College of Arts and Sciences

"Being the first person in my family to go to college means that I enter every space as an excavator, a fugitive, a conspirator, a fighter, a bridge builder, a fire starter, and an advocate for myself and for my communities." Julie Feng, Student

"I encourage first-gen students to ask lots of questions, to develop community, to celebrate their accomplishments, and to value the unique contributions they will make from their specific perspectives and background." - Rebecca Cummins, Professor, Art, Photo/Media + New Genres, Floyd and Delores Jones Endowed Professor in the Arts

"Being a first-gen means that I do not make assumptions about the support students might have or the struggle they face outside of school." - Kelli Kirk, Human Resources Manager, Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture & UW Alum (American Ethnic Studies, '96)

"The lack of familiarity most of us bring to the higher education academy is a detriment to successful navigation. I ask students to learn and share with fellow students and those who aspire to join the academy both course subject matter and the operation of the institution." - John Macklin, Professor Emeritus, Chemistry

"Whether it's talking to students about what it's like being the child of immigrant parents to talking about being the first in their family to work in a white-collar job, it's a privilege to share my story with students so they don't feel out of place at the UW." - Stanley Choi, Graduate Program Advisor, Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences & UW Alum (Communication, '04)

"Those fearing an impending dictatorship underestimate the robustness of our institutions and overstate the power of any individual to dismantle them," writes Victor Menaldo, professor of political science at the UW.

Before the results of the 2024 election start rolling in, UW News asked three University of Washington professors of political science to discuss whatâs on their minds heading into the final hours.

As Earth faces unprecedented climate change, a look into the planetâs deep past may provide vital insights into what may lie ahead. But knowledge of the natural world millions of years ago is fragmented. A 15-year study of a site in Bolivia by a joint U.S.-Bolivia team has provided a comprehensive view of an ancient ecosystem when Earth was much warmer than it is today, and changed how we look at the Andes.

Famous fiends like zombies, vampires and werewolves are hallmarks of All Hallow's Eve. But how much do you know about why that is, and where those creatures come from? Charity Urbanski, teaching professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

The hunt for dark matter is shifting from particles to waves named after a laundry detergent. Gray Rybka, associate professor of physics at the UW, is quoted.

Emergency department visits for self-harm have spiked since the pandemic. Experts explain the psychology behind the behavior and how to overcome it. Vibh Forsythe Cox, clinical associate professor of psychology and director of the Marsha M. Linehan DBT Clinic at the UW, is quoted.

Museum and gallery shows in Seattle, New York, England and beyond are engaging visitors’ hearts and minds through all of their senses. Nina Bozicnik, affiliate associate professor of art, art history and design at the UW and curator at the Henry Art Gallery, is quoted.

Much of what can make linking friends scary — insecurity, envy, an instinct to hold tight to the people you love — isn’t new; it’s fundamentally human. But keeping your friends to yourself, what I call “friend hoarding,” is a modern practice. Katherine Stovel, professor and chair of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

Dean Dianne Harris offers a personal reflection on the importance of voting.

A survey of voters in July showed approval of Washington's four statewide initiatives, including repealing the Climate Commitment Act and the state's long-term care program. Three months later and voters appear more likely to reject three of them. James Long, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.