Quarterly Newsletter: Autumn 2025

See below for highlights from the Autumn 2025 Academic Affairs Quarterly Newsletter. Click the link to read the full newsletter. Reach out to Sawyer Dedmon with any questions.

Message from the Executive Vice Chancellor

Dear Colleagues,

As we wrap up the last week of classes and prepare for finals, I want to thank you for your dedication and hard work throughout the quarter. This is always a demanding time, and I hope you’re also looking forward to some well-deserved rest and time with family and friends during the upcoming holidays.

As the days grow shorter, I find myself thinking of snow on the mountains and the promise of skiing—or quieter moments by the fire with a cup of tea and a good book. Whatever brings you joy and renewal, I hope you find time for it in the weeks ahead.

In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from schools and units across Academic Affairs that showcase innovative programs and collaborative initiatives that make our campus thrive. These examples reflect the creativity and commitment that define our community.

Thank you for everything you do to advance our mission. Your engagement and expertise make this work possible. Wishing you a successful end to the quarter and a joyful holiday season!

With gratitude,

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

2025/26 Academic Affairs Priorities

We want to share a few priorities guiding our work. Given the challenges facing higher education and the number of initiatives underway, our division is prioritizing efforts focused on supporting schools and units in meaningful, practical ways. We welcome your input on how we can best partner with you.

University and Campus Strategic Planning

We are actively engaged in building our shared vision for the future. Please participate in upcoming listening sessions and other opportunities to share your perspectives on shaping the future of UW Bothell and the University of Washington as a whole. Your input is critical as we think about how to operationalize and implement this vision.

Data, Communication, Transparency, and Process Improvements

We continue to work closely with schools, GFO leadership, and campus committees to ensure we have the tools and processes needed to collaborate effectively. These efforts strengthen communication and decision-making across Academic Affairs.

Artificial Intelligence Initiatives

AI remains a major focus for higher education, and our campus is helping lead the way as we explore positive applications, operational impacts, and ethical considerations. This work is happening at many levels, at both the Bothell and tri-campus levels, as well as in the community, including:

Our division will be developing an online hub for resources and information that will highlight the many ways our campus is engaging with AI. Stay tuned!

Support for UW System Initiatives

We are coordinating tri-campus efforts related to curricular cleanup, promotion and tenure guideline revisions, and compliance checklists to ensure alignment with federal and state regulations.

Key Division Updates

Transforming Experiential Learning

Based on two external program reviews, an internal workgroup’s recommendations and consultation from the chancellor’s executive team, Chancellor Esterberg recommended that the Offices of Career Services and Connected Learning be merged.

  • A steering committee was formed in June 2025 to develop an implementation plan for merging the two offices.
  • The goal of the merger is to create an experiential learning portfolio that better serves all UW Bothell students.
  • The committee is currently in the discovery phase, and initial recommendations are expected in the winter quarter.
  • Campus community members will have opportunities to review the recommendations in the coming months, and their engagement and feedback will help shape the future of experiential learning at UW Bothell.

Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Council Updates

The Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Council (VLC), which is comprised of the campus deans and leadership of the central academic units, received updates and deliberated on the following matters:

  • UW Bothell Strategic Planning
  • Academic Affairs FY26 Priorities
  • Graduate Recruitment
  • Operational Efficiency
  • Advancement
  • Course Materials
  • Course Curriculum Readiness for Accreditation
  • Scholarship Awarding
  • AY25-26 Enrollment

We have so much more to share with you…

read the full newsletter here!