Five stories of growth and belonging at UW Bothell

The many ways students grow during their Husky Experience.

Whether you choose to support scholarships, a program teaching students new skills or the emergency fund, the impact of your giving improves the Husky Experience for students across UW Bothell.

For many students, the Husky Experience is tied directly to finding a place where they feel they belong and can thrive — inside and outside the classroom. The following five stories were shared by students with UW’s Board of Regents earlier this year and illustrate what that thriving can look like.

Finding belonging through housing

Jesus Martinez-Alvarez arrived at UW Bothell seeking a quiet place to study. Growing up in a household of eight, he described his home as a place “full of conversation, movement and energy.” He hoped that living on campus would provide the quiet environment he needed to focus on his studies.

When he moved onto campus, everything initially felt unfamiliar. That uncertainty quickly changed thanks to the support of resident advisers. “They answered questions I hadn’t considered asking yet and helped make the environment feel welcoming instead of intimidating,” Martinez-Alvarez said.

Through these early connections, what could have been an isolating transition instead became a sense of belonging. “What I gained was a deeper understanding of community and the responsibility that comes with being part of it,” he said.

Inspired by the impact of his own experience, Martinez-Alvarez now serves as a resident assistant, helping other students find the same comfort and connection he once discovered.

Building confidence through connection

Beth Anulo’s journey at UW Bothell began with uncertainty. As a transfer student and first-generation college student, she initially struggled to find her place on campus. She remembers feeling lost during her first week, unsure of where to go or how to get involved.

Her turning point came during a simple interaction at the Activities & Recreation Center. After walking in to ask for a phone charger, she encountered staff who were welcoming and helpful. “It was at that moment that I felt like I belonged at the University,” she said.

Later, taking on the position of a building manager in the ARC, Anulo became one of the first points of contact for other students. Initially hesitant about interacting with so many new people, she grew significantly in confidence. “I wasn’t used to talking to so many new people every day,” she explained. Through her role, however, she said she learned to step outside her comfort zone.

Anulo now understands the importance of small interactions. Whether helping a student find a resource or simply offering directions, she recognizes that “even small actions like answering a question can make a lasting impact.”

Creating community and leadership

Chancellor’s Medalist Koket Gebiremichael began her time at UW Bothell focused on her goal of becoming a nurse. Leadership wasn’t something she saw for herself at first. Reflecting on this early mindset, she said, “I convinced myself I wasn’t experienced enough — that leadership was something you stepped into only once you felt fully prepared.”

Her perspective changed when she recognized a gap on campus: Many students from backgrounds like hers felt disconnected without a space where their voices and cultures were fully represented. In response, she co-founded BunaTalk, an organization dedicated to fostering cultural connection for East African students.

The impact was immediate and meaningful. At one event, she observed students who initially stood quietly beginning to connect and engage. “By the end of the night, the hesitation had disappeared,” she said.

She later learned that the friendships formed during these gatherings continued outside UW Bothell. “BunaTalk wasn’t just creating community for one evening. It was building relationships that extend far beyond campus walls.”

Through this experience, Gebiremichael redefined leadership for herself. “Leadership isn’t about waiting until you feel ready,” she said. “It’s about showing up when your community needs you.”

Learning through hands-on experience

For Jonah Uellenberg, growth has always been tied to action. As a computer science student with a passion for building, he believed that “the best path toward growth is practical experience.”

He realized early in his academic journey, however, that technical skill alone wasn’t enough. He needed to strengthen his communication abilities, too.

Uellenberg sought opportunities across campus. He joined clubs, led workshops, tutored peers and took on increasing levels of responsibility. These experiences helped him develop the confidence and communication skills that are also essential to his field.

One of his most impactful experiences came through organizing a campus hackathon as president of UW Bothell’s Association for Computing Machinery. The scale of the event was remarkable: More than 350 participants worked over several days to design and present dozens of projects.

Beyond the numbers, what stood out to Uellenberg was the personal growth of participants. “For many, it was their first time building something outside of class that was truly theirs,” he said.

Through these collaborative experiences, Uellenberg said he found not only technical growth but also a deeper appreciation for teamwork and community.

Finding a voice through leadership

Ashley Tsang’s journey at UW Bothell is one of transformation. When she first arrived, she described herself as “a student who had many ideas but wouldn’t raise her hand.”

Her change of heart came when she saw her peers at an open mic night on campus. “I was instantly inspired by their creativity,” she said, and soon after, she found the courage to pursue opportunities of her own.

Tsang became editor-in-chief of The Husky Herald, leading a team of student contributors. Stepping into that role was intimidating, she said. “I constantly questioned, ‘Do I even deserve this role?’”

But through mentorship and collaboration, she learned to embrace growth rather than perfection. And her perspective on what make an effective leader evolved significantly.

“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest person in the room,” she said. “It’s about creating space for others to be heard and seen.”

More than 6,000 students come to UW Bothell with different goals, experiences and needs. Make a gift now to the UW Bothell Fund to help students make the most of their Husky Experience.