Honors Staff

Director

206-543-2016

ses9@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… oversee all aspects of the program in my role as Director but focus especially on working with partners on and off campus to make sure we have the resources we need to serve as many students as we can.

I like thinking about & studying… I majored in African Studies as an undergrad and then earned a PhD in U.S. History with a focus on the transatlantic slave trade and slavery, so I spend a lot of time in my research thinking about the intersections of colonialism, slavery, race, and capitalism. I especially enjoy designing courses that help students understand how those aspects of the distant past profoundly shape our world today. I also really enjoy learning about gardening in the Pacific Northwest, and love to be outdoors tossing a ball for my dog.

My first week in college… I signed up for calculus because I didn’t understand that I was finally able to choose what I wanted to study. I’d done horribly in calculus in high school, and no surprise, I failed it my first semester as an undergrad. I think my jaw dropped when an academic advisor told me I could have just dropped the class.

Associate Director

206-543-7172

villegas@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… coordinate the curriculum & recruit faculty from across campus and within the local and international communities. I am also lead in coordinating & managing international programs in Honors, so I develop (and teach!) study abroad programs. I also teach Honors 496, and am affiliate faculty in the English Department.

I like thinking about & studying… comparative global critical mixed race and border studies research related to immigration and migration. I think about international education and the importance of learning about other cultures as we learn about our own culture, and how one informs the other. I also enjoy writing both poetry and prose.

My first week in college… was at the University of New Mexico and, being a first-generation student, I was afraid I’d say the wrong thing and expose my ignorance. I remained very quiet the first semester – but second semester I took my first English class. I found my voice in that American Literature course.

Director of Academic Services and Student Affairs

206-221-6074

aleym@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… oversee our academic services and student affairs efforts for students. This includes leading our advising program, meeting with students, brainstorming and implementing ideas for student leadership development & experiential learning programs, and working across the UW to help Honors students develop their education & connect with their community in meaningful ways.

I like thinking about & studying… I studied English literature as an undergraduate and Education as a graduate student. It’s no surprise that I really like stories. I like reading stories. I like hearing stories that students have to tell. And I like helping students develop their own unique story through education. I am also especially interested in the intersections of arts, culture & the natural world and do a lot of thinking and direct action in those areas.

My first week in college… was really exciting! I was excited to have moved to a new part of the country. I was nervous because I didn’t know a single person. I was in awe of the size and scope of UW. I was already deeply in love with the Pacific Northwest. I also drank A LOT of coffee.

Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives and Admissions

206-221-6131

bbkelly@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… work on operations, admissions, scholarships, international programs, advising students and much more. I’ve worked for the Honors Program for many years, so have done just about everything there is to do here and am always happy to help!

I like thinking about & studying… gender equality, national parks, human rights, maternal health, tramping the high country, zymurgy, global & local politics, traveling to remote places, growing my own food, cooking & canning, reading (good fiction & outdoor adventure stories are my favorites), and working on my house.

My first week in college… I managed to sit through an entire hour of the wrong class because I was too embarrassed to get up & leave when the instructor said “Anyone who isn’t here for Poli Sci 200 should leave now.” Turns out I was in the right place – just an hour early!

Senior Computing Specialist

206-543-7442

korehaz@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… build and maintain our technologies including websites, software, and databases to make sure our staff can focus on serving students as individuals instead of numbers on spreadsheets.

I like thinking about & studying… applying technology to solve interesting problems in different and effective ways. I like creating new tools, making things more useful, and improving accessibility for all individuals. I also have a background in Sociology and Economics, which I always like to continue to examine through research, news, and discussions.

My first week in college… I had a great time making friends in my dorm and trying to figure out a good class schedule.

Alumni Relations & Communications Specialist

206-616-4245

forcarey@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… build community by noticing ways faculty, staff, students & alumni can collaborate with each other and build lasting relationships. Then I try to share those stories in a way that will benefit others at UW and in the general public. 

I like thinking about… helping talented, passionate individuals find their place in the world, gain momentum together, and drive positive change. Mostly I do this by connecting them to resources and other big thinkers, but sometimes I do it just by asking the right questions at the right time.

My first week in college… I cut my hand using an unfamiliar power tool at my new job in Denison’s theater design department. I’ll never forget the true penalty for rushing with power tools: application of iodine (AKA “the sting-y stuff).

Office Administrator

206-543-0193

kekelang@uw.edu

Here in Honors I…help others navigate through UW systems and work to ensure our staff and instructors have everything they need to best serve our students.

I like thinking about and learning more about…birds and wildlife and how they survive in developed areas, landscapes and how I can help by providing a happy place for birds, bees and other insects and how to improve my vegetable and flower gardens.  I enjoy being outside walking the neighborhood, exploring parks with my son, digging in the dirt or helping out in my community.

My first week in college…was a thrill and I couldn’t soak up enough of the new environment.  I was walking around with stars in my eyes until classes started, then I realized the difference between high school and college.

Honors 100/397 Instructor

fredjn@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… advise teach HONORS 100 and the corresponding Peer Educator Program. I support students in navigating the university and personalizing their undergraduate education.

I like thinking about & studying… all things education and student development, restorative justice and abolition, and social identity development. I also love learning about nature!

My first week in college… I went to as many events as I could that gave away free food and tried to figure out the Seattle bus system (there’s no public transportation in the rural areas/suburbs I grew up in).

Counseling Service Coordinator

wijss@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… advise and support students in academic planning and pursuing professional goals. I also provide support for student leadership opportunities and the Honors Living Learning Community.

I like thinking about and studying… the relationship between literature, politics, and what is considered valued knowledge. The intersections of lived experiences, equity, and institutional inequality formed the basis of a lot of my work in undergrad, but I also love learning about history, ecology, and outer space!

My first week in college… I tried as many different restaurants on the Ave as I could (and got food poisoning) and went to a Dawg Daze event every day!

Program Manager

livtho3@uw.edu

Here in Honors, I… manage the internal processes that help keep the program running and facilitate communication and collaboration between the rest of our team. This means every day looks a little different and can include things like working with academic departments to hire faculty for Honors courses, updating our quarterly time schedule, and thinking about new ways to streamline our office operations.

I like thinking about & studying… approaches to care and advocacy that exist outside of carceral practices, particularly as they relate to birth work and postpartum support. I also love reading and learning about a wide range of seemingly random topics, from the deep sea and plants native to our region, to mutual aid practices and household DIYs.

My first week in college… I signed up for way too many clubs and activities! I was so excited to start making connections and step out of my comfort zone that I went a bit overboard. One of my boldest choices was joining the Women’s Rugby team, where I ended up meeting many people who I still consider some of my closest friends.

Peer Adviser

uwhonors@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… assist students in academic planning and offer guidance to help them pursue their professional objectives both virtually and in-person. Additionally, I offer assistance to the Honors staff by contributing to a range of special projects and assisting with day-to-day organizational tasks.

I like thinking about & studying… biochemistry! I am fascinated with the intricacies of metabolic reactions taking place within our bodies. It’s truly captivating to witness the complex dance of non-sentient molecules orchestrating the essential processes that sustain life. Additionally, I’m interested in researching the different pedagogical methods throughout history and incorporating effective styles into the different classes I facilitate.

My first week in college… I bid “farewell” to my parents and proceeded to the adjacent room to zoom into my first set of classes. It was a unique experience, considering that I was situated almost 13 hours away from the University of Washington, and I had never set foot on campus due to the COVID.

GSA Front Desk

uwhonors@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… hang out at the front desk and try to answer any and all questions I can! If you call or email Honors, I’ll likely be the one picking up and responding. I look forward to communicating with y’all.

I like thinking about & studying…the migratory, economic and social implications of climate change. How do we keep the increasing number of climate refugees housed, healthy and fulfilled? What policies are inhibiting or supporting migration? In addition to these biiiiig topics, I also like psychoanalyzing contestants on Love Island, spending time in the Arboretum and learning about birds and plants! 

My first week in college…was a blur and filled with the typical first-year faux pas. I showed up to the wrong class (twice!), ate plates of fries in the dining hall with new friends and had to figure out the importance of my planner! My first college class was “The Meaning of Life” and it didn’t disappoint. 

Counseling Services Coordinator

liliant@uw.edu

Here in Honors I… advise and support students in planning their academic and professional goals. I am also the instructor for HONORS 100 and the accompanying Peer Educator program.

I like thinking about & studying… mental health, especially how intergenerational trauma shows up in immigrant and refugee communities. I love thinking about different healing practices we can utilize that center community. I also really enjoy being out in nature and learning about different ecosystems!

My first week in college… I went to a club event or meeting every day, attended my first football game, and stepped foot in a gym for the first time in my life.