UW/Community College Advising Conference

The 37th Annual UW/CC Advising Conference will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Alder Hall on the UW-Seattle campus

Sponsored by UW-Seattle Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising

2025 Conference Evaluation

Thank you for participating in the 37th Annual UW/CC Advising Conference. We're glad you were able to join us!

We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete this evaluation. Your feedback will be very helpful as we plan for future conferences. Thank you!

Conference Evaluation

Schedule
Conference Agenda
8:30–9:00 a.m.
Registration and Networking

Coffee and tea available to conference attendees

9:00–9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks

Dianne Harris, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, University of Washington-Seattle  

9:05–9:35 a.m.
Keynote

Valerie Sundby, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tacoma Community College

9:35–9:45 a.m.
UW-Seattle Office of Admissions Update

David Sundine, Senior Associate Director for Operations and Policy, Office of Admissions, University of Washington-Seattle

9:45–9:55 a.m.
Announcements

Joslin Boroughs, Director of Advising Initiatives and Partnerships, Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising, University of Washington

9:55-10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00–10:50 a.m.
Breakout Session #1

1.A: Transfer Admissions 101                   

Carlos Williams, Assistant Director of Admissions for Transfer Recruitment Undergraduate Admissions, UW-Seattle                                             Alder 107

An ideal workshop for new advisers, we will provide an overview of the transfer admission process, including: review of transfer planning tools, applying to majors, personal statement, Q & A and more!

1.B: UW School of Nursing Information Session                                       

Kara Jenkins & Cristina Miranda, UW-Seattle                                     Alder 103

Learn about CTC pathways to the UW School of Nursing, including transferring to our 2-year BSN program, and our ABSN program for students with applied baccalaureate backgrounds. We’ll share updated information about the transition into the nursing profession, answer frequently asked questions, and provide resources to empower your students to learn more.

1.C: UW College of Built Environments Transfer Student Panel

Megan Brown, Rachel Faber Machacha, Ulises Herrera, Jennie Li, Nikita Anderson, Kim Sawada, Nancy Dragun, and participating students, UW-Seattle                                                                                                 Alder 106

Join academic advisors from the College of Built Environments (CBE) to learn about our degree programs and pathways for transfer students. We'll start with a brief presentation, followed by a panel of transfer students who are currently enrolled in each of our degree programs including Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Real Estate, and Community, Environment & Planning. Students will share their experience at community college, transferring to UW, choosing a major, accessing opportunities, and preparing for their post-graduate plans, and more. We hope to see you there!

1.D: From Transfer to Trailblazer: Your Pathway to Public Service at UW Community Engagement & Leadership Education (CELE) Center, Undergraduate Academic Affairs;  Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, UW-Seattle, Student Representatives: Sean Behl, Tammy Pham                                                                                                               Alder 105

In this session, we'll explore pathways to public service through CELE Center programs and The Evans School of Public Policy and Governance to support students in their transition to UW. We'll highlight opportunities for community-engaged learning, democratic engagement, and leadership education in supporting student success. The session will also include an overview of our new major in Public Service and Policy, as well as a policy minor. Transfer students will share their personal experiences, and we'll provide resources to help advisers connect incoming transfer students to empower them to continue to make change in their new community!

10:50 a.m.–11:20 a.m.
Resource Fair #1 (UW Support Services)

Join us for the resource fair! This first of two sessions will feature UW campus partners that support students. Resource Fair attendees will rotate freely among campus partners in the lobby of Alder Hall

11:20 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
Breakout Session #2

2.A: Becoming a Husky: Creating a Meaningful Transition to the UW 

Emily Kolby, Director, First Year Curriculum and Engagement (First Year Programs), UW-Seattle                                                                       Alder 105

First Year Programs at the UW supports transfer students through Advising & Orientation, as well as seminars and other programs. This session highlights what we have learned from transfer students about the experiences that shape their transition. Participants will also provide insights for a new course for transfer students launching in Autumn 2025.

2.B: International Transfer Admissions    

Sarah Dawson, Office of Admissions, UW-Seattle                              Alder 106

This session will cover international transfer admissions, focusing on minimum admission requirements and how applicants can satisfy the English proficiency requirement. The presenter will address common questions and offer guidance on how advisors can best support students. There will be time for a Q&A after the presentation.

2.C: Passion, Talent, Initiative, Impact: Empowering Transfer Students to Present Themselves Holistically                    

Jen Heckler & Wendy Swyt, Highline College                                     Alder 103

This session shares the ways that we empower community college transfer students to present themselves for holistic assessment at the UW Seattle. Through interactive activities that invite students to highlight their strengths and values, participants will learn how to help students understand holistic admissions and craft an application persona that resonates with the admissions committee.

2.D: Building Pathways to UW: Lessons learned from deepening cross-institutional partnerships 

Lily Peterson (UAA Advising/Path to UW), Anna Tran (Seattle Promise/Seattle Colleges), Naila Farah (Seattle Promise/Seattle Colleges)                 Alder 107

Seattle College and UW Seattle partners will share about the Path to UW partnership and ways the close collaboration and program components involved have improved their ability to more holistically support transfer students at all stages of the transfer process. We will include data and student stories that show program impact and wrap up with recommendations on how others might incorporate aspects of this program into their own practices.

12:10 p.m.–1:20 p.m.
Lunch
1:20 p.m.–2:10 p.m.
Breakout Session #3

3.A: UW Major System 101          

Joslin Boroughs, Director, Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising, UW-Seattle                                                                                                 Alder 105

Using student case studies, this session will outline the different pathways students take to entering a major at UW. The presentation will emphasize the importance of major readiness and provide advisers with the tools to support students as they prepare for a successful academic transfer to UW.

3.B: Navigating the Journey: Strengthening Mental Health Through Transitions         

Vy Tran, Ashley Kieu, and Alex Milan, Seattle Promise/Seattle Central College                                                                                                               Alder 107

With a focus on students in transition from 2-year colleges to universities, participants will gain skills to engage in open, empathetic conversations with students about mental health, creating a supportive environment for students to seek help and discuss well-being. The session will focus on common mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Together, attendees will learn about adviser strategies with a goal to help students build resilience, manage stress, and connect them with mental health resources, while reducing stigma and promoting self-care.

3.C: Tri-campus Admissions Roundtable 

Carlos Williams (UW-Seattle), Ben Johnson (UW-Bothell), and John Langston (UW-Tacoma)                                                                                      Alder 106

An informal roundtable conversation facilitated by representatives from UW Seattle, Bothell & Tacoma campuses. Whether you are experienced or new to advising, bring your challenging questions and recurring scenarios to this unscripted conversation. We can help with those tricky admissions and advising issues.

3.D: Navigating the College of Engineering Transfer Process - Adviser & Student Panel        

Jacob Schleusner, Charlotte Goddard, Jennifer Tsai, Madeline Miller, Student Panelist(s), UW-Seattle                                                          Alder Auditorium
This panel will answer questions about the transfer process and transfer student experience at the University of Washington’s College of Engineering. Attendees will gain insight into the application process, resources, and campus life, offering a comprehensive overview of what to expect and how to succeed as a transfer student. Panelists include academic advisers, students, and the college's Director of Policy & Administration.

2:10 p.m.–2:40 p.m.
Resource Fair #2 (UW Department Advisers)

Please join us for the second part of the resource fair! This second of two sessions will feature UW Department Advisers. Resource Fair attendees will rotate freely among UW Department Advisers in the lobby of Alder Hall

2:40 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Breakout Session #4

4.A: Environmental STEM Degrees        

Meghan Littman and Departmental Advisers, College of the Environment, UW-Seattle                                                                                             Alder 105

Learn more about STEM majors and how your students can make the most of their experience in the College of the Environment. Transfer student opportunities include mentoring programs, community building seminars, and scholarships. Join UW staff and students to discuss pathways, share ideas for innovation and expansion, and hear success stories.

4.B: Foster Standard Admission                                                          

Sarah Allex & David Sprengeler, Foster School of Business, UW-Seattle                                                                                                                       Alder 107

This session will give an overview of the undergraduate Business major in the Foster School of Business at UW-Seattle. Attendees will learn about the academic requirements, student experience, and the admissions process for transfer students.

4.C: UW Fully Online Degree Programs Roundtable Discussion         

Michelle Bagshaw, Janna Lafferty and Thor Locania, UW-Seattle      Alder 106

In this roundtable discussion, UW advising staff will provide an overview of fully online majors and degree programs from UW Seattle and Tacoma campuses, including program structure, admissions information and review frequently asked questions. The discussion-based format will allow ample time for questions and conversation.

4.D: UW Transfer Student Panel: Insights on the Transfer Journey

Lily Peterson, Lead Academic Adviser/Path to UW Transfer Coordinator, UW-Seattle                                                                                    Alder Auditorium

Current UW transfer students will share about their transfer experiences and discuss challenges, successes, and strategies that helped them navigate the transfer process. The goal is to explore the transfer journey through a student perspective. Panelists will include suggestions on ways staff members might be able to make small adjustments within their capacity in order to increase preparation of future transfer students. Q&A time will be held at the end.

3:40 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
UW Swag Drawing - Must be present to participate!

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation, contact the Disability Services Office (DSO) at least ten days in advance of the event at: (206) 543-6450 (voice), (206) 543-6452 (TTY), (206) 685-7264 (FAX), or dso@u.washington.edu.