Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Academic resources


June 28, 2024

The Path to UW and beyond

Danielle Marie Holland

Photo of Chloe Sarmiento in front of big W.

As a first-generation college student, Sarmiento, ’24, had always aspired to pursue higher education. “With the assistance of my professors at Seattle Central College and the Path to UW program, my transition was smoother than I anticipated. I am grateful for the generous support I’ve received,” she said. Sarmiento is one of the 20 undergraduates…


June 20, 2024

Finding my way

Nell Thompson

Photo of Nell walking in ocean at sunset.

Hiking through the flower-covered rolling hills of the Methow Valley in 2022, my field cohort headed for beaver habitat. Our trail involved crawling under barbed wire in the midday heat, and by the time we finally arrived at the steep slope, I didn’t even attempt to continue.


May 28, 2024

Wen Eckelberg selected as scholar for China’s Yenching Academy

Danielle Marie Holland

Wen Eckelberg, ’24, an undergraduate at the University of Washington, was recently chosen for the competitive Yenching Academy Scholars program at Peking University.


Arts, humanities and sciences unite at 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Danielle Marie Holland

Photo of undergraduate researcher talking

The 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium showcased a diverse array of more than 1,200 student presenters, including nearly 200 UW Honors Program students, representing an impressive spectrum of majors, research projects, fellowship and scholarship awardees.


May 13, 2024

UAA’s LeAnne Wiles receives Thorud Leadership Award

Kirsten Atik

Photo of LeAnne Wiles

We are delighted to congratulate LeAnne Wiles on being named one of two recipients for the Thorud Leadership Award, the highest award for leadership at the University of Washington! Wiles is the executive director of First Year Programs and Strategic Initiatives in UAA’s Student Academic Services. Wiles began her UW career in First Year Programs in 2009, managing parent orientation, the First-year Interest Group program and other elements of First Year Programs. In the last 15 years, she has made an indelible mark on how new students are welcomed to campus and how they find a sense of belonging in their first year. To be effective in this work, Wiles and the First Year Programs team she leads reach out across campus, developing partnerships with academic and administrative units with the vision of creating a campus-wide welcome and culture of belonging for first-year students.


March 20, 2024

Uplifting one another

Danielle Marie Holland

Photo of Reese Johnston in front of a smart board teaching a math class.

Reese Johnston’s early childhood years were spent in traditional schools studying standard curriculums. Yet at a young age, he knew something was missing.


February 8, 2024

Celebrating the 2022–23 Undergraduate Medalists

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

From the thousands of undergraduate students at the University of Washington, three are selected each year for the prestigious President’s Medalist Award. Sayako Mitchell, Ayush Agrawal and Cin Dacey Ahrens are the medalists for 2022–23, selected by a committee for their high GPAs, rigor of classes and numbers of Honors courses. All three are students in the University Honors Program, completing the Interdisciplinary Honors track. Drawn to the UW for its academic reputation, each of these Huskies has carved out a unique path — exploring their chosen areas of study, ranging from computer science to applied mathematics and linguistics. The three medalists will be recognized by University President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Tricia Serio at a special reception, where each recipient will receive their medal in front of family, friends and mentors.


November 7, 2023

Belonging: My Husky experience through UW Honors

Samantha-Lynn Martinez

Photo of Samantha-Lynn Martinez using RED camera.

UW undergraduate student Samantha-Lynn Martinez delves into the world of wildlife cinematography, science communications and belonging. In this commentary, Martinez discusses the importance of representation in the field and reflects on her growth and the support she received from the UW Honors Program and her community. Martinez emphasizes the power of belonging, recognizing the value of her voice and creative interests in academic and professional settings. She aspires to continue her journey in science communications and conservation filmmaking, inspiring others along the way.


July 6, 2023

15 Seconds at a Time: First-Year Interest Groups [video]

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Video still of LeAnne Wiles

In this video, Student Academic Services and First Year Programs executive director LeAnne Wiles takes on the challenge of explaining the First-year Interest Groups (FIGs) in less than 15 seconds at a time. “15 Seconds at a Time” is a series in which various Undergraduate Academic Affairs programs explain their work in bite-sized bursts.


April 4, 2023

Making marine biology fun

Danielle Marie Holland

Video still.

An undergraduate in the Honors Program at the University of Washington, Martinez not only studies marine biology, but is also pursuing evolution, ecology and conservation biology. Add in her videography, photography and design work, and it’s easy to see how Martinez is making waves innovating science impact communications. With a unique perspective as both a…



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