GALA | Nominee Descriptions

Nikkei Student Association

To foster a sense of community and cultural unity for Japanese American (Nikkei) students and to honor our shared history through cultural and educational events, service, and more.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “They commit themselves to the Day of Remembrance that not only commemorates the resistance of Japanese Americans but that promotes participation in the protest against Detention centers (NWDC in Tacoma specifically) and family separation every year. They also volunteer at local organizations like the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Day of Remembrance in Puyallup, Children’s Day at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington, etc.”
• “They are consistent in their commitment to community and service throughout the year whether that be through volunteering at the Cherry Blossom festival or hosting their Day of Remembrance to educate the public on the Japanese Incarceration.”

Vietnamese Student Association

VSAUW is a cultural, social, and civically engaged organization. We strive to make an impact to our campus and city community by learning, educating, and taking action.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “VSAUW gathers both Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese people together to form a warm and safe community that fosters friendship. Through biweekly events, family programs, and numerous outreach events– VSAUW provides opportunities to branch out and explore different interests while meeting new people.”

A Vision for Electronic Literacy and Access

Our mission is to provide more opportunities for underrepresented elementary, middle, and high school students to pursue their interests in college and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by leading workshops, camps, and other forms of community outreach while representing the populations we aim to support.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “With more than 20 community and local partners, AVELA is actively engaged in the community each and every week!”

National Society of Black Engineers

We are a dynamic and fun, student-managed organization that strives to offer programming to enhance the academic, professional and social development of our membership. In addition, we play a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of engineers and scientists through our Pre-College Initiative programs.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “No RSO on campus has more cooperate sponsors and connections than NSBE! They know how to help students go from academia to industry.”

Sikh Student Association

Sikh Student Association is a student based organization whose mission is to educate both Sikh and non-Sikhs on campus all while promoting main tenets of Sikhism, including community service, equality, and interfaith dialogue.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “They go out every quarter to a local gurudwara and spend their mornings making food for the homeless shelters and other locations where they drop off freshly made burritos and canned/dry goods. They continue to do this all year long without fail and impact the communities around them. By doing so, they are able to spread awareness about the Sikh principle of “seva” which is serving people who are less fortunate than you and giving back to people.”
• “Every month they host a Seva event. In this event they make food and distribute a lot of food the homeless shelters in Washington.”

Latine Student Union

The Latine Student Union is committed to building a friendly, supportive and empowering community for Latine students from different cultural and racial backgrounds. We also seek to promote Latine culture and raise awareness of issues within the Latine community through cultural, academic, and social events.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “They go above and beyond providing a community for Latin American students and working to make beneficial change.”

Queer People of Color Alliance

The Queer People of Color Alliance, or QPOCA, is a group on the University of Washington Seattle campus that supports queer and trans folks of color to build and share community, make friends, have fun, and discuss race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality as it relates to our lives, experiences and marginalization

Nomination Testimonials:

• “The Queer People of Color Alliance, or QPOCA, is a group on the University of Washington Seattle campus that supports queer and trans folks of color to build and share community, make friends, have fun, and discuss race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality as it relates to our lives, experiences and marginalization.”

Capillaries Journal of Medical Humanities

It shall be the purpose of the Capillaries Journal to provide the UW community with the opportunity to reflect on their experiences with medicine, healing, illness, and/or grief through prose, poetry, and artwork. Furthermore, this organization aims to support students and the community in their healthcare journeys and promote greater understanding between the sciences and the humanities.

Nomination Testimonials:

• The Capillaries Journal has a proven track record of inspiring members of the UW community to open up through art and writing. As the producer of a tangible and digital quarterly journal, the Capillaries team seeks to provide a safe space for creative to share their most personal stories about health and healing in a judgment-free zone. The Capillaries Journal has also branched out to reach wider audiences through open mic events, which have allowed submission authors to speak about their pieces to audiences in an intimate setting.”

FASA sa UW

The mission of the Filipino American Student Association at the University of Washington shall be to foster unity and pride among its members and surrounding community through educational, political, cultural and social advancement.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “FASA raised multiple hundreds of dollars to support the Filipino Community of Seattle through their event Rising Up for Relief. FASA’s programming has inspired many other FilipinX-interest organizations in the greater Seattle region to take political action in calling out the political situation in the Philippines. Their Project F.A.M.I.L.Y. programming inspires many high school youth to take on leadership roles and succeed in secondary education. Through Filnight and Sayaw dance troupe they share the love and beauty of Filipino culture to the greater Seattle community.”

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc

The purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love, and respect in an effort to foster the development of strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities. It shall also be the purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha to promote unity through charitable and educational programs, maintain a higher standard of learning and serve as a voice for all students. Lambda Theta Alpha’s core values are tied to our commitment to give back to the community.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “We have organized weekly events and sometimes twice a week throughout the year, collaborated with other organizations outside the greek community, and successfully hosted our annual Big Man On Campus fundraiser (BMOC). This event consists of planning months in advance, reaching out to multiple communities to recruit contestants, and having sisters participate in volunteering and guiding others. We do a great job coming together with other communities on campus to meet new people and learn about their mission. Our goal is always to be involved and do what we can to improve our sisterhood and those around us.”

Chinese Student Association

As the Chinese Student Association at the University of Washington, we are dedicated to encouraging a greater awareness of Chinese culture, cultivating Chinese and Chinese American identity, and promoting a meaningful relationship within the university and the community at large.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “This year, the Chinese Student Association actively pursued a sense of togetherness within the multitude of cultural RSOs here at the University of Washington. In collaboration with the Taiwanese Cultural Association and the Hong Kong Student Association, they held the Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Night with attendance ranging from 300 to 700 hundred visitors who were UW and non-UW affiliated. They sought to create an event that focused on rekindling connections that were lost during the isolating pandemic years by inviting UW and non-UW affiliates and those coming from different cultural backgrounds.”

Taiko Kai

Our club focuses on its members, helping them develop personal and team-based performance skills. Our members learn about how to effectively move their bodies and perform for an audience. Our club also builds connections between its members and the Japanese American community, working with other Taiko groups and Japanese events.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Taiko Kai is the University of Washington’s first taiko ensemble.  We strive to promote and preserve Japanese culture through the art of traditional Japanese drumming. We hope to evoke a sense of pride, heritage, social understanding, and cultural values while attaining an appreciation for Japanese culture!”

National Society of Black Engineers

We are a dynamic and fun, student-managed organization that strives to offer programming to enhance the academic, professional and social development of our membership. In addition, we play a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of engineers and scientists through our Pre-College Initiative programs.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “They have sent multiple students to National conventions which allowed many to make crucial connections and even land internships.”

Sigma Lambda Beta International

We strongly believe in fairness, opportunity, and equality for all men no matter what race, culture or ethnicity. We closely adhere to our four principles of Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service and Cultural Awareness.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “This organization has prospered in collaborations and made it an effort to be everywhere on campus. SLB has collaborated with a lot of organizations and even spoke on their behalf when the time comes. Efforts and involvement in MGC has been shown.”

UW Purple Group

Purple Group is a peer support network of undocumented students that meet weekly to foster community building, connect with allies, share resources, participate in workshops, and discuss issues affecting immigrant communities locally as well as across the country and the world.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “I nominate this RSO because they are a safe space for undocu huskies. The board always does their best to accommodate to everyone. I remember they asked if it was okay for Purple Group Meetings to be held on Thursdays so that on Wednesdays we could attend MECHA and Unidas Seremos meetings. That way no Latine RSO gets left behind. I also want to nominate this group because the advisor Prof. Carolyn is an incredible resource and pillar of support for undocu huskies.”
• “This RSO is valuable to an underrepresented community on campus. Undocumented students have the support from peers to be open about their legal status and they are supported in their pathway to higher education.
• “I nominate this org because purple group has been focusing this year on establishing themselves and building community. One of the main efforts was connecting students to the arts as a way to not having to think about the negative situation happening with immigration. This year they held a successful arts exposure event, but purchasing tickets to the show “I’m not your perfect Mexican daughter” to 20+ students. In addition to that, we had a butterfly activism craft night.”

Sayaw @ FASA sa UW

Sayaw, also the Filipino term for ‘dance’, is a student-based performing arts group from the Filipino American Student Association at the University of Washington. We specialize in Philippine folk dance and performing arts.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “I want to nominate sayaw because I love the cultural and art exposure they learn and perform for their Filipinx and Seattle community. I love their dedication in practice (my friend has shown me some videos) and I love seeing them smile and bow when they finish a performance.”

Modality at UW

We are a community that supports the creative work of QTBIPOC artists, writers, and general content creators at UW. We publish an annual zine and provide organizing opportunities, resources, and educational opportunities that highlight the work of QTBIPOC artists and creators, and their supporters. Organization membership entails working on the zine or organizing efforts, but non-members are highly encouraged to engage with our content and events!

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Modality has grown exponentially after only their second year. Dedicated to fostering community for LGBTQ students of color through creative work. Modality has provided access to several opportunities to showcase and grow in artistic skill. This has been done through art workshops, vendor fairs, and collaborative art efforts with other student and community organizations.”

Hui Hoaloha Ulana

Translated as “a group woven together in friendship”, Hui Hoaloha ʻUlana weaves lifelong bonds amongst students brought together by their love or interest for Hawaiʻi.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Our RSO has demonstrated a significant increase in member recruitment, retention, and participation during the 2022-2023 school year. I’m deeply proud to say that our RSO size has increased to 178 members this year. In addition, we’ve implemented a new system to cultivate closer relations across undergraduate classes (our ‘Big/Little’ system), added new club activities (such as Hui Amazing Race, lei-making and Hawaiian language cultural events), and facilitated the foundation for our cultural board who work hard to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and knowledge through our social media platforms. This year has also been the first time we’ve signed up in three intramural sports per quarter due to high interest (9 for this year!) and participated in volunteer-based events such as the Hot Chocolate Run and Relay For Life.”

Traditional Chinese Dance

The purpose of TCDUW is to build a community of passionate dancers by providing an inclusive, supporting, and energizing environment for students to learn diverse ethnic Chinese dance styles. TCDUW aims to spread Chinese culture in the UW and Seattle communities through various performances, events, and workshops.

Nomination Testimonials:

• ““It has grown from 5 members to 15 members this year. 4 community workshops for everyone and 6 team performances so far! Not including solos that were also done. Tcd has also done many collaboration with CSSA,HKSA,FIUTS, smith tower,TSA, CSA, and many more to come.”

Micronesian Islands Club

MIC’s purposes includes recognizing our brothers and sisters of the Micronesian Islands who are currently attending the University of Washington, providing a social, educational, political, and cultural outlet to those from the Micronesian Islands, and to those interested in being a part of our community, spreading the warmth of the Pacific Island spirit throughout the UW campus, and in our greater community, always advocating, and inviting others to learn and share ideas and views in order to achieve a deeper understanding of our cultures to the community of UW, the greater Seattle area, and the nation.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “MIC became inactive during the pandemic, and only this year was revamped. Through outreach, dance workshops, performances, and other activities, MIC has helped bring back the Micronesian community on the UW campus. MIC has maintained a close relationship with PSA throughout the year and will be featured in this year’s Polynesian Day. Looking forward, MIC plans to recollaborate with Seattle U’s Mariana’s Club for the annual Fiesta, as done in previous years. They will also continue to build their relationships with professors, faculty, and other professionals as they have started to this year.”

Yarn It

Yarn It is a group dedicated to teaching other UW students how to relax through the art of crochet! From beginner to expert we meet weekly to share our love of yarn. We are open to other forms of yarn crafts such as knitting, weaving, and sewing but will mostly focus on crocheting till we gain more experienced members in those areas. Weekly meetings will either consist of a casual craft session or crocheting themed event planned by officers.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Our group of officers this year and regular members have really come together to form a special space on campus for all students at UW to learn a skill and make new friends.”
• “Awesome crocheting times together <3 and amazing collaboration with community members to foster an inclusive space for all members of the student body.”

Latine Student Union

The Latine Student Union is committed to building a friendly, supportive and empowering community for Latine students from different cultural and racial backgrounds. We also seek to promote Latine culture and raise awareness of issues within the Latine community through cultural, academic, and social events.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “LSU has focused on creating a strong Latine community on campus. Our mission is to build community, promote social advocacy, and develop future leaders. We were the first RSO on campus to switch our name from Latinx to Latine to be more inclusive of non-binary people in our community. Through our programming we have promoted our culture heritage through events such as Día de los Reyes and Loteria; Social advocacy through discussions about safe sex and mental health; We’re launching demands to UW administration to uplift Latine students; And we’re promoting leadership through our upcoming elections.”

Capillaries Journal of Medical Humanities

It shall be the purpose of the Capillaries Journal to provide the UW community with the opportunity to reflect on their experiences with medicine, healing, illness, and/or grief through prose, poetry, and artwork. Furthermore, this organization aims to support students and the community in their healthcare journeys and promote greater understanding between the sciences and the humanities.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Capillaries Journal accepts people from all walks of life from around the UW community to share their stories of healing. It provides amateur and experienced creatives a safe space to share their work and stories of healing and well-being. The Capillaries Journal promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus by featuring a variety of pieces about topics having to do with vulnerability. It is a judgement-free zone that continues to inspire and seeks to influence our understanding of health by sharing stories through art and writing.”

Queer People of Color Alliance

The Queer People of Color Alliance, or QPOCA, is a group on the University of Washington Seattle campus that supports queer and trans folks of color to build and share community, make friends, have fun, and discuss race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality as it relates to our lives, experiences and marginalization.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “QPOCA’s commitment to its members can not be overlooked. The officers have done a great job of creating a space where marginalized groups can gather to heal and express themselves unapologetically.”

East African Student Association

The purpose of the East African Student Association at the University of Washington is to create a safe space to discuss various East African experiences and points relating to communities and countries within the East African boundaries. The East African Student Association is dedicated to building community and hosting events that will allow students to share and celebrate East African cultures and aspects. The East African Student Association is also dedicated to celebrate our similarities rather than our differences.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “East African Student Association has spurred a massive community over just 2 quarters, with over 100 students at their kickoff event and consistent membership of 65+ at every meeting in the ECC. They are focused on creating a supportive and inclusive space to learn about East African culture and community regardless of who wants to learn. EASA has worked collaboratively with members of most BSC status RSO’s exceptionally. EASA demonstrates tremendous growth in programming/events, and organizational membership into the greater Seattle and King County communities. I believe that these accomplishments make them a strong candidate for the breakout organization award.”

Khmer Student Association

The Khmer Student Association at the University of Washington is an organization that was formed in order to foster academic and professional success among Khmer students in their college careers. Our pillars of education, community, social justice, and cultural pride manifest in our work to uplift and protect Khmer culture – empowering youth to embrace their identities and enact change while simultaneously developing appreciation and respect for our rich heritage – build solidarity with other underrepresented groups, as well as inspire and support Khmer Americans to pursue higher education, particularly at the University of Washington.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “After covid, they have started from scratch and demonstrated resilience with their new officer team and programs. They have upheld Khmer culture and shared it with the community. They have brought the UW community together and have put on a successful New Year Show with over 500 people in attendance. This is the first in person NYS since covid. The fundraising they do goes towards scholarships for underrepresented high school Khmer students wanting to pursue a higher education.”

Vietnamese Student Association

VSAUW gathers both Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese people together to form a warm and safe community that fosters friendship. Through biweekly events, family programs, and numerous outreach events– VSAUW provides opportunities to branch out and explore different interests while meeting new people.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “VSAUW’s biennial intercollegiate cultural show Hoa Khôi Liên Trường: The New Moon – Phases of You! This year’s theme “Phases of You” surrounds the moon. It is a crucial part of the solar system; a vital part of nature that shines on its own and is capable of eclipsing dominating forces that try to block out its light. This year’s Hoa Khôi Liên Trường guides our contestants through the phases of their personal identities and illuminates their presence in the vast world they occupy. Uplifting our identities as women is a life-long journey that includes perseverance, ambition, and self-advocacy. Our contestants are unwavering, taking up space in the world and moving out of the shadow to become a fuller version of themselves. Hoa Khôi Liên Trường (HK) is a biennial intercollegiate cultural show for female identifying individuals. The show is made to promote cultural awareness to the current generation of Vietnamese-Americans and Asians as well as celebrate and empower women in the Seattle community.”

Chinese Student Association

We are an entirely student-led group dedicated towards improving cultural awareness on campus as well as providing support for those who come from a common background. As the Chinese Student Association at the University of Washington, we are dedicated to encouraging a greater awareness of Chinese culture, cultivating Chinese and Chinese American identity, and promoting a meaningful relationship within the university and the community at large.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “This year, the Chinese Student Association challenged itself to hold an event that celebrated the  culture they are part of. Chinese Student Association’s 56th Lunar Year Gala was held in person for the first time in three years and roughly 300 guests attended to celebrate this grand time. To further celebrate the ideals of growth, new beginnings, and a uniting community, the Chinese Student Association invited numerous organizations to perform at the gala, encouraged students to invite relatives and friends, and made the Gala free to attend.”

Latine Student Union

The Latine Student Union is committed to building a friendly, supportive and empowering community for Latine students from different cultural and racial backgrounds. We also seek to promote Latine culture and raise awareness of issues within the Latine community through cultural, academic, and social events.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “David, the president of LSU is working with the law school latine groups and creating pathways to meet undergraduate students and create connection beyond graduate levels.”

UW Purple Group

Purple Group is a peer support network of undocumented students that meet weekly to foster community building, connect with allies, share resources, participate in workshops, and discuss issues affecting immigrant communities locally as well as across the country and the world.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “I personally got to know a student leader from this organization through the OMA&D Student Advisory Board and got to talk about their programming. I think they are truly making a difference on this campus because they are providing a space and voice for an underserved community that deserves to be heard on campus. I see them at the ECC sometimes and they are very passionate about their organization and are very true to their mission.”

FASA sa UW

The mission of the Filipino American Student Association at the University of Washington shall be to foster unity and pride among its members and surrounding community through educational, political, cultural and social advancement.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Accomplishing recontextualizing the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition and getting new plaques on campus has been a process that the FASA has taken years to oragnize and execute. FASA’s programming has inspired many other FilipinX-interest organizations in the greater Seattle region to take political action in calling out the political situation in the Philippines. Their Project F.A.M.I.L.Y. programming inspires many high school youth to take on leadership roles and succeed in secondary education. Through Filnight and Sayaw dance troupe they share the love and beauty of Filipino culture to the greater Seattle community.”

Vietnamese Student Association

VSAUW gathers both Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese people together to form a warm and safe community that fosters friendship. Through biweekly events, family programs, and numerous outreach events– VSAUW provides opportunities to branch out and explore different interests while meeting new people.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Through VSAUW’s cultural meetings and events, they have demonstrated great leadership, inclusivity, and participation with Kelly ECC. The ACCE Family Program and Hoa Khoi Lien Truong cultural show are examples of programs that uplift the values of Vietnamese and Asian American culture.”

• “I believe that VSAUW did a great job at connecting the community. Not only within the Vietnamese student population here at UW, but I was able to meet people who were non-Vietnamese and wanted to branch out to find new friends. VSAUW holds events biweekly– free of costs and is open to everyone. They even have a family program where you can meet people in smaller groups and study together, grab food together, and do activities that normal friends would do. On top of community bonding, VSAUW provides support to the greater Asian community in both Seattle through ID/Seattle events and also America’s Vietnamese population by collaborating/participating in outreach events. VSAUW also holds a cultural pageant each year that brings together members of the community to bond with one another.”
• “VSAUW has had a huge impact on my college career. They gave me a community where I felt like I belong and have given me a lot of opportunities to reconnect with my culture. VSAUW is very organized and also supports their local community as well as supports larger charity organizations. This year’s in particular is One Body Village, which supports victims of sexual abuse in rural Vietnamese communities in Vietnam.”

alpha Kappa Delta Phi

alpha Kappa Delta Phi is an international Asian-interest sorority established at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1989 and recognized by the College Panhellenic Association on Februrary 7, 1990. Their 14 founding sisters dedicated themselves to creating an organization that would allow Asian American women to participate in Greek life. They brought together a diverse group of women who shared the values of sisterhood, scholarship, and leadership. Today, aKDPhi has 60 Chapters across the US and in Canada.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “Alpha Kappa Delta Phi should be organization of the year because they embody the values of sisterhood, leadership, scholarship, and service. Through their various community service projects and philanthropic efforts, they have made a positive impact on their community and beyond. They have also provided a supportive and empowering environment for their members to grow as leaders and individuals. Their commitment to promoting Asian American awareness and culture further sets them apart as a valuable and unique organization. Overall, Alpha Kappa Delta Phi has consistently demonstrated their dedication to making a difference and deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements.”
• “Throughout the year, alpha Kappa Delta Phi has shown exemplary organization through its leadership, large-scale events, and fundraisers. alpha Kappa Delta Phi’s recruitment team successfully planned two rush weeks where people interested in the organization had the chance to interact and meet the current members of the organization. Ultimately, alpha Kappa Delta Phi recruited a total of 21 members this school year, making it the largest size the organization has ever been. Additionally, alpha Kappa Delta Phi planned an event in October for Breast Cancer Awareness, their philanthropy, which raise a significant amount of money for BCA. They have held several on campus fundraisers to help raise money for their philanthropy. Furthermore, they have executed several service and educational events including a street clean up, professional workshops, and self-defense workshops.”

Latine Student Union

The Latine Student Union is committed to building a friendly, supportive and empowering community for Latine students from different cultural and racial backgrounds. We also seek to promote Latine culture and raise awareness of issues within the Latine community through cultural, academic, and social events.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “The Latine Student Union (LSU) has demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence in fulfilling the missions of their RSO, the Kelly ECC, and the UW community. Through their tireless efforts, they have consistently promoted their mission by providing various programs and services to enhance communication and the exchange of multi/cross/intercultural perspectives and values. The LSU has also excelled in recruitment and retention, showing their dedication to social activism, leadership, and community service, which has resulted in a significant positive impact on the community. Their collaborative efforts with the Kelly ECC have also showcased their ability to work together towards common goals. As such, the LSU is a deserving recipient of the Organization of the Year award.”

• “As a member of this organization, I have noticed that I have been able to find a community and friends that I have carried on throughout my years at UW. This club is always pushing the thoughts of the members in the club and positioning itself as probably the most progressive and culturally competent RSO on campus.”
• “Their demands, work with la resistencia, and efforts to end the UWPD and ICE connection is a testiment to this organizations hard work and efforts to make UW a better place for everyone.”

Japanese Student Association

JSA aims to promote and preserve Japanese culture at the University of Washington by hosting cultural and social events for Japanese students, exchange students, and anyone who appreciates Japanese culture to gather and have a good time!

Nomination Testimonials:

• “They make their events very welcoming to all, not just japanese students who can speak.”
• “JSA has always helped had other organizations with collaborations and has many great ideas when it comes to team work and engaging the community.”

First Generation Business Leaders

FGBL’s mission is to facilitate transition to college for first generation students through initiatives such as providing mentorship networks and sharing academic and social resources among members; to help first generation students develop professionally and personally; to build community among first generation UW students; to provide the first generation student community a platform to express its voice and advocate for themselves.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “First Generation Business Leaders (FGBL) has exhibited exceptional dedication to fulfilling the missions of their RSO, the Kelly ECC, and the UW community. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their recruitment and retention efforts, social activism, leadership, and community service. FGBL has also been actively involved in Kelly ECC participation and collaboration, showcasing their ability to work with other organizations towards common goals. Through their various programs and services, FGBL has cultivated an educational environment that promotes the exchange of multi/cross/intercultural perspectives and values. As such, FGBL is a deserving recipient of the Organization of the Year award.”

Chinese Student Association

As the Chinese Student Association at the University of Washington, we are dedicated to encouraging a greater awareness of Chinese culture, cultivating Chinese and Chinese American identity, and promoting a meaningful relationship within the university and the community at large.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “CSA has reached out to multiple organizations and has collaborated with many RSO throughout the constant years. CSA has also contributed a lot to each organization with guidance and support and has been very impactful to the community.”

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.

The purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha shall be to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love, and respect in an effort to foster the development of strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities. It shall also be the purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha to promote unity through charitable and educational programs, maintain a higher standard of learning and serve as a voice for all students. Lambda Theta Alpha’s core values are tied to our commitment to give back to the community.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “LTA has been heavily involved on campus with various other organizations. They have raised over $4000 for their philanthropies while still continuing to build a community for Latina women. The also participate in multiple community service events such as cleaning the streets, wrapping Christmas presents for children, and donating goodie bags to shelters.”

M.E.Ch.A

M.E.Ch.A is committed to advancing the civil and human rights of Latine students on campus and supporting struggles in the community where possible. In M.E.Ch.A meetings and activities, all M.E.Ch.istAs have the right to express their opinions in an atmosphere of respect and cooperation. We are committed to educating ourselves and the general population on the diversity of our people. We are committed to providing the social and cultural atmosphere needed for students to make a more complete transition to this campus. We are committed to promoting the academic efforts of our students and making higher education a reality for Latine students.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “It has been so inspiring seeing the Latinx community have a space to come together and contribute to building a stronger community & their strong involvement in their surrounding environment / community.”

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Since its birth in 1982, the student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at the University of Washington has been committed to recruit and aid underrepresented students science and engineering to graduate and successfully attain their career goals.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “This organizations involvement and dedication is very prominent, their welcoming environment inspires organizations that surround them.”

Unidas Seremos

A unique undergraduate organization for the UW campus, we pride ourselves in celebrating cultures and are dedicated to the services of our community and university. Our founding members realized the need to strengthen unity among students and the need for cultural awareness within the university and community. Unidas Seremos is a multicultural organization comprised of members from various backgrounds. Our commitment to diversity within our organization sets us apart from other groups.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “This organization has been doing mixers with different orgs throughout the year and has community service events that help bring different communities together.”

Queer People of Color Alliance

The Queer People of Color Alliance, or QPOCA, is a group on the University of Washington Seattle campus that supports queer and trans folks of color to build and share community, make friends, have fun, and discuss race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality as it relates to our lives, experiences and marginalization.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “qpoca has been there for me when I couldn’t find support of community within my program or college. They provide a safe space to share ideas and have been nothing short of spectacular in their programming and the way they treat their members.”

Unite UW

Unite UW is an on-campus cultural exchange program that builds bridges between domestic and international students at the University of Washington.

Nomination Testimonials:

• “UUSA’s fundamental goal is to connect domestic and international students, to prove through shared experiences that friendship can come from anyone. This year has been a year of relentless progress. UUSA launched its family system to create close community for members. UUSA consistently attended Community Bond Nights and ECC resource events to connect with other RSOs and learn about ECC possibilities. For the first time, UUSA is hosting its variety show in the ECC theater. The officer team worked to connect people from all over the world to create cross-cultural connections and to make this year a year of firsts.”