VISION
COLLABORATION
This year, we set out to focus on intentional relationship-building across the Association. Commissions, entities, and community groups teamed up to co-host events, like Machismo and Masculinity, a conjoined effort between ASUW La Raza and ASUW SARVA. By connecting with one another, they were able to take a collaborative approach to understanding, navigating and combating sexual and relationship violence. By prioritizing meaningful collaborations, we were able to better utilize resources and provide students with more innovative programming because we know that hands are much better than one!
ADVOCACY
We are the democratic voice for all students at the University of Washington. From the administrative level to the state level, we work to ensure that student voices are being heard and student needs are being met. This year, the ASUW Pacific Islander Student Commission helped to successfully establish an Ocean and Pacific Islander Studies minor under the Department of American Indian Studies, an initiative that has been a community effort for the past two decades. PISC was excited to help propel it forward through advocacy by garnering support from community organizations and the student body.
SUPPORT
ASUW is entirely student-led and student-run. For that reason, we understand the need for balance, because we aren’t just employees - we are students first. This year, we aimed to ensure that all employees and volunteers in the Association are comfortable in their positions and spaces, with access to resources to help them succeed in both their programs and in their well-beings. Kaitlyn Pahler, the ASUW Personnel Director, met with every employee at the start of every quarter to check in with them, their needs and their goals. In the winter, the Board of Directors hosted the first-ever ASUW All-Hands Meeting to bring together employees, to celebrate their wins, and to re-energize one another for the quarters to come.
INNOVATION
As student leaders, we strive to continue to raise the bar when it comes to the work that we do in order to best engage with the campus community. This year, we wanted to expand on the ways that we communicate and interact with the greater UW community. Julia Pham, our ASUW Vice President, formed a task force to reimagine the mission of the ASUW Office of Volunteer Opportunities. We clarified its role in the Association to serve as our primary outreach entity, to be front-facing and collaborative with other campus entities such as First Year Programs. We are excited for this work to continue to be solidified in the coming year as the newly named, Office of Outreach and Involvement.
