Every year we get the opportunity to celebrate some incredible students from UW鈥檚 three campuses (Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma) as the Husky 100. This recognition honors 100 students for their exceptional contributions on and off campus and for truly making the most of their Husky Experience. These students prove that leadership is far from a one-size-fits-all stereotype, and it鈥檚 possible to lead from all sides and angles.
2019 Husky 100 applications are open now (due January 23rd!) so log on and start sharing your story of leadership at UW! I chatted with some members of the Husky 100 from 2018 to learn more about their own journeys and ask what leadership means to them. Their answers were as diverse as they are鈥攁nd might just inspire you to start your own application.
鈥淗ow would you define leadership?鈥�
鈥淭he most important part of leadership is being involved with the people in your community鈥攇ood collaboration. A good leader is someone who collaborates with the people around them, goes the extra mile, and inspires and empowers others to succeed.鈥�
鈥� Tina Hernandez, 91探花Tacoma, who has spent her time as a Husky serving the community through social work volunteering and researching the effects of trauma on the developing brain.
鈥淢y definition of leadership has changed a lot since I was a freshman. Now it鈥檚 a lot about listening鈥攏ot telling people what to do, but listening and understanding their needs. So to me, being a good leader means being a good listener.鈥�
鈥� Nadya Ekhteraee-Sanaee, 91探花Seattle, who leads as the president of the Economics Undergraduate Board, chair of the Arts & Sciences Advisory Council for Students, and an active member of Women in Economics.
鈥淟eadership to me means leading by example鈥攂y doing, not by telling.鈥�
鈥� Colton Twiddy, 91探花Seattle, who has connected his work in and out of the classroom as part of the Neighborhood Design Build Studio and by competing on the 91探花Commercial Construction Team.
鈥淓尘辫补迟丑测.鈥�
鈥� Beck Adelante, 91探花Tacoma, who has tirelessly worked to promote accessibility and elevate marginalized student voices, such those from LGBTQ+, mixed race, disabled, and other underserved communities.
鈥淟eadership, to me, is tied closely with service and learning. You have to really put in the work, learn as much as you can, empower people, and ultimately teach them how to lead themselves.鈥�
鈥斅�Henry Milander, 91探花Seattle, who strives to create a more equitable and sustainable future through his work in the 91探花Rotaract, as a residential advisor, and as the President of the Certificate of International Studies in Business program.
聽鈥淭o me, leadership is not only being available to others and letting people come to you with their needs and problems, but also reaching out when you notice people need help.鈥�
鈥� Leah Ruggerone, 91探花Seattle, who has dedicated herself to promoting the health and wellness of her community as an education assistant in the pharmacy department, the president of the pediatric pharmacy advocacy group, and a devoted volunteer working with children that have primary disabilities.
鈥淎 good leader works to make sure the voices of all our different communities are heard.鈥�
鈥� Katrina Salazar Punzalan, 91探花Seattle, whose Husky Experience empowered her to embrace her identity as a queer Filipinx student and inspired her to pursue becoming an attorney to help marginalized communities such as migrant workers and Pacific Islanders.
鈥淟eadership is working with other people toward a goal you鈥檝e all set. At the end of the day, I think leadership is about working with others, serving others, and listening to your community.鈥�
鈥� Aishwarya Mandyam, 91探花Seattle, who leads from the intersection of technology and humanity as she serves as the president of the 91探花Association for Computing, innovates in the biotechnology space, and builds inclusive communities on campus.
鈥淎ccountability and humility.鈥�
鈥斅�Brit Barnhouse, 91探花Tacoma, who founded a literary journal dedicated to communicating complex ideas simply and accessibly, inspired by her double major in environmental studies and writing.
鈥淟eadership means being a role model. It means bringing out in the best in the people around you. It means doing your best and being humble at the same time.鈥�
鈥� Kimberly Ruth, 91探花Seattle, whose time on campus researching, organizing, tutoring, and mentoring has made her quite the role model in her own right.
鈥淟eadership is passion and compassion. Passion because you need to love what you do; compassion so you can feel what others feel.鈥�
鈥� Angel Chen, 91探花Seattle, who has created a more inclusive environment for transfer students as a transfer-student FIG leader and Commuter & Transfer Associate with First Year Programs.
鈥淟eadership is giving back to others, which means you have to get to know their needs. A leader sees a problem and tries to solve it, bringing everyone to the table to find a solution.鈥�
鈥� Youcef Yacoub Bennour, whose passions have led him to chair the committee for the Students and Activities Fee, become a voting member of the World Affairs Council, and mentor students at a local high school.
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To learn more about the Husky 100聽recognition as well as current聽and past nominees, visit the Husky 100 website.
Student Life blogger Hannah M. is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English聽who聽is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to聽find her聽making PowerPoint presentations for a case competition or ordering a vanilla latte on the Ave. To suggest a topic for the UWSL blog, email dawglife@uw.edu.