to have an instinctive facility for keeping track of business.
Julie Venezio: The Making of an Advisor
Julie Venezio, ’23, B.A. Psychology, credits career and academic advisors for her success as a student and as inspirations for her future career plans.
Jennifer Vasilez: Doing Right by the Children
The experience of being surrounded by strong, intelligent Native women is what drew Jennifer Vasilez, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, to UW Tacoma’s Muckleshoot Cohort.
Joannie Suina: Recentering Native Women’s Voices
One of the Muckleshoot cohort, Joannie Suina, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, is intent on restoring balance to the world.
Phillip Dontje: For the Love of Math
When not delving into algebraic topology, Army veteran Phillip Dontje, ’23, B.S. Mathematics, is raising his children and preparing for his upcoming Ph.D. studies.