UW Bothell Husky 100

Samantha Szeki Boggs

junior: Electrical Engineering 

Prior to getting into the Electrical Engineering program, I felt a bit lost. Once I immersed myself in the program, I met other women in electrical engineering, which led me to creating a safe space for women electrical engineers to shape each other along the journey through Discord group chats. I felt a sense of validation and belonging.

It is important to me to help other women engineers find community and support when pursuing our degrees. As secretary for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering on campus, I have set an example and encouraged more women to participate in our club.

Amanda Giang

senior: Health Studies, with a minor in Biology 

Serving as a residential adviser taught me how to lead with empathy, support students through transitions and crises, and intentionally build community.

That same emphasis on community extended into my academic experience. Courses within my health studies major opened my eyes to public health and gave me the tools to understand how education, policy and community shape health outcomes. These classes helped me see health care through a broader lens, grounded in equity, prevention and community-based care. Alongside this core coursework, electives driven by my personal passions in women’s studies and advocacy challenged me to think critically about power, representation and systemic inequities.

Meeti Gobindpuri 

senior: Computer Science & Software Engineering 

Don’t wait for permission to create value. Look for what’s missing. Show up. Build something that matters.

I learned this at a culture show at UW Bothell in spring 2024. Nobody asked me to photograph it. I had no experience, no title, no official role. But I’d noticed that student organizations were celebrating incredible moments and no one was documenting them. 

When I started at UW Bothell, I waited for opportunities to find me. A camera changed that. Now, I create opportunities for myself and for others. I do not wait for permission to create value.

Alondra Guzman 

senior: Educational Studies – Elementary Education 

As a first-generation Latina from an immigrant family and a rural, low-income community, navigating college independently came with challenges that taught me resilience, perseverance and the importance of creating supportive networks. These early experiences instilled in me a commitment to equity and inclusion, motivating me to amplify underrepresented voices and work toward removing systemic barriers so that all students can thrive. 

UW Bothell has empowered me to transform challenges into opportunities, to act with cultural consciousness, and to lead with empathy and advocacy. These lessons will guide me as I continue to build inclusive learning environments, mentor others and advocate for equity. 

Natalia Lizarraga 

senior: Health Studies, with a minor in Health Education & Promotion 

I’ve been able to explore my identities and values and put my passions into action. I am proud to be part of a university community that has not only helped me discover what I care deeply about but has encouraged me to pursue those passions through education, community partnerships, and consistent support from fellow students, staff and faculty. 

Together, these moments have come together to shape the way I envision my future. They have solidified my goal of pursuing a health care career focused on addressing health disparities, and they continue to guide the relationships I build and the impact I hope to make as a future health professional.

Brooke Ojala 

senior: Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Computer Science & Software Engineering 

Not only have I gained skills in mechanical design, creative problem-solving, data analysis, app development, coding, and presenting from my experiences in undergraduate research, but I have also learned the importance of being bold and seeking out meaningful opportunities.

During the validation of my app I learned how to reach out to others for volunteer testing and let my work be criticized from many different perspectives. I also became more independent in deciding how to spend my time and persisting through difficult challenges. My work on this project paves the way for a career in biomedical device design and a future master’s degree in biomedical engineering.

Ashley Tsang 

senior: Business Administration, with a minor in Policy Studies 

From my Husky leadership and academic experiences, I learned that continuous growth comes from curiosity, building connections, and stepping into new opportunities. In spring 2025, I competed in UW Bothell’s annual hackathon. Without a STEM background, I initially questioned whether I should participate. Nevertheless, I leaned into my strengths in business strategy, value positioning, and user experience, which helped my team design and pitch a safety app prototype over three days. 

This experience mattered to me because it pushed me to confront imposter syndrome and made me recognize that I could apply my existing strengths and grow through the process.