Ryan Burt, He/Him

Director

About me

Hi there! I was born and raised in Eastern Washington before moving to our lovely Emerald City to study at the University of Washington. The UW was big, but I was lucky to have friendly professors and inviting programs that made me feel connected and at home. For me that is a great goal for us in Academic Support Programs: to make every student feel supported and at home.  

I loved my undergraduate experience, where I studied English and the Comparative History of Ideas, and decided to continue my studies. In graduate school, I spent a lot of time thinking about how American universities can better welcome a diverse student population and offer classes that reflect an equally diverse curriculum.  Graduate school was difficult, but truly rewarding. In 2008 I received my PhD in the English Department at the UW.  

Over the years I have studied in Italy and Spain and taught for two years at a large public university in Southern Morocco. As I know how exhilarating, mind-opening and challenging it can be to live and learn in a country and culture that is not your own, I am grateful to be part of a team in Academic Support Programs committed to helping our students from all corners of the world succeed.  

Outside of school I love playing and listening to all kinds of music (I’m a drummer), checking out art, cooking, and getting into the beautiful Washington State out-of-doors. I love hanging with my family and friends.  After seeing some amazing parts of the world, I can say that Seattle is one of my favorite places to be.  

Please come visit me in ASP and let me know how I can help you at the University of Washington!

Alli Botelho, She/Her

Assistant Director, (Oversees Academic Success Coaching Program)

About me

Growing up I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i which taught me about the values of community and family. From a young age, I learned so much from the community around me and strive to bring a compassionate heart everywhere I go.

I decided to move to Seattle to pursue higher education and learn from a new community of people. I went to Seattle Pacific University (SPU) where I studied psychology and learned about subject areas that I was passionate about. My college experience taught me that in order to be successful in higher education, I needed the community of people around me. From being involved on campus in many different organizations that sparked my passions in sharing my culture, service, and event planning, I learned about the field of Student Affairs.

From there, I decided to continue my educational pursuit at Seattle University where I graduated with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Student Development Administration. During my time in the program, I had the opportunity to intern with Academic Support Programs. I am thankful to continue working with ASP and support the Academic Success Coaching Program. I continuously learn and am inspired by our peer Academic Success Coaches who work to support students and create intentional spaces for students at UW. 

I value community, collaboration, and compassion where I believe that each person has their own strengths and that working together to achieve our goals truly makes a difference. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, trying new food places, watching tv shows, and working on new art projects. 

Please feel free to reach out, and let me know what I can do to best support you at the University of Washington! 

Jessica Simon, She/Her

CLUE Program Manager

About me

Hi! I grew up on the east coast and then moved to California to study bioengineering at UC San Diego. During undergrad, I worked as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and Tutor at the Teaching and Learning Commons. I focused mostly on calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra, but I occasionally tutored chemistry and physics when needed. 

After graduating, I immediately drove up the coast to Seattle to begin graduate school at UW.  I spent the first 2 years focusing on taking classes and research, but I realized that I missed education and working with students. I graduated from UW in 2024 and am excited to be working with CLUE in a more permanant role.

In my role at Academic Support Programs, I support the entire CLUE team and work closely with our Subject Lead Tutors. Stop by if you want to chat or have any questions!

Selina Siow, She/Her

Graduate Staff Assistant

About me

Hi! I am a current DMA student studying violin performance at UW, and I am a classical violinist and music educator in Seattle. I know from personal experience that having a strong and welcoming academic support system is very important, especially during stressful times. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of the ASP community at UW to provide the same support I received and hopefully to help as many students as I can with my work here. 

 

Fun facts about me: I have played with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and was a part of the Netflix Bridgerton: Queen Charlotte promotion tour in Seattle. Sometimes, you can also catch me performing in the Allen Library Concert at UW on Wednesdays. Besides playing the violin, I like crocheting and cooking, and I have an adorable poodle called Google! 

Bella, CLUE Student Assistant, She/Her

Senior, Public Health-Global Health

Notable academic challenge

Before attending the UW, I grew up in a rural town with limited opportunities. Moving to a big university was a huge change, and I quickly realized how overwhelming navigating resources and keeping up with classes can be. That’s why I’m passionate about accessible tutoring — I want to help make learning easier for everyone, especially those who feel lost in a new or challenging environment!

Krisha, Digital Engagement Student Assistant, She/Her

Second year, Computer Science

I'm excited about

I enjoy playing chess, listening to music, reading books, and hanging out with my friends!

Ask me about

I was born and raised in Mumbai, India and moved to Seattle in 2021. I love playing chess and have been competing in tournaments at an international level since I was 5! I also love meeting new people, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!

Annika, she/her

Junior, Public Health-Global Health

I'm excited about

I love shopping, watching reality TV, and going on runs!

Ask me about

Hello! My name is Annika, and I am a third-year student majoring in Public Health–Global Health on a pre-medical track. I am originally from a small town in Eastern Washington, and while moving to Seattle initially felt daunting, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at UW. I have definitely had my share of hardships as I proceed through my academic career, but they have taught me the importance of consistency and the value of a positive mindset. In this role, I hope to empower fellow students and provide meaningful support as they navigate their own academic and personal challenges.

Notable academic challenge

I am the proud daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to attend a university in the U.S., so navigating my first year was certainly a significant challenge. I often experienced imposter syndrome in my introductory courses, feeling intimidated by the large class sizes and competitive grading. Now, as a junior, I have learned to better manage my anxiety and developed strong time-management skills that allow me to balance academics with my personal life. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant demands of classes, but I believe it’s equally important to pause, take care of yourself, and recognize the accomplishments that brought you here. Because I know firsthand how difficult these challenges can be, I am deeply passionate about supporting other students as they navigate their own journeys.

Ashley, Graduate Student Coach, She/Her

Second Year PhD Student, PhD Pathobiology (Masters: Immunology of Aging, Undergrad: Molecular and Cellular Biology emphasis in Bioethics)

I'm excited about

I spend and free time outdoors and some of my favorite hobbies include rock climbing, cliff jumping, and hiking to anywhere that has water. In the city, I am currently trying to find the best Chai in Seattle, love to cook, and am testing out the waters on booktok.

Ask me about

My journey through science and graduate school has been a mix of incredible adventures and humbling failures. Just like in science, where there are countless paths to discover the same outcome, my journey is just one of many, and I’m excited to share my story with fellow grad students to support them on their own unique path. As the first in my family to pursue a terminal degree, I initially struggled to fully understand what the experience would entail and connect with the graduate community. I hope to use this position to support and empower others, whether they are deep in their studies or are exploring the idea of graduate school.

Notable academic challenge

My first quarter in graduate school at UW I struggled adjusting to the fast pace of the quarter system, juggling expectations in class and lab, was experiencing a family crisis, and had not yet found my community. All of these factors contributed to a negative headspace and I was facing issues of anxiety and imposter syndrome. Very gratefully a peer recommended I sought help on campus through the lets talk program and I was able to seek help and eventually found my community. I am very grateful that someone was able to help me find the resources I needed and hope to be able to use this position to help the next person.

Claudia, Allen School Coach, She/Her

Senior, Computer Science

I'm excited about

Visiting parks around Seattle. long car rides. denny's at 2am. matcha runs. debating (un)important scenarios. sitting in the sun.

Ask me about

As a transfer student into the Allen school, I had gotten a lot of help from my peers during my first quarter here, so I wanted to give back and help others find their footing and make the most out of the uni life! I also know how intimidating a lot of the classes are, and my goal is to help you achieve your academic goals. When I'm not locked up in my room catching up on assignments or lectures, you can probably find me sitting outdoors somewhere.

Notable academic challenge

When I first transferred into UW and had to adjust to the heavy academic rigor of the CS program, I was taken aback because I never had to build that solid of a study strategy to understand the topics. Keyword: understand, not excel. The first quarter was pretty much a wake up call that good grades won't come easily, and that my effort played a huge role. Before UW, I never noticed the importance of having a study group. But having one now was definitely one of the most productive decisions I've made.

Erica, She/They

2nd year Masters student, Master of Library Information Sciences (Undergraduate Major: English Literature and Language; Minor: Law, Societies and Justice)

Project areas

1032527976

I'm excited about

I love reading and will always want to know what your favorite book is! Legos are some thing I enjoy doing with my family and friends. Zine Making is for when I'm trying to let out some creativity either by using old magazines/books or digitally on Canva.

Ask me about

I was born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. I had the great pleasure of attending UW as an undergraduate and now I'm coming back as a first-generation graduate student.

Notable academic challenge

My very first class at UW was BIO 180 in Kane 130 where there were twice as many students in this one lecture than there were in my entire graduating class. Right off the bat I was intimidated, but still hopeful. The first exam came around and I thought I did well, but when I saw my score and found out I was below average it felt like I was in over my head. It made me doubt myself and wonder if I had come all this way just to fail and disappoint my loved ones. However, after doing some crying I realized that I still had future chances to improve my grade and now it was a matter of planning and preparing for the next exam. I realized I needed help and sought out resources, collaborated with peers more, and learned new study habbitts. Test scores don't reflect your worth, but how you choose to address a problem and move forward make all the difference.

Griffin, She/They

Sophomore, Political Science

I'm excited about

Some of my hobbies include long walks, making bracelets, volunteering at a cat cafe, thrifting and watching horror movies.

Ask me about

Even though I grew up in the greater Seattle area, I never really ventured into Seattle. I've found a love for long neighborhood walks, allowing me to discover new places. I've also been diving more into classic horror movies (along with many new ones), and spending time taking care of cats.

Notable academic challenge

In a few classes I've struggled on first tests or quizzes, and was unsure why my studying methods weren't working. To improve on future tests, I utilized my professors and TA's as valuable resources. They have often advised me how they would study for the next one, or pointed me to another resource or person who knows how to answer my questions.

Madison, She/Her

Senior, Microbiology

Project areas

1029017653

I'm excited about

Cooking, Snuggling with my cats, Hiking, Crocheting, Singing, and Reading

Ask me about

I am a hardworking, caring student who came to UW from Massachusetts to pursue my interest in microbiology. Since starting UW, I have learned more than I imagined, and have had countless invaluable educational opportunities. My dedication to life-long learning drives me to continue to grow my study, time management, and test taking skills for success. I am passionate about creating personalized plans for academic success that also emphasize social and emotional well-being, and helping students navigate the vast resources at UW.

Notable academic challenge

In Winter 2024, I had a flare up of my chronic illness that caused me to be in the emergency room and eventually miss so much school that I had fallen significantly behind in my classes. In the 6th week of an 18-credit quarter, I came to the realization that if I tried to catch up in every class, I would end all of them with grades I would not have been happy with, and likely would not have been able to allow my body to properly recover. I made the difficult decision to drop one of my classes, taking a registrar drop, and focus on the other classes that I believed I could catch up in. Thanks to that decision, I was able to finish my classes with good scores, and heal. This situation was an important reminder that balance is key in undergrad and reminded me of my resilience, both as a student and as a person.

Mia, She/They

Senior, Informatics

I'm excited about

I love spending time outdoors, whether hiking, taking nature walks, or exploring new Seattle neighborhoods! Baking and cooking, especially Asian dishes, and cafe-hopping are my favorite ways to relax. I also enjoy traveling and recently visited four countries in one year!

Ask me about

My journey as an Informatics major and transfer student has taught me a lot about adapting to new academic expectations and environments. When I first arrived, finding the right balance between coursework, maintaining my health, and staying connected with friends was really tough. I remember feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and unsure how to prioritize everything on my plate. Over time, I developed practical strategies for organizing my workload and setting realistic goals, skills that completely changed my experience for the better. Now, I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned through peer mentorship. I want to help other students build confidence in their abilities, manage their academic responsibilities, and create space for both personal growth and community.

Notable academic challenge

A major academic challenge for me has been juggling multiple responsibilities, completing coursework on time, supporting my family, leading in Women in Informatics, searching for jobs, and maintaining my own health and friendships. After transferring, I often felt like I didn’t belong or wasn’t as qualified as my peers, which led to intense imposter syndrome. Seeing others seem so put-together made me feel even more pressure to “catch up” and make the most of my limited time before graduation. At times, the stress and lack of sleep affected my mood and focus. Through this, I learned that nobody has it all figured out and that prioritization is key; accepting trade-offs and letting go of perfectionism has helped me find balance and feel more confident in my place here.

Nariman, She/Her

2nd Year Masters student, Master of Public Health-Global Health

I'm excited about

My hobbies mostly revolve around my love for nature! I enjoy spending time outside, and I especially enjoy hiking, kayaking, and sightseeing. However, on colder, rainy days, I enjoy cooking and baking while listening to podcasts.

Ask me about

Hi everyone! I am a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student in the Department of Global Health, currently working on my thesis and practicum project. I am excited to advance my research skills and gain further experience working alongside diverse communities.

Notable academic challenge

One significant academic challenge I experienced was in my chemistry prerequisites, where I encountered difficulties that led me to drop a class and subsequently retake it. This experience taught me that failure is not a roadblock, but a stepping stone to personal growth and resilience. I believe that as humans, we have the incredible ability to learn from our mistakes and persist through adversity to find personal success and fulfillment. Embracing these challenges has made me a more determined and adaptable learner, and I believe discussing and normalizing such experiences can inspire others on their academic journeys.  

Sehrish, Lead & Engineering Coach, She/Her

Senior, Human Centered Design and Engineering

Project areas

1033192149

I'm excited about

I love spending my time outdoors through hiking, biking, or swimming. I also enjoy discovering new coffee shops and reading!

Ask me about

As a woman in STEM from a multicultural background, my journey through engineering has been shaped by both challenges and opportunities. Navigating this space has given me a unique perspective on the importance of representation and support in the field. I understand firsthand how daunting it can feel to pursue a path where you might not always see people who look like you or share your experiences. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others in the engineering school—whether through guidance, mentorship, or simply being a source of encouragement. My goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, feels empowered to succeed.

Notable academic challenge

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was finding a balance between my core engineering courses, extracurricular commitments, and making time for friends or relaxation. With the demanding nature of STEM coursework, it often felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day to manage it all. There were times when I struggled to keep up with assignments or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to stay involved in clubs and maintain a social life. It took time, but I eventually realized that balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly—sometimes it’s about prioritizing, setting boundaries, and giving yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. Learning to manage my time effectively and making space for self-care has been an ongoing process, but it’s one that has made me a more resilient student and person.

Yokabed, Transfer Student Coach, She/Her

Senior, Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)

I'm excited about

I really enjoy painting and digital art!

Ask me about

I'm a creative deep thinker who finds inspiration everywhere from late-night reading sessions to meaningful conversations over coffee. As a transfer student myself, I know how isolating and overwhelming the process can feel, but I also believe it's one of the most growth-oriented experiences you can have. I love helping others discover and leverage their unique strengths, whether that's finding your academic niche, building genuine connections, or simply learning to trust your instincts in a new environment. There's something beautiful about the transfer journey; you get to reinvent yourself while staying true to who you are, and I'm here to help you navigate that balance.

Notable academic challenge

At the beginning of my academic journey, I was convinced I wanted to major in pre-med because it seemed like the 'smart' path. I threw myself into different natural science courses, but I was miserable and barely scraping by, despite spending countless hours studying. I was forcing myself into a box that didn't fit who I actually was just so I can live up to outside expectations/pressures, and the cost was my health and my relationships. That became a wake-up call. I realized I'd been so focused on what looked impressive on paper that I'd ignored what genuinely excited me. After some honest self-reflection (and a lot of reading about different career paths), I switched to studying what actually energized me which was the humanities. That experience taught me that sometimes our biggest 'failures' are actually redirections toward where we're supposed to be.

Yonas, Lead Coach, He/Him

1st Year Law Student, Law (Undergrad: Education, Communities and Organizations (ECO), Sociology)

Project areas

792397445

I'm excited about

I enjoy playing competitive soccer and watching the Priemer league. I also enjoy reading historical books as-well watching documentaries on historical figures.

Ask me about

I am a first generation student, born and raised in Eritrea. I am passionate about learning deconstructing historic racism towards minorities, In the future I hope with my work ethic, passion, and wanting to build a better world I can help lead a change.   

Notable academic challenge

Everyone experiences challenges in different forms. My Academic challenge comes in the form of failing Math 124 my first quarter at the UW. However, we must not let failures keep us retained so one thing I learned was to simply retake the class and try your absolute best.

Katie Rose (Lead), Biology, she/her

Senior, Neuroscience major, American Sign Language and Education minor

I've taken

BIO A 100, NEUSCI 301, NEUSCI 401, ENV H 405

Ask me about

NYT crossword/games, piano, ASL, or prison abolition

Notable academic challenge

I had bronchitis that lasted for almost a month right before finals, which caused me to miss classes and get behind with studying.

Isabel, Biology, she/her

Senior, Neuroscience and Psychology

I've taken

BIOL 113, 130

Ask me about

Hiking, yoga, work life balance, books, food and the east coast!

Notable academic challenge

When attending Physics 114 office hours, I started crying as the problem we were working on was very challenging for me. My professor was able to take the time to help the other students and then help me in the way I needed! A very embarrassing time but we prevailed!

Shreya, Biology, she/her

Senior, Neuroscience and Biology: Physiology

I've taken

BIOL 350, 428, 461, 465

Ask me about

Yoga, TV shows, sports

Notable academic challenge

Organic chemistry- it was as hard as everyone said it was for me, but it was definitely a learning experience.

Ethan (Lead), Chemistry, he/him

Senior, Bioengineering

I'm excited about

Reading, running, sailing, bouldering, D&D, video games

I've taken

General chemistry, organic chemistry, 241, 242

Notable academic challenge

Struggling to get help when I need it in larger classes (looking at you Phys 122)

Ryan, Chemistry, he/him

Graduate Student, Medicinal Chemistry

I've taken

Equivalent of CHEM 162, 237, 312, 530, 531, 532

Ask me about

Trail running and playing classical piano!

Notable academic challenge

The weekly problem sets in CHEM 530 (Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry) required both creativity and a deep knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms. By working on them with my peers, however, I gained an appreciation for collaborative problem solving that I hope to share with fellow students while at CLUE.

Simon, Chemistry, he/him

Senior, Biochemistry and Neuroscience

I've taken

Chemistry 237,238,239,241,242 Biochemistry 440,441,442 Physical chemistry 442,443 Genome 371,465

Ask me about

being a beginner guitar player and a casual gym goer. Feel free to keep me accountable for both of those activities!

Notable academic challenge

The majority of so many of my struggles in my academic story has come from managing my time interactively. Balancing time to study, researching, and other commitments often time feels impossible; but learning various resources and strategies from peers and mentors has allowed me to slowly improve managing my time and find success. Feel free to ask me to share all the neat tricks I’ve learned through my years of college!

Alex, Chemistry, he/him

Junior, Biochemistry

I've taken

CHEM 239, CHEM 242

Ask me about

comic books, pokemon, and crochet

Notable academic challenge

Staying on top of a study schedule by myself

Avery, Chemistry, he/him

Junior, Molecular Biology

I've taken

General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, CHEM 241 & 242

Ask me about

Swimming, tennis, and cooking! I'm also trying to get into musicals too!

Notable academic challenge

I came into UW under prepared and disorganized. I struggled getting used to the college workload and ended up doing below average on my first midterm in MATH 126. However, I was able to learn from this experience by utilizing organizational tools such as google sheets and calendar. This was extremely beneficial to my time management and allowed for focused and effective study time. I would strongly recommend trying some of these academic strategies if you're ever struggling.

Izzy, Chemistry, she/her

Junior, BS: Chemistry; BA: Psychology

I've taken

Chem 237, 238, 239, 241, 499, 196

Ask me about

Quilting, Crocheting, Orchestra, Hiking

Notable academic challenge

I hadn't taken chemistry before college, so going straight into Chem 142 my first quarter here was quite a challenge-- I almost dropped the class. However, I relearned how to study, went to as many office hours as possible, and eventually changed my major to chemistry!

Mark, Chemistry, he/him

Senior, Bioengineering; AMATH Minor

Ask me about

Bouldering, Snowboarding, Music, Research

Notable academic challenge

At UW, it seems like everyone is doing everything to further their career. It took me time to fully realize that comparing accolades/progress with peers can hinder your mindset. At the end of the day, we are peers and should help push each other. It's all about being confident in your own abilities and efforts.

Mia, Chemistry, she/her

Senior, Biochemistry major, Spanish and Chemistry minors

I've taken

Gen chem, 237/238/239, 241/242, 312, 452

Ask me about

Violin/viola and orchestra, tennis, gym, Stardew Valley

Notable academic challenge

I chose to take the calc-based physics series, although I have never been a physics person and had never taken a real physics class before. The 12X series pushed me like no intro class has and made me redefine the way I study and the way I think about success. No regrets :)

Mila, Chemistry, she/her

Senior, Biochemistry (B.S.) and Japanese (B.A.)

I've taken

BIOC 440,441,442, CHEM 452,453

Ask me about

Kpop, crocheting, art

Notable academic challenge

Throughout the duration of my time at UW, my performance in class typically wasn’t because I didn’t know the content, but because I had terrible test anxiety. While I’ve gotten better at test taking, I’m still learning how to have confidence in my knowledge, especially when I understand the content well, and I hope to work with students to help build theirs:)

Jack, Chemistry, he/him

Junior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

Chem 142, 152, 162, 237, 238

Ask me about

Swimming, cycling, concrete canoe, cooking, fishing, hiking

Notable academic challenge

I procrastinated so hard in my HS Spanish 2 class that I had to do around 60 assignments in 2 nights.

Ciaran, CSE, he/him

Senior, Informatics

I've taken

INFO 201, INFO 330, QSCI 381, INFO 340

Ask me about

Playing guitar & piano, running, trying to do handstands, thrifting, podcasts, and coffee shops

Notable academic challenge

My college experience has been one of trial and error, especially when it comes to figuring out what I want to do professionally. I actually started UW as a biology/marine biology major, and thought I had it all figured out. It was only till fall of sophomore year that what I was doing was way to specific for me , and though I loved the classes, I didn't think I could love the work post-grad. I ended up switching to Informatics and started learning skills like coding and data analysis. . That shift made me reflect on a lot of things: who I am as a student, what’s valuable to learn in an ever-changing world, and what I want out of college and life. I still don’t know exactly where I’m headed, but I’ve learned one important thing about myself—I value growth over certainty, and that mindset has made all the difference.

Ivy (Lead), Math, she/they

Senior, Biochemistry

Ask me about

Music and tea!

Notable academic challenge

I almost failed precalc and only passed because I asked my teacher to force me to do all the optional homework

Amelie, Math, she/her

Junior, Math

I've taken

Math 207, 208, 224, 300, 394

Ask me about

Violin, tennis, summer camp, British murder mysteries

Notable academic challenge

After my first math test at UW, I realized I never properly learned how to study in high school. So, I spent a lot of time thinking about how best to understand concepts and planning my study sessions. After trial and error, it’s much less stressful studying for and taking exams now that I follow an effective routine.

Anthony, Math, he/him

Senior, CS and Math

I've taken

MATH 13X, MATH 33X, MATH 318/340, MATH 394/395, MATH 40X, MATH 424/425

Ask me about

video games, strategy games, history documentaries, swimming, got into weightlifting recently

Notable academic challenge

taking too many credits in a quarter overloaded me and made all my work not that high quality, make sure you take a manageable number of credits per quarter!

Austin, Math, he/him

Senior, Mathmatics

I've taken

MATH583, MATH582, MATH563, MATH504, MATH505, MATH506, MATH443, MATH442, MATH441, MATH403, MATH402, MATH336, MATH335, MATH334, MATH382, MATH340, MATH342, MATH395, MATH394, MATH224, MATH208, MATH207

Ask me about

Math! Weightlifting, the Ravens, Graph Theory, or volleyball!

Notable academic challenge

I had a hard time in my first linear algebra course. I had to take it as an independent study during a quarter my schedule was full, entirely online, and then my college's servers got ransomware attacked which led to there being no homework, quizzes, etc.. for my course, only lectures and tests, which made it difficult for me to perform well.

Kamiar, Math, he/him

Graduate/Professional Student, Mechanical Engineering

I've taken

MATH 207, 208, 224

Ask me about

Playing guitar, watching movies, and hiking

Notable academic challenge

The notable academic challenge I faced during packed and busy quarters was time management. I had to plan and dedicate adequate time to excel in my classes, participate in the social groups I was part of, and ensure I had enough time to rest and refresh to avoid exhaustion.

Matt, Math, he/him

Alum, Math

I've taken

MATH 207/8/9 224 327/8 402/3/4 424/5/6 441/2/3 391/2/3

Ask me about

hiking, movies, puzzle games

Notable academic challenge

I will never be a truly great mathematician because I am just not crazy enough

Parker, Math, he/him

Junior, Mathematics/Computer Science

I've taken

Math 207, 208, 224, 300, 318, 327, 342 402, 403, 404, 424, 461

Ask me about

Literature, music, board games, cooking

Notable academic challenge

I took on a much heavier course load than I should have one quarter. This made it difficult to maintain a healthy school and life balance, which in turn made it difficult to find motivation to focus on my academics. It was the hardest quarter I have been through, but it taught me the importance of having a balanced schedule.

Aayush, Math, he/him

Junior, Mechanical Engineering

I've taken

MATH 12X, MATH 207, 208

Ask me about

Anime, Backpacking, Puzzling, Music

Notable academic challenge

I often face troubles with time management and juggling both extracurricular activities and school work. In the past, I had tended to over-extend myself and participate in too much, which caused burnout and exhaustion. I had to sit down with multiple friends/family and plan out my time to determine the proper balance between what I was truly interested in academically and what I am actually able to realistically do while maintaining a good work-life balance.

Abby, Math, she/her

Sophomore, Chemical Engineering

Ask me about

anything music related, good eats, reading, pokemon

Notable academic challenge

I used to struggle with math in high school, like 13% on exams type of struggle. It was super hard to have confidence in myself at this stage and it continued to show in my performance. Getting additional help was such a big step for me and it takes so much courage to do so, but it was honestly one of the best things I could have done for myself academically, so please don't be afraid to reach out in any way you can!

Ashton, Math, he/him

Junior, Mathematics, Aeronautics & Astronautics

I've taken

MATH 207, MATH 208, MATH 224, MATH 300, MATH 327, MATH 402, MATH 403, MATH 404, MATH 407, MATH 424, MATH 425, MATH 426

Ask me about

Jazz, running, musicals, and spicy food

Notable academic challenge

During my first year at UW, I was met with many unpleasant surprises. The increased workloads and difficult exams required me to completely shift my study habits and work-life schedule. The introductory sequences in particular had me stressing about whether I was on the right career path (shout-out physics and chemistry). But by the end of the year, I had adapted to this schedule and developed much more confidence in my academic abilities, finding success every class since.

Iris, Math, she/her

Sophomore, Computer Science/AMATH, Microbiology

I've taken

MATH 208, AMATH 351

Ask me about

hyperpop music, bleach painting, any indie roguelike game ever

Notable academic challenge

getting up for class

Jake, Math, he/him

Junior, Industrial Engineering

I've taken

MATH 207-208, 300

Ask me about

Pokemon, video games

Notable academic challenge

I had no idea what was going on in my kinematics class and barely scraped by. I didn't utilize office hours or quiz section and that added so much more difficulty and pain.

Jamie, Math, she/her

Senior, Mathematics, International Studies minor

I've taken

Taken math 402 & 403, currently taking 441 and 395

Ask me about

Electric guitar, fiction books, music recording, and Swedish rap

Notable academic challenge

I got a 50% on my first midterm here at UW and realized I had to learn how to study better.

Li-An, Math, he/ him

Junior, ACMS (Data Sciences and Statistics), Geography (Data Science)

I've taken

MATH 125, 126, 207, 208, 300, 394, 407

Ask me about

Soccer (Come on you Spurs), Video Games (Especially RPGs), Dungeons and Dragons, Playing Music (Piano & Clarinet)

Notable academic challenge

When I started college, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in the future, and for a while, I felt pressured to have it all figured out. Over time, I realized it is natural not to know exactly where I am headed and that the best thing I can do is focus on making the most of my time here by taking classes that interest me, learning skills I care about, and staying open to where those experiences might lead.

Parker, Math, he/him

Junior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

MATH 207, 208

Ask me about

paddle boarding, sci-fi thrillers, history, whatever you want!

Notable academic challenge

In school I have always struggled with procrastination. I used to punish myself for leaving every assignment until the last second, which brought me a lot of stress. But I noticed that even though I procrastinated a lot, I still got everything done. Through this I learned to give myself grace and trust myself, which has made it easier to work and my life less stressful.

Ryan, Math, he/him

Sophomore, Bioengineering

Ask me about

Rubik's cubes and tennis

Notable academic challenge

Studying for IB tests senior year, especially the Spanish test was a real challenge. Trying to study for multiple subjects while keeping up with my other activities was a very difficult feat.

Zaid, Math, he/him

Sophomore, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Math

I've taken

MATH 207, 208, 224, 300, 394, 395

Ask me about

Math, crosswords, books, cooking

Notable academic challenge

Adjusting to the difference between high school and college coursework! I had to get used to holding myself to a higher standard while also focusing on my learning and not just on my grades, as I had done when I was younger.

Mikhail (Lead), Physics, he/they

Junior, Mechanical Engineering

I've taken

PHYS 224, PHYS 225, PHYS 227

Ask me about

Hobby rocketry, sowing, basketball

Notable academic challenge

I bombed my first college midterm because I didn't build study habits in high school! It was a rude awakening but it also helped discover my love for studying which I am very grateful for!

Al, Physics, they/them

Graduate/Professional Student, Physics

I've taken

Did not attend UW for undergrad, but have TA'd/taken the equivalent of: Phys 11X, 12X, 14X, 22X, 32X.

Ask me about

music, food/cooking, roller coasters, pets

Notable academic challenge

I failed one of my qualifying exams during the first year of my graduate program and was set back nearly a year compared to all of my peers. However, I was able to succeed the following year in the following course in the same topic.

Cameron, Physics, they/them

Senior, Physics and Astronomy

Ask me about

what book I'm reading or show I'm watching!

Notable academic challenge

In high school, my math teacher asked us to raise our hands if we had studied for a test we took the day before. I had, so I raised my hand. She looked right at me and said, "Really?" with a look of shock on her face. I have never recovered.

Eliana, Physics, she/her

Junior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

Currently taking PHYS 224 and 227

Ask me about

running, baking, lacrosse, reading, and video games.

Notable academic challenge

My freshman year, I remember walking into one of my physics midterms feeling confident and walking out sure I'd somehow ruined my academic career in one night. Obviously I was being a tad dramatic and after much studying and preparation the rest of quarter went well, but walking out of the exams room and hearing my classmates speak about how well it went for them only made me feel worse. For me, it can become far too easy to get caught up in my failures and missteps and it was a struggle to motivate myself to keep studying when all the effort I put toward my last exam seemed to amount to nothing. However, it is only by persevering through failure that I was able to finish the class strong. In this case, the real failure would have come through giving up.

Cameron, Physics, he/him

Junior, Comprehensive Physics

I've taken

PHYS 224, 227, 228

Ask me about

Board games and sci-fi/fantasy books. Specifically, Arcs, Root, Stormlight Archives and Name of the Wind are some of my all-time favorites.

Notable academic challenge

I scored a 50% on my first midterm in the equivalent of PHYS 122, electromagnetism. This exam was not curved and so was very sobering. I knew I needed to change something. I doubled my efforts and went to every office hours I could.

Emma, Physics, she/her

Junior, Physics, Astronomy

Ask me about

Adventures, pretty drives, reading, and my beautiful tarantula !

Notable academic challenge

In my freshman year, I walked out of my Math 124 final genuinely speechless...it did not go well. However! This harrowing day taught me that starting studying early is well worth the extra time and makes exam season much less of a stressful crunch.

Joanna, Physics, she/her

Junior, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Ask me about

Calligraphy

Notable academic challenge

For an engineering course final project, I pursued an exciting but huge idea, which left me little time to prepare for other exams. Luckily, everything worked out despite the stress, and I learned the importance of balancing big goals with setting priorities at the right time.

Josephine, Physics, she/her

Junior, Earth and Space Sciences, Minors: Physics + Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management

Ask me about

Native plants, hiking, and reading!

Tutoring philosophy

I got my worst grade in one of my favorite classes (ESS 213 Evolution of the Earth!). It was a perfect storm of disaster -- I didn't study well for the final, turned in a project late, and didn't prioritize learning the material. Despite my lackluster grade, I still learned so much in that class, and I learned in subsequent classes how to improve my study habits and time management skills!

Luke, Physics, he/him

Junior, Aero and Astro Major, Physics minor, Extensive Coursework in CS

I've taken

PHYS 224 & 225

Ask me about

Embedded Systems, Computer programming, Rock Climbing

Notable academic challenge

Chemistry

Sagnik (Lead), Physics, he/him

Senior, Bioengineering

I've taken

Math 207, Math 208

Ask me about

Soccer, Clarinet, Anime, Sleeping

Notable academic challenge

Taking Phys 141 in my first quarter at UW was probably my toughest academic challenge. I took algebra-based physics in high school, and calculus-based physics at UW was an entirely different beast. I totally bombed my first midterm, but I was able to change my study habits and salvage my grade in the end. I cruised through Phys 142 and 143 afterwards because of what I learned in Phys 141.

Devin, Physics, he/him

Senior, Physics

Ask me about

Classical & Jazz, Piano, Video Games, Beekeeping

Notable academic challenge

I struggled with not knowing how to prepare for physics exams. I would do practice problems and review my notes, but when I would take the exams, I felt underprepared and confused. After getting help from my professor, I learned different ways to get more value out of the same practice problem and how to apply that to tests.

Aheli, Biology, she/her

Senior, Computer Science

Ask me about

Hello! I a big sports fan! I watch a lot of soccer (a lot), football, tennis and F1. I love to dance and play piano. I also really love to sew!

Notable academic challenge

In one of my most important computer science courses, I scored only 50% on the midterm. It was discouraging at first, but it forced me to reflect on how I was approaching the material. I realized my study methods weren’t as effective as they could be, so I decided to spend more time actively working through practice problems and setting a consistent schedule to stay on track with homework. By the second half of the course, I had not only improved my understanding but also performed very well on assignments and earned a high score on the final exam. It ended up being my favorite class!

Tamar, Biology, she/her

Junior, Cellular, Molecular, Developmental Biology

Ask me about

swimming, reading, hiking, and F1

Notable academic challenge

Coding

Ian, Chemistry, he/him

PhD Student, Bioengineering (Undergrad: Biochemistry major, Math minor)

I've taken

Courses in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry

Ask me about

Photography, Cooking, Biking, Reading

Notable academic challenge

Starting graduate school in a new city at the peak of the pandemic, I struggled initially navigating through that period of isolation after I was abruptly displaced from the community of mentors and peers that I built over years in undergrad. Even the small setbacks felt difficult to overcome, since I couldn't turn to anyone for support easily. As I met more people and invested more time in activities outside of my program, I gradually found a stronger sense of belonging and a resiliency to tackle failures that often occur during research.

Rin, Chemistry, she/her

Junior, Bioengineering, Biochemistry

Ask me about

I love reading! I audiobook all the time when I can't pick up a physical book!!

Notable academic challenge

During the winter quarter of my freshman year, I took on a very heavy load of STEM courses while also joining a research lab for the first time. Balancing challenging coursework, learning new research skills, and maintaining a personal life proved to be overwhelming. I struggled to manage all of these responsibilities effectively, and it became a turning point in helping me recognize the importance of balance and time management. From this experience, I learned to set more realistic expectations for myself and to prioritize tasks in a way that supports both my academic and personal goals.

Zareef, Math, he/him

Senior, Computer Science/Math

I've taken

Math 318, Math 300, CSE 312 (Probability), Math 224, AMATH 301

Ask me about

Running, NFL, NBA

Notable academic challenge

The second midterm in Math 125 was one of the worst I've ever done on an exam, and I ended up spending a lot of time in the Math Study Center, and CLUE and ended up doing really well on the final!

Shivani, Math, she/her

Senior, Bioengineering

I've taken

Math 207, 208

Ask me about

Baking, playing piano and violin, reading, boba

Notable academic challenge

I struggled with balancing my classes with research, clubs, and work. I learned to manage my time effectively by planning out my day using Google calendar, and making sure to set aside time each day for homework. I also learned to always leave myself time to relax every day, so that I wouldn't get overwhelmed and burnout.

Harini (Lead), Writing, she/her

Senior, Microbiology, CHID

I've taken

JSIS 317, CHID 250,  ENGL 316, CHID 485

Ask me about

I love reading, listening to podcasts, learning new instruments, sudoku, crocheting, and rewatching classic sitcoms!

Notable academic challenge

Recently, I've had a difficult time figuring out the right career for myself. I have a lot of interests, and it's been super difficult trying to narrow down only one or two to dedicate my life to, especially since I don't know whether I'll be happy in the future with the paths I choose. Figuring out what to minor or potentially even double-major in has been a very tricky process, but one great piece of advice I've received from my friends and family is to just allow life to happen! College is a time for exploration and discovery, whether it be learning more about who you are as a person or trying out new passions, hobbies, or career fields. Though it's still stressful for me to accept that I can't know exactly where I'll end up in the future, allowing myself to focus on my interests in the present has been a lot more gratifying than falling into a spiral of anxiety. I hope that by giving myself the space to make mistakes and explore this year, I'll have a better idea of where I want to go in the future!

Carilyn, Writing, she/her

Junior, English, Environmental Science minor

I've taken

ENGL 202, ENGL 302, ENGL 284, Humanities first series (101-103), ENGL 283, ENGL 333, Honors 211

Ask me about

Backpacking and hiking, gardening, and reading!

Notable academic challenge

Having to regularly share my writing aloud as part of a creative writing class. I have a lot of difficulty with public speaking, especially when it comes to sharing personal things like poetry, but strategies like getting support from friends in the class and practicing at home really helped me.

Greta, Writing, she/her

Senior, Law, Societies, and Justice and Spanish with Interdisciplinary Honors

I've taken

HON Intl. Human Rights, HON Writing Seminar, LSJ 200 & 329, SPAN 203, 301, 302

Ask me about

my family's antique/vintage store, the variety of my playlists, cooking

Notable academic challenge

I have always been a planner. Before coming here, I had a rigid idea about what my time at UW would look like, which changed a lot in the past year. I have learned to roll with the punches and be grateful for every opportunity. With a more fluid mindset, I have been able to become more involved with the subjects and people I find interesting. This has allowed me to become more excited about being able to apply what I have learned in the community and wherever I go after graduation.

Hayley, Writing, she/her

Graduate/Professional Student, Linguistics

I've taken

ENGL 289, ENGL 298, LING 461, LING 462, LING 203, COM 200, SOC 225, SOC 360

Ask me about

I love listening to music, making Spotify playlists, memorizing lyrics, and obsessing over film scores and soundtracks! I also enjoy spending time outdoors, building legos, singing, doing puzzles, going to concerts, being around kids, taking pictures, analyzing movies, and hanging out with friends. I'm looking forward to meeting new people this year!

Notable academic challenge

In high school and coming into college, I struggled with narrowing down my chosen career path, being interested in and involved with both humanities/social science and STEM related fields, courses, extracurriculars, etc. It was difficult to confine myself to one area of study and commit to a binary that could not encapsulate everything I wanted to do. This made it harder to focus on one specific aspect to pursue. However, college is the best time to expand and explore, as well as take advantage of all of the outlets and opportunities we have available, and so with the help of campus resources, I have been able to embrace the dichotomy and manage taking all the classes I want to. The versatility of my various programs allows me to feel like I am tackling more subjects pertinent to me without spreading myself too thin to still maintain a good balance with the rest of college life!

Jada, Writing, she/her

Graduate/Professional Student, Education

I'm excited about

I really enjoy reading and writing in their simplest form- for fun! The subject of English is exciting to me in that it encapsulates what is genuinely cool about these activities, in part this is words and linguistics. Words are beautiful, so much fun to use, and can be used to express so many different things. I am excited by the idea that they shape our cultures and realities. I like to treat their usage like art and I am so excited to help others have fun with this too!

I've taken

ENGL 202 ENGL 258 ENGL 302 ENGL 346

Ask me about

I like to run and also lately trying almost any type of new sport, collecting books and clothes, music, all types of foods, watching movies and spending time with my friends. Hiking, biking, reading, writing poetry, baking

Notable academic challenge

I actually feel like my one technical failure was that I did not get a A in drawing class, but that this was not really a failure because I really learned so much!

Kabir, Writing, he/him

Senior, Informatics & Economics

Ask me about

I love horse riding, learning new languages, thrifting around Seattle, and playing the guitar. I also like staying updated on current affairs!

Notable academic challenge

As an incoming freshman, I was unaware of how challenging UW's major application process is. At times it feels as if one's entire academic and professional future is contingent on performing well in one pre-requisite. For me that was undoubtedly the calculus series that I took before being admitted into the Economics major. Although I gave it my all, I failed to achieve the grade I was hoping for and felt demoralized. As I haphazardly searched for alternative majors because I'd convinced myself of the result before even applying, a friend who'd been in the same situation conveyed the holistic nature of the process. My academic struggles in my first year did nothing but teach me a valuable lesson that failure is one piece of the puzzle and always opens a new door. Now, as a declared Informatics and Economics student, I'm grateful I went through a tumultuous few quarters because of the resilience they instilled.

Yoojin, Writing, she/her

Graduate Student, Linguistics

I'm excited about

I like to explore coffee shops, play piano, watch movies, and spend time with family and friends!

Notable academic challenge

Writing was my worst enemy for a long time--I was a second language speaker of English and essay writing was almost fearful for me. But in high school, I took AP Language and Composition and AP Literature to strengthen my weaknesses. Doing so forever changed my attitude towards writing. With the right organizational skills and motivated mindset, writing became so much approachable and somewhat enjoyable! Eventually it became one of my strong suits and here I am in a Ph.D. program, writing all the time!

Sophia, Writing, she/her

Junior, History

I've taken

HSTRY 388, HSTAA 402, CLAS 328

Ask me about

Reading, traveling on a budget, and the best places to walk in Seattle

Notable academic challenge

I faced my biggest academic challenge in a tiny seminar class. I looked up to my Professor and my peers so highly that I struggled to participate adequately and questioned my place in both the class and academia as a whole. I found the solution in conquering my fear of asking questions and being wrong. As cliche as it sounds, I found that making mistakes and struggling is integral to true learning.