The Honors Program salutes its graduates!
Welcome! Please join us in celebrating the UW Honors Program graduates for the 2015-16 academic year. Below you will find a list of some College, Departmental, and Interdisciplinary Honors students who have completed, or are about to complete, their degrees here at University of Washington. We invite you to view their profiles to find out more about these remarkable individuals and their exciting plans for the future!
Sincerely,
The Honors Staff
(2014-15 graduate profiles are available here)
Rachel Abramson
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Thesis title
Household Composition and Childhood Weight Status: Family Dynamics in China and Their Implications for Obesity
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing to move out of the house I've lived in with my friends for the past two years.
...One year after graduating?
Conducting research in Chengdu, China on a Fulbright US Student Grant.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working for an NGO or other international health organization as an epidemiologist.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Besides giving me the opportunity to learn more about a subject that interests me, being in Honors forced me to reflect on my own life and experiences. This has helped me grow in ways I never would have otherwise.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take the time to reflect on what you're doing within the context of your life. Being able to talk about your experiences in a holistic and articulate way is an invaluable skill for the future.
Jaclyn Adams
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Thesis title
Improving Affinity of JO-4 to DSG-2 For Use In Cancer Therapy
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Getting ready to celebrate my 22nd birthday and packing to move home to Blaine, WA
...One year after graduating?
Preparing to fly back to Cordova, AK to go commercial fishing on my dad's boat as I do every summer
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has allowed me to explore many different contradicting ways of thinking to develop into a deeper, more interesting human being
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Go to the Honors Portfolio presentations at least once before you are a senior
Bader Alfarhan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Anthropology
Thesis title
An Exploration of Friendship among Kuwaiti and Saudi Men Studying Abroad in Seattle
Personal website or blog URL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baderalfarhan
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Going out with my family to a place in Seattle that I've probably never been to before!
...One year after graduating?
Finishing up my first year of graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University!
...Ten years after graduating?
Finishing up my PhD somewhere!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Through Honors, I was able to challenge myself and become actively engaged in research. I got to meet a lot of friendly people along the way!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't underestimate yourself. And don't be too hard on yourself. You've made it this far, so why stop now?
Haley Amemiya
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Biochemistry
Thesis title
Utilizing Budding Yeast as a Model for Dwarfism
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating graduating with the best people at Boat Prom 2K16.
...One year after graduating?
Attending University of Michigan Ann Arbor as a PhD student.
...Ten years after graduating?
Conducting and disseminating research.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program has pushed me to dive deeper into my classes and research and articulate what I am learning. This practice is invaluable and relevant to my career and daily life.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Failure is inevitable and should be used as fuel. You are you own biggest challenge and advocate.
Jean Anderson
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Social Work
Thesis title
Re-Victimization: From Child Sexual Abuse to Interpersonal Violence/Domestic Violence
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be at home relaxing with my family. I will be able to spend time with them and not be thinking about assignments I have to complete. They have been a super support for me during this time.
...One year after graduating?
I will be graduating with my Masters in Social Work!
...Ten years after graduating?
I will be working with children, youth and families whom have been impacted by child maltreatment or domestic violence. I will be a guide and support for them as they work to achieve healing and a better life.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I have learned a significant amount about the people I wish to serve. Since I enjoy academic challenges, the Honors program did exactly that. It has expanded my perspective on many subjects that I will take with me into my work and everyday life.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Keep going, don't give up. The journey is worth it.
Fabiola Arroyo
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
BS Biology & BA Business Administration
Personal website or blog URL
http://fabiolaarroyo14.wix.com/mysite
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating graduation with my family, friends, and community in Everett, WA!
...One year after graduating?
Applying to Dental School after spending a year in Mexico living with my grandma, reconnecting with family, and improving my Spanish!
...Ten years after graduating?
Have my own Dental Clinic somewhere serving Latino/underserved communities
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Pursuing a dual degree meant I did not have much choice in taking classes that were outside of my majors. Honors provided me a space and community to engage in dialogue that pertained to real-life issues outside of our academic bubble.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't look at your education/experiences as stepping stones to get to the next step; look at your education as a way to build different skills. Live in the moment and don't let your schooling get in the way of your education.
Yashkarn Singh Bains
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Microbiology and Biology (Molecular, Cellular, Developmental)
Thesis title
Photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis is regulated by a CYCLING DOF FACTOR/TOPLESS repressor complex over time
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Continuing my research and working as a scribe in the ER.
...One year after graduating?
Preparing for the first year of medical school!
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as physician and helping improve the quality of medical care.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The honors department helped me pursue many different opportunities to explore a myriad of interesting topics at a deeper level. Through the honors department I was able to showcase my abilities to think critically and creatively.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Participate in as many of the opportunities the Honors department offers and take advantage of their many resources.
The more you explore, the more you'll learn.
Study hard, volunteer, give back, help your peers and your story will write itself.
Eliseo Banda-Gonzalez
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Sociology
Jonathan Bannick
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Accounting & Finance
Personal website or blog URL
http://jonathanbannick.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
enjoying the sun!
...One year after graduating?
completing my first year of work with Deloitte Consulting
...Ten years after graduating?
Living abroad
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Study abroad!
Indrayani Ananda
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Philosophy and Psychology, Minor in Comparative Religion
Thesis title
The Experiential Truths and Beauty of Poetry
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In the depths and bliss of my mind through deep breathing meditation.
...One year after graduating?
Samadhi.
...Ten years after graduating?
I expect to be in Nirvana teaching meditation, yoga, metaphysics (e.g., issues related to the nature of the self, existence, value, and meaning), ethics (e.g., animal welfare ethics, altruism, contemporary moral issues), philosophy for children, and philosophy of religion (Eastern and Western).
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Enjoy life while you are in school by bringing your mind into the present moment through breathing meditation. When you are truly present and Know Yourself, Life is Beautiful.Meditation makes everything easier, including your studies. Get that 4.0 the easy way! Meditate.
Nathan Bean
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Law, Societies, and Justice
Thesis title
Transnational NGOs in Haiti
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
"I stand up with my hands up\ Then I put up, my hands up\ I put up, my hands up\ I put up, my hands up\ Then I'm spinnin' all my hands up\ (Spinnin')\ Spinnin' while my hands up\ (Spinnin')\ Spinnin' while my hands up\ (Spinnin')\ Spinnin' while my hands up" -Beyonce
...One year after graduating?
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
...Ten years after graduating?
"Announcing your plans is a good way to hear god laugh." - Al Swearengen
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I am not special. I am not a beautiful or unique snowflake. I am the same decaying organic matter as everything else. I just did the reading.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
In 1966, about 19 percent of college students graduated with honors. By 2013, 53 percent of students graduated with honors. You want my advice? Go travel. Have experiences. Be kind. Be uncomfortable. Get proximate. Change narratives. Be a hopeful person. Your GPA doesn't define you. Live your life.
Megan Beatty
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Business: Finance & Information Systems
Personal website or blog URL
www.meganbeatty.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be packing my backpack for my 13, 14, and 15th country-- Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
...One year after graduating?
I will be working at Microsoft as a Financial Rotational Analyst and continuing to discover what I want to do long term.
...Ten years after graduating?
I will have completed my "30 by 30" challenge-- traveling to 30 countries by the time I'm 30. At work, I will be pursuing something I love or discovering a path to get there.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The honors college has been the cornerstone of my undergraduate experience-- it is the place that I looked to to form a greater understanding of the world, the place that connected my seemingly unrelated interests, and the place that continues to push the boundaries of my thinking.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take time to explore-- the best things I have discovered in college I never planned to do.
Megan Benzing
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Thesis title
Dyadic Adjustment in Caregivers of Children Diagnosed with Cancer: The Role of Parent Meta-Emotion
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Enjoying waterfront brunch with my amazing family and friends!
...One year after graduating?
Hopefully abroad somewhere satisfying my travel bug, whilst getting ready to enter a Ph.D. program for Industrial Organizational Psychology with a focus on employee satisfaction and engagement!
...Ten years after graduating?
Working internally at a large company to improve all things centered around employee happiness. Also, starting a family, first by getting tons of puppies!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program helped me to grow my passion for research, and allowed me the opportunity to get experience in designing and executing my own research project. Without the program, I probably wouldn't have pursued such an rewarding undertaking.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't hold back! It is easy to fall into a routine of just doing "enough." There are so many opportunities at UW that are hard to find when you leave this wonderful community. Try it all!!
Rosalie Bigongiari
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Mathematics
Thesis title
A Migrating Aesthetic: Art, Urbanization and their Implications for Populations
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In the kitchen preparing a celebratory feast!
...One year after graduating?
Working in Seattle to promote arts education in public schools.
...Ten years after graduating?
Something that allows learning and creativity...who knows!!!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has been the most important part of my in-class experience. Through the Honors program, I participated in a meaningful Study Abroad program, completed a creative project that led me to redefine my passions completely, and discovered interests that led me to my current goals and aspirations.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
UW is so full of resources. Talk to Honors advisers, go to the Career Center, find out about what niche programs and groups exist that match your specific and weird academic interest!
Christopher Blappert
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science
Thesis title
Third Party Content on the Web: A Visual Study
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Sleeping and relaxing after the hectic final push while moving out.
...One year after graduating?
Working at Facebook on making the world more open and connected.
...Ten years after graduating?
Upper management at a tech company or founder or co-founder of a startup.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Having departmental honors which allowed me to do a large-scale in-depth research project was very useful in helping me determine what I valued in my work and how to take large projects to completion.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Start early on your thesis. Whenever you start, it's probably not early enough.
Ashley Bobman
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Public Health
Personal website or blog URL
http://ashleybobman.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
The day after graduation I will be celebrating with my friends and family who have supported me over the years.
...One year after graduating?
In one year, I plan to be at Yale working towards a Master's in Nursing to become a family nurse practitioner.
...Ten years after graduating?
In ten years, I hope to be working as a family nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics. I envision working in the Seattle area; however, life is full of unknowns - I could end up anywhere.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors was a great opportunity to broaden my horizon and explore areas of knowledge that were outside of my comfort zone. The program encouraged me to grow both intellectually and on a personal level, challenging me to think in new ways and approach situations from a variety of angles.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Remember learning happens both inside and outside of the classroom. The reflective process required throughout your time in the Honors program plays an important role in your growth and your understanding of how your experiences in undergraduate have helped shape who you are becoming.
Tay Boyd
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring, 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Neurobiology
Personal website or blog URL
myuwadventure.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
At a quiet cafe reading... for fun!
...One year after graduating?
Completing my Fulbright fellowship in South Korea.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to have completed my MD-PhD, and to be working as a physician, researcher and professor, helping to meet the needs of medically underserved populations.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The honors program has been my favorite part about the UW. This unique classes, outside engagement and supportive faculty of the program have inspired me to be a global thinker and community engaged leader.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Enjoy the journey and don't be afraid to be great, set your goals high and follow your greatest dreams. Utilize all of the opportunities that UW and the honors program has to offer and remember to pay it forward through love and service any chance you get!
Joseph Bringman
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Classics
Thesis title
The Subjectivity of Divinity: Personal and Political Determinants of the Roman Imperial Apotheotic Apparatus and Domitian's Desire to be Dominus et Deus in his Lifetime
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Watching some movies.
...One year after graduating?
Signing a book deal.
...Ten years after graduating?
Changing the world... for the better!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Having the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium and to give a professional presentation of my research--conveying my material to an audience and expounding on it--was an amazing and exhilarating experience.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Work hard. Persevere. Thrive!
Colin Butler
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Personal website or blog URL
http://ctbutler.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Enjoying the beautiful freedom of having a Bachelors degree and preparing for three weeks of field work, music festivals, and vacation with family.
...One year after graduating?
Likely working for a hydraulic and hydrologic consulting firm conducting river hydrology and flood-plain analysis alongside a group of talented and motivated individuals at Watershed Science and Engineering in downtown Seattle.
...Ten years after graduating?
No solid idea at the moment, but likely some combination of working at one of a handful of research bases in Antarctica, traveling the world conducting river and water resource analysis, and trekking to remote alpine regions to experience the beautiful landscapes that nature has to offer.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has opened up my learning to a wide variety of experiences, perspectives and understandings of life that I would otherwise have not encountered in my academic career. It taught me respect, humility, and compassion for the people I encounter, and has significantly influenced my worldview.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Explore as many different opportunities as you can and find what you truly love doing. There's no harm in trying something just to discover it's not actually your cup of tea, so put yourself out there, develop connections with people who inspire you, and shape your path to make it what you want.
Julia Carlstad
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Chemistry (ACS Certified )
Thesis title
Spectroscopic Analysis of Solvent Effects on the Transition Metal Mixed Valence Complex FeRuFe
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Relaxing in the summertime weather with friends and family while preparing to head out camping and hiking.
...One year after graduating?
I plan to be in my research lab at UC Berkeley, learning from my peers and faculty members and beginning to form my own research question. I also hope to be exploring the San Francisco bay area and Northern California with friends!
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to be working to coordinate scientific missions for a research entity that focuses on earth science, while sharing the importance of atmospheric research with the public. I also hope to be still maintaining a life balance that allows me to explore the outdoors.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I have been able to take classes that stretch my thinking about current issues and allow me to better form my personal beliefs.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take advantage of classes that can expand your values and might also be a great chance to build a community in the Honors department.
Helen Chan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Chemical Engineering
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing for a vacation in Japan!
...One year after graduating?
Working as a biomedical device process engineer at W.L. Gore.
...Ten years after graduating?
Possibly in grad school for biotechnology!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Make time for hobbies!
Andrew Coatsworth
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Finance
Thesis title
Disruptive Technology and the Push for Innovation, Implications of Cybersecurity in Mergers and Acquisitions
Personal website or blog URL
http://acoatsworth.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
On a golf course
...One year after graduating?
Establishing a name for myself as a consultant at Ernst and Young
...Ten years after graduating?
Ideally I will have earned an MBA from a top business school and I will either be working as a consultant or running my own company
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors provided me with a great community of incredibly driven and dedicated students. My Honors classmates and professors continually challenged me to put forth my best work. Additionally, my Honors courses exposed me to topics that I otherwise would not have experienced within my major.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take as many Honors courses as possible and enjoy your time in the Honors Program - the four years fly by.
Claire Covner
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Business Administration (Marketing)
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has provided me with opportunities to expand both the breadth and depth of my knowledge. It has made my time at UW a truly interdisciplinary experience.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Use the diverse classes available to you as an Honors student to your advantage and venture outside your comfort zone in choosing which ones to take!
Rachel DeCordoba
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Environmental Science & Resource Management
Thesis title
Spatial and Climate Analysis of Bigleaf Maple Decline in Western WA
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Having a celebratory meal with family, unpacking boxes as I move into a new place, and taking lots of deep breaths!
...One year after graduating?
Working at an environmental consulting firm (or in a similar field), tap dancing, swing dancing, cooking, walking around Greenlake, and finding a way to continue pursuing musical theatre as a hobby with other UW Stage Notes alumni.
...Ten years after graduating?
Who knows? Lots of adventures!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has made me step out of my comfort zone in many ways, and for that I'm grateful.
Living on an Honors floor my freshman year was the absolute best - shoutout to Poplar 4, the tightest-knit family any student could ask for!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Try everything! Food, experiences, classes, clubs, leadership positions, part-time jobs, sports, music. Step out of your comfort zone and sign up for that program you found at 2am when you couldn't sleep.
And don't stress about the future, because no one else knows what they're doing either.
Ryan Drapeau
Quarter and Year of graduation
Autumn 2015
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science
Thesis title
The Wisdom of Multiple Guesses
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
On a flight to Europe for some much needed "relaxation". Well, as relaxing as backpacking across countries can be.
...One year after graduating?
Working in downtown Seattle at Facebook as a Software Engineer.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working in the tech field unless my passion for photography brings me to quit and pursue it full time :)
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I was able to explore the theoretical through my honor's thesis. It was an amazing experience to collaborate with professors and PhD students during my time working on the project.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Become involved with research or TAing as soon as possible. They both unlock amazing opportunities and I'm glad that I was able to start it as early as I did.
Mengtong (Tom) Duan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Personal website or blog URL
www.linkedin.com/in/tomdmt
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Most likely showing my parents around Seattle
...One year after graduating?
Hopefully working in the field to gain experience
...Ten years after graduating?
Postdoctoral fellowship
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It provided me with a sense of confidence in my abilities
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Get a mentor and get to know them well.
Devin Edwards
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring Quarter, 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Political Science
Thesis title
A Noisy Paper Tiger? Youth and Political Consumerism in the Age of Corporate Power and the Internet
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Recovering.
...One year after graduating?
Exploring law and public policy analysis (living in DC?), writing a book, starting a business or nonprofit, doing the whole soul-searching bit of youth I guess. If none of the above, off to grad school!
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully in a position where I can do some good for my community.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors teaches you plenty of extra content that you wouldn't have otherwise learned. But the real rewards are the things it teaches you about yourself. It helped shape what kind of career and lifestyle I want to pursue after college.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
In the moments when you're swamped in work and plagued by existential dread, remember that it's worth it in the end.
Nicole Einbinder
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
International Studies, Journalism
Personal website or blog URL
http://nicoleeinbinder.weebly.com, http://einbinderhonorsportfolio.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
On the road with my mom driving from Seattle back home to Southern California!
...One year after graduating?
In a year from now, I will likely be sleep deprived but incredibly proud for earning my Masters of Science degree in journalism at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.
...Ten years after graduating?
My dream is to be a human rights and investigative journalist who travels the world listening to people's narratives to bring attention to the voices too often pushed to the sidelines. I want to learn, explore, and use writing to decrease ignorance as I try to do something positive with my life.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors is the epitome of a liberal arts education within a large university; it's an opportunity to quench our love of learning through interesting, obscure courses, engage with professors who truly care about students, and form real relationships with advisors and peers. Thanks for the memories.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take risks, pursue your passions, and experience everything that the UW has to offer. Cheer on the Huskies at football games, explore (or get lost) downtown, and appreciate those small moments. College is a wild ride full of challenges, but also a time of of immense growth. Enjoy the journey.
Philip Fan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Chemistry (ACS Certified), Biochemistry
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Preparing for an interview on an airplane and reflecting without being overwhelmed by the invaluable experiences I had at UW.
...One year after graduating?
Either studying at a medical school in Hong Kong or conducting my practical training program at my current research lab at UW, preparing for MCAT and applications for both Canadian and U.S. medical schools, and traveling.
...Ten years after graduating?
Acting as a research fellow in a U.S. medical school or pursuing a PhD program after residency or working at a hospital or‰Û_ let‰Ûªs see where I‰Ûªm at within the next few years.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program enriched my undergraduate experience at UW by encouraging me to take advantage of the boundless opportunities in research and leadership development. The Departmental Honors program also gave me flexibility to study Chemistry abroad at University College London for a year.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Surround yourself with the right people, constantly talk to professors in subjects you're genuinely passionate about, and venture abroad. It's always fine to question yourself whether you truly enjoy what you're studying or doing because that way you won't have regrets and have a firm conviction.
Giselle Fernandes
Quarter and Year of graduation
Winter, 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biology
Personal website or blog URL
http://gisellefernandesportfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Relaxing and enjoying a lovely Seattle summer with my friends and family.
...One year after graduating?
Hopefully on my way to medical school!
...Ten years after graduating?
Ten years from now I hope to be volunteering around the world with Doctors Without Borders.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Thanks to Honors, I have had a really incredible interdisciplinary undergrad experience. The connections I have made with fellow students and faculty have meant so much to me and I am truly thankful for the opportunities I have had to learn both inside and outside the classroom.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! Explore opportunities outside your field, keep an open mind, and have fun!
Luke Fisher
Quarter and Year of graduation
Winter 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Earth and Space Sciences: Geology
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I already graduated, but I was expecting to be back at my parents house in California.
...One year after graduating?
Working in Seattle as a field Technician at Earth Solutions NW
...Ten years after graduating?
Finished my PhD and working as a professional geologist or engineer
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It pushed me to use all of the resources available to me as a student and to seek opportunities I might not have found.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Honors is something that you earn not something you are given. Earning something like departmental honors does not require being an exceptional student just someone who is determined.
Tara Ghassemikia
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Business Administration: Finance
Personal website or blog URL
http://taragkia.wix.com/honors-portfolio
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing my belongings and preparing to fly out to Capetown, South Africa.
...One year after graduating?
Working in Seattle at Camber Collective as a Business Analyst, being a loyal attendee of Husky football games, and spending my weekends camping/backpacking around Washington.
...Ten years after graduating?
Who knows - Life is full of plot twists.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
By taking a variety of disciplines each quarter, I have become a more intentional learner and interdisciplinary thinker. My honors courses were easily some of my favorites throughout my college experience.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take some time to travel alone. You'll learn more about yourself in those moments than any time in your life.
Melissa Gile
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Chemical Engineering; Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering
Personal website or blog URL
http://melissashonorsportfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In Seattle, packing to move to Germany
...One year after graduating?
Pursuing a master's degree in chemical engineering and management in Germany
...Ten years after graduating?
Nowhere in particular- just happy with myself and my life thus far
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has opened a lot of doors for me and guided me in figuring out what I am passionate about. It has encouraged me to explore many different areas of knowledge that have been both personally and professionally enriching.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Spread out your honors classes throughout your college career- this will lend you a lot of perspective that will be very timely depending on where you're at in your education and life.
Campbell Glass
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science and Oceanography
Thesis title
A simulation investigation into the effects of sea level rise on tidal propagation in fjords.
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Spending time in Portland, OR with my parents.
...One year after graduating?
Planning a whirlwind tour of Europe.
...Ten years after graduating?
On a rainy beach somewhere checking out the sediment.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being in Honors has given me an incredible undergraduate experience. Through this program I met a seemingly endless amount of wonderful people I now call my friends, and had access to unparalleled learning opportunities. Thank you Honors.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Sleep is for the weak.
Izumi Hansen
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Astronomy, Communication (Journalism)
Personal website or blog URL
https://izumihansen.wordpress.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating my graduation with family and friends.
...One year after graduating?
Traveling to far off reaches of the world to visit family and friends.
...Ten years after graduating?
In a steady career in editing or museums with a master's degree under my belt. Also, married and preparing to start a family.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I'm so thankful that I was able to work with fantastic Honors teachers who pushed me to learn in ways I never thought were possible. Taking Honors classes gave me confidence to continue testing limits and think deeply about the world.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
If you see an honors class that really grabs your attention, then take it if you can work it in your schedule. You never know when or if it will be offered next.
Cosmo Harrigan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences: Discrete Math and Algorithms
Thesis title
Deep Reinforcement Learning with Direct Policy Search and Regularized Convolutional Neural Fitted Q Iteration
Personal website or blog URL
www.machineintelligence.org
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Thinking about machine intelligence.
...One year after graduating?
Building machine intelligence.
...Ten years after graduating?
Continuing to explore the nature of mind and how it could be implemented in a machine.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The community of professors and graduate students at the UW were very supportive as I conducted my research.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
I recommend participating in the graduate seminars and reading groups for the subjects that you are interested in. Get to know professors across different departments. Immerse yourself in the literature of your field and attend relevant conferences.
Nicole Hayes
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Taking the time to sleep in, relax, and read a good book.
...One year after graduating?
Holding a job working with dogs and looking forward to attending a graduate program in the fall.
...Ten years after graduating?
With a PhD in Animal Behavior, most likely in a non-traditional path that combines writing, teaching, and research into animal intelligence. Married, with a house and too many pets.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I really loved taking liberal arts classes and rounding out my education. It was also hugely beneficial, for someone majoring in sciences, to have classes even in freshman and sophomore year with fewer than 40 students in them.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take care of yourself and take interesting classes. Your major will be focused, so feel free to diversify your honors courseload. Take things that sound fun, even if you have no experience in the topic.
Abbi Helfer
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Bioengineering
Thesis title
Organizing Outreach
Where do you expect to be...
...One year after graduating?
In Brisbane, Australia! I will be researching the asymmetric patterning that occurs in the first stages of embryonic development.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully done with my PhD in bioengineering and learning new things everyday in the world of research!
Kristen Hiatt
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Geography
Thesis title
Seattle's Global Mental Health Industry: Reinforcing or Challenging Existing Power Structures?
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Backpacking near Snoqualmie Pass!
...One year after graduating?
Working as a waitress in Latin America and applying to graduate school.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being apart of the Geography honors program allowed me to explore my own interests in an intensive setting and helped me realize how much I love research. I will always be grateful to have had that opportunity.
Alexis Hooper
Quarter and Year of graduation
Autumn 2015
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with family!
...One year after graduating?
Travelling and starting my career as a Software Engineer at Microsoft.
...Ten years after graduating?
Leading software projects and solving big problems.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors gave me so many opportunities to explore new subjects and reflect on my time as a student at UW.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Look at college as an opportunity to try new things.
Elizabeth Hooper
Quarter and Year of graduation
Autumn 2015
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Enjoying summer in Seattle!
...One year after graduating?
Working as a Software Developer at Microsoft and traveling.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors gave me a chance to explore new disciplines and challenge myself.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to try something different or change your plans.
Charlene Hsia
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Environmental Health
Thesis title
Human Retinal Arteriolar Response to Diesel Exhaust Exposure
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Cleaning up my mess of old papers, notes, and other things that I've accumulated from my classes these past 4 years. I'm the type of person who likes to keep everything incase it might (one day) prove useful, which means I have a whole lot of sorting to do!
...One year after graduating?
Completing my secondaries for medical school applications. I hope to be on-the-ball about turning in my primary applications within the first two weeks of applications season. Maybe admitting these plans to the world can will keep me accountable for this timeline.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working on my family medicine residency in Seattle. If not Seattle, then hopefully an urban area where I can serve lower income families through my work as a healthcare practitioner.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take full advantage of all the opportunities you have from being an Honors student! Whether you're a college, departmental, or interdisciplinary Honors student, you have access to a breadth of resources and support that exist just for you.
Larkin Hubrig
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Drama; Communication
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
celebrating and relaxing!
...One year after graduating?
I hope to be working at a job that fulfills me and going on lots of fun adventures with my friends!
...Ten years after graduating?
Enjoying life!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
The Honors experience introduces you to so many awesome professors and subjects! Take advantage of all the unique classes and opportunities!
Elizabeth Idomskaya
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Speech and Hearing Sciences
Thesis title
The Influence of Caregiver Support on Friendships of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Personal website or blog URL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-idomskaya-70b6a79b
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating in Seattle.
...One year after graduating?
Planning a trip to Europe before starting graduate school in the Fall.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as a Speech Language Pathologist in a public school system somewhere on the west coast
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Completing my Honors Thesis has taught me about time management, organization, commitment, and hard work. It has been an exciting and interesting experience that has strengthened my passion for education, therapy, and research. I hope to continue researching throughout my education and career.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Be passionate about everything you do. It makes learning so much more exciting.
Emaan Reza Jaberi
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Business Administration: Finance
Thesis title
The Economic Implications and Enforcement of Insider Trading
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be in the sun with my family and friends.
...One year after graduating?
I will be preparing for Law School!
...Ten years after graduating?
I will most likely be asleep, under a tree, with a book on my face...
Mustufa Jafry
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
English and Biochemistry
Personal website or blog URL
http://myportfoliomustufa.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Hiking Mailbox peak.
...One year after graduating?
Reading as many things as I can get my hands on.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to be a physician that serves as a part-time researcher and an educator for future medical students.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
My experience at UW honors has been one of the best parts of my undergraduate career. The wide breadth of courses Honors students have the opportunity to take and the phenomenal professors that Honors courses give students the chance to meet is unparalleled by any other program on campus.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Have fun and don't worry so much about what you will do after you graduate. You only get one chance to go through college and so go make the best of it. Also, take as many classes outside of your major as you can. They will open your eyes to thinking in different ways about the world.
Reanna E. Jarchow
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Environmental Science and Resource Management- Wildlife Conservation
Thesis title
Macro-invertebrate Communities within Mangrove Habitats in Kosrae, Micronesia and Discussion for Conservation
Where do you expect to be...
...One year after graduating?
I will have just completed my first year of veterinary school at the Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine and hopefully will be traveling or interning at a large animal clinic.
Claire Jensen
Quarter and Year of graduation
Winter 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Accounting & Finance
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I expect to be in Seattle enjoying my time off and preparing to travel to Indonesia.
...One year after graduating?
I will be working for Accenture in the Seattle office and enjoying the post graduate life.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to have my MBA, be working in a job that I love, and making a difference in the world of business.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being a part of the honors program pushed me to be a more driven and passionate student. It gave me the opportunity to work one-on-one with some of the most incredible faculty members which I believe taught me more than a typical classroom setting ever did.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to work alongside UW faculty! Make sure that your ad hoc work is something you are interested in and excited about because these experiences can and will be extremely valuable.
Megan Lindsey Johnson
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Medical Anthropology and Global Health; South Asian Languages (Hindi & Bengali)
Thesis title
Laá¹…gar: An Existence of Coequality Amidst a Culture Bound by the Social Conventions of Caste
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I am so looking forward to finally being able to spend some quality time with my family whom I am so thankful to have had support me throughout my entire Undergraduate Journey.
...One year after graduating?
One year after graduation, I plan to be serving in the AmeriCorps, passionately engaged and immersed in my dedication to strengthening an underserved community.
...Ten years after graduating?
Ten years after graduation, I hope to have the ability to speak 10+ languages and to be living and working abroad to bring medical care and compassion to communities of impoverished nations.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Having the opportunity to complete an Honor's Thesis allowed me to delve deeply into acquiring a better understanding of a topic that I was truly passionate about researching. Honors enabled me to realize my capabilities, strengths and passions, and challenged me to persevere through my weaknesses.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Your journey as an Honor's Student will come with many incredibly difficult days. In the end you will grow intellectually and individually by pushing yourself to persevere through those difficult days. The relationships and perspectives that you gain throughout your experience will be invaluable.
Charlie Jones
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
The Past Palliating the Present: A Deepend Exploration of Trans-National Exchange in Zakes Mda's Cion
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing for London! And cleaning! After Commencement, I'm headed to the English Literary London Summer Study Abroad. My house is obviously clean and organized after this year, so I'm going to be glamorously fishing socks out from underneath the sofa to stuff them into an overpacked suitcase.
...One year after graduating?
Staggering in the astounding wake of the Bonderman Fellowship.
...Ten years after graduating?
New York Bestseller list, three cats, and finally owning a metal French press instead of the cheap plastic one from Ikea that pours more coffee onto the counter than my cup.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has given me the opportunity to focus my research and writing in directions I have chosen - not that have been dictated to me. Long from the first anxious days of my college experience, I've gained an ownership of an identity as a researcher and academic writer.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Use Honors to explore topics you won't find in standard classrooms. This is your chance, through research and exploration, to truly explore and validate your interests within an academic context, to join intellectual conversations. Take this chance few receive and run. Oh, and try to sleep some.
Estella Jung
Quarter and Year of graduation
Winter 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Political Economy and International Studies
Thesis title
Asia's Wonder: The Rapid Growth of South Korea After the War
Personal website or blog URL
www.jestella.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with family and friends eating delicious food and finally catching up on Suits.
...One year after graduating?
Beginning my first year in law school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Practicing law and doing pro bono work.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program allowed me to have a well rounded college experience that I would not have had otherwise at such a large research university. It allowed me to interact closely with my peers in a small classroom setting and also gave me a chance to explore areas beyond my major.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Go on a study abroad! Whether it is for an entire quarter or for the summer, it is a great way to spend an extended period of time in a foreign country. It allows you to see the world from a different perspective and enables growth and transformation. Take full advantage of these opportunities.
Jennifer Helen Kang
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Computer Engineering and Informatics
Personal website or blog URL
http://jkangportfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Driving down to Portland to relax and go hiking!
...One year after graduating?
Working at Microsoft on the OneNote Apple team! Also, traveling and exploring the world.
...Ten years after graduating?
Not sure but I know that I'll still continue to travel!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors gave me the opportunity to challenge myself either in the coursework or in grasping new topics.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
If you can take an extra quarter off to do an internship or experiential learning, then go for it! I gained a lot of experience, both professional and personal, through completing more internships and traveling.
Logan Kaplan
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Thesis title
Social Impairment as a Result of Comorbid Diminished Social Motivation and Anxiety in an ASD population
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I plan to spend time with my family and friends that have supported me throughout my education. Then camping.
...One year after graduating?
I will be attending Eastern Washington University to earn an Ed.S in School Psychology beginning in Fall 2016.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to have earned my PhD and either have attained a faculty position as a professor at a university or to still be working in schools.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It taught me a lot about the research process and helped me greatly to network. The program required me to work independently and be self driven which gave me a look into what being a graduate student is like.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Time management and a helpful adviser. Success requires excellent time management and having an adviser that is willing to take the time and explain things to you.
Kya Kennett
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Architectural Design
Thesis title
Ballroom: Intersections of Dance and Architecture
Personal website or blog URL
http://kj2016portfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Sleeping all day. Perhaps shopping for a new professional wardrobe for my internship that starts in a few days!
...One year after graduating?
Working at an architecture firm, and preparing myself to move to wherever I will be going for my Masters of Architecture.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working at the middle to top level of an architecture firm that is focused on building schools, and possibly teaching part time at a university.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has been a great way for me to dig deeper into the things that interest and excite me. I understand the ways that the world is connected across disciplines, and understand the value of asking questions that are challenging to answer.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Be present, don't doubt yourself, ask the tough questions, and take risks.
Hanna Keyes
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Community, Environment & Planning
Personal website or blog URL
keyes.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with my family and friends.
...One year after graduating?
Doing work that I enjoy, living in Seattle, and spending time with the people I love.
...Ten years after graduating?
I happily have no idea!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors pushed me to take classes I would not otherwise have taken. An honors course even led me to finding my major!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take an art history class.
Kyle Kilmer
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biology with a Spanish minor
Personal website or blog URL
http://kilmeruwhonors.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Most likely celebrating my dear roommate's birthday (who just so happens to be the 'random roommate' I had the fortune of being assigned to live with as a freshman on the Haggett Honors floor =) ).
...One year after graduating?
Hopefully working in Seattle at a midwifery or community health clinic and volunteering as a birth Doula, whilst gaining experience and saving money for grad school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully/maybe working as a professional midwife, but who really knows...
Most of all, I hope to be working in a service-based career where I can have a meaningful impact on others, genuinely believe in the work I'm doing, and be surrounded by a supportive & motivating community of coworkers.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has supported me with an invaluable sense of community, challenged me through leadership experiences & exposure to new perspectives, inspired me to think & care about global world problems, and helped me recognize what I've learned about myself as the most valuable thing I will take with me.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Everyone brings to society their own expectations & often imposes those upon others, intentionally or not. Don't feel like you have to be something you're not just because someone else wants you to be. Find what's true to who you are & pursue that, even if it means not everyone else approves.
Alisa Jion Kim
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
English (Creative Writing Track) and Biochemistry
Personal website or blog URL
ajionkim.wix.com/portfolio
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In Los Angeles, celebrating my graduation with my grandparents and relatives!
...One year after graduating?
Getting ready to start medical school!
...Ten years after graduating?
Done with residency and working either at a hospital or in a group practice!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program gave me the opportunity to take fantastic interdisciplinary courses that introduced me to new modes of thinking, interesting topics, and numerous great peers.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Get to know your Honors instructors. They are amazing faculty truly dedicated to student learning, and I've had wonderful out-of-class discussions with several of them.
Crystal Kim
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Sociology
Thesis title
Virtual Ethnographic Analysis of the Online Portrayal of Eating Disorders
Jasmine Kim
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Personal website or blog URL
jasminehonors.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I'm really excited to celebrate with my family and friends (before having to get back to work this summer).
...One year after graduating?
I plan to bounce around Australia and New Zealand before entering medical school in Fall 2017! I am an avid scuba diver and traveler, and I have yet to visit that region of the world.
...Ten years after graduating?
I want to help fix hearts. I hope to have a career as a physician while being able to enjoy the outdoors and travel every now and then.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
With its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, the Honors program has made a huge impact on my education. I have developed key critical thinking skills and been able to explore topics that my Biology degree wouldn't typically allow.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Travel (not just study) abroad! Multiple times if your schedule allows. While studying abroad is a great excuse to fit travel in, traveling-- especially by yourself-- is a uniquely humbling experience.
Sam Kinn
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Electrical Engineering
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I'm going to be running on the Burke-Gilman Trail and then following it up with a long nap.
...One year after graduating?
I expect I'll be finishing up my gap year and preparing to start a graduate program in either electrical engineering or biomedical engineering, with an emphasis in large-scale neuroscience and developing brain-computer interfaces that can utilize it.
...Ten years after graduating?
I'll have my PhD and will have started to establish myself as a researcher in neural engineering and computational neuroscience. Some of the early projects I will have been involved with will hopefully have started to make a small clinical impact that can lead to larger, more ambitious projects.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It has provided me an opportunity to meet a higher number of brilliant and interesting students and faculty at the UW than I would have otherwise.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
UW is a large university and there is so much to do (especially research-wise) and so many people to meet. You're doing yourself a disservice if you focus too much on getting the highest possible GPA. If anything, deprioritizing school every once in a while might actually result in a better GPA.
Rachel Kirschner
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Geography
Thesis title
"Private School Education and The Reproduction of Class"
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
After graduation, I will be packing up my stuff and moving to San Francisco! I was recently hired to work in the Maps Department at Apple in Sunnyvale. Luckily, my friend's family has an apartment in the city that me and her will be living in. Incredibly excited to start my first job out of college!
...One year after graduating?
I hope in the year after graduation, I will have expanded on my GIS abilities and learned real life applications of geographic tools. By that point, I want to live in my own place in the bay area with some friends of mine who plan to move there as well.
...Ten years after graduating?
My dream is to move to Ireland! I studied abroad there and all I want to do is go back but I don't have the funds to make that happen. In ten years, I want to have gained enough experience and money to continue my journey in the Emerald Isle. I also hope to be active in the Alumni network. Go Dawgs!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program really exposed me to a new way of learning. In my previous courses, there is a regimented schedule with the aim of teaching you the concepts of the class. But in the Honors program, there is a great deal you teach yourself and you learn to be accountable for your work.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
My main message for Honors undergraduates would be to remember the roots of your major while working on your thesis. It can be easy to get caught up in the tiny details of your project, but if you take a step back and think about why this is important to your discipline, the purpose becomes clearer.
Natalie Koh
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Biology (Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental); Psychology
Thesis title
Multimodal MRI Measures as Predictors of Cognitive Impairment
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I'm going on vacation with the family - first to California, and then to the East coast!
...One year after graduating?
Working in a lab, and preparing for graduate school. Research excites me, and I look forward to acquiring new skills, learning new techniques and having the opportunity to explore more in-depth material in the fields of neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
...Ten years after graduating?
Doing a post-doctorate fellowship (hopefully). This is the trajectory I have envisioned for myself over the next decade or so - but people, situations and interests change, so I am not quite sure what may be waiting for me beyond that!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program really opened my eyes to many things and allowed me to become more deeply involved in research. It has really enriched my undergraduate experience at the UW, and I certainly would not have learned as much as I have if I had chosen not to participate in the program.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Make use of the resources that are available to you, and seek help when you need it. Don't give up when the going gets tough - you will encounter learning curves that may seem difficult to overcome, but stay focused and stay strong! Don't forget to thank your mentors/teachers for their support.
Mitchell Krawczyk
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Neurobiology & Psychology
Thesis title
Role of Spontaneous Activity in Dopamine Cell Development
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
At home, packing for a trip through Europe and then ending the night watching the Tony Awards.
...One year after graduating?
I will be in a PhD program for Neuroscience at UCLA, starting my thesis work after a year of rotating through different labs.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working in research at a large university and starting a family.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors provided good opportunities to have conversations about important ideas and topics concerning society that went beyond the scope of my science majors.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Get out and travel if at all possible!
Megan Kufeld
Quarter and Year of graduation
Fall 2015
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biology (Molecular, Cellular, Developmental)
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing up, moving out of the U-District :(
And preparing for my next adventure in life!
...One year after graduating?
Living out a dream of mine playing professional soccer abroad in Europe and traveling as much as possible in my free time!
...Ten years after graduating?
Likely I've hung up the cleats by now and am pursuing a career in the biomedical field doing molecular and cellular research, having already completed or attending graduate school.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program and courses greatly enhanced my undergraduate experience by instilling self reflection and discovery, diversity, breadth, and challenge throughout my time at UW.
Alexandra Leegwater
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Spanish
Personal website or blog URL
www.alexshonorsportfolio.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In Seattle, studying for the MCAT!
...One year after graduating?
I plan on going to medical school but in my gap year, I hope to have traveled more and I plan to be working as an EMT. I'll also know where I'll be going to medical school in the fall of 2017 so that will be really exciting!
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as a doctor in neonatology, either as a surgeon or a neonatologist. I also hope that in the next ten years I'll have had the chance to travel even more! Maybe I'll be married and starting a family.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program really enhanced my undergraduate experience through the variety of offered classes taught by incredible professors. My Honors program study abroad in Rome was the highlight of my undergraduate career!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Study abroad!! No matter what! It's the only chance that you'll have for this kind of opportunity and it's really life-changing. Also, don't be afraid to try new things and if you want to do something but you're afraid, just go for it. So far I have found that it's always worth it!
Ian R. Lee
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Earth and Space Sciences (Geophysics)
Thesis title
Identification, Characterization and Cataloging of Surface Features of ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Still in Seattle, have summer classes to finish.
...One year after graduating?
Antarctica.
...Ten years after graduating?
Antarctica. Antarctica. Antarctica. Antarctica. Antarctica.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The ESS Department and the UW overall has been very supportive of my goals and dreams, and these past 3 years have brought me closer to my dreams of doing research in Antarctica. Being in Honors also provided me access to valuable resources and contacts not normally available to students.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Being in Honors is what you make of it, take full advantage of every opportunity you get and chase it.
Sang Jin Lee
Quarter and Year of graduation
Winter 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Economics
Thesis title
Gender Wage Gap in the Russian Federation
Joanna Liao
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
At Morsel Eating Biscuits. Or at Sweet Alchemy eating ice cream. Or at Mondello's eating pasta. You get the picture. Definitely not doing homework. Or reading. Or work of any kind.
...One year after graduating?
At the food carts in Portland eating a grilled baby cheezus. And hopefully being employed somewhere in Oregon.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully eating notorious hospital cafeteria food, while on my way to becoming a doctor.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has given me the opportunity to enhance my interdisciplinary education with intersectionality and new perspectives.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Open your mind and actively engage with the UW community. Take opportunities as they come, even if they may not be a part of your "plan".
May Lim
Quarter and Year of graduation
Jun-16
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Psychology & Political Science
Personal website or blog URL
www.mayxlim.wix.com/mysite
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Eating good food and enjoying my new free time with my family!
...One year after graduating?
Working to gain experience and gearing up for grad school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working in a full-time position in either policy work or as a psychologist.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors taught me to think outside the box and to think critically, always questioning and trying to learn more. Honors helped me remember to reflect on the process and to enjoy it, rather than to rush through college and through life.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Stretch yourself, put yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable sometimes, and enjoy your experience while you're still at UW!
Virginia Littell
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Geology
Thesis title
Sourcing excess ground ice using water isotopes, Beacon Valley, Antarctica
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
With friends and family celebrating!
...One year after graduating?
Getting ready to move to where ever graduate school takes me.
...Ten years after graduating?
Having a career job, a doctorate, and a couple cats.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being in the Honors program has pushed me to do more and do better during my time here at UW. I've gained valuable research and teaching experience through it.
Yibo Liu
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Economics
Thesis title
The Effects of Female Education on Fertility Rate after Relaxing the One-Child Policy in China
Where do you expect to be...
...One year after graduating?
I am going to be a student of UW again!(Master degree in University of Waterloo) :)
...Ten years after graduating?
Travel around the world!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Doing the independent research under the departmental honor program was the best thing I've done in my college life. Many thanks to those encouraging professors who helped me with my academic research and courses!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Be confident and enjoy the college life!
Teresa Makar
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Economics; Political Science
Thesis title
Political Science Honors Program thesis: Investigating the China's response to Japanese nationalization of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in 2012
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
The day after Commencement is my 22nd birthday! I will be celebrating with my fiance, Tobias, and my roommates.
...One year after graduating?
Next June I will be working in Portland, OR, and I'm sure I will be stressing out about my wedding, which takes place July 2017!
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully I'll be spending time with my lovely family and celebrating my 32nd birthday!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Interdisciplinary Honors helped me take classes outside of my major (which was a much-needed mental break) and meet people from all sorts of academic disciplines.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't study too hard! It can be so easy to get caught up in school work, but there are so many opportunities for learning and growth outside of the classroom that will benefit you so much!
Nathan Maris
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Thesis title
Synthetic α-Sheet Peptides Suppress Aβ42 Cytotoxicity in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Personal website or blog URL
http://nmaris0.wix.com/running-the-race
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Reflecting on my time in college. I've changed a lot over the course of the last four years, and I'd like to take some time to examine the man that I've become.
...One year after graduating?
(Hopefully) getting ready to enter medical school in the fall of 2017!
...Ten years after graduating?
Still smiling.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Throughout my college experience, Honors did an incredible job of keeping me well-rounded. As much as I love science, I need liberal arts to keep me sane, open-minded, and focused on the larger picture. The UW Honors program provided this outlet for me.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
A mentor once told me to think of my time as worth $150 per hour. Our time in this life is finite and priceless--use it wisely, but give of it generously.Unrelated, but also important: be spontaneous. The moments that develop organically are those that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Yu Ma
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Economics
Thesis title
Student Evaluations of College Instructors: A case study on the determinants of course evaluation scores at University of Washington
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
traveling with my mom.
...One year after graduating?
finishing my first year of graduate school in Economics at Duke University.
...Ten years after graduating?
finishing PHD in Economics.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program has gave me opportunities to explore myself but also made me see my limits. I have increased my ability of research, writing, and reading. I have received invaluable experience from the Honors Program and I believe it will help my future study in graduate school.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Do not always compare yourself with other people, instead, focus on your own improvements and progress. And remember to be proud of your own achievements.
Margaret McPike
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Anthropology
Thesis title
Segregated Schools, Conflicting Narratives, and a Prolonged Process of Reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program has motivated me to make the most out of my undergraduate career and the opportunity to conduct my own research. Since, I have travelled across the country to speak at an Undergraduate Research Symposium, had my thesis published, and created something I will always be proud of.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Be ambitious- you never know how much you can accomplish until you try.
Skyler Mendoza
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Chemistry (ACS Certified) & Biochemistry
Thesis title
Neutralizing Antibodies Against Adeno-Associated Viruses in the Rhesus Macaque
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Eastern Washington, hanging out with my family.
...One year after graduating?
Finishing my first year of Graduate School in Chemistry at CalTech.
...Ten years after graduating?
Chemist by day. Superhero by night. Open to suggestions.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors Program at UW is incredibly well organized and super supportive. I have had the great pleasure of being a part of this program during my time at UW and have felt very welcomed to this community.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Work hard. Play hard.
Mina R Mina
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Thesis title
Ethno-Religious Cultures: A Study on the Development of Coptic Identities in America
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing up and heading out for a week of hardcore camping
...One year after graduating?
Continuing my studies on Coptic identities, Teacher Assisting at EdCC (hopefully), and working for my family's business.
...Ten years after graduating?
My options are quite open! So i'm not exactly sure, but here are three places where I would expect to be:
1.In Egypt, to either work on Coptic rights or serve the Church there.
2.In Seattle, on the leading board of the OCSA Movement
3.Somewhere in the States, working for a Coptic Cultural Center
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being in Honors simply changed my life. I was first on a typical health track to become a PA or something like it in health. It is a typical career field that people in my community go to.
However, the Honors experience showed me that I can truly make a career out of my passion.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Honors gives you the opportunity to make your learning relevant to your passion. So put all your energy in doing undergraduate Honors research, and make sure it matters. Make what your passionate about matters for others, and then follow your passion. Yes! it is possible to make a career out of it!
Lauren Mittman
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Political Science
Thesis title
What is Past is Prologue: Compromised Minority Representation in the American South
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Relaxing and enjoying the sun at home in California.
...One year after graduating?
Working as a Research Analyst for RTI International in Washington, DC.
...Ten years after graduating?
Nearing the end of a PhD program or settled in a policy or law-related career
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Conducting independent research for my Honors thesis was one of the most important experiences I had as an undergraduate. Most importantly, it helped me realize my passion for research relating to social justice and marginalized populations.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Learn as much as possible in the classroom during your time as an undergraduate, but don't forget how much there is to learn outside of the classroom. Internships and travel (if possible) related to your course of study can be a great supplement to academic work.
Dylan Moore
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry, BS
Thesis title
Did that Hurt? Behavioral Screening and Mapping of Nociceptive Genes
Personal website or blog URL
http://dbm93.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be in the 21Progress office in the International District developing curriculum for a civil rights "pilgrimage" designed to immerse King County high school students to civil rights history through travel across the American South.
...One year after graduating?
Somewhere in North Africa, as part of the Bonderman Fellowship.
...Ten years after graduating?
Back in graduate school, working towards a PhD (and hopefully towards the end of it!)
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Living on Poplar 4 with other Honors students introduced me to so many incredible people, many of whom I hope will remain lifelong friends.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Find ways to get involved off of the UW campus...my deepest learning came from finding or creating connections between disconnected communities.
Mykelle Morrison
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating graduation!
...One year after graduating?
Preparing to attend graduate school to obtain a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as a pediatric occupational therapist in a hospital or clinic helping children born with disabilities or special needs to live a functional and fulfilling life.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program has exposed me to many different topics and learning experiences that I never expected to have during college. My classes, professors, and peers have helped me discover new ways of learning and thinking that will be very valuable to me in my future.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to take classes on topics that are unfamiliar to you. By the end of college you will realize how little grades have mattered but the experiences, skills, and knowledge you take away will be more valuable than you can imagine.
Bonnie Mosley
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
History
Thesis title
Daughters of the Nobility: The Politics of Merovingian Hagiography
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be celebrating at a barbecue with my loved ones.
...One year after graduating?
In one year I will be arriving home after traveling in Africa and Eastern Europe on my Bonderman Fellowship.
...Ten years after graduating?
Writing my fifth or sixth book.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors in the History Department was not only fun (my cohort was full of amazing, intelligent, compassionate people!), but influenced the way that I read and write. I learned how to analyze information and express my thoughts. I came to a better understanding of what I think and believe and why.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Learn a new language. It will be one of the most challenging and rewarding things you will do in your life.
Makenzie Muilenburg
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Thesis title
Parental Emotion Coaching and Child Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Parenting
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
At the beach.
...One year after graduating?
In graduate school for my Masters in Mental Health Counseling.
...Ten years after graduating?
Running a private counseling practice or pursuing my PhD!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has connected me to mentors that have defined and transformed my undergraduate experience.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take advantage of the many opportunities you have access to. Never in your life will it be so easy to be involved in so many things.
Naomi Musgrave
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Computer Science
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Taking my parents out to dinner and toasting them for helping me through these past for years.
...One year after graduating?
Sitting in a cafe in London, working on a side project and drinking tea.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working at a startup that I love, and eager to keep learning new things.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The discussions I've had in my Honors classes has shown me new ways of looking at the world, and how to turn a problem over and discover these new angles for myself. I've learned how to ask questions about what shaped things into the way they are now, and how they could be different.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Keep your ears and eyes open around campus. If you see someone working on something cool, or overhear them talking about something that you're passionate about, go over and introduce yourself.
Kira Neuman
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Mechanical Engineering, Minot in Math
Personal website or blog URL
kneuman.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with my family!
...One year after graduating?
Out in the working world, gaining experience and preparing for either a business or law degree.
...Ten years after graduating?
Who knows? Probably living somewhere with a lot of sun, hopefully full of crazy travel stories, and definitely still a proud Husky!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors is the reason I was able to study abroad and expand my perspective beyond my own life in Washington state. Engineering is very focused on learning technical skills and my Honors classes were welcome opportunities to think about the impact I want to have in the world.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take chances. Try the things you didn't plan to, and don't be afraid to leave something behind if it isn't working out.
Ky Ngo
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Physiology BS and Biochemistry BA
Thesis title
Exploration of systemic lupus disease and its effect on the renal system, lupus nephritis
Personal website or blog URL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyvngo
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Catching up with my sleep... zzzz
...One year after graduating?
I will apply to medical school and hopefully get a seat at my top choice. On the side, here is my mini to-do list: 1.Learn another language, 2.Travel Europe, 3.Learn how to code, 4.Make an app, 5.Learn mixology, 6.Get a scuba diving certificate,... and many more
...Ten years after graduating?
I will be a surgical resident at a hospital... my sleep deprivation is not getting any better, but my sarcasm is definitely going to be better.
I hope to pay off half of my loan, no longer on food stamp--thanks medical school--have my own car, and save enough to get a house.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program has broaden my horizon, both my knowledge and my networks--meet a lot of amazing people pursuing different pathways.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Know what you want early--the sooner the better. Know yourself. Create a plan. Locate resource.
Finally, the most important step: Execute your plan and carry it until the end no matter what you face along the journey.
Best wishes to you and your journey! At the end, it is all worth it :)
Ky Ngo
Grace Ai Nguyen
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Law, Societies, & Justice; Drama
Personal website or blog URL
http://graceainguyen.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Hugging my loved ones.
...One year after graduating?
Packing for law school.
...Ten years after graduating?
On top of the world.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to do what you love because of the time or effort or impossibility of what it is. The time will pass anyway. You can either ride the minutes that pass you buy, or watch them from a distance, flashing like lightning, close to the electricity but never dancing in the storm.
John Nguyen
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Neurobiology
Thesis title
Identifying Pathogenic Copy Number Variants in Patients with Epileptic Encephalopathies
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I'll be celebrating with my friends and family on becoming a Husky Grad!
...One year after graduating?
I'll be working as a research technician in the lab of Dr. Heather Mefford. At the same time, I will be planning to enter medical school!
...Ten years after graduating?
While I am pursuing a career as a physician, the field of medicine is so large and dynamic it will be hard to say for sure what I will exactly be doing. Simply put, I want to work hard and find happiness in whatever field I'm in, making a difference in the lives of the people I work with.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors program has really allowed me to pursue an in-depth experience in my major, while also giving me an academic platform for me to continue the research that I've been a part of since sophomore year. I am really happy that I chose the Departmental Honors option and I am proud of my work.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Broaden your horizons and try something new! Take classes well outside your major and field or maybe even pursue a minor. Join new clubs or meet new people! I think that's what the Husky experience is about, and the Honors program can really help with that.
Thao Nguyen
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Chemical Engineering
Thesis title
A New Formulation of Skin Care Products
Personal website or blog URL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thao-nguyen-a9578588
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Binge watching 5 seasons of Game of Thrones.
...One year after graduating?
Party in NYC because I will be at Princeton University doing my PhD.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully on my tenure-track appointment to become a Chemical Engineering professor.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Enjoy college!
Naomi Nkinsi
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biology (Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental) and Public Health
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
The day after gradutation I will be on my couch catching up on four years of missed TV shows
...One year after graduating?
One year after graduating I will be finishing up my applications for medical school and working in a research laboratory.
...Ten years after graduating?
Ten years after graduation I would have finished medical school and will probably still be in my residency or fellowship program in order to specialize in infectious diseases and tropical medicine.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Do not wait until the very last minute to finish your Honors portfolio because you will end up using Weebly and there is a 100% chance that your website will crash before you can even present it.
Madison O'Connell
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Creative Writing
Thesis title
The Effect of Heteronormativity in American Culture on Transgender Terminology
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Sleep for 14 hours straight.
...One year after graduating?
Have a successful career as a novelist
...Ten years after graduating?
Have a successful career as a novelist and have every project I started completed and published
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
The Honors cohort allowed me, as an undergrad, to experience classes taught and graded on a graduate level. It was more intimate and conversations over texts read in class were more in depth
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Do not procrastinate and only work on topics you are excited about
Sigurast Olafsson
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Bioengineering
Thesis title
Bioengineering Outreach
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Packing for my summer trip to Europe! I plan to travel in Europe for 3 weeks and then spend the remainder of my summer in Iceland with my family.
...One year after graduating?
Going back to school! I plan to work for Dr. Farid Moussavi-Harami in his research lab in the department of Bioengineering while going through the application process for medical school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working in the medical field as an MD. I hope to do primarily clinical work, possibly specializing in cardiology.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors allowed me to complete an impactful project in the community that will have a lasting effect on the people we reached out to and I can be proud of my accomplishments.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Work hard and try and reach as many people as possible.
Mara Page
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Earth and Space Sciences, Geology track ; Anthropology; Archaeological Sciences track
Thesis title
Investigating Vegetation Changes in Northern Australia during the Late Pleistocene to Holocene through Stable Isotope Analysis
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Attending another graduation
...One year after graduating?
Let's see... allowing for reasonable uncertainty, somewhere on Earth
...Ten years after graduating?
Probably still on Earth- unless space travel really takes off in the next ten years (ba dum tiss)
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I didn't realize I was eligible until the chair of my department sent me a congratulatory email. It made my day!
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Make your own honors cord at graduation. The one they sell you is expensive.
Ji-Min Park
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Thesis title
BOLD Variability and its Correlation to CSF Markers of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson Disease
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Going on a short trip with family and friends before I start work in the summer as a Residential Conference Assistant at UW.
...One year after graduating?
Taking a 2 month trip to Europe and preparing my journey for medical school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Finishing my residency as a Primary Care Physician and hopefully serving the community!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Through Honors program, I was able to explore a different field of study that I otherwise would never have encountered, most notably neuroscience. It also motivated me to develop as a solid independent learner.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take advantage of all the resources that UW provides. Most importantly, explore yourself at a deeper level.
Rachel Perlot
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Drama Performance and Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies
Summer Polonsky
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Photomedia
Thesis title
"Then There's This"
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Physically I will be participating in the Furry 5k, a walk/run to support the Seattle Animal Shelter!! Mentally I will be celebrating the end of this part of my educational journey!
...One year after graduating?
The proud owner of a successful small business - making people happy with incredible portraiture and some sort of mild success in the art world as well.
...Ten years after graduating?
Retired on a beach with my hubby!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors forced me to think more deeply topics that I may not have pursued otherwise. It also taught me a lot of patience.....
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Just keep with it! When it feels like it is too much work, and you just want to give up, talk it out with someone, and keep going. Your education is what you make of it!
Emily Pratt
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Drama, Political Science
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Ravenna, moving into the place I'll be living for the summer.
...One year after graduating?
In New York City, L.A., or Chicago, hopefully in a job in my chosen field.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope in 10 years I'll have done a lot of work that I'm proud of and have a career with momentum. I'd also like to be married, maybe with a kid, by that time.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors helped me to improve my work ethic and think outside the box.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Follow your passion! Work hard, but don't freak out about it.
Julia Proctor
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Personal website or blog URL
http://juliaproctor.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In SF, California packing my bags to go to Thailand with my two best friends from high school! (:
...One year after graduating?
I hope to be working in a molecular biology lab as a technician, preparing materials to apply for graduate school.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope that I will be finished with my graduate degrees (or finishing) and working in the medical research field doing exciting research.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Being a part of honors allowed me to take classes outside of my major and explore topics that I never would have otherwise. I think it has made me a more well-rounded individual that is able to think of issues across fields rather than within them.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take the weirdest classes that you can find (as long as the materials still somewhat interest you). Don't be afraid to fail - it makes you more relatable. We're all human. That said, learn from those failures, don't keep repeating the same ones. Have fun! Four years goes by way too fast.
Sundeep Rai
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Personal website or blog URL
http://sundeeprai555.wix.com/portfolio
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Get ready for work work work work work work
...One year after graduating?
Continuing my work as a medical assistant while applying for medical school.
...Ten years after graduating?
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."
- Dr. Seuss
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Look up from your textbook every once and a while. The challenges you face and the adventures you embark on outside of the classroom will shape your greatest memories, and provide the most valuable lessons.
Nicole Riley
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Neurobiology (BS); Psychology (BA)
Thesis title
Occipital Lobe Subdivision Volumes in Relationship to Neurological Delays in Premature Neonates
Personal website or blog URL
http://nicolerileyportfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with my family and taking some much needed me time to read, chill, and see my friends!
...One year after graduating?
Pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in computer science at UW.
...Ten years after graduating?
Enjoying whatever adventures life brings!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It exposed me to a variety of amazingly ambitious people who inspire me to be the best I can be! I have made friends in a variety of majors, taken classes I never would have taken before, and studied abroad through Honors! Living on the honors floor introduce me to my lifelong friends.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to try new things! We have so many opportunities at this University and you may end up trying something that you love and makes your college experience or changes the way you think about the world!
Jessica Sheasley
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Personal website or blog URL
http://jessicasheasley.wix.com/honorsportfolio
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Spending time with my family and catching up on some sleep.
...One year after graduating?
Training with Seattle Police Department.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as a detective for Seattle Police Department, hopefully involved in solving human trafficking cases.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
It involved me in areas of study that I would otherwise not have experienced. It was a nice break to take small honors classes to break up some of those giant lecture classes. Also, hearing the perspective of students from other departments made classes more interesting.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take a class in something you know nothing about! It might change your perspective and it will be a lot of fun.
James Sherpa
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with my family and friends, enjoying their company and the last vestiges of my undergraduate life at UW.
...One year after graduating?
After having worked with USAID in the Philippines, accompanied with a healthy amount of traveling, I will be in Seattle studying for the MCAT and preparing to apply to medical school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully working in medicine healthily and happily, continuing to learn all I can about the world and taking the time to enjoy it too. Definitely, for better or worse, smiling at what I've written here.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has taught me to meaningfully analyze my educative and life experiences, a skill that I am grateful for everyday. I also studied abroad for a year in Tokyo through Honors, which was a wonderful and full experience.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
For the most part, the students and professors around you are there out of an excitement for learning and passion to do something in the world (so are you.) Engage them without hesitation, it will make your experience more rewarding and more human.
Katie Shin
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Business Administration - Finance
Thesis title
Disciplinary Actions on Banks: The Effects of Cease and Desist Orders on Bank Regulations and the Responsive Actions from Banks
Personal website or blog URL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-shin-ba329387
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating with friends and family and preparing myself to begin another journey in real adulthood. The festivities will include lots of smiles, hugs, and wine. :)
...One year after graduating?
Working long, but fun hours as a Financial Business Analyst at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. This includes having access to unlimited free coffee, having a gym at work, meeting new people, going to Trail Blazer games, and visiting all the hiking spots in the PNW.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working in a environment where I can continue to develop myself professionally and socially. Whether that means striving for a Ph.D in Finance or climbing the corporate ladder to become a CFO, I want to love what I do. Also, I want to be settled down with a loving family and lots of dogs.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has allowed me to expand my horizons and to really think outside the box. The research experience with finance professors and the honors classes with like-minded students have been very rewarding. Moving forward, I hope to stay connected with my mentors and peers.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Never settle for what you can do, always strive to learn more, do more, and be more.
J.J. Strosnider
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Neurobiology, Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Thesis title
Fraternal expectations: a case study in how fraternity men navigate ideals of masculinity fraught with contradiction
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
At home catching up on four years of lost sleep.
...One year after graduating?
Preparing to teach English in Japan prior to med school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Only time will tell.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I was able to reflect deeply on an experience integral to the trajectory of my undergraduate education, and challenge myself to always be mindful of my actions.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Get to know your fellow honors students! Many will be people with interesting life stories that motivate them to seek knowledge outside of the classroom. Make an effort to connect with them, and learn about why it is they do the research they do. You just might learn something important.
Tajwar Taher
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
English
Thesis title
"Another Holy Trinity: Literacy, Identity, and Freedom"
Personal website or blog URL
http://tajtaher-honorsportfolio.weebly.com/
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
In Portland, celebrating with family and friends. That is, if I manage to pull myself out of bed: after four exhilarating years, it might be nice to take a little nap.
...One year after graduating?
Wishing Seattle - my home for five years - a fond farewell as I pack my bags to head off for med school.
...Ten years after graduating?
Isn't half the fun not knowing what to expect?
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
The destination only means as much as the steps taken to reach it. Cherish each one.
Pearl Terry
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Thesis title
Counter Trafficking Efforts in Seattle: The Drama of Neo-Abolitionism
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Summiting Mt. Hood
...One year after graduating?
Working in a clinic in Cambodia as a Peace Corps Volunteer and continuing my research in human trafficking; traveling Southeast Asia in my free time.
...Ten years after graduating?
Working as an MD in a service position overseas; continuing my counter-trafficking work as a medical anthropologist and activist.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Every Honors professor I have had the privilege of working with has made, without exception, a lasting impact on my academic understanding and world view. I will cherish these relationships, ideas and conversations for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Its the journey, not the destination - the most important lessons you will learn as an undergraduate are non academic, don't let them be eclipsed by the stresses of school. Don't define yourself by failure or success.
Julia Tesch
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
History; Math
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
On the day after graduation, I'll celebrate my newfound homework-free existence to do some of my favorite low-key activities around Seattle, such as tootling around Magnuson Park or playing board games with friends.
...One year after graduating?
I plan to still be in Seattle, where I will hopefully be working for a local organization and discovering more about the specific kinds of work I'll pursue in the future!
...Ten years after graduating?
By this time, I hope to have found a career that continues to excite and motivate me. I also hope to begin to establish a family of my own. Whether I'll be in Seattle or elsewhere is uncertain-until I settle down to raise a family, I plan to follow opportunities wherever they may take me.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Through Honors, I have had the opportunity to explore topics in a variety of fields that I likely would have never discovered otherwise. This has challenged me to apply my thinking in a variety of contexts and has helped me to identify theoretical and ethical questions that are common to all fields.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
You have made it through every single difficulty that you have ever encountered in the past. The fact that you are here today and reading this is testament to that. Trust that this trend will continue and that you will also make it through the next trial you face!
Zoe Elise Thomas
Quarter and Year of graduation
Summer 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Classics
Thesis title
Like Father, Unlike Son: An Exploration of Father and Son Heroic Paris in Ancient Greece
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Probably lost, excited, and sunburnt in Turkey.
...One year after graduating?
Still frantically deciding what I want to do with my life!
...Ten years after graduating?
In a job that combines my love of history, languages, and writing in some productive and rewarding manner.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Seize every opportunity you can with passion and dedication, and do not beat yourself up for opportunities missed. There will always be another one around the corner!
Kaitlyn (Katie) Tom
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
General Biology
Personal website or blog URL
http://katietomuwhonors.weebly.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
A day after graduating, I expect to be doing touristy Seattle things with friends and family before heading back to my hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.
...One year after graduating?
In the year following graduation, I expect to be stressing out in a library while cramming for my first year dental school exams.
...Ten years after graduating?
Ten years after graduating, I hope to find myself back home in Hawaii hopefully doing what I love and practicing dentistry (fingers crossed I pass those board exams).
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
As a Biology major, being in honors and having the opportunity to take unique social science and humanities courses has granted me a richer learning experience, one that has allowed me to make bigger picture connections between my major and other disciplines.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
My advice for current Honors undergraduates would be to take as many UW/Honors courses outside of your major as you can and take advantage of all of the unique opportunities that the UW has to offer! These four years will pass by in the blink of an eye!
Dominic Tran
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Bioengineering
Thesis title
Development of a Web-Based Advising Tool for UW Bioengineering Undergraduates
Personal website or blog URL
dominictranhlc.wordpress.com
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I will be flying out to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate my completion of the B.S. program in Bioengineering.
...One year after graduating?
I will be working as a Research Technician at Seattle Children's Research Institute. I'll be helping in studies to develop gene delivery systems and delivery methods using ultrasound to treat hemophilia afflicted patients.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to be working as a physician specializing in family medicine or internal medicine, working alongside the LGBT community.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be shy to take on opportunities on campus. Take the initiative to find interdisciplinary work, make connections outside of your field of study, and find new experiences. The UW campus has so much to offer all of its students.
Matthew Trawczynski
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Biochemistry and Philosophy
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I look forward to spending time with my family and friends, and perhaps even work on applications to graduate school.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to someday work with underserved populations in a medical setting. I am fascinated by both internal medicine and general surgery.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Pursuing Honors gave me the chance to dive deeper into what I'm passionate about. Thank you to the Honors College, and my family and friends for your constant support.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Ask the hard questions, and don't be afraid of the answers (or lack thereof)!
Lindsey Trimmer
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
Political Science and Comparative History of Ideas
Thesis title
Limited Implementation of State Policies for Minorities: A comparison of German and French relationships with the Islamic Headscarf
Personal website or blog URL
http://trim84.wix.com/trimmerhonorsport
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
I hope to still be celebrating with my friends and family! I would not have made it through college without them and I can't wait to spending some time relaxing with them and making sure they know how much they mean to me.
...One year after graduating?
I hope to be training and learning how to succeed in whatever career path I choose. I hope to be beginning to consider graduate school and exactly what type of program I would want to participate in.
...Ten years after graduating?
I hope to have a happy, stable life filled with people (and animals!) that I love. I hope to still be learning and having meaningful conversations about a multitude of topics. I hope to still have the passion I have today and I hope to be en route to achieving my version of success.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors allowed me to explore many different topics throughout a number of disciplines. Without Honors, I would have never found my CHID major or my Environmental Studies minor and I am so thankful for all the amazing people, both students, staff and professors, I've met through the program.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take advantage of all the resources and events Honors provides. Attending Honors events and meeting with Honors professors has been such an impactful part of my academic journey and I only wish I had taken advantage of everything available to me even sooner!
Annika Van Gilder
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Medical Anthropology and Global Health
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
On the ferry to Orcas Island with my family!
...One year after graduating?
Enjoying life in Seattle, working at a nonprofit, doing social justice work, and still waiting to adopt a dog.
...Ten years after graduating?
Using an advanced nursing degree to apply practical skills in the global health field. Managing to find as many weeks of vacation as possible, traveling with people I love.
Joseph (Joey) Ryan Wieser
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Psychology
Thesis title
Evidence-Based Practice Makes Perfect: Exploring Consultation as an Implementation Strategy in Strengthening Treatment Delivery
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Hey look, a bird!
...One year after graduating?
Taking a gap year to gain relevant work experience. A.K.A. I didn't get into the grad programs I applied to so I will pursue local research opportunities to strengthen my resume and reapply next year. :)
...Ten years after graduating?
The goal is to have my doctorate and to be making valuable contributions to the field of psychology. My real hope? Having left the world a better place than when I found it. Only time will tell.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors gives you the opportunity to establish a strong relationship with your faculty sponsor and their colleagues. If your plan is to go to grad school, this relationship is your golden ticket. Seriously, it's mostly about who you know.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Be intentional. Be professional. And when you're feeling stuck, google it! You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Also, Bloom's Taxonomy of Questions is bae. Bae is still a thing, right?
Kela Wong
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
College Honors
Major(s)
International Studies
Thesis title
Interrogation of Gender Identity: Aesthetic Consumption of Korean Television Dramas by Young Women in China
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Celebrating!
...One year after graduating?
Teaching English in South Korea
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully working at a job that I love!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors has pushed me to try new things, which have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my time as an undergrad.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Life is too short to eat food you don't like.
Macey Wong
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Economics (BS)
Thesis title
The Returns to English-Speaking Skills in Puerto Rico
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Enjoying a day trip to Vancouver with my family.
...One year after graduating?
Hopefully continuing working as a data analyst.
...Ten years after graduating?
Hopefully traveling around the world and trying all of the delicious foods out there!
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I am grateful to the departmental honors program for giving me the opportunity to perform undergraduate research. It really diversified my undergraduate education because it allowed me to apply the skills and concepts learned in class to a real world problem.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Make the most out of your undergraduate experience, be proactive, and don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone! My college years went by really quickly, and I regret not getting out more and experiencing everything that UW has to offer.
Emily Worrall
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology; Biochemistry
Thesis title
The role of RpoS in the regulation of flagellar class I, II, and III genes in Salmonella typhimurium
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Enjoying time with my family and friends and packing for my trip to Europe with two of my good friends!
...One year after graduating?
Studying hard and finishing up my first year of medical school at the University of Washington
...Ten years after graduating?
Finishing residency, perhaps beginning a fellowship, traveling, and hiking
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Create your own opportunities and try new things!
Maggie Yaddof
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Environmental Health
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
One day after graduating I will be on an airplane! I am spending my summer doing mission work in North Carolina addressing food security issues and access to healthy foods. I will be building partnerships with local farmers and teaching gardening, nutrition, and cooking classes to community youth.
...One year after graduating?
One year after graduating I will hopefully be working somewhere that is community-focused. One of the most valuable experiences I've had was volunteering at a syringe exchange with a population that most people turn a blind eye to. I want to bring the struggles of the ignored into public view.
...Ten years after graduating?
I'm not going to pretend I will be saving the world in ten years, so my realistic goal would be starting a family. As much as I love what I study I think motherhood is my ultimate dream. I want to be in a place in my career that would allow me to do so.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
I had three ad-hoc research projects each expanding on a particular part of a class. Participating in departmental honors has allowed me to learn a subject from multiple angles, to go beyond the classroom and delve into the scientific literature about the subject in a structured way.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Don't be afraid to try. With departmental honors I went back and forth with my adviser Trina about whether or not I wanted to continue, and she was adamant that trying and failing was better than not trying at all. I'm glad I put in the extra effort.
Nicole Young
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Interdisciplinary Honors
Major(s)
Economics
Where do you expect to be...
...One day after graduating?
Leaving Seattle for a road trip down the Oregon coast to stay in a yurt.
...One year after graduating?
Working in Seattle, enjoying myself, and living the life!
...Ten years after graduating?
Patrolling Gotham by night.
Please share any comments you have on the impact that Honors has had on your undergraduate experience:
Honors classes brought much needed variety and perspective to my course schedule. It also helped me meet all of my best friends, whether through the Honors floor in dorms or Honors study abroad.
Do you have any advice for current Honors undergraduates?
Take what you can from the Honors experience. It doesn't necessarily have to be what it was intended to give you.
Zhifeng Yu
Quarter and Year of graduation
Spring 2016
Which Honors designation will you be graduating with?
Departmental Honors
Major(s)
Accounting and Finance