Viewpoint - Fall 2012 by University of Washington Alumni Association / Alumni Relations

Telling the Story of Diversity at the University of Washington / Fall 2012 the story of diversity at UW

viewpoint

:: Telling the Story of Diversity at the University of Washington FALL 2012

In This Issue Ethnic Cultural Center • 5 STEM Stories • 6

Noteworthy • 12 Nurse Camp • 14 MAP Breakfast • 16

Covergirl Deepik Sharma tries out a stethoscope during Nurse Camp, a UW School of Nursing program that gives high school students a taste of what it is like to be a nurse. Adriana Santillan is behind Sharma. Photo by Anil Kapahi.

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

SS E C C U S G N I D L I U B

he op t e at c a l p into nts, eam ude b t s a f o e lifts hos owd ane a cr ht. T a cr s g , i a l n r e te oo ith d Cen new tern ed w y af the ural h a t l c t M u ide a C s s t u w c i u o , e ers yo thn read gorg emb part lly E e fry b of” ym . Ke On a e t o E i d l ativ R n a e mu st N the dm r n e m amu fi a s S o i h le’s Ra dc new d on 24 “ ng eatt y an aste taki cult ez, S May e f a R e f . , e h ility f .E t f h c d N t t a a t f f a e s w Of n an ce nu e ne y of Ave dan letio s h n p t n e e f t y t l m r t ok co wo cou in a Bro ring e vie ers hi. nea g on slid g th s n n i i i apa w r d y wo olo njo nil K buil c e w A f o e y o l hi ts dp to b k, w den s an Pho truc r stu taco ary. d o f u o r n o nf nte in Ja rica d ce them Ame love e e m b co he wel pe. T y to sha d a e be r uld sho

the story of diversity at UW

very year on Homecoming Saturday, the Multicultural Alumni Partnership, a club within the UWAA, holds its Bridging the Gap Breakfast to fund scholarships for UW undergraduate and graduate students of diverse cultural backgrounds. MAP scholarships span the liberal arts and sciences. They have gone to students in Education, History and the social sciences, the Arts and Humanities, and to students in Public Health, Health Sciences, and majors associated with STEM. Similarly, the community of alumni advisors to MAP, members and officers of the MAP Board, and the honored MAP Distinguished Alumni reflect diverse educational backgrounds in the liberal arts and a breadth of careers. These groups include members in Public Health (where Dr. Tracy Hilliard herself holds a Ph.D.),

Engineering, and Health Sciences. Working palm to palm with our colleagues in sciences are those of us involved in Business, History, Political Science and other social sciences, Education, Arts and the Humanities, and in my case interdisciplinary American Ethnic Studies. Dr. Roy Diaz received a MAP Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011. A phenomenon, he earned two UW postgraduate degrees in the same year, 2002, one a Ph.D. in Chemistry and the other a J.D. Dr. Diaz is an attorney specializing in legal aspects of scientific inventions and patents, or scientific intellectual property. In our careers, some of us work mainly with people of educational backgrounds like our own. Differently, MAP gives us alumni a continuing experience of intellectual diversity to support our students and honor the best among our fellow graduates. —Stephen A. Sumida PhD, ’82 / MAP President, 2012-13

points of view A

ccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade will require skills in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. Therefore it is important that the University of Washington is at the forefront of creating pathways for underrepresented minority students in STEM. This fall, we will showcase the UW to a nationwide STEM audience when we host the 2012 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference at the Washington State Convention Center. Attracting minorities in STEM fields is a priority for UW, and this event gives us an opportunity to recruit prospective underrepresented graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members. Another example of the UW’s commitment to STEM is by serving as the lead institution for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), a National Sci-

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

ence Foundation grant aimed at increasing recruitment, retention and graduation rates for underrepresented minority students in STEM fields. Recently, LSAMP collaborated with the UW College of Engineering to give a group of robotics students the opportunity to study marine ecosystems in Brisbane, Australia. There are other UW programs included in this campus-wide initiative to help promote diversity and research in the sciences. MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement), the GenOM Project, and the Pre-Major in Astronomy Program are just a few more examples of programs run by various UW schools and colleges. Last spring, I had the pleasure of meeting with high school students in Toppenish, preparing for a national robotics competition. It was exciting to engage with young people so inspired by STEM. They are our engineers of the future who will someday work alongside many of you, our UW alumni, already using STEM to change the world. —Sheila Edwards Lange PhD, ’00, ’06 / Vice President for Minority Affairs Vice Provost for Diversity

Alumni of Color Honored by College of Arts and Sciences In celebration of the UW College of Arts and Sciences’ 150th anniversary, the College honored 150 accomplished alumni with a Timeless Award. A number of these alumni are from underrepresented minority communities. Alfredo Arreguin ’67, ’69 One of the most well-known Latino artists working in the U.S. His paintings are in the permanent collections of two Smithsonian Institutions. Erasmo Gamboa ’70, ’73, ’84 UW Professor of American Ethnic Studies who helped establish the UW’s Chicano Studies program and Chicano student organization MeCHA. Carver Gayton ’60, ’72, ’76 Had a long career in education reform and workforce training, and served as the first executive director of Northwest African American Museum. Gary Gayton ’55 Senior Vice President at the investment bank Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., and first African American captain of a varsity sports team (track) at the UW.

Bruce Harrell ’79, ’84 Member of Seattle City Council since 2007 and an advocate on social issues such as housing and seniors. Alexes M. Harris ’97 Associate professor of sociology at the UW and award-winning teacher and mentor. Gordon Hirabayashi ’46, ’49, ’52 A UW senior during World War II, he became the face of resistance against the Japanese American internment, being convicted and sentenced to prison for his defiance. While his conviction was later overturned, his bravery will be remembered forever. Saad Eddin Ibrahim ’68 Egyptian-born sociologist who championed human rights and democracy in the Middle East. Harold H. Kawaguchi ’61, ’65 After a long career in the medical device industry, he is now chairman of Stratos Group LLC and a partner in Resolute, which specializes in lighting for the health-care market. Shirley Mahaley Malcom ’67 Among the first African Americans to earn a UW zoology degree. She heads Education and Human Resources for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Nate Miles ’82 Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Eli Lilly and Company. Bryan Monroe ’87 Editor of CNNPolitics.com and past president of the National Association of Black Journalists. Joseph Namkung ’50 First photographer to have a solo show at the Seattle Art Museum. Assunta Ng ’74, ’76, ’79 President and publisher of the Northwest Asian Weekly and Seattle Chinese Post. Dara Norman ’96, ’99 Scientist at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Arizona. First African American woman to earn a doctorate in astronomy from the UW. Norman B. Rice ’72, ’74 Seattle’s first and only African American mayor. Today he is president and CEO of the Seattle Foundation. Roger Shimomura ’61 His art has been presented in more than 125 solo exhibitions including at the Smithsonian.

Ronald Simons ’01 Actor/producer at SimonSays Entertainment, a film, TV and theater production company. Sonny Sixkiller ’74 As starting quarterback in the 1970s, he led the Huskies to three winning seasons. Pang-Hsin Ting ’72 Agassiz Professor Emeritus of Chinese Linguistics at UC Berkeley & professor emeritus of humanities at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Marcus Tsutakawa ’79, ’85 Longtime director of the renowned Garfield High School Symphony. Patti Warashina ’62, ’64 UW professor emeritus and internationally renowned ceramics sculptor who taught in the UW School of Art for 25 years. Isiah M. Warner ’77 Boyd Professor of Analytical Chemistry at Louisiana State University & advocate for minorities in science. Luly Yang ’90 Former graphic designer turned founder and owner of Luly Yang Couture, a Seattle boutique shop specializing in custom bridal and formalwear

Writing a New Chapter Community to Celebrate Opening of Kelly Cultural Center Minority Affairs and Diversity as the new director of the Kelly Cultural Center and Theatre. Dr. Herrera comes to UW from Stanford, where she served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions. She has extensive experience with student services, cultural centers and housing in addition to admissions. Herrera earned her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Southern California. PENNING FOR POSTERITY Community members make their mark on the beam that was hoisted atop the new Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center during the May 24 “Raise the Roof” party.

ANI L KAPaHI

THE NEW SAMUEL E. KELLY Ethnic Cultural Center is on track to open as scheduled in January 2013. The grand opening is set for Thursday, Jan. 10, from 5-7 p.m. Community members, notable alumni and Dr. Kelly’s family will mark the happy occasion. In late November, the center will begin its transition from temporary quarters in Condon Hall. In spring 2013, tours of the new building can be scheduled and there will be a series of housewarming events. “We would like to invite UW alumni to come back to campus,” says Dr. Marisa Herrera, who has joined the UW Office of

the story of diversity at UW

THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics

By Julie Garner

HIRLEY MALCOM, ’67, LEFT HER HOME IN Birmingham, Ala., in 1963 to major in premed at UW. “I was a post-Sputnik kid. I was captured by the call of science,” she recalls. But that call led her to a lonely place; she was the only African American in her department and she struggled in class, particularly in chemistry lab. “I wasn’t dumb,” she says. “I was underprepared. We didn’t have that stuff in Birmingham.” Fortunately, her teaching assistant was black; he understood her and provided valuable guidance that paid off. Today, Malcom is Education Director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Katrina Claw, who is Dine (Navajo), is about to start her second year as a graduate student in the Department of Genome Sciences. Claw is the only Native American in her department, but unlike Malcom, she has more options and a lot more support. Claw belongs to the UW chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). In

Simon Mendoza, above, who graduated from the UW with a degree in Biology in June 2012, checks for signs of diabetes at a community health screening session he organized at a Royal City park. He also connects patients to health services in their area.

that setting, she can talk with other students just like her about the challenges she faces and even “go out dancing.” But Claw is a rarity. Very few Native American women pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (called STEM). In fact, very few students from underrepresented minorities enter STEM fields, and that is posing a huge challenge to the state of Washington. By 2018, Washington State will see a 24 percent increase in STEM jobs, 7 points above the national average. But universities in Washing-

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

ton are not producing nearly enough graduates—particularly from underrepresented minorities—to become our next generation’s nurses, math teachers, doctors, engineers and computer scientists. The situation is so dire that at least 5,000 STEM jobs are expected to go unfilled in Washington in the next five years because there will not be enough qualified candidates. Institutions everywhere are struggling with this problem, but the UW has become a national leader in turning the tide. The difference between 1967, when Shirley Malcom graduated, and today is more than the creation of programs and services for underrepresented minorities; there is a University-wide commitment to attracting and educating a diverse student body to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce. “We are a major player nationally in this because we are a huge STEM research university,” says Sheila Edwards Lange, ’00, ’06, Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity. One of the UW’s most innovative efforts is its role in a consortium called the Pacific Northwest Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP). This group of five universities—the UW, Washington State University, Portland State University, Oregon State University and Boise State University —links students with programs such as Making Connections, which provides career information, mentoring and job shadowing in STEM career fields to women of color. Likewise, the UW’s partnership with other organizations like Washington Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) is making a real difference as well. More than 1,000 students in Washington’s K-12 public schools receive hands-on help from MESA to prepare to succeed in university coursework. Given that only 45 percent of Washington’s fourth-graders and 40 percent of eighthgraders scored proficient or above in math on the 2011 National Assessment of Student Progress, the MESA link in the pipeline from K-12 to UW is absolutely essential. So far, the collective efforts are working; the number of STEM graduates from these five universities has nearly doubled since the program began in 2008, according to Stephanie Gardner, the alliance’s associate director. However, students are still coming to UW underprepared for the rigors of college. That’s where “bridge” programs and groups like Math Academy (see page 7) come in. But having faculty mentors from underrepresented minority communities is just as essential. Kristi Morgensen, Associate Professor of Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, is the only female faculty member in her department. She succeeded because she had a mentor in graduate school. Universities nationwide are struggling to provide enough faculty mentors of color. Luis Fraga, the UW’s Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, says recruiting minority faculty can be difficult because the hiring pool is small—especially for women minorities. Although there are fewer women in STEM fields, the numbers are much worse for minorities, according to Engineering Professor Eve Riskin. However, Riskin notes that the Math Academy is yielding positive results. “Twenty-nine students applied to UW last year,” she says, “28 got in and 19 are coming.” From her national vantage point in D.C., Shirley Malcom sees that there is a steep climb ahead if we are to achieve equity in STEM fields. But looking back at her own experience, she says, “I see progress. I have hope.”—Julie Garner, ’10, is a Viewpoint staff writer

THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics

Green Guardian

g DAYN A S MITH

By Almeera Anwar

Yolanda Sanchez fights to protect environment, inspire girls

ROWING UP A CHICANO WOMAN IN Arizona, Yolanda Sanchez never imagined she’d work in environmental health—in fact; she didn’t even know the field existed. “As a brown woman, STEM fields are not really what people usually pigeon-hole you into,” says Sanchez, ’07, who earned a joint master’s degree in public health and public administration from the UW. Today, she works as an environmental public health scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Her office assesses the health and ecological risk of hazardous waste sites and then works to clean these sites and reduce the effects of hazardous waste. As an undergraduate at Arizona State University, Sanchez saw local residents fighting to protect the environment. That inspired her to pursue environmental science and get involved with summer programs, do lab work and find mentors who could help her reach her goal—graduate school. She applied to eight schools but ultimately chose the UW because of its Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program (GO–MAP). That provided her mentorship and financial support during grad school. She also met her husband through the program after

he was told to be nice to her so that she would pick the UW. Sanchez worked as a research assistant at UW with the Well-Being Project, which evaluated environmental and health issues as they related to Hispanic farm workers in Eastern Washington. Now that she’s working in the discipline, she’s learning just how renowned the UW’s environmental program is. “I’ll be in a workshop or seminar where they are talking about a research project,” she says,” and I get to say ‘Oh, I worked with them at UW.’ That’s pretty rare.” When asked how her perspective differs from her colleagues who are not from underrepresented minority communities, she says being a woman as well as a person of color allows her to relate more easily to people. As her career progresses, Sanchez sees herself becoming a technical adviser for community activists. “I think that by design, people of color are often the ones with the burden of environmental health issues, such as living in places that have more toxic release industries,” she says. “I want to be there to help them in their daily lives.” Despite being one of only a few women of color in the STEM fields, Sanchez doesn’t see herself as a role model—yet. In her opinion, she needs to do more in the field but she’d love to be someone young girls look up to. “I was a girl that took the tough courses in hard math and science,” she says. “Maybe they’ll see that and think they can do it, too.”—Almeera Anwar, ’12, is a Seattle freelance writer

the story of diversity at UW

THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics

By Paul Fontana

D RAMOS SPENDS HIS DAYS AS A SCIENCE policy analyst and research fellow at the National Institutes of Health’s Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health. There, he explores the social implications of genomics and their relationship to health and disease. But if not for the groundwork he established as a graduate student at the UW, there’s a good chance Seattle would not be hosting the 2012 national conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Ramos—who has a Ph.D. in molecular biotechnology from the UW—spent his first years at UW “laser-focused” on academics, but broadened his scope to address the need for increased representation of underserved populations in science and engineering. As director and co-founder of a grassroots organization called IDEAS (Initiatives for Diversity in Engineering and Science), Ramos facilitated mentoring opportunities for fellow graduates of color. He also began to network with others to address disparities in higher education. A fellow grad student told him about the role SACNAS played in the recruitment and retention of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in the sciences—and Ramos was immediately inspired. Ramos’ push to bring the SACNAS national conference to Seattle started in 2005. The Northwest had hosted the conference only once previously—in Portland in 1999—and the growth in the re-

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

gion’s Latino population since then made Seattle an attractive choice. Having the conference in the Northwest, says Ramos, “reinforces the organization’s ties to the Native American community.” Furthermore, the boom in Seattle’s biotech industry and the UW’s strong academic offerings combined to provide a wide range of networking opportunities. The momentum to bring the conference to the Emerald City continued after Ramos left Seattle, thanks in part to the relationships he was building with SACNAS members and partly through the efforts of other UW grad students. The UW SACNAS chapter, which began in 2007, has developed into one of the nation’s best, earning 2011 Chapter of the Year honors. Since Seattle was awarded the conference, Ramos has been very impressed by UW’s involvement. In addition to getting support from various colleges, schools and departments, Ramos noted the efforts of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity and UW’s SACNAS members. The University’s commitment to the conference was formalized as the UW and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center signed up as Platinum Sponsors. Now a federal liaison to SACNAS, Ramos will serve as emcee at the UW-Fred Hutchinson reception at the October conference. His most important role will likely be the one he has played so well since first dreaming of bringing the event to Seattle: making introductions and fostering relationships that will continue to create opportunities for “folks like me.”—Paul Fontana is associate editor of Viewpoint

D AYN A SMI TH

Ed Ramos’diligence brings national conference to Seattle

THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics

A sampling of diversity-oriented STEM programs

2012 SACNAS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Creating a Healthy World through Science, Diversity and Technology

Society for

WHEN October 11–14, 2012

Advancement of

WHERE Washington State Convention Center

Chicanos and Native Americans in Science

WHO More than 4,000 people from all over the U.S. in various STEM disciplines SPONSORED BY University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; and the Marguerite Casey Foundation and Life Technologies (Bronze Level).

UW FACULTY AND ALUMS INVOLVED Sabrina Bonaparte, ’12; Amber Caracol, ’11; Leslie Ann Caromile, ’09; Tracy Delgado, ’11; Charla Lambert, ’98; Ed Ramos, ’06; and Jorge Ramos, ’11. Retired UW professor Jimmy Lara, a founding member of the national SACNAS organization, is also involved, as is Sheila Edwards Lange, '00, '06, who heads the local organizing committee.

U-DOC is a residential summer program of the School of Medicine that gives students interested in medicine and dentistry the opportunity to learn about medical careers, medical school requirements and research opportunities. Since 1994, U-DOC has effectively prepared more than 700 students. abit.ly/L9gBJG The Environmental Health Research Experience summer internship offers undergraduates first-hand experience in the laboratories of leading researchers. abit.ly/i8RXzm The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity Academic Counseling Service offers one-on-one advising and assistance to UW students, particularly those from low-income families, and/ or from underrepresented minority backgrounds. abit.ly/Kh6GFB Summer “bridge” programs in the College of Engineering offer intensive math preparation, problem-solving courses and community-building activities. abit.ly/KoR2mJ Math Academy is a free, intensive, four-week residential session at the UW Seattle campus for minority students to develop the skills necessary for college math and engineering. abit.ly/e4nQdz

Outstanding Outreach

One reason why the UW’s SACNAS chapter is nationally recognized is because of its outreach efforts. In addition to serving as advisers to the UW Graduate School in coordinating diversity efforts on campus, students who are SACNAS members who mentor and tutor high school students both in Seattle (above) and in Eastern Washington. Photo by Anil Kapahi.

PEERS (Promoting Equity in Engineering Relationships) is a student-led program that works toward a more inclusive environment by engaging peers, professors and staff. abit.ly/KPerSl

AccessSTEM works to increase the participation of people with disabilities in STEM careers. The lead agency is the UW’s awardwinning DO-IT Center (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology). abit.ly/EFPI3 SAS (Student Academic Services) prepares middle school and high school students to succeed. Underrepresented minorities were four times as likely to be admitted to an engineering department as underrepresented minorities who did not use SAS services. abit.ly/Kh6GFB The UW GenOM Project provides educational and research opportunities and academic support for students interested in genomics and life sciences research. abit.ly/IDoWVb MSP (Minority Scholars Engineering Program) is the College of Engineering’s recruitment and retention program for students. Its goal: increase the number of underrepresented students in engineering and computer science. abit.ly/P8ppl6 ALVA (Alliances for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans) is a program that targets students in a variety of disciplines for summer internships. It assists incoming freshmen who will attend the UW Seattle campus and are interested in science research, especially research in genetics and genomics. abit.ly/TO7uD3

the story of diversity at UW

The

oyal T R E AT M E N T By Julie Garner

Royal City High School students and UW SACNAS students inspire one another. Right, left to right, bottom row: Carlos Parra-Gallardo, Edwuin Camacho, Jose Valencia, Rafael Espinoza, Jonathan De Lira and Jose Lopez. Top row, left to right: Hugo Rodriguez-Diaz, Miguel Bello, Royal City teacher Mario Godoy, Susana Gutierrez, Veronica Rodriguez, Jamie Tungul, Concepcion Chavez, Claudia Flores, SACNAS student Crista Moreno, Elvira Valencia, Leticia Soto-Hernandez. The other SACNAS students are, from right to left, Sabrina Bonaparte, Isadora Jimenez, and Savannah Benally.

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

THE STEM ISSUE

F O R T H E T H I R D Y E A R I N A R O W, the UW Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) was named chapter of the year nationally, and for good reason. Although the group’s 44 members support one another in their academic careers, they also contribute to the future of underrepresented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Math (called STEM) in Eastern Washington. Founded in 2007, the UW group connected with Mario Godoy, a high school teacher in the rural central Washington town of Royal City, at a national conference. Godoy’s Hispanic students are primarily the children of migrant workers. For the past three years, members of the UW SACNAS chapter have traveled to Royal City to promote STEM fields to high school students. They conduct experiments, give lectures and talk about the process of being admitted to college. In turn, the chapter has hosted a Royal City visit to the UW campus. The UW students serve as mentors and give Godoy’s students a glimpse into the possibilities of a science career. “Their message is powerful,” Godoy says. “To have these kids talk about pursuing Ph.D.’s, to have them share the message that a college education is possible is like a miracle.” In March, the UW SACNAS chapter participated in the first Yakima Valley Science and Engineering Festival. The event—sponsored by the

UW, the educational service district and Heritage University—drew 2,000 K-12 students. SACNAS member Katrina Claw said she was both “energized” and “hoarse” from the interactions with the community. The UW connection has led to another link—working scientists at the Seattle BioMedical Research Institute, a non-profit company that focuses on global prevention of infectious disease. Royal City students met SACNAS students and researchers at the Institute last spring for a tour and visit to the laboratories. BioMed also hosts BioQuest, a two-week intensive science experience that focuses on minority high-school students. “The Institute has a focus on global-health disparities of vulnerable populations so it makes sense to us to reach out to minority students before college to raise our future and empathetic innovators,” says Theresa Britschgi, ’87, director of Bioquest. Of the 240 students who have completed the BioQuest Academy program, more than 50 percent attend the UW and more than 70 percent have completed college in a STEM major, according to Britschgi. The UW SACNAS Chapter also has a long-standing involvement with Native American middle- and high-school students through the Seattle Clear Sky Native Youth Council. UW SACNAS members have tutored Clear Sky students every week during chool for one to two hours since November 2009.—Julie Garner, ’10, is a Viewpoint staff writer

courtesy mario godoy

science | technology | engineering | mathematics

the story of diversity at UW

in the news Stacy Nguyen, ’07, left her position as editor of the Northwest Asian Weekly to take a job as social media coordinator at VMC, a Seattle technology company. Hung Dang, ’90, UW Bothell’s associate vice chancellor for enrollment and student affairs, received a Fulbright Award. As a Fulbright scholar, he will participate in the U.S.–Japan International Education Administrators’ Seminar. Sahar Fathi, ’08, former legislative aide to Seattle City Council member Mike O’Brien, is running for state representative in the 36th District. If elected, she will become the first IranianAmerican woman to serve in a state Legislature. Maria Koh, a former UW Medical Center nutritionist and UW philanthropist, received a 2012 Washington State Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Pamela Banks, ’81, has been appointed CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. Banks previously spent 30 years working in a variety of positions for the City of Seattle, including program manager for the city’s Department of Neighborhoods. She succeeds James Kelly, ’80. Frederick Lowe, ’72, was named 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists. Lowe is founder and editor of The Northstar News & Analysis, an online weekly newspaper for black men. He founded the online version of the publication six years ago to report on issues affecting black men. Awet Abbera, a student at the UW School of Nursing, received a scholarship from the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization. Abbera decided to become an RN after helping a nurse he met in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Abbera came to the U.S. in 2005.

Tamara Miyashiro, a former UW volleyball player, won a silver medal as the U.S. women’s volleyball team was upset by Brazil in the finals. Miyashiro saw playing time on the team as its defensive specialist. Two UW graduates received Community Service Awards at the Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League annual banquet: Diane Narasaki, ’77, executive director of the Asian Counseling Referral Service; and Alan Sugiyama, ’84, founder of the Center for Career Alternatives.

Kip Tokuda, ’69, ’73, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the government of Japan. The award recognizes his contribution to strengthening and promoting friendly relations between Japan and the U.S. and for promoting Japanese culture and welfare of Japanese Americans. Tokuda, a former Washington State Representative, is a former president of the Japanese American Citizens League. OMA&D Purple & Gold Tailgate • Saturday, October 27, 2012 • Safeco Field/CenturyLink Field • Time: TBA • $62 package includes admission to the tailgate at Safeco Field and one ticket to the Huskies vs. Oregon State Homecoming football game at CenturyLink Field. •For more information: http:// tinyurl.com/omadtailgate

in memory Julian Argel, ’84, ’90, ’91, director of the Educational Talent Search/TRIO and Assistant to the Vice President in the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, died July 8. He worked in education, social and planning programs for the Muckleshoot Tribes and the Ketchikan Indian Community and Metlakatla Indian Community. He also served on a national committee on the development of curricula for Indian education. He was 59. Howard Eng King, ’48, who spent more than 30 years working for The Aerospace Corp., died April 2. His most notable work was on GPS satellites. An avid runner, he logged 55,000 miles over 20 years. He was 88.

Johnie Kirton, ’08, a former Husky football player, died unexpectedly May 28 in Santa Clara, Calif. He had been playing with the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. The 2003 Gatorade High School State Player of the Year in Washington played tight end and defensive tackle for the Huskies. In addition to playing in the Arena Football League, he helped run an after-school program. Marjorie Lew Lee, ’40, whose grandparents were pioneers in Seattle’s Chinese community, died June 8. She taught performing arts at Monticello College. She was 95. Thelma Pauline Pegues, ’55, who was inducted into the Washington State Nursing Association’s Hall of Fame, died recently. She earned her bachelor’s and her

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

master’s degrees from the UW School of Nursing. She started her career at Harborview, was a March of Dimes Nurse of the Year and a lifetime member of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization. She was 91. Charles Rolland, ’78, former state Democratic Party chairman who helped elect Norm Rice, ’72, ’74, Seattle’s first African American mayor, died March 12. He was 61. Ronald Clayton Smith, who worked at the UW for 26 years until his health forced him into an early medical retirement, died March 22. Smith, the son of longtime City of Seattle Council member Sam Smith, graduated from Garfield High School and played football for Dartmouth, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He returned home to Seattle and earned both his

master’s degree and his doctorate from the UW in educational psychology. He was 60. Juan Girard Stone, ’65, who spent his career working for US West Communications and as a Seattle high school teacher, died May 23. He earned a B.S. in physical education from the UW and his M.B.A. from USC. He was 69. Kathryn Akiko Tagawa Sugiyama, ’70, died Sept. 2 due to complications from cancer. A graduate of Garfield High School, she earned a degree in journalism from the UW and worked for the City of Seattle for more than 30 years. Even as she valiantly fought and recovered in the ICU at UW Medical Center, she made sure her family gave

her nurses plenty of food and snacks each day. She is the former wife of Alan Sugiyama, ’84, founder of the Center for Career Alternatives and a MAP Distinguished Alumni Award winner. She was 65. Alvin J. Thompson, one of Seattle’s first African American physicians who initiated the African American Mentor Program at the UW School of Medicine, died May 21. He also was a longtime mentor for the UW Minority Medical Education Program as well as a community liaison for minority medical students. He was 88. Molly Fumiko Yoneyama, who spent most of her career as a public health nurse for King County, died Feb. 7. She also worked as a nurse at a UW health clinic during her long career. She was 74.

A T R I B U T E T O G O R D O N H I R A B AYA S H I

An American Hero

He fought against injustice. And received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

ORDON HIRABAYASHi, ’46, ’49, ’52, who as a UW student openly defied the government internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom,

the highest honor the U.S. can bestow to a civilian. Hirabayashi refused to abide by a curfew for Asian Americans in early 1942 after President Roosevelt signed the order calling for the removal of all persons of Japanese ancestry from the Pacific Coast. He took his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he lost. But in 1987, the case was overturned. Hirabayashi, who went on to become a college professor, died in January at the age of 93. the story of diversity at UW

THE STEM ISSUE science | technology | engineering | mathematics

Nurse Camp opens UW doors for students

HANDS ON Above, Nurse Camp volunteer instructor Tammy Nguyen shows students how to gown up, while at right, Mare Unite prepares to try on a stethoscope as Czarina Butak (behind Mare) works with a reflex hammer tuning fork. Butak and Mare, who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in nursing, are Diversity Awareness Group (DAwGs) leaders.

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

plete her nursing prerequisites. The connections she’d made when she attended Nurse Camp in 2010 paid off when she applied to the UW a few years later. “All my hard work, stress and tears finally paid off for my ultimate goal,” she says. “I was very grateful to have Nurse Camp to help me get through the application process.” The program has become so successful that it can’t keep up with the demand. This year, 123 applications were received for the 24 slots. Nguyen still keeps in touch with many of her peers from Nurse Camp and she hopes to join the leadership team when she starts UW in the fall. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she plans to travel and do missionary work in nursing; she already has her eye on the Dominican Republic, Haiti and her home country, Vietnam. —Almeera Anwar,’12, is a Seattle freelance writer Nurse Camp is entirely run by donations. Learn how you can help at nursing.uw.edu/sponsornursecamp

ANI L KAPAHI (2 )

By Almeera Anwar

he UW School of Nursing is working to address the shortage of nurses from underrepresented minority communities with an innovative program that gives high school students a taste of what it’s like to be a nurse. Now in its fourth year, Nurse Camp brings in 24 underprivileged and under-represented students to the UW School of Nursing each July for a free intensive weeklong training that prepares them for nursing school and the profession as a whole. The program is fundraised and coordinated by the School of Nursing Diversity Awareness Group, a group of current UW nursing students. Tammy Nguyen is a true Nurse Camp success story. An immigrant from Vietnam, she attended Nurse Camp two years ago as a high school senior. Nurse Camp left such an impression on Nguyen that after she completed two years of prerequisites at community college, she applied to the UW BSN program and is starting this fall. But on this summer day, she is at the UW School of Nursing, serving as a volunteer instructor for the 2012 Nurse Camp. “When I was a Nurse Camp student, I remember while shadowing the nurse we had, we put on a medical gown and a mask, and it was such a cool experience,” says Nguyen. “I had never had the chance to do that before. I was so excited and was like ‘All right! Let’s do this!” The program gives students the chance to shadow nurses, learn how to take blood pressure and vital signs, get CPR certification and talk to nurses about the variety of jobs available. Students also benefit from a workshop on how to apply to college and nursing school. “The experiences they have in UW Nurse Camp give them hands-on, real-word and educational experiences they would not normally have access to,” says Carolyn Chow, ’97, director of admissions and multicultural student affairs at the UW School of Nursing. “Nurse Camp is a vital program that encourages young minority and underrepresented students to pursue nursing as a career. We want to change the face of health care and decrease health disparities.” Nguyen had wanted to come to UW as a freshman, but due to financial constraints, she attended Shoreline Community College to com-

view

4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. Box 359508 Seattle, WA 98195-9508 Phone: 206-543-0540 Fax: 206-6895-0611 Email: Viewpoints @ uw.edu Viewpoints on the Web UWalum.com/viewpoints

from the president

A T T R A C T I N G S T U D E N T S from underrepresented minorities into the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is one of the most pressing priorities facing the UW. In collaboration with the K-12 system, the UW has a big role to play in filling this critical need. We have to continue to make opportunities and programs available for students from underrepresented minorities who have the skills and the desire to go to college. The mission of public education has never been more important than it is now. With support from our alumni, I believe the UW can continue to be a leader in attracting and educating students of color and from other communities who will go on to become our next generation’s nurses, engineers, doctors, computer scientists and teachers. The future depends on it.

FOUNDED 2004

viewpoint STA F F Paul Rucker P U B LIS HE R

Jon Marmor EDITOR

Paul Fontana A S S O C I ATE E D ITOR W EB E D ITOR

Julie Garner STA FF WRITE R

Ken Shafer A R T D IRE CTION DE S IGN

PAT R I C K C R U M B, ’8 8 U W A A P R E S I D E N T, 2 0 1 2 – 2 0 1 3

Greg Lewis L IA IS O N TO OFFICE OF M IN O R ITY A FFA IR S A N D DIVE RS ITY

viewpoint ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Malik Davis, ’94 Director of Constituent Relations UW Alumni Association

A NIL KA PA H I

Paul Rucker, ’95, ’02 Executive Director, UW Alumni Association, Chair

Sheila Edwards Lange, ’00, ’06 Vice President for Minority Affairs Vice Provost for Diversity

Tamara Leonard Associate Director Center for Global Studies Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies

Want to help a fellow Husky? Here’s your chance.

Greg Lewis, ’94 Interim Senior Director for Advancement Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity

Carmela Lim, ’05 Board Member Multicultural Alumni Partnership

Erin Rowley Assistant Director Community and Public Relations Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity

Anthony Salazar Graduate Diversity Program Specialist Graduate Opportunities & Minority Achievement Program The Graduate School

Stephen A. Sumida, ’82 Professor, American Ethnic Studies President, Multicultural Alumni Partnership

Alumni of color are invited to help students and alumni looking for career assistance and advice by joining the Husky Career Network. The Husky Career Network is a directory of alumni and friends who are willing to meet with alumni and students for career exploration. Volunteers can identify the type of person they’d most like to help (alumni or student; early career, mid career, late career; etc.). They can also designate whether they are wiling to do informational interviews, have internships available, are in a position to hire, can give a tour of their workplace, etc. For more information, go to ______

the story of diversity at UW

4333 Brooklyn Avenue NE Box 359508 Seattle, WA 98195-9508

Telling the Story of Diversity at the University of Washington

Bobbe Bridge

Claudia Kauffman

Sharon Tomiko Santos

Jose Gaitin

Earl Richardson

n DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

MAP Bridging the Gap Breakfast

Honoring three alumni, two government leaders, one community organization and scholarship recipients

n DR. SAMUEL E. KELLY AWARD

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 8 a.m. The HUB, UW Seattle Tickets $55 UWalum.com or (206) 543–0540

State Sen. Claudia Kauffman, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, is the first Native American woman to be elected to the Washington State Senate. Currently, she directs intergovernmental relations for the Muckleshoot Tribe. She has a well-deserved reputation as a champion of diversity and inclusion in public education.

Justice Bobbe J. Bridge, ’76, is a former Washington State Supreme Court justice and King County Superior Court judge who worked to bring justice and support services to underserved populations. n DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos has served the 37th Legislative District since 1998. An advocate for education, civil rights, women’s rights, economic and environmental justice, Santos is a tireless volunteer for organizations including the Wing Luke Asian Museum, the Asian Pacific Islander Women’s Center.

V I E W P O I N T : : U Wa l u m . c o m / v i e w p o i n t s

Jose E. Gaitan, ’76, is a former deputy prosecuting attorney for King County, assistant U.S. attorney for Western Washington, judge pro tem in Seattle District and Superior Courts and adjunct faculty member at the UW Law School. He is also the incoming chair of the largest nonprofit organization in the state, the United Way of King County. Earl Richardson, ’75, has served as executive director of SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) for the past 18 years. Under his leadership, more than 1,000 affordable-housing units, a major neighborhood inner-city shopping center and numerous mixed-use commercial properties have been responsibly developed. n 2012 DIVERSITY AWARD FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING Seattle Fandango Project A community-based organization that collaborates with UW individuals and programs, the Seattle Fandango Project (SFP) practices “convivencia”—being together in community— through participatory music, verse, and dance, in the fandango tradition of Veracruz. It builds relationships with diverse groups in Seattle and with fandango practitioners from other parts of the U.S. and Mexico, promoting joy, healing, and social activism, and providing a welcoming space for families to make music together. Please visit the SFP website to learn more: sites.google.com/site/seattlefandango