Alumni

Ever wonder what the world would be like without planes, computer software and online shopping? Thanks to progressive Seattle innovators and change-makers, the world is a much better place to live, work and play. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted. Parse Biosciences, a UW spinout company, is mentioned.

Max Hunter is an academic, a teacher, an activist, a father, a UW alum, and now, an author. At a recent University Book Store event, Hunter celebrated the release of his book, titled “Speech Is My Hammer: Black Male Literacy Narratives in the Age of Hip-Hop.” Read writer Chaitna Deshmukh's recap of the event and author.

Jeff Lin (2012), obsessed with video games as a child, now leads teams of game developers at Horizon Metaverse — with the help of his UW PhD in psychology.

Community and mentorship made all the difference to Sherri Berdine (2008) as an Alaska Native (Aleut & CIRI Descendent) UW student. Now she's the University's Director of Tribal Relations.

Nathan Jones (2015) tells stories through animation. Both of his UW degrees — creative writing and art — are reflected in is his work. 

Known to millions as Grammar Girl, successful author and podcaster Mignon Coughlin Fogarty got her start as a UW English major. 

Eric Lei was named one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30, 2023. While at UW, Eric triple majored in economics, mathematics, and computer science. He now is a portfolio manager at WorldQuant.

For the first time, the UW Board of Regents has a voting faculty member in its ranks. In October, Gov. Jay Inslee selected Professor Alexes Harris, ’97, to serve a three-year term on the University’s highest governing body.

Ricardo Ruiz is a poet, activist, father, husband, veteran, and UW alum. His new poetry book, “We Had Our Reasons,” sheds light on the stories of immigrants and their reasoning behind the decision to migrate to the United States. Through these poems, Ruiz hopes people outside the community are able to understand why someone would sacrifice so much and give up everything that they have just to migrate to a new country.

Winter brings shorter days and inclement weather, giving us more and more time inside. On the couch. Wondering what to watch. If you’re in between shows (or looking to add another one or two to the mix), find your fellow UW alumni on streaming services. These are a few of the Huskies we love to see on our small screens.

Veterans of the US Army and US Navy found their way to the UW School of Music after serving their country as musicians.

Across our campuses, and far beyond, Hispanic and Latinx Americans with a UW connection are changing the world – through teaching, scholarship, research, art, literature, innovation and public service.

At the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, Yasmin fosters relationships between UW students and local labor organizations to promote social change.

Norie Sato (MFA,, 1974) has been commissioned by the city to install one of seven new large-scale art pieces for the waterfront project.

As a UW senior, Ricardo Ruiz (2020) met Professor Frances McCue. Their connection led to his first book of poetry, published this year.