Katie Callahan, 2025 UW Tacoma President's Medal recipient

Katie Callahan has been named the 2025 recipient of the President’s Medal, an honor awarded to the graduating senior with the university’s most exceptional academic record. Katie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. Her professors feel that Callahan demonstrates an extraordinary blend of intelligence, leadership, and empathy. Professor Eric Madfis noted, “Katie is a truly exceptional student and researcher, and I feel very fortunate to have the privilege to work collaboratively with her at the VPTRC.” Associate Teaching Professor Andrea Hill says, “I have never encountered a student who so seamlessly combines intellectual curiosity with a genuine desire to support others.” Beyond campus, Callahan has made significant contributions to community advocacy, working to ensure that differently abled students have access to appropriate learning resources in K–12 schools. Callahan has completed her education while working as a legal assistant and paraeducator. She is the current president of UW Tacoma’s Criminal Justice League and served as panel chair at the February 2025 Western Society of Criminology Annual Conference, for the presentation, “A Patriarchal Police State: How the Impact of Dobbs Permeates the Criminal Justice System.” Callahan has also contributed to several manuscripts under review and in progress, including co-authoring, with Dr. Madfis, a book proposal submitted to Temple University Press entitled Mass Shootings and Masculinities: Gender and Cumulative Strain. As Callahan graduates, Dr. Hill reflects, “Katie is an extraordinary scholar, a thoughtful leader, and a dedicated community-builder. She has elevated our campus through her presence, and the impact of her time at UW Tacoma will continue to resonate long after her graduation—through revitalized organizations, strengthened peer networks, and the higher standard of excellence she leaves behind.” Callahan begins graduate school at the University of California Irvine in Criminology, Law & Society this fall.

Kailey Lawless, Governor Civic Leadership Award Recipient

Kailey Lawless was awarded the Governor Student Civic Leadership Award in 2025. In this video, Kailey discusses her struggles with homelessness and addition to becoming a student leader and advocate in social work.

Kailey was selected for her volunteer work with Husky Post Prison Pathways and the Washington State Behavioral Health Advisory Council.

As a peer navigator in the Husky Post Prison Pathways office, she provides guidance and support to current students and responds to inquiries from currently and formerly incarcerated people interested in an education at UW Tacoma. She contributed to the important, foundational development of a positive working culture and a welcoming space when the program opened its doors to students for the first time in Fall 2024. She is currently a lead officer for Formerly Incarcerated Student Association (FISA).

She is also a member of the Washington State Behavioral Health Advisory Council, which advices and educates the Health Care Authority (HCA) on planning and implementing effective, integrated behavioral health services by promotion individual choice, prevention, and recovery in Washington State.

SSWCJ Students recognized in the Husky 100

Each year, the Husky 100 recognizes 100 undergraduate and graduate students from the UW Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses in all areas of study who are making the most of their time at the UW. The Husky 100 actively connect what happens inside and outside of the classroom and apply what they learn to make a difference on campus, in their communities and for the future. Through their passion, leadership and commitment, these students inspire all of us to shape our own Husky Experience.

Nathalie Hamel

Ottawa, Canada

Year Awarded: 2025

Master of Social Work

As an ecologist, a wife and a mother, the idea of trading in my binoculars and a stable job to go back to grad school was scary; nonetheless, the pull toward a greater sense of purpose was stronger. As part of my Masters in Social Work, I learned as much as I could in class, during my practicums at Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and through my position with the Career Center. As a result of my Husky Experience, I worked alongside immigrants and refugees, supporting them through countless barriers, and I now better understand how I can use my newly acquired knowledge, skills and inner resilience as resources to serve others.

2025 Husky 100

We are thrilled to announce that students from our school have been often recognized in the Husky 100. Here are our students recognized over the last few years.

OSCARS 2025

Congratulations to Criminal Justice student Katie Callahan! Katie was the recipient of two prestigious awards from the 2025 Outstanding Student Ceremony for Awards and Recognition (OSCARs): the Husky Volunteer Leadership Award and the Husky Volunteers Outstanding Contribution to Volunteer Service Award. Katie was the President of the Criminal Justice League, and also was recognized for her volunteer work for educational inclusion and equity in Tacoma.

SSWCJ First Gen Students 2024-25

UW Tacoma takes pride in serving students who are the first in the family to attend college. Here are two SSWCJ students who were selected to represent UW Tacoma as First Generation students in 2024-25.

Ana K. Apreza

Criminal Justice student

"I know that pursuing my education makes my parents so proud, and that means the world to me. It’s nice to know that as a first gen, there is a community that can relate and understand what it means to represent something so important."

Heather M. Spaleny

Social Welfare student

“I draw strength from the memory of my father, whose legacy inspires me to persevere. My friends and family play a critical role, lifting me up during challenging times and celebrating my successes with me."

Students in the news

Andre Henderson, Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award

Andre Henderson is the recipient of the 2022 Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award. In this video, he recaps his experience as a formerly-incarcerated student and his journey to becoming a student leader.