Faculty Field Tour

What is the Faculty Field Tour?

The UW Faculty Field Tour is a five-day immersive tour of the state of Washington, designed for faculty members who are new to the state and to the University.

Covering roughly 1,000 miles, the tour takes you from Washington’s west side over its towering mountains and through its agricultural heartland. The Faculty Field Tour is a unique opportunity to meet other new faculty from various disciplines and campuses, learn about the communities that UW students come from and talk one-on-one with University leaders.

Destinations include

Olympia

Visit the state Capitol to converse with Washington’s elected officials, some of whom are UW alumni.

Mount St. Helens

Explore gorgeous scenery as you learn about the active volcano’s explosive influence throughout history.

Tri-Cities

Learn about the UW’s impact on Washington’s agricultural heartland at a series of stops including the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Heritage University.

Spokane

Take in greater Spokane as you learn about the UW School of Medicine – Gonzaga University Health Partnership, which expands and enhances medical education in the region to improve the health of the people who live there.

The Colville Reservation

Have lunch with members of the Twelve Bands who compose the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

North Cascades

Enjoy a walk at one of Washington state’s three national parks as you discover how the UW helps promote conservation in the area.

Questions?

Contact Lauren Olsen, tour director
lmo2@uw.edu

“If you are a new UW faculty member, this opportunity cannot and should not be passed up! I would argue that this is just as important as other discipline- and institution-specific training you may get or need for your role. The week was life-changing, and many moments will forever be etched in my memory.”
— Jenny Robinson, assistant professor, mechanical engineering; endowed chair, women’s sports medicine and lifetime fitness, orthopaedics and sports medicine

“As a UW alumna, I had lived in Washington state before, but I didn’t realize how much I was missing out on. This trip gave me a new perspective on the immensity, diversity and beauty of not just the places, but also the people. Connecting with new faculty members from all over the UW system was incredibly inspiring. I had never before had the honor of talking to a group of faculty with such diverse backgrounds.”
— Diana Ceballos, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences in the School of Public Health.

“The Faculty Field Tour pushed me to reflect on my personal value structure as it relates to how I interact with students, colleagues and patients. It challenged me to revisit preconceived perceptions of the UW and the state of Washington and its multifaceted, diverse population of incredible citizens. Exploring the natural wonder of our state was astonishing — I never fully appreciated the myriad landscapes that exist in this beautiful home of ours until this trip.”
— Gabe Sarah, associate dean for student affairs in the School of Medicine and associate professor of pediatric anesthesiology and medicine.

“The UW Faculty Field Tour wasn’t just an itinerary — it was a transformative experience that showcased the power of education to unite, inspire, innovate and propel us toward a brighter, more connected future.”
— Léonard Boussioux, assistant professor, information systems and operations management