Service and leadership

ALL IN Most Engaged Campus

In 2024, the UW was recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting.
Learn about ALL IN >

CELE and Honors bridging histories

This past summer, the UW Honors Program, in partnership with the Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center, offered an immersive “study away” experience across 10 states in the American South.
Read Bridging histories >

Community Engagement

Through community engaged courses, civic fellowships and paid internships, students explore their own identity, gain a deep understanding of complex social issues, and learn how their leadership skills can make a difference in their community.

CELE Center

Dream Project

UW undergraduates mentor students at under-resourced middle and high schools to support planning for life after high school, including the college applications process. UW students develop leadership skills and learn about education equity, college access and social justice. Course credit and/or paid positions are available.

Dream Project

Husky Leadership Initiative

The Husky Leadership Initiative provides and promotes leadership education opportunities for undergraduates within and beyond the classroom. Through its programs, curriculum and cross-campus collaboration, students cultivate the knowledge, skills and mindsets of effective and ethical change agents and involved community members.

Husky Leadership Initiative

Jumpstart

Through Jumpstart, UW students provide language, social-emotional and literacy programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promote quality early learning for all children. UW students gain experience in preschool classrooms, setting goals, teamwork and leadership skills. Workstudy paid positions and class credit are available.

Jumpstart

Mary Gates Endowment for Students

Scholarships for original leadership projects. Students work with a mentor to create a service or leadership project that enables them to learn and develop skills to become future leaders in business, nonprofit organizations and their communities. (Research and innovation scholarships are also offered.)

Mary Gates Endowment

Riverways Education Partnership

UW undergraduates tutor and mentor in K-12 schools in Seattle and across Washington state. Through Alternative Spring Break, seminars and tutoring K-12 students, undergraduates become familiar with diverse cultures, build relationships with communities, gain leadership skills and study issues of equity and access in education. (The Pipeline Project was renamed Riverways Education Partnership in 2020.)

Riverways

Academic Support Programs

Academic Support Programs helps UW students realize their potential through the Center for Learning and Undergraduate Enrichment (CLUE) and academic success coaches. Leadership positions include CLUE tutors, student success coaches, discussion leaders and front desk manager.

CLUE staff and student coaches

First Year Programs

Empowers entering students to succeed by building community and helping students find their way at the UW. FYP offers several volunteer and paid leadership roles, including First-year Interest Group leaders, orientation leaders and Dawg Daze volunteers.

Leadership Opportunities

Honors Program

Honors students can be mentors, or peer educators, to assist others in navigating academic and extra-curricular pathways through the University. The Honors curriculum requires participation in experiential learning, including community engagement, service and leadership.

Honors Student Leaders

Office of Undergraduate Research

Students gain leadership capacities through engagement in research. Moreover, through the Undergraduate Research Leaders Program, students serve as catalysts who bring awareness and insights about research to peers, gaining outreach, professional development and leadership experience.

Undergraduate Research Leaders

Undergraduate Advising

UAA peer advisers are UW students trained in advising work, and work with students on major exploration, course registration, accessing academic resources, problem solving and decision making.

Peer advisers

Center for Experiential Learning & Diversity

Programs in the Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity (EXPD) offer opportunities for undergraduates to connect with mentors to participate in research, engage in community-based learning and leadership and apply for scholarships to support their undergraduate education and to participate in post-graduate opportunities.

EXPD

Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center

Provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to thriving communities; building authentic community and campus partnerships drive the Center’s work. Our programs include CELE Fellowships, Community Engaged Learning Courses, Dream Project, Husky Leadership Initiative, Jumpstart, Othello-UW Commons, Riverways Education Partnership and Undergraduate Community Based Internships.

CELE Center

Othello-UW Commons

The Othello-UW Commons includes community partnerships and academically grounded community service informed by research, teaching and scholarship. Located in the Othello neighborhood, it’s a physical space for the UW community and local partners to come together to benefit Southeast Seattle.

Othello-UW Commons

Student Academic Services

Student Academic Services supports all students on their path into and through the university, while also advocating for students who need more connection and support. Their programs include Advising, Academic Support Programs and First Year Programs.

Student Academic Services