Paw'd Defiance UW Tacoma

In this episode of the podcast we're joined by UW Tacoma Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Bonnie Becker, and Senior Director, Student Transitions and Success, Amanda Figueroa. You may have already guessed (judging by their titles) that Becker and Figueroa do a lot of work around student success. We'll talk about what we mean when we say "student success." We'll also get into why college is important to individuals and to society. Research suggests that having a college degree impacts everything from social mobility to health. Becker and Figueroa will also outline UW Tacoma's revamped approach to student success including the importance of HIPs (no, not the thing connect to your torso).

Resources & Programs for students:
First Generation Initiatives
Office of Student Advocacy & Support
Teaching & Learning Centers

In this episode, we talk about Tacoma's Asia Pacific Cultural Center. We talk about the history of the Center and its role in the community. We also talk about mental health in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. 

In this episode, Class of 2023 grad Angel Reddy reads from a letter she wrote to her future self. In the letter, The letter talks about her experience at UW Tacoma and includes a list of what she wants for her future self. Reddy's parents came to the United States from Fiji. They settled in Lakewood and ran their own business. Reddy and her older brother grew up in the area. 

Jai'Shon Berry and Exita Lealofi met four years ago at UW Tacoma. They didn't quite hit it off, but they did eventually become best friends. In this episode, Berry and Lealofi talk about why they're friends. They also talk about the importance of their friendship and how it helped them deal with the stress of college and with outside stress including break ups and family emergencies. 

Dr. Ronee K Wopsock Pawwinee recently completed her doctoral degree in educational leadership at UW Tacoma. Wopsock Pawwinee is one of 10 members of the inaugural Muckleshoot Cohort. She talks about her experience in the program, including her ups and downs as well as the connections she made to other members of the cohort. Wopsock Pawwinee also discusses the role of education in her life as well as how she plans to use her degree to help her tribe. 

Born in Fiji, Amy Maharaj lived through a coup on the island. Maharaj and her family eventually resettled in Canada. Maharaj initially struggled in school but overcame those struggles to earn a bachelor's, master's, and recently, a doctoral degree. In this episode Maharaj talks about her life and her experience in the Muckleshoot Ed.D. program. The cohort is a partnership between the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and UW Tacoma. The first cohort is set to officially graduate on June 9.