I entered the University of Washington Bothell wondering who I could become. I left knowing I do not need a fixed answer. I just need the courage to keep asking better questions and stepping into what comes next.
Who could I become?
As a kid, I often wondered what I would be when I grew up: a courageous doctor, an artful painter or a genius scientist?
As I grew older, my list of possible careers became smaller as I explored what I liked and what was available to me. I was 11 when my parents packed our family and our belongings into a Toyota Sienna and moved to Washington state.
In a small suburb, I experienced the isolation of being the only Chinese person in my neighborhood. With little representation around me, I found connection in books by Asian authors. I learned that resilience could come from simply doing what made me happy, but I still carried a desire to belong. I also learned that stability mattered and convinced myself that creativity was not always practical.
So, I decided to study Business Administration at UW Bothell, not yet realizing how much creativity could exist within business.
I chose UW Bothell because it was close enough to visit my family but far enough to develop my own identity. When I stepped onto campus in 2023, I wondered whether I could make an impact and find community.
To find connection, in January 2024 I volunteered for the first time at Student Media’s Open Mic Night. From afar at the check-in table, I watched students confidently share their musical talents. I was inspired by their creativity and the joy of everyone clapping for one another. Shortly afterward, I found the courage to apply for a campus job as an assistant editor for The Husky Herald. After my interview, I was offered the role of editor-in-chief for the 2024-25 academic year, which I couldn’t believe at first.
I knew accepting such a large role would come with a learning curve. I had no journalistic background and had never led a team before. I constantly wondered whether I belonged and was afraid I wasn’t experienced enough.
What does my community need?
Early on, I sought mentorship from my supervisor, Pauline Tolentino, who always asked during our one-on-ones, “What are students doing, hearing and saying?” Her question shifted my attention from myself to my community. I began asking, “What does UW Bothell need?” Instead of proving I had all the answers, I learned to listen, take initiative and learn alongside others.
This mindset shaped each issue I planned with my editorial team and helped us grow our quarterly contributor team from four students to 17, the largest in the paper’s history.
I knew what it felt like to look around and not see myself reflected. I did not want other students at UW Bothell to feel the same way. Working with artists, I helped incorporate Lunar New Year elements into our January cover art, highlighted cultural clubs in every issue and created space for writers to share stories about their identities and interests. It was fulfilling to amplify student voices and grow together, so I continued in my role for the 2025-26 year, leading a new team of editors.
I began to notice that business students in my major needed that same sense of community. So, I asked myself: “How can I build community beyond the newspaper?”
During my second year, I joined the team launching Bothell Consulting Association’s first Consultant-in-Training cohort as lead marketing and communications coordinator. Although my role focused on emails and slide decks, I took the initiative to lead low-pressure social events where students could connect over activities and food.
A year later, as co-president, I helped plan our first annual, large-scale case competition in collaboration with Delta Sigma Pi. Watching more than 100 students come together felt surreal. It was a dream to design the kinds of environments I once needed myself.
At UW Bothell, I discovered I could bring both creativity and business into the same room where others could thrive, too.
Creating these spaces was rewarding, but it also came with many sleepless nights. I became burnt out juggling assignments, club duties and the newspaper. But I had people who gave me helpful guidance, including my mentor Dan Baird from the School of Business’ Mentorship Edge program. He encouraged me to apply for the Husky 100 after hearing about my involvement on campus. His confidence pushed me to start reflecting on why I cared and prioritized what mattered most, which is building cultures of respect, creativity and inclusivity.
My journey at UW Bothell was not easy, but the welcoming environment taught me that there is beauty in observing when you do not know all the answers. More importantly, it gave me a place to become an active participant and a confident leader. I came in as a student who knew little about journalism, communications and business management. I left knowing I did not have to choose just one niche.
What’s next?
Just a week after graduating in June 2026, I moved to San Diego, California, to begin my post-grad journey at UNIQLO as a manager-in-training overseeing store operations.
Large leadership roles still carry a sense of uncertainty, but there is excitement in new beginnings. At UW Bothell, I realized that I did not need to know exactly who I would become to make an impact. Leadership could begin with the courage to step into new spaces as myself.
Ashley Tsang is one of seven UW Bothell students selected to be part of the Husky 100 Class of 2026. These Husky 100 students actively connect the dots between what they learn in their studies with what they want to do to make a difference on campus, in their communities and for our world.
