All graduation celebrations are student led and supported by staff, faculty, and campus partners. The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity and the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center invite you to join and celebrate the Class of 2025. These graduation celebration events are open to all UW students and recognize the success of students and their families, as well as celebrate their multi-identity and multicultural heritage. Learn more at the Community Graduation Celebrations webpage.

• Undocu Graduation Celebration on 5/23/2025 
• Filipino Graduation Celebration on 6/9/2025 
• Latine Graduation Celebration on 6/12/2025 
• Lavender Graduation Celebration on 6/10/2025 
• Pasifik Graduation Celebration on 6/12/2025 
• Black Graduation Celebration 6/8/2025 

The SSW BIPOC Affinity Group invites you to our upcoming celebration of SSW grads! Join us on June 10^th from 11am -1pm at the SSW Room 305. Please RSVP by June 5^th! 

There will be a short, informal program honoring our graduates.  Light refreshments provided and some fun materials for those who want to do a little cap decorating (bring your own materials if you’ve got something started already!).

About us: This affinity group holds space to amplify the experience of SSW students, staff, and faculty who self-identify as BIPOC, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Brown, Asian & Pacific Islander, Mixed & Multiracial folks. This is an informal, student-centered group, voluntarily supported by staff and faculty at the School of Social Work. Affinity groups at UW SSW are generally aimed at community building and fostering connection, these groups are open to all SSW students.

Students, this end of year social is an opportunity for UW first-generation graduate students to connect with one another, recognize their milestones, and enjoy free food and refreshments!

The event is hosted by The Graduate School’s office of Graduate Student Affairs. Our programing is open to all UW graduate students who share the goal of promoting a supportive environment for everyone. Send questions to uwgsa@uw.edu.

All UW international graduate students are invited to join this event to celebrate accomplishments and graduation with peers. Featured speakers—university leaders and current international graduate students—will share about their experiences in higher education and how their unique journeys led them to where they are today. Whether or not you are graduating in the coming years, come and join our celebration!

SSW students, consider joining oSTEM (Out in Science Technology Engineering and Math) for their happy hour. Commence forwarded message:

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We’re excited to let you know about our next oSTEM Happy Hour! Our May Happy Hour will be at 5:30pm on Friday, May 2nd at College Inn Pub. Since we’ll be at College Inn Pub, this Happy Hour will be 21+ with valid ID. We look forward to seeing you there!

SSW students, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, you’re warmly invited to join us for a special two-part event focused on art and community healing hosted by the MSW Program and Art Committee.

We’ll kick things off with a Mural Design & Community Building Workshop on Thursday, May 1, 2025 (4:30P – 6:30P in Room 305A/B)—a space to reflect on how we want to steward community and co-create the layout of a mural together.

Then, from May 5^th – May 9th (8AM–5pm in the Gallery), we’ll host drop-in Art Days, where you can contribute your voice and vision to the mural through painting, collage, or mixed media. This will be the chance for you all to bring your vision of the mural to life!

No art experience is needed and all supplies will be provided. Bring your creativity and your heart ❤️ Check out the flyer attached for full details, and we hope to see you there! Please reach out to mthernan@uw.edu for any questions. 

SSW community, join us for a Swap N’ Meet event in celebration of Earth Week!

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Sponsored by the MSW Program. Questions? Please contact Charlotte at carlotat@uw.edu.

MSW students, join the Counseling Center and the Intellectual House for a ‘Native and Latine Community Care Space’. Find more details below.

For accommodations and inquiries, please contact the Intellectual House, welebalt@uw.edu

Are your fun books collecting dust under your textbooks? Come join the Q Center for Grad Student Silent reading night and make progress on your fun reading! No book? No problem! Check out our library — it’s full of fun queer reads! Our librarian will also be pulling romance titles for you to check out in the spirit of Valentine’s day! Come hang out with us, read, listen to cozy music, and snack at the Q Center on February 11 from 5:45PM-7:15PM!

Join GSEE (Graduate Student Equity & Excellence) for their upcoming Power Hour on January 28 at 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. PST. This theme will be “Finding Rejuvenation Through Art.”

We are grateful to be holding space with Antonia Ramos, M.S., LMHCA, ATR-P, who specializes in art therapy. She will be leading graduate students through exercises and learning techniques that will invite them to rest and reset together. This Power Hour evolved from the suggestion of a few of our graduate students. No matter where you are in your academic program, there is a shared understanding of the weight that course load, finding community, and everyday life can leave us feeling exhausted and defeated. 

GSEE Power Hours are designed with introspective and professional growth in mind. Historically underrepresented graduate students participate in interactive discussions surrounding topics that are unique to their academic and professional journeys. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Register Here: GSEE Power Hour: Finding Rejuvenation through Art with Antonia Ramos

MSW students, consider attending these community shows featuring our own MSW alumni. Commence forwarded message:

Hello! My name is Marie Elizabeth. I’m an MSW Graduate and I wanted to share a couple of events that I thought that the Social Work community may be interested in. 

1) I have a show next week that is very neurodivergent, queer, and sex positive that mixes comedy, burlesque, and pole dance. Bonus, I am not the only UW MSW grad in the show! Two of the pole dancers are also UW MSW grads. ❤️ See event here: Hotties and Bodies January 30 2025 — Mischief Maker Comedy

2) I am a regular comedian at Laughs Comedy Club, where I will be hosting the showcase tomorrow the 22nd. Wednesdays are student nights! There is free entry and food and drink specials for students with valid ID. See event here: https://laughscomedyclub.com/

MSW students interested in environmental justice and project development, consider this opportunity with the Foster Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship. Begin forwarded message:

Hello Environmental Change Makers!

I am pleased to announce that the application for the 2025 Environmental Innovation Challenge is open! By starting now you will have plenty of time to ask questions and perfect your entry in advance of the deadline on February 10.

The annual Environmental Innovation Challenge is an exciting extracurricular experience that gives students the opportunity to come up with meaningful solutions to big problems the world faces related to climate and the environment. The competition is open to undergrad and graduate students at accredited colleges and universities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia.

We have a variety of resources and events available to help student teams prepare their EIC application:

1. Info Sessions

·       Virtual | Thursday, January 16, 12:30 – 1:15 pm
Register for Zoom link: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/3vowPGSqqTPJTr88Z2z3Js/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge

·       Virtual | Friday, January 24, 12 – 12:45 pm
Register for Zoom link: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/VHkTTA4NWLoLzASHi5teUV/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge

·       In-Person | Tuesday, February 4, 11 am – 12:00 pm (stay for Team Tuesday directly after!)
Register: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/SNfFrXtJ9iUTSgWBNtd7ww/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge

2. Find inspiration for an EIC idea:

·       Climate + Sustainability Idea Jam

Wednesday, January 22 at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

3. Form a Team, Find a Team

o   Attend Startup Squad Builder, Friday, January 17 at 2 pm – 3:30 pm

o   Attend Team Building and Networking Night, Tuesday, January 21 at 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Join us for the largest team building and networking event of the year directly following the Science and Technology Showcase!

o   Connect with potential team members or find a team to join by attending our weekly Team Tuesday lunch meetups. Past EIC entries will be available to view during these in-person events.

o   Check this EIC “Form a Team” page for students looking for team members and/or teams to join

4. Submit EIC Application
   Deadline Monday, February 10, by 12 noon PT
   Application: https://platform.younoodle.com/competition/2025_environmental_innovation_challenge

Competition Resources HUB

·       Learn about Past Participants and Prize Winners

View the EIC “yearbook” page all the way back to 2018 for full lists of participating teams and a snapshot of what they were working on. Read about the winning projects from the 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 Challenges on our blog.

·       Office Hours with Lauren

Unclear about the logistics of the competition or the eligibility of your idea? Schedule time during my office hours to get your questions answered!

·       Buerk Center Resource Lab

The Buerk Center has vetted countless startup resources and pulled out what we consider to be the best materials to help you achieve your startup goals.

For questions and/or inquiries, please contact Lauren, brohal@uw.edu.

MSW students,

The Office of Student Services is hosting an End of the Quarter event to celebrate your accomplishments this fall. Relax and unwind, connect with your SSW community, and enjoy some food at the SSW Gallery. See below for dates:

Location: SSW Gallery (1st floor)

For inquiries and accommodations, please contact: mswadvising@uw.edu

Note that there will be a limited numbers of dietary inclusive options for food options.

MSW students, consider a coffee break with La Colectiva. See their message and flier below:

Join the Q Center for an evening of snacks, art supplies, and low-stress vibes to meet + connect with your graduate student peers!

Thursday, November 14th from 5:45-7:15pm

Location: Q Center at the Husky Union Building

Please see the invitation and flyer below from the BIPOC Affinity Group’s leadership team.

Our first gathering will be held on Thursday, November 14^th at the SSW from 4:30-6PM in room 305B! Please RSVP so we can ensure we have enough paint supplies . Some snacks provided, shareables are welcomed but not required!

About us: This affinity group holds space for SSW students, staff, and faculty who self-identify as BIPOC, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Brown, Asian & Pacific Islander, Mixed & Multiracial folks. 

This is an informal, student-centered group, voluntarily supported by staff and faculty at the School of Social Work – if you’d like to learn more, join us! To stay connected sign up for our listserv today!

SSW students, we are excited to invite you to the SSW First-Generation College Student Social next Friday, November 8th. This is in unison with the campus-wide National First-Generation College Student Celebration. 

Join us for a space of celebration, games, prizes, and opportunities for networking. Snacks and lunch will be included! Registration is welcomed, but not required: RSVP Form. More details below.

What: A celebratory gathering for our first-generation college students at the SSW community

Where: SSW Gallery, 1st floor

When: November 8th from 11am-12:30pm

Who: All SSW Students, Faculty, and Staff

Please see the flyer attached, and share with your peers, students, and colleagues.

Inquiries regarding access needs and accommodations can be routed directly to sswstdnt@uw.edu.

Date & Time: Saturday, November 16, 11 am – 1 pm 
Location: CIRCLE Office (Schmitz Hall 250), UW Seattle Campus
Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LoxB6tr6NHtjJCJ17
RSVP is Required: https://forms.office.com/r/AZhWA6eCBQ

If you are a UW international graduate student parent with kids and/or spouse from your home country, CIRCLE invites you and your families to join us to make seasonal crafts and watch a family-friendly movie! You and your family will have an opportunity to connect with other families and enjoy a relaxed time away from graduate school to recharge and refuel while having lunch together. Most importantly, your children make and take home hand-crafted souvenirs and share your gratitude of the year! 

This event is sponsored by the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE). Please send questions to Ziyan Bai, CIRCLE Assistant Director of Graduate Programs and Operations at baiziyan@uw.edu.

Date & Time: Saturday, November 2, 11am – 1pm   
Location: CIRCLE Office (Schmitz Hall 250), UW Seattle Campus
Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LoxB6tr6NHtjJCJ17
RSVP is Required: https://forms.office.com/r/Er6Cb49819

If you are a UW international graduate student with a spouse from your home country, CIRCLE invites you and your spouse to join us for a date on Saturday. You and your spouse will have an opportunity to connect with other UW students and their spouses, enjoying a relaxed time away from graduate school to recharge and refuel. Paint mini portraits while enjoying a light lunch and fun beverages! Mix your own mocktail at our juice bar. Most importantly, you will get to create fun or silly masterpieces to take home!

This event is sponsored by the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE). Please send questions to Ziyan Bai, CIRCLE Assistant Director of Graduate Programs and Operations at baiziyan@uw.edu.

Happy Fall All from the School of Social Work BIPOC Affinity Group!

About us: This affinity group holds space for SSW students, staff, and faculty who self-identify as BIPOC, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Brown, Asian & Pacific Islander, Mixed & Multiracial folks. 

This is an informal, student-centered group, voluntarily supported by staff and faculty at the School of Social Work – if you’d like to learn more, join us at the SSW Fall Welcome Event next Thursday, Oct. 17 from 5-6:30PM and fill out our Fall Interest Survey – we are looking for new student leadership to help support the direction of this effort. Following the welcome, a group of folks will be headed to The Burke for the GSEE Getting Connected Reception (registration is required!).

SAVE THE DATE: Our first gathering will be held on Thursday, November 14^th at the SSW from 4:30-6PM in room 305B – more info to come!

To stay connected sign up for our listserv today!

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