University of Washington's Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity

OMA&D Alumni - Check out this opportunity to gather with fellow Huskies and have some great beer at the same time!

Summer Social:
BIPOC Alumni Gathering
Thurs. Aug. 8, 2024 | 5–7 p.m.
Ravenna Brewing
5408 26th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

The UW Alumni Association, MAP: Alumni of Color Network and OMA&D's Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center extend a special welcome to BIPOC Husky alumni and friends at this casual summer gathering.

Ravenna Brewing is beloved for its friendly staff, homey atmosphere and creative brews. Enjoy heavy appetizers from a Southern-inspired food menu by That Brown Girl Cooks!, with mouth-watering options for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. The covered patio is family-friendly as well as dog-friendly. UWAA is taking over the brewery’s private event space, so tell a fellow Husky and bring the whole pack!

Ravenna Brewing is an ADA accessible venue. ID required for age verification for alcoholic beverages.

Register at https://ow.ly/m8tS50SItwL

With heartfelt admiration for their passion, energy, and persistence, we proudly introduce the OMA&D 2024 graduates! � Click the link to see the list and celebrate their success: https://depts.washington.edu/omadgrads/2024grads/

Did you miss the window to register for OMA&D’s 2024 Annual Celebration Gala?
Don’t worry, you can still make a difference to future American Indian/Alaska Native, low-income, first-generation, underrepresented minority students, or students formerly in foster care. You can join those in attendance and help broaden access to education by making a gift. Your gift will ensure more students have more opportunities to learn and grow at the University of Washington.
Make your gift TODAY! https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=DSC-129383

Congratulations to Kati Sosa-Valleon being named the OMA&D Dr. Samuel E. Kelly Scholar.

Kati is a member of La Resistencia, a student group working to raise awareness about human rights abuses committed by the Northwest Detention Center. She has volunteered for the Civic Leadership & Engagement Corps, the Immigrant Refugee Community Organization and most recently with AmeriCorps Vista in partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority. Kati aspires to earn a terminal degree to research transnational identities, critical migration studies, and Indigenous language revitalization.

Join us in congratulating Kati in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Devin Sampson-Craig on being named the OMA&D Knight Robert T. & Nancy J. Knight Scholar.

Devin is studying American Indian Studies, where he explores both historical narratives and contemporary perspectives, and aims to attend graduate school, return home to the Yakama Indian Reservation, and become a teacher. He actively participates in intramural basketball at the UW and is set to appear in the upcoming Netflix Original Feature film, Rez Ball, which re-sparked his interest in acting and film. Devin also engages in undergraduate research projects focused on his own Yakama and Pyramid Lake Paiute traditions, cultures, languages and ways of life.

Join us in congratulating Devin in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Jayden White on being named the OMA&D University of Washington Athletics Scholar.

Jayden has had a decorated athletic career at the UW, setting multiple school records and holding six All-American honors. He has twice earned Dean's List recognition and is a Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll recipient and a three-time USTFCCCA All-American team honoree.

Join us in congratulating Jayden in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Ryan Phi on being named the OMA&D George W. Newsome Scholar.

Ryan is involved in the UW's Brotherhood Initiative and many other student groups such as UW Circle K, Asian American Mental Health Alliance and the Vietnamese Student Association. He worked as an intern and later a summer activities coordinator at Seattle's Hunger Intervention Program and is a summer youth ambassador with No Kid Hungry. Ryan has a passion for leveraging economic concepts and data to understand how to drive positive social change in his community.

Join us in congratulating Ryan in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

You do not want to miss out on OMA&D’s 2024 Annual Celebration Gala! Registration closes in one week, so get your tickets TODAY!

The celebration will feature student stories, award presentations to outstanding community members, Chairman Leonard Forsman (Suquamish) and Mariama Suwaneh, and recognizing student excellence through scholarship awards and fundraising. There will be a cocktail reception, a plated dinner, and the smooth sound of the live band CHAPTER 5!

Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Princi'Onna Miller on being named the OMA&D Del Rio Global Citizens Scholar.

Princi'Onna plans on working as a pharmacy technician while submitting her application to pharmacy school. Her final goal is to become a pharmacist. She wants to work in health care to help other people. Princi'Onna hopes to inspire younger people to enter into the field of pharmacy medicine by leading with kindness.

Join us in congratulating Princi'Onna in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

OMA&D wants to thank our Diamond Partner AT&T for partnering with us to promote student excellence through scholarships.

You can join AT&T and help broaden access to education by making a gift. Your gift will ensure more students have more opportunities to learn and grow at the University of Washington. https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=DSC-129383

Congratulations to Kiyoshi Oshiro on being named the OMA&D Knight Recognition Scholar.

Kiyoshi is co-president of the UW American Indian Science and Engineering Society Launch and is currently considering pursuing undergraduate research regarding neurology within the scope of electrical engineering. After graduation, Kiyoshi plans on working in aerospace with navigation and instrumentation or possibly his other interest of Electric Vehicles as an embedded software engineer.

Join us in congratulating Kiyoshi in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Julie Mai on being named the OMA&D Gary D. Kimura Family Scholar.

Julie has recently completed a study abroad in Argentina with the UW Foster School of Business and is passionate about international business and history. She spends her time volunteering for Young Executives of Color with the goal of serving as a mentor to incoming freshmen to the UW. Julie aspires to continue her education by earning her graduate degree and giving back to her community by becoming a teacher.

Join us in congratulating Julie in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Jada Holliday on being named the OMA&D Graduate Student Equity & Excellence Scholar.

Jada serves as a Graduate Staff Assistant for the UW Graduate Student Equity and Excellence Office. She serves as co-leader of the Graduate Student Advisory Board and has recently completed her Master of Education, focusing on social and cultural foundations, and is set to graduate this coming spring. After graduation, Jada plans to pursue policy and advocacy-facing work that focuses on education policy and implementation.

Join us in congratulating Jada in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

OMA&D wants to thank our Platinum Partner Alaska Airlines, Baird Seattle, Battelle, BECU, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, Muckleshoot India Tribe and Starbucks for partnering with us to promote student excellence through scholarships.

You can join our Platinum Partners and help broaden access to education by making a gift. Your gift will ensure more students have more opportunities to learn and grow at the University of Washington. https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=DSC-129383

Congratulations to Mariama Suwaneh on being named the inaugural OMA&D Spark Award recipient!
Mariam Suwaneh is the assistant director of the City of Tacoma’s Office of Equity and Human Rights and assistant chief equity officer. Additionally, she is the co-founder of the Edenhood Collective.

As an actively engaged student at the UW Suwaneh served on the UW Seattle Black Student Union Board of Directors, participated on the UW Seattle Race and Equity Steering Committee, and held a leadership role with UW Seattle Black Campus Ministries. In her senior year, she served as the ASUW Black Student Commissioner. Since graduation, Suwaneh has continued to build community and advance diversity, equity and inclusion in her professional life. She holds a degree from the UW in Political Science, and a Master’s degree in Social Science from the University of Chicago. Her future plans are to apply to a doctoral program in 2025.

Join us in congratulating Mariama in person ON MAY 15, 2024 and recognizing student excellence at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Ny Ha on being named the OMA&D William P. & Ruth Gerberding Scholar.

Ny is currently a clinical research intern at Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, as well as a research lab assistant at the UW Social Policy and Identity Research Lab. She aspires to attend graduate school to study public health policy. After graduation, Ny plans to pursue a career in health policy analysis where she hopes to remove systemic barriers to access to healthcare for low-income minority communities.

Join us in congratulating Ny in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Holland Kantner on being named the OMA&D Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program Legacy Scholar.

Holland has been selected for the Engineering Dean's Scholar Program, as well as the Boeing Alliance for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans internship where he has interned for three years. He serves as co-president of the UW chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society Launch and is on the UW Engineering Student Council. After graduation, Holland plans to work for Boeing before returning to college for his graduate degree.

Join us in congratulating Holland in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

OMA&D wants to thank our Diamond Partner Pepsi for partnering with us to promote student excellence through scholarships.

You can join Pepsi and help broaden access to education by making a gift. Your gift will ensure more students have more opportunities to learn and grow at the University of Washington. https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=DSC-129383

Congratulations to Arianna Griffin on being named the OMA&D Cesar Cauce Memorial Scholar
Arianna serves as the vice president of events for UW's Black at Foster, and the social media coordinator for Girl Gains at UW where she has strengthened her skills in leadership, communication, problem solving and conflict resolution. She plans to enter into a career in marketing or information systems where she can positively influence society though a diversity, equity and inclusion lens.
Join us in congratulating Arianna in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Hon. Leonard Forsman (Suquamish) on being named the 2024 Charles E. Odegaard Award recipient!

The Honorable Leonard Forsman is chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, a long-time advocate for Native rights and civil rights, and is the first American Indian appointed to the University of Washington Board of Regents.

Forsman has actively worked to solve several complicated issues over the past forty years. Some of the most notable issues he has tackled are Tribal sovereignty and Native voting rights, the environment and climate change, education, economic development for Tribal communities, and he also spoke out in support of LGBTQ+ rights long before same-sex marriage was legal across the country.

In addition to his role as Chairman and as UW Regent, Forsman was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. He is President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Northwest Regional Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians and currently serves on multiple tribal, Intertribal and intergovernmental boards and commissions including the Kitsap County Regional Coordinating Council, the Friends of Waterfront Seattle, the Washington Indian Gaming Association and the West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery.

Join us in congratulating Chairman Forsman in person ON MAY 15, 2024 and recognizing student excellence at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Ava Gardner on being named the OMA&D Dr. Gabriel Gallardo Scholar

Ava is a member of the Political Sciences Honor Society (Pi Sigma Alpha) and completed a study abroad in France at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris. She hopes to have a career in policy advising or to work in the international realm focusing on social justice, equity policy and human rights. Ava aspires to earn her terminal degrees in political science to understand the modern world and how it can become a better place for all.

Join us in congratulating Ava in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

OMA&D is proud to be a cosponsor of The University of Washington College of Arts & Sciences screening of the documentary Invisible Beauty.

Friday April 19 in PACCAR 192 at 4pm
Followed by Q+A with Bethann Hardison and the film director Frédéric Tcheng.

The essential memoir of fashion pioneer Bethann Hardison, INVISIBLE BEAUTY shines a spotlight on one of the fashion industry’s most influential icons who, as a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and entrepreneur, has pushed the boundaries of fashion culture and has been at the forefront of progress throughout her career. In her lifetime, the singular and unapologetic Hardison has seen the pendulum swing toward and away from the Black model.

Congratulations to Ernest Balezi on being named the OMA&D Murray, Pitre, Baker, Rosebaugh Scholar!

Ernest has been an undergraduate peer mentor with the UW Seattle Brotherhood Initiative, as well as a mentor to high school students in his hometown of Tacoma Washington. He has served as the vice president of the UW Africans in Medicine student group and an active member of the UW African Student Association and Brothers in Color. Ernest plans to continue to medical school because it would not only allow him to heal others, but would broaden his impact as a mentor.

Join us in congratulating Ernest in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Jonathan Ortiz-Candelaria on being named the OMA&D Lydia Gonzales Scholar!

Jonathan is involved with the nonprofit ColorStack and Management Leadership for Tomorrow with the goal to increase Black, Latinx and Native American representation in the tech fields. He has worked as a student ambassador for OMA&D's Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and is a current peer advisor for OMA&D's Academic Counseling Services. Jonathan plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation and aspires to earn a graduate degree while continuing to work.

Join us in congratulating Jonathan in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! Link in bio.

OMA&D wants to thank our Premier Presenting Partner HashiCorp for partnering with us to promote student excellence through scholarships.

You can join HashiCorp and help broaden access to education by making a gift. Your gift will ensure more students have more opportunities to learn and grow at the University of Washington. https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?source_typ=3&source=DSC-129383

Congratulations to Natalia Perdomo on being named the OMA&D Vice President's Achievement Award Scholar!
Natalia studied abroad in Paris with a focus on urban design, and serves as an academic success coach for the UW Academic Support Programs. Her ultimate goal is to uplift her community and the voices of marginalized groups by developing equitable community spaces. Natalia aspires to earn a graduate degree in urban planning or landscape architecture.
Join us in congratulating Natalia in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

You are cordially invited to join us for the University of Washington's Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity’s Annual Celebration Gala!

As the UW’s signature event to support diversity, Celebration showcases inspiring community leadership, academic excellence, and our remarkable students.
The event will recognize the 2024 Charles E. Odegaard Award, the Inaugural OMA&D Spark Award, and our EOP Recognition Scholars. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, a lively Husky-themed auction, and a Raise-the-Paddle program, and more!

All funds raised at Celebration benefit OMA&D’s Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) for American Indian/Alaska Native, economically disadvantaged, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students, and students formerly in foster care. EOP serves 6,500+ students each year.
Register before May 6, to secure your seat!

https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

Congratulations to Aliyah Cleveland on being named the OMA&D President’s Achievement Award Scholar!
Aliyah has taken on leadership roles in the ASUW, UW Salsa Club, and the National Society of Black Health Professionals. She is an active participant in the OMA&D Health Sciences Center for Minority Students Program and enjoys spending time at OMA&D's Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center. Aliyah will be applying to UW Medicine to pursue an MD/MPH, and hopes to work in public health and clinical practice and research after graduating.
Join us in congratulating Aliyah Cleveland in person and honoring our community awardees ON MAY 15, 2024 at the 2024 Annual Celebration Gala – Register before May 6 to secure your seat! https://events.uw.edu/event/2024Celebration/summary

ALL of our students deserve an enriching and transformational Husky Experience. Please join us in amplifying OMA&D and make a gift today!

From the Intellectual House to the Instructional Center to Student Support programs, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity works to increase access, belonging, and academic excellence for first generation, low-income and underrepresented students. Each year, OMA&D supports 6,500 undergraduate students and outreaches to 25,000 future potential students.

https://givingday.uw.edu/o/university-of-washington/i/husky-giving-day-2024/p/omad

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity's MOR team UW OMA&D Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment and their outstanding Student Ambassadors work to create a diverse, inclusive campus where everyone can succeed.

MOR has five identity-based affinity groups and a team of dedicated admissions counselors. Our goal is to help connect students with people that understand their experience. Discover more community resources about how to apply to and attend the UW, on the MOR website https://mor.uw.edu/Find-Your-Community/ ✨