Summer 2026 Quarterly Newsletter

academic affairs roundup

Message from the Executive Vice Chancellor

Dear Colleagues,

As summer draws to a close and we prepare to welcome students back to campus, I want to thank each of you for the work you’ve done throughout the summer months. While campus may be quieter between quarters, this season is filled with planning, collaboration, and preparation that help set the stage for the year ahead.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about summers in the Pacific Northwest is how much growth happens quietly. Much of the work across Academic Affairs feels the same. The progress may not always be visible, but it creates the conditions for our students, faculty, and staff to thrive.

As you’ll see throughout this newsletter, colleagues across campus have been advancing important work, from supporting undergraduate research and global learning opportunities to strengthening faculty development, community partnerships, and student success initiatives. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our students.

As we look ahead to Welcome Week, Convocation, and the start of fall quarter, I hope you find time to enjoy the remaining weeks of summer. I look forward to reconnecting with many of you soon and welcoming a new class of students to UW Bothell.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of our students and our campus community.

With gratitude,

Brian F. Martensen, Ph.D.
Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

2026 Academic Affairs Staff Award Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that nominations for the Academic Affairs Staff Awards are now open. We are excited to honor outstanding contributions through the Distinguished Accomplishments Award (DAA) and the Distinguished Partner Award (DPA). These awards recognize exceptional performance by individuals and teams whose contributions support the Division of Academic Affairs and advance the academic mission of the University of Washington Bothell. Please submit your nominations by 5pm on Monday, October 5th.

Key Division Updates

Leadership Council Updates

The Executive Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Council, which is comprised of the campus deans and leadership of the central academic units, received updates and deliberated on a variety of matters and topics, including the following key topics:

  • Campus Council on Promotion & Tenure (CCPT) Update
  • Annual Consultation with Provost Serio and Vice Provost Nafukho
  • Common approaches on process and practices across the schools
  • Career & Experiential Learning steering committee final recommendations
  • Research Center Proposal Process
  • UW Bothell Strategic Planning Alignment & Implementation
  • Academic Affairs Goal Setting for 2026-27

The leadership council will resume meetings for academic year 26-27 in mid-September.

Office of Student Academic Success

Update on Career Services and Connected Learning Merger

The staff in the former Office of Connected Learning will relocate to the Career Services suite (UW1-131) beginning September 1. The search for the newly merged office’s next director is also moving forward, with the position expected to be posted by the end of August. The new name for the combined unit will be announced soon!

Reminder: FYPP Turns 20 Celebration!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the First Year and Pre-Major Program. Join us Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the North Creek Event Center (NCEC) as we celebrate the students, faculty, staff, and community members who have shaped FYPP over the past two decades.

We’ll also recognize individuals who have contributed to FYPP’s success through Paw Print recognitions, with nominations open to current and former faculty, staff, and students. Nominate someone today using this form!

STARS

The STARS Program is excited to welcome its third cohort of students to Summer Bridge from August 9–14. This year’s cohort includes 31 incoming students who are passionate about pursuing degrees and careers in technology and engineering. During Summer Bridge, students will begin their pre-fall course, build community with their peers, and connect with campus resources. The experience is designed to prepare them for a successful transition as they begin their first quarter at UW Bothell this fall. Learn more about Summer Bridge here.

Study Abroad Summer Updates

Ireland, the UK, South Korea, and Japan are just a few of the destinations where UW Bothell students are studying this summer. With 137 students participating in study abroad programs and another 36 enrolled in a new global virtual exchange program, they are building cross-cultural skills and learning through hands-on experiences that go far beyond what a classroom can offer.

After recently returning from the UK and Ireland, Gary reflected that he certainly learn about wars in class, “… but I couldn’t walk down the very streets where it happened and observe the lasting damage on buildings and people’s lives.” Read more about Gary’s and other students’ experiences on the UWB Global blog!

Undergraduate Research Summer Updates

The Summer Research Fellows program welcomed its second cohort this year, awarding scholarships to 25 students conducting 50+ hours of research with UW Bothell faculty. Fellows also participated in nine weeks of professional development workshops and community-building activities. We also launched a new Professional Skills in Research certificate, a three-workshop series that prepares students to succeed in research environments by equipping them with skills in mentor/mentee communication, project management, and communicating specialized work to people outside their field. In our initial pilot, 19 students successfully earned a digital badge demonstrating their competency in these essential skills.

Office of Faculty Success

Learning & Teaching Collaborative

The Learning & Teaching Collaborative has had a rich summer of learning so far! Our book club hosted three discussions on The Opposite of Cheating: Teaching for Integrity in the Age of AI and our final session included a conversation with one of the authors, David A. Rettinger. Additionally, our NEST Fellows completed their summer intensive over the first week of August, and we look forward to sharing more of their learning and work throughout the coming academic year.

Stay tuned for our Fall calendar! We’ll be hosting workshops and sessions designed to expand your teaching toolkit, with topics such as transparent AI and course policies, Canvas, digital teaching tools, student engagement, and effective communication with students. We look forward to learning with you!

NCFDD Faculty Success Program

The Office of Faculty Success offers full support for three UW Bothell faculty to participate in the NCFDD Faculty Success Program (FSP) each academic year. The FSP is a national faculty development program that helps faculty meet their professional goals. The next FSP program is the Fall 2026 FSP, which runs from September 14 – November 22. The application deadline for the Fall program is 5 p.m. on Friday, August 21. Please visit the UW Bothell FSP webpage for eligibility requirements and to apply.

Lecturer Professional Development Award

The UW Bothell Lecturer Professional Development Award provides resources for eligible lecturers teaching at UW Bothell to pursue professional development opportunities. Awards are available to lecturers, throughout the year, who have completed two quarters of teaching at UW Bothell and are expected to teach at least two courses within the next academic year.

Methods Exploration & Enhancement Award

The Office of Faculty Success will provide up to $2,000 for each Methods Exploration & Enhancement Award, for full-time UW Bothell faculty to enhance their research, teaching, or creative practice methods. Funds can be used to participate in a methods workshop or to provide an honorarium to a consultant with methodological expertise. Applications will be reviewed each quarter on a rolling first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.

UW Bothell Publication and Production Award

The UW Bothell Publication and Production Award is for UW Bothell professorial track faculty (tenure, teaching, research, and WOT) and artists-in-residence seeking supplemental funds to assist with costs related to scholarly, creative and artistic publications and production. Awards are available to eligible faculty who have already secured a formal contract for a book, exhibition or production, or an official journal acceptance for an article. The Office of Faculty Success will provide up to $2500 for books, $2500 for production, and $1000 for journal articles. Applications will be reviewed each quarter on a rolling first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.

Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement

CoSEE had a busy summer of student engagement, partnerships, and program growth. The center completed the third year of its dual-credit Summer Environmental Careers High School Scholars Program (EnCAP) with its largest cohort yet, featuring student projects in environmental research, GIS, creative writing, and place-based learning. CoSEE also welcomed 22 undergraduate interns and launched a new partnership with the Pacific Science Center to offer STEAM camps at the Environmental Education and Research Center. In addition, the center hosted STEM educator workshops on adaptive learning resources and inclusive teaching practices, with more teacher institutes planned for August.

CoSEE’s August programming will provide several opportunities for community-based environmental learning and participation. These free, family-oriented programs engage participants in habitat restoration, wildlife inquiry, inclusive literacy, creative design, and place-based STEAM learning at Saint Edward State Park. CoSEE also submitted three major grant proposals this summer to King County, the National Science Foundation, and a private foundation, with an additional NSF proposal planned for August.

Campus Library

The Campus Library will be offering staff and faculty on campus several opportunities to tour the library before Fall Quarter starts. Dates and times are still to be determined, but will be sent out via email when confirmed. This is a great opportunity for staff and faculty to learn more about what the library can offer them, but also more about all of the ways the library supports students on campus. Also keep your eyes open on an email invitation to participate in a Staff & Faculty yoga event in the library near the beginning of Fall Quarter. You can always check out what events are coming up in the library by visiting our calendar.

The library is also excited to announce several new items we are circulating to support students’ wellbeing. We now have a Purrble that checks out for 3 days. Purrble’s are interactive toys who help us find calm, and our Purrble’s name is Lord Fluff Nugget the 3rd. We also now have Sensory Wellness kits that include worry stones, a chair band, magnetic sticks, and NeeDoh – also checking out for 3 days.

Upcoming Events

  • August 22, 1:30–3:30 p.m. – Outdoor Storytime, featuring CoSEE’s Adaptive Library
  • August 23, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. – August Restoration Work Party
  • August 28, 5:30–7:30 p.m. – Engineering with Nature
  • September 16, 3 p.m. – Third annual Graduate Student Welcome and Campus Orientation
  • September 29, 4:30 p.m. – Second annual Grad Social Hour, a Welcome Week event
  • October 6, 3–5 p.m. – Campus Library and Sustainability invite you to the Flower Power Seed Library Launch Party during Welcome Week. Community members are invited to help assemble seed packets and learn about the new Seed Library, which will be available year-round on the library’s first floor.
  • October 13, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. – Join us for the FYPP 20 year celebration at North Creek Event Center (NCEC) to celebrate those who have shaped FYPP over the past two decades.

Important Dates

  • August 25, 2026 – Summer quarter grades due
  • September 21-October 1, 2026 – Welcome Week
  • September 23, 2026 – Fall Kick Off
  • September 29, 2026 – Convocation
  • September 30, 2026 – Fall quarter begins
  • November 10, 2026 – I ❤️ UW Bothell Luncheon
  • December 11, 2026 – Last day of Fall quarter instruction
  • December 12–18, 2026 – Finals week
  • December 22, 2026 – Fall quarter grades due
  • January 4, 2027 – Winter quarter begins