• Yuanxi Li, Dean’s Medalist in the Social Sciences, graduated with a B.S. in Informatics and a B.A. in Sociology with Departmental Honors.
• Aileen Kuang, Dean’s Medalist in the Humanities, graduated with a B.S. in Informatics and a B.A. in English with Departmental Honors.
• Juneau Chatchadanoraset, Dean’s Medalist in the Natural Sciences, graduated with a B.S. in Physics: Comprehensive Physics and a B.S. in Astronomy with Departmental Honors.

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Selena Liu, a fourth year Interdisciplinary Honors student majoring in Human Centered Design and Engineering, was recently featured in an International Student Spotlight from UW. Selena, originally from Beijing, China, has spent her time at UW exploring a variety of opportunities, whether that means joining a Direct Research Group on mental health, entering the Dempsey Startup Competition, serving as design chair for the UW Hip-Hop Student Association, or performing with UW Undivided, a student hip-hop dance team. During her time in Honors, Selena has taken courses such as HONORS 394 A: Lovework: an unfinished syllabus and HONORS 393 A: Music, Birdsong, and the Limits of the Human. Selena says: “The Honors Program is actually my main reason why I ended up at UW. It’s very interdisciplinary, and all the classes are super fun.”

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Ava Mitchell, a Public Health-Global Health major and Departmental Honors student, not only has a passion for sustainability and social justice, but also a passion for music. She, along with four other UW students, formed the rock band Daughters of Venus. Mitchell acts as a singer and guitarist for the group, which recently played at Bite of Seattle, Neumos, and Bumbershoot. Read more about her academic and musical journey at the article below!

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UW Honors Student, Mahika Malladi, spent her first quarter at UW leading a successful campaign to elect Shilpa Prem for Kirkland city council membership. In her recent feature in UAA News, Malladi reflected on how an Honors course “End of Empire” contributed to her campaigning approach. Malladi speaks of a moment where she shared her campaign efforts with the class and gained two new canvassers and friends:

“That experience was the first of many impactful moments in Malladi’s Honors courses, which she said were often her most valuable classes because of how small and personal they felt. It was clear that Honors cared about her learning outside of the classroom, too, Malladi said.

‘The power of education, particularly through that Honors class, really enabled me to make interpersonal connections,’ Malladi said. ‘I credit that entirely to Honors.’ “

Read more about Malladi’s journey at the link below.

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Departmental Honors in History provides students with the opportunity to conduct original, faculty-mentored research culminating in an honors thesis and presentation at the annual History Honors Colloquium. This year, students took audiences across the globe—from the Philippines and Brazil to medieval Europe, Korea, and Mexico—as they explored topics including the making of a transnational Cold War intellectual, midwifery in fourteenth-century England, and the militarization of the Brazilian police force. Among the presenters were Elizabeth Brown, who examined female leadership in medieval Italy, and Kaya Suraci, whose research traced the evolution of a third-gender identity in Mexico, highlighting the breadth and depth of historical inquiry fostered through the Departmental Honors experience. Click here to learn more about their research and the History Honors Colloquium!

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Politics and government are powerful forces affecting our lives and communities. And yet, far too many “political” issues feel impossible to resolve. Last spring, Honors students heard directly from a wide array of political actors from our region in Suzi LeVine’s seminar, “Power of the States: The People and Practices Behind the Programs and Policies that Impact People’s Lives.”

LeVine, former US Ambassador to Switzerland & Lichtenstein and current mover-and-shaker in WA state politics, lined up an impressive series of speakers. A few notables include: Congressman Adam Smith, Speaker of the Washington State House, Laurie Jinkins (pictured w/Suzi LeVine, fellow speaker Anne Levinson, and guests at a pre-class meet & greet), Pluribus News Editor-in-Chief and Founder, Reid Wilson, as well as many other civic leaders.

LeVine’s class is an amazing opportunity for Honors students to learn directly from some of the most impactful people in our region and to recognize their own agency when it comes to shaping public policy, influencing elections, and advocating for the issues that matter most to them. Did you miss the class? There are lots of ways to connect with civic leaders! For instance: many Honors alumni have contributed to the growth of Citizen University. Check out one of their programs or upcoming events!

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UW Honors intends to hire up to two new undergraduate student assistants starting in Autumn 2026 for 10-15 hours per week. The position(s) will run through June 2027 and is renewable for subsequent academic years depending on available budget and staffing needs.

A complete application must be submitted by OCTOBER 22 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) 

Candidates should be currently enrolled in the UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program. Work hours will primarily occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., M-F, in the Honors office, with some remote hours possible on Fridays.

In general, the duties for this job include: 

• General representation of the UW Honors Program to the public/stakeholders via phone, Zoom, email, and in person as the primary reception staff.
  • Greet all guests and help to answer their question or direct them to the appropriate resource.
  • Check the general program email and voicemail each shift and help triage and respond.
• Assist with Honors communication, web update, and social media projects. This could include:
  • Creating and disseminating weekly Honors announcements.
  • Creating, organizing, improving accessibility, and updating content of web pages, artifacts, the announcements blog, and other digital communications tools.
  • Monitoring Honors social media and creating new posts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).
  • Assisting Honors staff in a variety of presentations to the public.
• Assist with advising questions or connecting students to the Honors advisers or appropriate resource. This may include:
  • Assisting with advising questions over email and the phone.
  • Assisting with drop-in advising.
  • Assisting with individual advising appointments and the flow/logistics of in-person advising.
  • Assisting with group advising sessions.
• Assist with answering admissions and program questions from prospective students and families.
• Assist as needed with academic services and course/curriculum processes, including Honors-by-Contract & Experiential Learning communication and process management.
• Assist with scheduling Honors room reservations and managing technology checkouts associated with room reservations.
• Assist all Honors staff as needed.

Your supervisor will be Nick Grall, Program Manager, and you will work closely with all Honors Program staff.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program requirements for undergraduate students
• Ability to articulate the value and purpose of the Honors Program requirements
• Ability to speak about your personal experiences at UW, and a willingness to share some of those personal experiences/stories with other students
• Enthusiasm for supporting the Honors Program and larger UW community
• Strong organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to balance a variety of activities
• Strong writing and social media communication skills
• Basic digital graphic design skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills: ability to work well with peers, new students, staff; ability to listen and respond to individuals’ questions and concerns; ability to help others problem solve and make decisions
• Availability to work in-person at Mary Gates Hall

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with WordPress, similar online publishing platforms, or a basic knowledge of HTML
• Photography/videography skills
• Experience with Canva
• Demonstrated involvement on campus or in the community

Compensation

Compensation is $21.30 per hour in 2026 and $22.14 per hour starting 1/1/2027.

Dates

Autumn Quarter 2026: Position will begin mid-November, with a focus on onboarding and training. 10-15 hours per week. 

Remainder of the Academic Year 2026-27: Winter and Spring at 12-15 hours per week, with an upper limit of 19.5 hours per week. Hours during the quarterly breaks may be available and will be discussed and arranged at least two weeks prior to each break. Hours will primarily occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., M-F, in the Honors office, with some remote hours possible on Fridays.

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Mariela Hernandez

What is your favorite UW memory?
Some of my favorite UW memories are taking pictures with my best friend Karen at The Quad and when I finally left campus after my last final. Karen and I did a night photoshoot in spring 2025 and then repeated this in spring 2026 ahead of our graduations.

I loved the UW campus and made many beautiful memories here–ones that I will forever cherish. It was surreal to walk off the campus and close my undergraduate chapter, but I look at the future with excitement!

What has been your favorite Honors course, event, or experiential learning opportunity, and why?
I loved all of my honors courses, so it is difficult to choose which was my favorite honors course. If I had to name one, it would be the Race and Medicine in the US with Professor Damarys Espinoza. I had a lot of fun in the class and met lifelong friends that I will make sure to keep in touch with after UW. I fondly remember making a website of our learning milestones from the course and our 50-60 minute long group presentation. 

What is one piece of advice you want all current Honors students to know?
Keep going. Where there is a will, there is a way—trust me! No path is perfect, but if you continue challenging yourself and leaning on your community for support, you will do just fine! Wishing the best of success to you!

What is something you are most looking forward to after graduation?
I am most excited for focusing on my next chapter: applying to dental school. I am also excited to continue serving my community at Floss Boss The Mobile Dentist in Seattle. I will be spending more time hiking, paddleboarding, cooking, and traveling this next year!

Kaytlin Vanderhorst

What is your favorite UW memory? Being selected as the 2024-2025 Junior President’s Medalist is definitely one of my favorite memories from my time at the UW! When I was notified of receiving the award via email, I was so surprised that I called the Office of the President to ask if it was real and if I could actually get excited about it!

The entire experience was surreal– from the professional photoshoot in Kane Hall (who knew there was a photography studio in the basement!?), to the article written about me and my fellow recipients, and the celebratory luncheon where I got to have lunch and receive the actual medal with UW president Dr. Jones, the Deans and Directors of my academic programs, and my closest supporters who’ve cheered me on throughout college. At such a big institution, surrounded by so many diverse, accomplished, and ambitious peers, despite my own accomplishments, imposter phenomenon has felt like an inevitable and lingering condition. Although my reasoning for getting involved across campus and pursuing academic success has never been for the recognition, there was a sense of validation and self-compassion that I felt when I was told I was a recipient of this award! 

What has been your favorite Honors course, event, or experiential learning opportunity, and why?The Honors Program is rooted in some of the best experiences I’ve had in college. Beyond being a student, I’ve been fortunate to be a Peer Educator and Facilitator, LLC RA, volunteer, Admitted Students Day panelist, graduation student speaker, and more. However, when I consider some of the most impactful experiential learning opportunities, many of them stem from my experiences as an Honors LLC RA in Terry Hall my third year. My floor theme was Taylor Swift, and each hallway was decorated as its own era (Lover was one of the halls I was the most proud of), so that brought me tremendous joy. I created genuine connections with so many of my residents and loved supporting them as they grew confident navigating the university and the Honors Program. And, I especially enjoyed my Student Leader team! I grew so close with my fellow LLC RAs– Aakash and Jamie– and we spent countless hours hosting LLC events, staying up late crafting and chatting, joining each other for building rounds, collaborating with Honors staff and faculty, and getting to develop our friendship outside of being coworkers. The entire year of being an Honors LLC RA is truly a core memory to me! 

What is one piece of advice you want all current Honors students to know? One piece of advice I would want all current Honors students to know actually comes from something I included in my honors autumn quarter reflection as a first-year student in Honors 100 four years ago. When I attended my very first Global Challenges event in 2022, the theme was “The Power of Place and Care.” There were two statements by our panelists, Martine Pierre-Louis and LaShawnDa Pittman, respectively, that resonated with me: “All of it is worth it. Make what you do matter.” I remember clinging on to their advice but not really knowing what I would do with it at the time. Now, four years later, I’ve come to realize that some of the most important, fulfilling, and meaningful things I’ve done at the UW have been grounded in what is valuable to and beyond me. The challenges, stress, sacrifices, and dedication are worth it and do matter when I think about the person I have become, the lived experience and growth that has occurred, and the communities I have been able to interact with. So, I encourage Honors students to discover what it is that is meaningful to them, hold onto that, and know it is worth it and it matters. 

What is something you are most looking forward to after graduation? After graduation, I am looking forward to coming back to the UW in the fall to begin my graduate studies in the Educational Specialist in School Psychology program! I’ve been trying to stay mindful and present while wrapping up my time in undergrad, and I have been pursuing this goal and program for the past few years. The fact that it will be my reality in just a few months is wild to think about! My “why” is driven by a passion to support and advocate for students’ academic success and well-being despite the uncertainties, gaps, and resistance within the education systems they may be navigating; knowing that I get to start my program soon and actualize those “whys” is something I am so excited and grateful for!

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The Greene Scholarship is awarded to a rising senior in Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors. Established by Lawrence M. Greene, it recognizes the lasting impact that an Honors education had on his life.

• Christina Zuo (Psychology & Early Childhood and Family Studies; Interdisciplinary Honors) 

The Bordeaux Scholarship is awarded to rising juniors in Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors based on academic merit.

• Caitlin Wassell (Biology-Physiology; Interdisciplinary Honors) 

The Everett Dillman Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students in Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors based on academic merit.

• Valeria Suarez (Dance; Interdisciplinary Honors) 

The Friedman-Hechter Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a student in Interdisciplinary and/or Departmental Honors for outstanding academic achievement and to support academically related international travel.

• Madi Trimmer (Informatics; Interdisciplinary Honors) 

The William Gerberding Scholarship is awarded to a rising senior in Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors who has rendered exemplary service or brought special distinction to the Honors community.

• Anika Neumeyer (English & Law, Societies, and Justice; Interdisciplinary Honors)

The Ran Hennes Honors Scholarship provides partial tuition support for a College Honors student with an excellent academic record and active service to the University community.

• Daniella Maor (Medical Anthropology & Global Health; College Honors)

The Mary Gates Achievement Scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore in Interdisciplinary Honors who has demonstrated academic excellence during their first year.

• Jiya Joshi (Pre-Sciences; Interdisciplinary Honors)

The Randolph Preston Pillow Scholarship supports students continuing in the Honors Program (sophomore year) and students entering through second-year admission.

• Ramya Suresh (Engineering; Interdisciplinary Honors) 
• Simran Kashyap (Computer Engineering; Interdisciplinary Honors) 
• Mahika Malladi (Public Service & Policy; Interdisciplinary Honors)
• Kaia Engle (Comparative History of Ideas; Interdisciplinary Honors)
• Jordan Hiller (Pre-Major; Interdisciplinary Honors)

The Wang Scholarship was established by former Provost and Executive Vice President Phyllis Wise to honor her parents, Shih Chun and Mamie Kwoh Wang. The scholarship supports students in any Honors track and at any stage of their undergraduate career.

• Adelina Sudarman (Neuroscience; Departmental Honors) 

The Honors International Access Scholarship is awarded to students in Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors who have been accepted into a 2026 Honors-sponsored study abroad program.

• Sanam Karami (Informatics; Interdisciplinary Honors) 
• Kaloyan Menser (Mechanical Engineering; Interdisciplinary Honors)

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