GALA | Nominee Descriptions | Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center

Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center

The Kelly ECC annually supports over 135 registered student organizations on campus. We are INCREDIBLY proud of all of the accomplishments they have achieved during the 2024-2025 academic year. Below are testimonials from community members about some of our nominees for our Gala awards!

ECC RSOs: Remember that voting will be open from April 30 to May 5, 2025! Each ECC RSO can cast TWO votes for who they think should win for each category. We recommend having a president and/or vice-president vote on behalf of your RSO. Any additional votes after the second submission will be disregarded. Additionally, the Gala Planning Committee will determine ECC RSO and Individual Student Leader awards, and your peers’ voting will be SIGNIFICANTLY considered to help the committee greatly!

We will announce the winners at the 2025 Annual Awards Gala, held on May 15 at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, 5-7pm.

Commitment to Community and Service

AVELA is a community that is committed to providing services to its community. AVELA, each year, hosts a ‘Black Speakers Series’ during February, where Black speakers address four topics concerning the Black community. This year, we focused on Health, tech, love, etc., and invited well-known professors and community members to speak with us. This event brought together ~130 members, with each averaging 35 attendees. Another event that AVELA hosts is the Scholarship night, which helps high schoolers apply to WSOS, AFE, and the University of Washington. It has also helped 40 high schoolers. It positively impacts its members by allowing them to learn STEM topics and then go out to the community and teach them to youths, helping ~50 members become mentors. AVELA taught over 20 classes this year, helping over 1000 students learn programming, biology, and other topics.

Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Incorporated has collaborated with multiple organizations throughout the academic year. Their emphasis on unity, one of their pillars, has been shown through ongoing collaborations with various other RSOs in the Multicultural Greek Council. They have also emphasized the importance of teaming up to spotlight other RSOs’ missions. Alongside Leadership Without Borders, they have held a Holiday Time Toy Drive and, for Farmworkers Awareness Week, alongside other Greek Affiliated RSOs, held a clothing drive. Various collaborations throughout the year have shown their strong commitment to public service, provided outstanding leadership within the community, committed to inspired civic engagement, motivated and excited students about civic involvement, and created opportunities to mobilize other groups and volunteers.
I nominate this organization because they have hosted an HIV/AIDS panel and have also given back to the community by giving back to students at Meany Middle School.
Gamma Alpha Omega has committed to supporting underrepresented communities and has gone above and beyond to host a fundraiser for immigrants in need during these challenging times. They have fundraised and donated money to support this cause and continue to do so. They have also attended local schools to encourage students to pursue higher education and have provided assistance to first-generation students.

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. We will lift our community up as we climb.” Though its primary mission centers around building a space for students from Hawai’i at the UW, Hui Hoaloha Ulana has always kept its greater community in mind. This past October, Hui launched the pilot run of its collegiate information initiative, The ‘Iwa Project. This program gathered Hawai’i clubs from across the U.S. and Canada to come together in three virtual conferences where Hawai’i high school students could ask questions, receive support, and seek financial assistance in their journey towards a college education. The program was run in partnership with college admission counselors at over 30 high schools. The content was estimated to have been viewed by around 800 independent users during college application season. From tech support teams to presenters to organizers, Hui members filled various roles and oversaw the project every step of the way. However, Hui’s community engagement is not just limited to 8 islands. This year, Hui is helping organize the King County Superior Court annual AAPI free lunch at the end of May as a concluding celebration of AAPI month. Club members are working closely with court judges and clerks to plan and prepare food, practice hula dancing at the event, and write a speech describing the culture of Kanaka Maoli and modern Hawai’i to community members attending the lunch. Lastly, Hui has no volunteer requirement for active members. Instead, the club aims to design programs and initiatives centered on the members’ interests to not only inspire them to pursue meaningful philanthropy, but also to do it in a way that honors their own unique identities and pays tribute to their home.

Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education (HOPE) has made significant efforts to collaborate with other RSOs, community organizations, and incarcerated groups to share their mission of creating more accessible prison education. This year, they’ve put on events with Institutional Climate Action (ICA), the American Sign Language club, the Black Student Union, Huskies for Reproductive Justice, Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return (SUPER), and Modality to highlight the intersectional nature of carceral issues. Additionally, they’ve made room for off-campus guests from organizations such as Civil Survival, Superfamilia, Movimento Congoles Angolano, API Cultural Awareness Group, Families Shoulder to Shoulder, and The Black Rose Collective. They’ve always made an effort to uplift the voices of incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and system-impacted people. Members have volunteered inside various prisons with the Prison Mathematics Project. Additionally, they have close relations with (and have raised around $1,000 this year for) the Concerned Lifers Organization inside Monroe Correctional Complex. Near the end of spring quarter and into the summer, they plan to strengthen this connection with an inside-outside book club. Through all these efforts, they’ve built kinship with other abolitionists and system-impacted people. The membership of the club has more than tripled since the beginning of the year, and, due to the wide variety of intersectional identities explored in their events, they’ve fostered a diverse community of people—every member brings a unique background, skill set, and perspective that is valued. Their emphasis on grassroots education programs as a tool in transformative justice focuses on addressing and healing trauma caused by the violence of systemic oppression, over the current legal system’s focus on punishment.

I nominated this RSO because they have been doing various events that involve giving back to the community. They have had multiple events, including American Cancer Society volunteering, helping out with an organization named Launch, and helping with their events. They have also been volunteering with Akin for years. They have done multiple street cleanups, but also find it essential to connect with many organizations that need their impact
I nominate Kappa Delta Chi because its primary focus is to give back to our community as much as possible and be impactful with our service. They’ve also volunteered as tutors at the House of Wisdom to help kids with their schoolwork.

Khmer Student Association has held outstanding shows in the past, notably their New Year’s Show. This show brings together around 500 people each year and never ceases to impress me with the amount of cultural practices and observations in the show. Additionally, their general meetings strive to bring together the small Khmer community at UW with fun events, informative cultural presentations, and activities.

WashPIRG deserves the Commitment to Community & Service Award for its dedication to public service and civic engagement. As a student-led, student-funded organization, WashPIRG is committed to serving the public interest by choosing campaigns that reflect the issues students care most about. This has led to impactful campaigns like Affordable Healthcare, Hunger and Homelessness, Affordable Textbooks, Ranked Choice Voting, Earth & Energy, and Save the Orcas. This year, WashPIRG demonstrated its commitment to civic engagement by organizing students to lobby our elected officials on President’s Day, February 17th, where over 40 legislators heard from student activists. The Affordable Healthcare campaign advocated for the Washington Health Trust, a proposed statewide universal healthcare system designed to guarantee healthcare access for all Washington residents. Meanwhile, the Earth & Energy campaign pushed for the Recycling Reform Act, legislation holding producers accountable for reducing waste and improving recycling systems across Washington. WashPIRG also fostered community leadership and coalition-building through its Save the Orcas campaign by hosting a screening of the documentary Coextinction, bringing together nearly 400 students and community members to discuss threats facing the Southern Resident orcas and how collective action can make a difference. Through events like these, WashPIRG motivates and excites students about civic involvement and creates opportunities to mobilize a vast network of volunteers and coalition partners on and off campus.

Outstanding Collaboration and Participation

AVELA has hosted events to form a community for members. During the fall quarter, they hosted their 3rd annual scholarship nights, with over 80 attendees across two different events (one of which was hosted at the ECC!) They helped high school students apply for various scholarships. During the winter quarter, AVELA hosted its 3rd annual Black History Month Speaker Series, which brings faculty and other professional speakers in every Friday of Black History Month. They spoke to aspects of Black history, like wellness, art, and academia. AVELA had over 130 attendees across the four events. In Spring, they are hoping to host their annual BIPOC art showcase, bringing together visual and physical performances across many cultures together.

They are extremely welcoming! Their social media has allowed me to learn more about our pre-health Latino community. Not only that, but I’ve been inspired by the panelists they’ve brought in to speak with us about their journey and profession. Their Instagram is awesome for sharing other RSOs’ events and letting us know about upcoming collaborations and events with others. Without them, I would not be as involved as I am.
CCM is a collaborative powerhouse. Many of the events hosted by CCM also invite members of other RSOs to get involved, and even when it is just a CCM meeting, they have members of other communities join the meeting. CCM has had countless examples of collaboration throughout this past year. Recently, CCM collaborated with Grey Matters, MAPS, AIM, and NSBHP to host a Neurologist for a panel event. As you can imagine, the room was incredibly full, and it was a nice opportunity to gather in community and learn how we can play a role in diversifying the field of neuroscience for the better of patients and research. Many folks stayed after the meeting to network with the neurologists, providing first-gen students a connection they might have otherwise not had (speaking from my experience as a first-gen student). Another event was in collaboration with Origami Club, which is amazing about CCM’s ability to collaborate with ECC-affiliated RSOs; you wouldn’t expect there to be much overlap between origami and community medicine, but there certainly is! CCM attracted community members from across the campus to fold origami in the community.. Not only was this a good opportunity to destress, but the origami was included in origami kits that were then donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I’m a volunteer at Seattle Children’s, and you will not believe the excitement I felt when I saw the kits that CCM and Origami Club came together to assemble. This was a clear example of how organizing and bringing the ECC community members together can have a positive impact on us and those in the greater Seattle community.
This year CCM has worked close with other health and professional RSOs, like Africans in Medicine (AIM), National Society of Black Health Professionals (NSBHP), Hispanic Organization for Nursing Students (HOLA), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Minority Association of Premed Students (MAPS), Grey Matters, Origami Club, Gamma Alpha Omega (GAO), and Summer Health Professional Education Program (SHPEP). CCM’s goal is to have members feel welcomed and comfortable reaching out to anyone and to expand their involvement at UW. It helps build a close community for underrepresented students who may feel lost in such a big university. CCM provides socials with other orgs on campus, community service opportunities, and panels of different health careers.
I nominate Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine for their outstanding collaboration and participation because of the strong and diverse collaborations and strong networks in the ECC and UW community. CCM has collaborated with a multitude of amazing RSOs that include: Leadership Without Borders, Africans in Medicine, National Society of Black Health Professionals, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Origami club, Latino Medical Student Association, SHPEP, MAPS, End Overdose, The Purple Group, Unidas Seremos, Grey Matters, Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority incorporated, and more to come. I want to highlight CCM’s collaborations because of the strong community built and created for students due to these partnerships. CCM thrives on creating community within the ECC and UW campus by partnering with organizations that share CCM’s goal of improving our community. Outstanding collaborations aren’t just hosting a joint meeting but bridging the connection between different student groups at the University of Washington, so all members can benefit from creating meaningful connections that were previously difficult to make. I am nominating CCM for Outstanding Collaboration because of their efforts in creating this bridge between students and between communities at the ECC.

M.E.Ch.A.’s general meetings have allowed me to find a community of Latino students and learn more about our culture. I know I’m not the only one who feels understood here!

Origami club has held several collaborations with other clubs to enrich participants’ experiences and is committed to building an environment where anyone can have fun and de-stress! This quarter, they collaborated with Modality to fold massive origami, a task where people helped each other to get the big folds to crease. In the winter quarter, they also collaborated with Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicinecanos to make Origami Kits for the Seattle Children’s Hospital. In the winter quarter, they also helped the Nikkei Student Union teach attendees how to fold cranes at their Day of Remembrance event. The ECC community can always count on Origami Club to provide a safe and fun space for learning a new hobby, meeting new people, watching a movie, or doing a fun event.

Unidas Seremos supports the community in multiple ways such as hosting a Taxes and Finance Informational, a Thrift Swap for our annual dance, a Bodily Autonomy Event with Sigma Lambda Beta, multiple community service events (such as street cleanup with Omega Delta Phi) and a Leadership Without Borders collab to build community within our school. Unidas has always been an organization that branches out to other organizations in the community to ensure students involved have as many networking and resource opportunities as possible. Unidas ensures that we have not only an educated community but also a strong one.

Breakout Organization

Despite facing setbacks with some board members having to drop their responsibilities due to workload/health reasons, BINFO remained resilient and held many valuable events to help enrich the black community and provide a sense of community. For example, the Microsoft panel they hosted brought in industry experts in design and research who provided invaluable insights into how students can differentiate themselves to break into careers in big tech. Additionally, they held an Iftar event during Ramadan, where fellow muslims broke their fast together and partook in activities that allowed them to establish new friendships.
Black in Informatics was founded last year, and during that year, they were able to host five meetings in the school year. Despite a challenging transition between the old and current boards, the club is now reignited. In the last winter quarter, BINFO was able to host five events. These events brought together ~90 members, with an average of 20 attending. BINFO has hosted two essay workshops this spring quarter, a movie night, and their elections Q&A. An event that stands out to me is the Black RSO Family Feud, a collaboration event with other Black RSOs that brought together ~60 students to interact and mingle while playing Family Feud. BINFO always keeps in mind to foster professional development and personal growth, and hosting the Microsoft Design Panel truly allowed our student body to benefit from learning from industry professionals and networking. Black in Informatics has positively impacted their community, with many members excited to see how much more we can grow. BINFO essay workshop is an excellent example of helping Black students overcome the barrier of admission to the Informatics major.

Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine (CCM) has held several workshops throughout the year to expose their members to opportunities to succeed in medicine. They’ve had Narcan Trainings, Sleep Medicine Workshops, Suturing Workshops, and Sports Medicine Workshops! They’ve also held informational panels on Dentistry, Nutrition, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, etc. CCM has also had several guest speakers come in and speak on their experiences in healthcare, and allow their members to ask any and all the questions they may have. CCM’s impact does not just stop with their members, but extends to the greater Seattle community. For example, they held a hygiene drive and kit making during the autumn quarter to support undocumented youth at YouthCare’s Casa De Los Amigos program. Additionally, they collaborated with Origami Club to help create 100 origami kits to donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital. They’ve also collaborated with several RSOs, including the Latinx Medical Student Association at UW, the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students, the Summer Health Professions Education Program at UW, Origami Club, and so much more!

They provide low-barrier programming for QTBIPOC to learn and try out art forms that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. From socials to workshops, their space allows members to be in community and focus on fostering joy.

The Multicultural Greek Council has, in the span of a year, grown over 100+ members. MGC currently has over 375 members across a diverse range of organizations representing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), Southeast Asian, Latinx, and other progressive cultural and community-based interests. By providing social bonding events, from Cultural Bonding Night, which united the Multicultural Greek organizations and the National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations on campus for the first time, to hosting movie nights, they have significantly expanded their educational workshops. On average, more than 100 members have attended sessions focused on anti-hazing prevention, sexual misconduct awareness, mental health workshops, and much more. For the first time in its history, the Council also applied for the AFLV Council Compass Program. AFLV West refers to the Western Regional Conference of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV). This organization accelerates progress in fraternity and sorority communities through change-enabling experiences. The Council was honored with two awards in the Accountability and Education categories, recognizing its outstanding accountability system within its governing documents and its event programming focused on community engagement & education. Additionally, the Council expanded its recruitment efforts to first-year students for the first time, hosting open community events during Dawg Daze, such as game nights and consistent tabling efforts. They have also vigorously participated in multicultural outreach and recruitment conferences like Rising Seas and La Esperanza de Educación. This year, from my own personal experience, I have heard members of the Multicultural Greek community express greater satisfaction with the Council’s transparency, accessibility, and overall growth, particularly in terms of visibility and accountability for its members. As a minority group on this campus, this organization has grown tremendously while keeping its community members at the forefront of its initiatives, ensuring that it dedicates time and effort to community, culture, and academics.
I nominate the Multicultural Greek Council for Breakout organization of the year because their membership has grown extensively this year. MGC started the academic year with 273 members and now has over 375 members and counting. With that, MGC officially welcomed their first South Asian interest Fraternity to our community, further broadening our scope of the multicultural community on campus. They are currently having conversations with two fraternities to help them establish a chapter at the University of Washington and add to our current sorority-heavy council. This was also the first time MGC had applied for awards at AFLV West, a Greek leadership conference held yearly in Anaheim, CA. As a result, they won two awards, one for Education and one for Accountability. Attendance at MGC programming has also significantly increased. Last year, their events averaged about 20-30 members, and now they are averaging 80-90. Our Director of Events and Programming has established partnerships with several brands that sponsor materials and snacks for MGC events. Some examples include Pentel, La Croix, Poppi, and Rockstar. They have positively impacted our community by providing opportunities for education and relationship building. MGC hosted a variety of LiveWell workshops for its members every quarter. By the end of the academic year, MGC will have hosted two anti-hazing workshops, a Cannabis Workshop, an interpersonal relationship seminar, and a mental health workshop. They also host a variety of social events to promote community bonding. A few of the most liked social events this year have been slime-making and cultural potluck. This year, MGC is also starting its first annual Greek Week, a weeklong series of events ranging from philanthropy-focused to fun, competitive social events.

Origami Club has grown tremendously this year, creating welcoming spaces for students to connect through creativity and community involvement. In the autumn quarter, the club partnered with HUB Pop Up and Play to host an autumn origami workshop in the Commuter Transfer Commons, offering commuter students and others a chance to engage, relax, and learn new crafts. The club also hosted its annual Halloween party, featuring Coraline-themed crafts, a movie screening, and snacks for members to enjoy. To encourage competition, Origami Club held a frog-jumping contest that encouraged friendly competition and strengthened member bonds. Origami Club organized its first Lunar New Year celebration in the winter quarter, with mooncakes, decorations, and a Kung Fu Panda II screening to celebrate culture and unite members. The club also expanded its impact beyond campus by creating and donating 100 Origami Kits to Seattle Children’s Hospital, with the support of Chicano/Latinx for Community Medicine and Husky Club Crawlers. Additionally, Origami Club collaborated with the Nikkei Student Union for their Day of Remembrance event, teaching attendees to fold cranes. So far, in the spring quarter, the Origami Club has collaborated with Modality to create bigigami, a type of origami art form that uses paper up to 3 feet by 3 feet in size. Through creative programming, cultural celebrations, and community service, Origami Club has offered its members meaningful experiences while contributing positively to the ECC and broader campus community.

The Summer Health Professions Education Program at the University of Washington (SHPEP at UW), founded in February 2024, has experienced remarkable growth within the past year. The organization has significantly expanded its programming and outreach this academic year by hosting weekly tabling events and online office hours. They have actively engaged first-generation and underserved students, fostering greater visibility and access to healthcare career pathways. In doing so, they carved out a clear and compelling identity centered on empowerment, inclusivity, and mentorship in the health professions. Their impact has been felt well beyond campus through collaborations with RSOs such as Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine, Africans in Medicine, and the National Society of Black Health Professionals. Their involvement in high-profile events, including the Young Executives of Color Career Fair, Leading Towards Justice, and UW Admitted Student Day, reflects their growing presence across the Seattle and King County communities. These partnerships and outreach efforts helped drive a record-breaking increase in program applications, tripling the usual applicant pool, according to the SHPEP Program Director. In every sense, SHPEP at UW has emerged as a breakout organization, setting a new standard for student-led engagement and collaboration while signifying their mission of increasing the exposure of students identifying as first-generation, as well as coming from underserved and low-socioeconomic backgrounds, who’re committed to influencing the field of healthcare in positive ways. Considering their impacts, SHPEP at UW serves as a worthy candidate to be considered for the Breakout Organization Award.

Most Impactful Programming

Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education (HOPE) has made significant efforts to collaborate with other RSOs, community organizations, and incarcerated groups to share their mission of creating more accessible prison education. Through their Prisoner Solidarity Month, they put on 5 weeks of programming that involved collaborations with on-campus organizations such as the American Sign Language club, the Black Student Union, Huskies for Reproductive Justice, SUPER and Modality, as well as off-campus organizations like Civil Survival, Superfamilia, Movimento Congoles Angolano, and APICAG. These events addressed the intersectionality of carceral issues from disability rights to the Black Power Movement.
Their event “Break the Bars, Free the Land” with Institutional Climate Action (ICA) and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) brought in system-impacted guests to discuss the cop cities, police surveillance, the prison-industrial complex, and climate justice. Their “Lives Stolen” event involved a movie screening of “Since I Been Down,” a vigil to honor all the people in WA state sentenced to die in prison, and a panel of system-impacted organizers. They are working on a campaign to highlight UW’s contribution to coercive prison labor. They are starting an inside-outside book club with the Concerned Lifers Organization (an incarcerated-run group inside Monroe Correctional Complex). They’ve always made an effort to uplift the voices of system-impacted people. Members have carpooled and volunteered inside various prisons with the Prison Mathematics Project. Additionally, HOPE has raised around $1,000 for the Concerned Lifers Organization. Through all these efforts, they’ve built kinship with other abolitionists and system-impacted people. The membership of the club has more than tripled since the beginning of the year, and, due to the wide variety of intersectional identities explored in these events, they’ve fostered a diverse community of people—every member brings a unique background, skill set, and perspective that is valued.
HOPE’s Prisoner Solidarity Month and vigil for those serving life sentences spread awareness about the crushing injustices of the carceral system and raised funds to promote prisoner-led educational programs and events while uplifting systems-impacted voices and allowing them to spread their message to a wider audience.

LSU consistently holds events that educate and nurture the Latine identity on campus. They have spoken on a variety of issues such as Drug Harm Reduction, Community Dinner with BSU, Machismo and Gender-Based Violence, and much more. LSU aims to branch outside the Latine identity and connect with other identity-based organizations, such as BSU and First Nations. They’ve discussed how our communities share struggles and what we can do to strengthen ourselves, especially as marginalized groups in higher education. Diversity is very important to LSU, and it is demonstrated through the meetings held, and everything is done with a purpose.

I nominate Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW for their incredible resilience and impact on their members and the greater ECC community. Despite challenges during COVID-19, when membership numbers declined, Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW stayed strong and rebuilt its group with determination. Since then, they have performed at multiple events, sharing the vibrant traditions of mariachi music with a wide and diverse audience. Their performances have introduced Mexican culture to others and fostered a greater sense of belonging and celebration within the community. The group’s rehearsals provide a welcoming environment for all students, especially for those who may feel intimidated by formal audition processes. Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW creates an inclusive space where passion for music is the only requirement, regardless of experience or background. Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW exemplifies efficient and inclusive event planning by balancing rehearsal schedules around members’ availability, maintaining open communication, and ensuring everyone feels heard and supported. Furthermore, their upcoming planned event next year, aimed at connecting with high school students, shows their commitment to mentoring younger musicians and building lasting cultural bridges beyond the UW campus. Through their music and community engagement, Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW continues to make a meaningful, positive impact at UW and beyond. Their events inspire dialogue, build cross-cultural appreciation, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging that reaches far beyond the stage.

Micronesian Island Club (MIC) has worked endlessly to promote interaction amongst its members and the greater UW community. They’ve held several socials and a Pacific Islander welcome dinner at the beginning of the year. For Thanksgiving, they held a potluck friendsgiving with the Polynesian Student Alliance and a food drive to donate meals to the UW Food Pantry. They’ve also held several dance practices in preparation for their annual MIC Night Event. With their MIC Night Event, they have been tirelessly creating decor, finding guest speakers, and tabling to promote ticket sales. They’ve implemented efficient budget management to plan for catering food and purchasing supplies needed for the event. Although the event hasn’t happened yet, MIC is holding this event for the first time in years to promote dialogue regarding friends, family, and fellow Pacific islanders about the various rich cultures in Micronesia.

MAPS has recently hosted its 24th Annual Pre-Health Conference, which integrates educational and networking opportunities for underrepresented high school and college students in Washington state. The conference is the state’s largest pre-health event each year, accumulating over 200 attendees, accommodating 20 hands-on and lecture-style workshops. Through partnership with UW Medicine and the International Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center, MAPS created a physical shadowing program to afford more shadowing opportunities to pre-medical students at UW. Shadowing is an integral part of medical school applications, but it is a difficult experience to gain due to the invisible barriers underrepresented students face, along with physician availability. This program has connected students to physicians for mentorship and clinical shadowing, further bridging the opportunity gap for underrepresented pre-health students.
First, the annual Pre-Health Conference MAPS holds in April is an incredible example of positively impacting its members and the ECC community. This event required months of planning to provide the best quality experience for pre-health students and ECC members by hosting various workshops, speaker panels, and information sessions. Second, the quarterly shadowing program that MAPS holds makes an equal impact on the ECC community because it provides highly valuable clinical experience that could greatly benefit anyone on the pre-health track.
The Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students has gone above and beyond this year to promote our values of diversity, equity, and inclusivity through programming within the pre-health community at UW and beyond. A key example is their Shadowing Program, which was launched this year. The Shadowing Program pairs students from underrepresented, under-resourced, and underserved communities with physicians who share their same identities or serve the communities that our students come from. MAPS created this program in partnership with the International Medicine Clinic, a Harborview Medical Center clinic offering culturally-humble primary and mental healthcare services for refugees and immigrants in our community. Throughout the year, MAPS has expanded the program to the After Care Clinic at Harborview and the UW-Northwest Medical Center so that our students can gain exposure to a wide range of health specialties. MAPS created this program after noticing that students of color and students from minority backgrounds face many barriers to accessing shadowing opportunities, which are key experiences needed to succeed in health graduate programs. Over this academic year, MAPS has paired over thirty students with providers and hopes to continue increasing this number each year. The annual Pre-Health Conference (PHC) is a second example of impactful programming. MAPS welcomed over 200 minority pre-health students from across Washington to UW for a full day of hands-on workshops, lectures, and discussions led by healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and biomedical researchers who reflect the diversity of our attendees. With the PHC, MAPS hopes that students as young as first-year high schoolers can get connected to resources that will help them navigate adversity and ultimately continue their journey into medicine. MAPS collaborates with other ECC-affiliated RSOs, non-UW community organizations, and students from around Washington to foster a supportive and diverse community of aspiring health professionals.

MEChA is committed to hosting events that discuss political events and how that affects us as students. The most significant event that MEChA hosts is the ACE conference, which is thoroughly planned and executed by its members. Bringing 80 students and 20 chaperones is not easy, but it’s possible with the help of the whole club. The main goals are for the high school participants to develop an appreciation for their identity and culture, learn more about higher education, and showcase the opportunities offered through higher education. This conference is specifically tailored to Latiné students to show Latiné representation in higher education. To have this conference be a success, there has to be multiple volunteer meetings to make sure everyone is on track and that proper funding is secured. This work is only successful if the members put in the work.

Nikkei Student Union (NSU) has hosted several events to foster community and cultural unity for Japanese American students at UW. Most notably, this year, they held their annual Day of Remembrance of Executive Order 9066, which was aimed at understanding and connecting its history to the current struggles of various marginalized communities. This allowed for a safe space for dialogue and discourse by interconnecting communities and connecting struggles/identities. They collaborated with UW Taiko Kai and UW Origami Club and had guest speakers from Tsuru for Solidarity. They had to implement efficient budget management to book the venue and cater food. They received funding from the Student Activities Fee and the ECC. Additionally, they had several volunteers to operate such a large-scale event, which was a huge success. The event not only brought together Japanese American Students, but also members of the greater UW community. NSU also holds several unique general meeting events to foster community involvement in its programming. For example, they’ve had a Mochi Making event, a Mario Kart tournament, pumpkin painting, Sashiko embroidery, and a Hanami Picnic in the quad.

This past year, the Phi Beta chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated (SLB) at the University of Washington has prided itself on impactful programming that honors authentic community discourse, campus collaboration, and a groundwork for similar events to be held for years to come. The 1st Annual Miss Purple Pageant and its programming required a year-long effort to make a women-centered advocacy pageant a reality. This pageant focused on the core principles of cultural awareness and community service to advocate for topics such as dismantling machismo, gender equity, and reproductive rights. This pageant served to value and empower the multicultural perspectives of historically marginalized communities through culturally resonant storytelling of the four contestants. Storytelling consisted of talents representative of the contestant’s ethnic background, a Q&A portion to initiate discourse regarding harmful societal norms, and a platform presentation that acted as a commitment to create collaborative organizational action surrounding the UW campus. The pageant came to life with the help of the ECC Student Leadership Advisor, Cass Nguyen, CAMP Program Manager, Myrella Gonzales, and OMA&D Student Advisory Board Co-Chairs, Alexia Mendoza and Emelyn Sung. The success of this program’s completion can be attributed to the concise and efficient use of the Student Diversity Event Fund’s co-sponsorship, which allowed for on-campus facility usage, event marketing, and supplies. The Bodily Autonomy Bingo event held on March 3rd, 2025, is an additional example of impactful event programming. In collaboration with Unidas Seremos, a unique undergraduate minority organization for womxn at the University of Washington, SLB co-hosted a community-catered event that created intentional dialogue and educational opportunity regarding machismo, gender equity, reproductive health/choice, and resources around the University of Washington campus. Ultimately, SLB has continuously created impactful programming that reflects its values and those of everyone.

They impacted the events with socials and general meetings, making them more fun and a way to interact with everyone.

I nominate Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Kappa Nu Chapter for the Most Impactful Programming Award because of their consistent commitment to empowering and educating their members and the greater ECC community. Two standout examples of this include their events “ZFINE: Finer Beauty, Finer You” and “Fine, Fresh, and Fly”. During “ZFINE”, Soror Scott and Soror Peters led participants through a hands-on makeup masterclass that blended practical skill-building with confidence-boosting dialogue. In collaboration with the ASUW Gender Equity Commission, this event offered a welcoming space for students to celebrate self-expression and self-love, ultimately promoting self-care and wellness among attendees. Additionally, goodie bags were supplied by the Gender Equity Commission. They were thoughtfully prepared by the members of the sorority, adding a personal touch to the event and enhancing the participants’ overall experience. “Fine, Fresh, and Fly” was an event that celebrated artistry, culture, and creativity. Three incredibly talented UW student artists taught hands-on workshops covering essential grooming and beauty skills, including braiding, retwisting locs, and cutting hair. By hosting this event in the ECC, the chapter was able to bring in local student professionals and create an accessible, inclusive space that welcomed students of all different hair types. This provided a space for cultural learning and affirmation and encouraged students who may not have otherwise had access to these resources to explore and embrace their own hair care journeys. Across all of their programming, Kappa Nu uplifts those around them through intentionality, inclusivity, and a genuine love for service. Their events are not only well-organized and engaging, but they also leave attendees feeling seen, supported, and inspired. Their impact extends beyond their chapter—it’s felt throughout the ECC and broader UW community.

Organization of the Year

CCM members met Dr. Williams, a successful surgeon who embodies what it means to make it from nothing. They invited her to talk with members in collaboration with others who represent the underrepresented in a field where we need more representation. Participating in a massive collaboration with various groups, such as the sleep medicine workshop, allowed members to hear from many sleep-related professionals. Members gained hands-on experience and had the opportunity to connect with them.
CCM has once again cultivated a community space in which participants feel welcome to be themselves and strive towards a better future for the health of our communities. Two examples stand out to me the most this year – the Farmworkers Health Awareness event that CCM did with Leadership Without Borders. This event pulled in members from many different RSOs and communities, including First Gen Leaders in Pre-Law (FGLL), Multicultural Greek Life, and some members of our graduate community (Public Health and Physical Therapy). The event was informative, providing the attendees with opportunities to get involved with farmworker health through research, education, and contribution to the necessity drive occurring during that time. After the event, the member from FGLL came up to CCM board asking to collaborate on an educational brochure for farmworkers and the physical therapy student was connected with Casa Latina which CCM partners with to host free clinics so that next time the clinic will offer physical therapy sessions – this embodies community building and shows how CCM had contributing to organizing to support those historically marginalized both at the UW student level but also broadly for the Seattle Latino community. The second example was a panel event with Dr. Williams, where CCM organized the event and invited Africans in Medicine and the National Society for Black Health Professionals. These are long-term partners of CCM, but this event was particularly special as Dr. Williams, Vice Chair of DEI at UW School of Medicine, talked about the importance of BIPOC pre-health students coming together in community to address the health disparities that our communities face. Despite the event ending at 8 PM, members of each RSO stayed in the room until 9 PM discussing our stories, aspirations, and sharing our support for one another. I’m hopeful for the future of medicine because of orgs like CCM.
CCM builds a close community for underrepresented students who may feel lost in such a big university, providing socials with other organizations on campus, community service opportunities, and panels of different health careers. CCM does an impeccable job highlighting all the volunteering, shadowing, research, and summer opportunities a member can participate in at UW and around Seattle. CCM also tries to stay closely connected with CCM alumni who are already in health careers and is more than willing to come back and connect with members to provide mentorship toward their careers of interest. During the Winter quarter, CCM had a dentist who works at the Seamar in Seattle, was a CCM alumnus, and went to dental school at UW. His knowledge and inspiration drove more students towards the dental field, and they craved more experience in the dental field. CCM also has a close connection with LMSA, the Latino Medical Student Association at the medical school at UW, which is a group of medical students who come in once a quarter and who were once in our shoes and are passionate about growing the Latino community within the medical field, especially as physicians.
I am nominating Chicanos for Community Medicine for Organization of the Year for its outstanding contributions to its members and the greater ECC community. This year, the organization expanded its executive board, bringing new leadership and energy to its mission. CCM hosted several impactful events, including speaker panels featuring doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These events provided members with valuable insights, mentorship, and motivation to pursue their careers in medicine and healthcare. Beyond professional development, Chicanos for Community Medicine demonstrated a strong commitment to service. Members volunteered at Casa Latina, participated in the MS Walk, and assisted at the Hot Chocolate Run. Through these service opportunities, CCM gave back to the broader community and strengthened the bonds among its members, creating a sense of purpose and unity. Chicanos for Community Medicine has had a positive and lasting impact by empowering future doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals to believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Through leadership opportunities, professional programming, and meaningful service work, CCM has inspired its members and the ECC community, fostering resilience, hope, and determination.
I nominated Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine (CCM) because it has created a welcoming and empowering space for underrepresented students pursuing careers in healthcare. I’ve accessed meaningful opportunities through CCM that have shaped my academic and professional journey. For example, I participated in Healthcare Alternative Spring Break, where I traveled to a rural town in Washington to shadow healthcare providers. This experience deepened my understanding of healthcare disparities in underserved areas. I also received two internship acceptances, which were made possible by the resources and guidance shared during CCM’s general meetings. Beyond individual support, CCM fosters a strong sense of community and mentorship among its members. The organization regularly hosts socials, panels, and networking events that allow students to connect with healthcare professionals and each other. These events have helped many students, including myself, feel more confident and prepared to pursue competitive careers in medicine and public health. CCM’s impact extends beyond its members; it actively contributes to the greater ECC community by promoting educational equity and representation in healthcare. Through community outreach, tabling events, or collaborative programs with other RSOs, CCM continues to uplift and advocate for students who are often overlooked in these spaces.
I nominate CCM for the award of organization of the year because they have demonstrated excellence in recruitment. This can be seen in their attentiveness to cultivating a community within the club and among members, especially at social events. Another reason for the nomination is that they have promoted their mission by cultivating an educational environment by providing programs and services that enhance the communication and exchange of multi/cross/intercultural perspectives and values. This can especially be seen in their collaboration events with AIM and SHPE, where we might not have similar backgrounds or career goals. Still, we all aim to graduate and pursue a STEM-related career.
I want to nominate this RSO because of the outstanding programming that this organization has held over the year. This organization has held a multitude of socials/ informationals, panels, and workshops that provided students with the necessary resources to become healthcare professionals and amazing students at UW. In preparing students to help their communities, I want to highlight the Narcan workshop in collaboration with the ‘End Overdose’ organization. This workshop provided students with information on overdose prevention within our communities, such as identification and treatment. Students were also given a demonstration on how to administer Narcan and were given fentanyl test strips and Narcan medication to use in instances of a potential overdose. I also want to highlight another example of this organization’s dedication to uplifting and giving back to their community with the hygiene kit-making social. This social group allowed students to mingle and volunteer by creating hygiene kits and personalized cards for the Youth Center’s Casa De Los Amigos Program, using supplies from the CCM hygiene drive. Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine also held frequent collaborations with the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) to host workshops to give information regarding medical school applications, as well as socials so that students can make valuable connections with current medical students at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine. I am nominating this RSO because of their dedication to providing students with the knowledge they need to become amazing professionals, not just in their academic lives, but in the ECC and campus community.

I am nominating Gamma Alpha Omega for Organization of the Year for its remarkable growth and unwavering commitment to community engagement. This year, Gamma Alpha Omega expanded its membership by welcoming 11 new members, strengthening the organization and bringing fresh energy to its initiatives. The sorority consistently prioritized service, volunteering at local middle and elementary schools to mentor young students and inspire future leaders. In addition to direct service, Gamma Alpha Omega organized drives to collect hygiene items and clothing for those in need, demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting the broader community. Members also participated in major service events such as the MS Walk and the Hot Chocolate Run, while regularly participating in street cleanups to help keep the community spaces safe and welcoming. Gamma Alpha Omega has positively impacted by fostering strong sisterhood and leadership among its members and prioritizing education, service, and diversity. Through their continued outreach and dedication, they have uplifted the ECC community and served as powerful role models for others striving to make a difference.
Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. deserves the organization of the year award because they have demonstrated excellence in community service. An example of this can be seen in the number of service events they have hosted and attended, such as the MS walk to raise awareness and funds for the cure of multiple sclerosis. Another reason is that Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. has promoted its mission of increasing the number of women with college educations and advanced degrees by hosting study tables and tabling at middle schools to get students excited for higher education and inform them about the multicultural communities within institutions.
During recruitment week, the girls were very genuine and welcoming. This sisterhood has made me feel connected to my culture and seek my best version of myself.

ISLA has had a great year representing the organization and what it stands for! Indigenous students have long been in the shadows, but it has been great to have an organization supporting students of Latin American backgrounds!

Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. has demonstrated a true commitment to serving their community here at UW and all around Seattle. Sisters have volunteered at food banks, cleaned streets, held events to interest high school students who want higher education, donated to farmworkers, and assisted a women’s shelter. Together, they have made connections with other organizations on campus to put a true meaning behind the word “community” by creating lifelong bonds and an inclusive environment, especially in the ECC.

KSA placed first nationally in the KAGC Voter Registration Challenge and sponsored members to attend the Hanwha Finance Conference in Manhattan and the KAGC Congressional Summit in D.C.—efforts to connect students with financial and legislative leaders for minority rights advocacy. KSA also co-hosted a Hackathon with Seikai Edu, where members visited major tech sites and developed AI-based business solutions. A significant milestone was the inaugural Career Symposium, featuring Korean American leaders from diverse industries. As the largest event of its kind in Washington state, it was co-sponsored by the Korean Government, the UW Center for Korea Studies, and the Korean American Community Center. It was featured in three media outlets, including The Daily UW. KSA continued its cultural initiatives with Damso, a Korean conversational table in its second year. Cafe Night drew over 200 attendees and spotlighted minority performers. Culture Night, KSA’s signature event at Kane Hall, welcomed hundreds for a showcase of on- and off-campus minority artists. KSA’s upcoming initiatives include the Graphic Novel Cafe in May, promoting Korean and Japanese graphic novel culture. Sponsored by the UW Tateuchi East Asia Library, ASUW, and recognized by the Mary Gates Foundation, the event aims to spark cross-cultural interest. In June, KSA will co-host the Korea Study Abroad Fair in Red Square, partnering with the Korean Government, UW Study Abroad Office, 10 Korean universities, and five U.S. colleges. With these efforts, KSA continues to grow as a platform for cultural celebration, career development, and global engagement. The Career Symposium was open to anyone and encouraged people to come and attend an event where panelists from various fields shared their experiences and how they got to where they are, showcasing the fact that through any adversity, anyone can achieve what they want through hard work, time, and dedication. The work that went into it, which was prepared by a team tasked to work on the outline and format of the event itself, is something that can’t be ignored and has to be recognized. Every year, KSA likes to get involved with the UW community in various ways. One way they do that is through volunteer shifts in partnership with Ivars at UW football games. While KSA does try to maintain an engaging and welcoming environment for its membership base, it also tries its best to maintain strong relations with the community beyond, as well as dedicating time to volunteer work beyond the realm of KSA.

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán priority is to create a safe space for Chicanos and students alike. They have hosted club collaborations and community events to create a stronger bond between students and other organizations. During general meetings, they often had community dialogues, discussing issues impacting students and how to improve going forward. The ACE conference they put on is entirely planned and executed by the club and spreads their message of creating community for high school students. Overall, this positively impacts ECC because it aligns with the message of building a home away from home through the club.

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) at the University of Washington has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to excellence throughout the academic year, making it a strong candidate for this award. Upholding its purpose of fostering unity, promoting cultural awareness, and supporting underrepresented communities, MGC has grown tremendously. It now represents over 375 members across Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), Southeast Asian, Latinx, and other progressive interests. MGC has significantly expanded its programming to cultivate an educational environment supporting learning and community building in the past year. The Council created safe spaces for intercultural dialogue and learning through events such as Cultural Bonding Night, where members shared food, family traditions, and personal cultural histories, Academic Nights, and wellness-centered movie nights. The Council also prioritized member education, hosting anti-hazing workshops, sexual misconduct prevention sessions, and mental health awareness events, with attendance often exceeding 100 members per session. Further demonstrating leadership and innovation, MGC successfully applied for the AFLV Council Compass Program for the first time in its history. At the AFLV West Conference, MGC earned two awards for Accountability and Education, affirming its strong internal structures and commitment to community engagement and learning. Recruitment and retention were prioritized through new efforts such as hosting Dawg Daze events targeted toward first-year students and expanding outreach at conferences like Rising Seas and La Esperanza de Educación. Impressively so, MGC expanded its community by integrating Sigma Beta Rho, a multicultural fraternity, during Winter Quarter, further demonstrating its commitment to growth, inclusion, and unity.
The MGC organization has three pillars: community, culture, and academics. MGC has upheld the community by hosting various quarterly events for its members to create bonds and learn new perspectives. MGC averaged about six social events each quarter. MGC upheld culture by focusing on some of those social events to incorporate cultures that may differ from their members’ own cultures. This includes a Kandi making event and a cultural potluck where each MGC organization brought a cultural dish. MGC also fosters a new opportunity for culture by hosting its first annual Greek Week, a weeklong series of events meant to bring competition, philanthropy, and fun to MGC members. MGC members upheld academics, and all 14 organizations have an average GPA above 3.0. MGC also hosts at least two quarterly study tables for its members. MGC started the academic year with 275 members and is now up to over 375 members and counting. MGC also welcomed our 14th organization to the MGC council this year. The organization hosted its first-ever recruitment event in the fall, an informational event to represent all MGC organizations. MGC has positively impacted members by providing opportunities for community, culture, and academics, as well as rewarding their contributions by awarding scholarships at our end-of-the-year banquet. MGC will be awarding two scholarships for each of the MGC pillars, so 6 MGC members will have an MGC-sponsored scholarship by the end of the year. Many MGC members are involved in other ECC-affiliated RSOs, so by positively impacting MGC members, we positively impact the ECC community.

I nominate Natya at UW because of its mission to foster cultural heritage, artistic expression, and community at UW and beyond. As UW’s only competitive Indian classical dance team, Natya preserves and promotes classical dance forms and creates inclusive spaces for students to engage with South Asian culture. This year’s standout event was their annual “Suits and Saris” social in October, which welcomed over 300 attendees to celebrate South Asian fashion, music, and culture. The event raised over $4,000 to support the team’s competition season and allowed all UW students to connect, dance, and share traditions. Attendees rave about this event and look forward to it every year. In addition, Natya at UW’s performance season has gained significant recognition on a national level. After placing 1st at a bid competition in Pittsburgh, the team qualified for the Origins National Championship in Chicago, earning 3rd place overall. These achievements represent the team, UW, and their mission to preserve culture and traditions. This year’s dance piece centered around the horrors of acid attacks—an unfortunately common and devastating issue in South Asian countries. Through powerful storytelling and fundraising efforts, Natya raised awareness and advocated for survivors, showing that their impact extends beyond UW’s campus. The dance piece was carefully curated and choreographed by the members of Natya and gained positive remarks from dance professionals nationwide. From building community to highlighting prevalent issues, Natya at UW continues to be a space where culture, compassion, and creativity prosper.

I nominated the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) for its positive impact on its members and the wider ECC community. Although NSBE is primarily for engineering students, they welcome people from all majors to attend meetings, conferences, and social events. This makes it an inclusive and supportive space for everyone. A great example of their impact is the annual national conference, which offers members networking opportunities, career workshops, and a chance to connect with professionals in the field. It’s a tremendous asset for students looking to grow their careers. Additionally, their regular meetings and social events create a fun, safe environment where students can share experiences, build relationships, and get the support they need to succeed.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has continued to show out for our community throughout the school year. Our NSBE community is tight-knit, and we’ve created a family here. Our organization focuses on excelling and supporting Black engineers as they pursue their degrees through professional development, networking, and a space where they feel seen. An example of this extraordinary community is the weekly basketball sessions. Every Thursday, NSBE invites members to the IMA for bonding while sharing an activity together. NSBE also went to the Seattle Aquarium, where nearly 30 members participated.
NSBE has had a powerful impact on its members and the greater ECC community through events like the Diversity Career Fair and the Graduate School Panel. Each year, NSBE hosts and runs the Diversity Career Fair, creating vital opportunities for students of all backgrounds to connect directly with employers committed to inclusive hiring. This event helps members secure internships and job offers and opens doors for the broader ECC community to build professional networks and explore career paths. The Graduate School Panel further supports student success by demystifying the application process and exposing members to the possibilities of advanced education. By featuring Black graduate students and alumni, the panel empowers attendees to envision themselves in graduate programs and strengthens their confidence to pursue higher degrees. NSBE has built a supportive community focused on professional development, academic excellence, and representation through these events. NSBE has strengthened the ECC’s mission by fostering spaces where students feel seen, prepared, and inspired to reach their full potential.
The NSBE community treats the ECC as more than an RSO meeting space. Even after NSBE meetings, NSBE extends out into the hallways and chats until closing (sorry, ECC staff!!). NSBE is a community that serves far more than just Black Engineers, and is very welcoming. I had the opportunity to go to the annual conference funded by the NSBE UW chapter (full expenses paid) in Chicago. At the 4-day conference, I connected with peers across the United States studying similar disciplines. Many students got full-time and internship offers after attending the conference. I am forever grateful for NSBE and the community and family it has provided me with!
NSBE is always a community, often staying back hours after the meeting to catch up. When I think of the Black community, I think about NSBE. This year, NSBE not only sponsored 32 members to go to the conference, but they also made sure to make the non-sponsored members feel welcomed. At the DCF, I was able to meet a lot of companies, and at each meeting, I was able to connect with a company, helping me get closer to my internship search.

I want to highlight and nominate this organization because of its outstanding work in the ECC and the greater UW community. This RSO has done exceptional work by arming students with essential knowledge regarding immigration policy and community organizing, especially during the current federal administration. This organization has held undocumented ally trainings, know your rights workshops, and an undocu post-grad panel. The Purple Group has done fantastic work that has uplifted and supported the undocumented student community on campus and has even had members lobby in D.C to fight for undocumented student rights. Building undocumented student solidarity at the University of Washington is something that this organization has done exceptionally well, and at a time when regressive and hostile policies most impact undocumented students. The Purple Group has benefited students in the ECC community and directly impacted the undocumented population in Washington State.

I have only attended their meetings once, but as someone who isn’t an engineering major, I found it a welcoming community, especially as a woman. Even though it was a community with minimal women, they are becoming more inclusive and trying to build opportunities for their members.

WashPIRG deserves the Organization of the Year Award for its commitment to empowering students, fostering leadership, and building a more equitable and sustainable future. WashPIRG’s mission, to ensure students have the skills, opportunities, and training they need to continue to be on the cutting edge of positive change, aligns strongly with the Kelly ECC’s mission to cultivate transformative student experiences and foster cultural enrichment and equity. WashPIRG’s New Voters Project partnered with the ECC and ASUW to promote civic engagement this fall. In the fall, WashPIRG volunteers ran a voter registration drive, reaching 862 students and registering 461 new voters. By providing students with the tools and knowledge to participate in democracy, we helped create an inclusive environment where all voices could be heard. In the winter quarter, we organized a Women’s History Month Donation Event in partnership with Planned Parenthood’s UW Generation Action chapter. We hosted a teach-in about women’s history and contraceptive education, collected clothing and menstrual product donations, and created a community-building space with friendship bracelet making and tote bag painting. This event welcomed 35 attendees and helped center intersectional empowerment and direct support for marginalized communities. Throughout the year, we have recruited and retained diverse student leaders through training, mentorship, and hands-on activism. Our campaigns address the intersections of environmental justice, public health, and democracy, fostering a culturally enriched campus environment.

GALA | Nominee Descriptions

Commitment to Community and Service

AVELA- A Vision for Engineering Literacy and Access

Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Inc.

Hui Hoaloha Ulana

Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education

Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.

Khmer Student Association

Washington Public Interest Research Group

Outstanding Collaboration and Participation

AVELA - A Vision for Engineering Literacy and Access

Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán

Origami Club

Unidas Seremos

Breakout Organization

Black in Informatics

Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine

Modality

Multicultural Greek Council

Origami Club

Summer Health Professions Education Program at the University of Washington

Most Impactful Programming

Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education

Latine Student Union

Mariachi Quinto Sol en UW

Micronesian Island Club

Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán

Nikkei Student Union

Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated

UW Salsa

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Kappa Nu Chapter

Organization of the Year

Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine (CCM)

Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority Incorporated

Indigenous Students of Latin America

Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.

Korean Student Association

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán

Multicultural Greek Council

Natya at UW

National Society of Black Engineers

The Purple Group

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Washington Public Interest Research Group