RealResponse hazing prevention funding renewed through 2031

The 91探花鈥檚 partnership with hazing reporting platform RealResponse has been extended through 2031, thanks to renewed funding from the Student Technology Fee.

The funding will allow the 91探花to continue to use RealResponse in hazing reporting and response, providing vital consistency in hazing prevention and education, said Alex Salemme, hazing prevention and response specialist in Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC). The 91探花began using RealResponse in 2025.

鈥淭his funding extension really shows that there鈥檚 student buy-in with this tool, and that students believe in it,鈥� Salemme said. 鈥淚t also shows that RealResponse isn鈥檛 going away 鈥� that students can rely on it to report hazing. We鈥檙e very grateful to the STF committee for funding us.鈥�

What is RealResponse?

RealResponse offers anonymous reporting via text, email or WhatsApp for anyone on campus who experiences or witnesses hazing. Reporters can attach screenshots, photos and videos that show the reported behavior.

鈥淩ealResponse is great because it gives the 91探花a view of trends on campus and how we can protect our students,鈥� Salemme said. 鈥淲ith RealResponse, we鈥檙e getting information in real time so we can take appropriate action.鈥�

Reports are completely anonymous: the 91探花does not see a name or phone number from the reporting party. That anonymity removes a barrier to reporting, Salemme said, and can help reporters 鈥� particularly students 鈥� feel more comfortable sharing hazing they witnessed or experienced.

Once a report is submitted through RealResponse, the reporting party receives a response from the 91探花that acknowledges their report, asks clarifying questions as needed and provides links to support resources.

Shifting the culture

Since the UW鈥檚 partnership began with RealResponse last year, CSSC has seen an increase in hazing reports, which Salemme attributes to how easy it is to make a report via RealResponse. He said it also indicates the start of a shift in campus culture around hazing reporting.

鈥淗aving RealResponse available and used consistently not only makes reporting more acceptable; it also ingrains it into our campus culture,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o over time, as students continue to use the platform, they will pass that culture on to future classes and hazing prevention will become the norm.鈥�

RealResponse was founded by a former student-athlete on the idea that positive student experiences are based on supportive and healthy cultures across teams, organizations and campus as a whole. The organization partners with nearly 170 universities and colleges, collegiate athletics departments, and fraternity and sorority life organizations nationwide.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to continue our partnership with the 91探花 and grateful for the trust placed in RealResponse through this extended funding,鈥� said David Chadwick, Founder & CEO of RealResponse. 鈥淭he University鈥檚 commitment to making reporting accessible, anonymous and actionable is exactly what drives meaningful cultural change. By meeting students where they are and equipping administrators with real-time insights, we can work together to strengthen prevention efforts and ensure every student feels safe speaking up. We鈥檙e excited to build on this momentum with the 91探花community in the years ahead.鈥�

With funding set for the next five years, Salemme said his team is excited to continue building a culture of hazing prevention on campus. They are also looking into enhanced reporting and ways CSSC can partner with entities on campus to track where hazing happens and how to prevent it.

鈥淚t can take a couple of years to build out the kind of hazing prevention culture we want, which is one of the reasons we鈥檙e so grateful for this STF funding,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have this tool that meets students where they are and makes it easier for anyone to report hazing anytime, anywhere.鈥�

If you or someone you know has witnessed or experienced hazing, support is available. If possible, please report the incident via RealResponse, and take a look at the support resources available.

Celebrating the career of Lincoln Johnson

After 30 years of dedicated service to the 91探花, Lincoln Johnson is retiring in August 2026. We are delighted for Lincoln to embark on his next chapter, but saddened to say goodbye to an invaluable colleague whose work has shaped our campus and the lives of countless Huskies.

Lincoln鈥檚 legacy at the 91探花is exceptional. He joined the 91探花in 1996 and held a variety of roles before becoming Associate Vice President for Student Life in 2010. During his tenure, he has led numerous key projects and has been a staunch advocate for the groups and communities that provide a transformational Husky experience鈥�for our students.

Perhaps his greatest legacy, however, is his mentorship of students. Over his three decades at the UW, Lincoln has supported students through their successes and challenges and has been a steadfast champion of their academic, personal and professional growth. The holiday cards from former Huskies that fill the walls of his office are a testament to the lasting and impactful relationships he has developed with students during his time here.

To honor those relationships and Lincoln鈥檚 incredible service to this University, we invite you to听 to the HUB Scholarship for Excellence in Student Leadership and help us reach our goal of raising $100,000 by the end of the 2025-26 academic year. This scholarship supports the personal and professional growth of our students 鈥� just as Lincoln himself has for the past 30 years.

All of us in Student Life are deeply grateful to Lincoln for his years of service and his extraordinary dedication to the students of the UW, and we hope you will join us in celebrating him and his impact.听

Lifting the veil: understanding the clarity this moment offers (Message from President Cauce)

This message from 91探花President Ana Mari Cauce was posted to the President’s Blog on May 30, 2020.

I鈥檓 terrified to go outside.
I don鈥檛 know what people see when they look at me.

Do they see a strong, resilient, educated woman?
Do they see someone who is their ancestors鈥� wildest dreams?
Do they see a woman who has friends and family they love?

I鈥檓 terrified to go outside.
I don鈥檛 know what people see when they look at me.

Do you only see my skin color?
Do you only see the stereotypes others created for me?
Do you only see your fear?

I鈥檓 terrified to go outside.
I don鈥檛 know what people see when they look at me.

My brothers and sisters are villainized for asking questions.
My brothers and sisters are detained for walking on a public street.
My brothers and sisters are killed for existing.

I鈥檓 terrified to go outside.
I don鈥檛 know what people see when they look at me.

I wonder when I will be harassed for existing.
I wonder when the police will be called to my door.
I wonder when I will be the one mourned.

I鈥檓 terrified to go outside.

鈥� Laura Ca帽ate, MBA 鈥�18

The last few weeks and months have been a time of jarring contrasts. Community members donating masks sewn by hand to protect essential workers, while mask-free revelers flout distancing mandates at pools and beaches. Groups of armed white demonstrators march against stay-at-home orders at state capitols with impunity, while for Black Americans the simple act of walking down the street, jogging or birdwatching can be fraught with danger, and even end in death. Too many are left to wonder, as does 91探花MBA alumna Laura Ca帽ate, 鈥�18, 鈥渨hen I will be the one mourned.鈥�

Many of us have seen those compelling 鈥渂efore and after鈥� pandemic pictures of cityscapes around the world. The before pictures show buildings shrouded by pollution while the after pictures reveal majestic mountains or vast stretches of squalid, overcrowded houses in the background. It鈥檚 like a veil has been lifted allowing us to see more clearly what was there all along.

Periods of upheaval and crisis both test and reveal our character, as individuals, communities and nations. Over the last few weeks and months, I鈥檝e written about the courage and creativity of so many in our community. I鈥檝e never been prouder of our faculty, students and staff and I am confident that we can and will continue to learn and grow together, building toward a healthier future for all.

But first, we must seize the clarity this moment offers. Painful though it may be, we must face up to the inequities this pandemic has laid bare, and the ugliness that it has revealed. We ARE all in this together, I wear a mask not to protect me, but to protect you. And it is also unquestionably true, that we are not all on equal footing. There are class and race differences not only in who can work from home, and who must venture out, but in who has kept their job and who hasn鈥檛. While low-income and communities of color are more apt to work at jobs that require them to be there in person, these same jobs are less likely to come with health care or sick leave. These communities are more apt to be in neighborhoods characterized by overcrowding and with less access to healthy food choices and recreational activities, conditions that no doubt play a role in the fact that people of color are more apt to suffer complications and even death from COVID-19.

These structural inequities, and the institutional racism that they reflect, create and amplify the conditions that led to the appalling ugliness that we鈥檝e seen in the last few days and weeks 鈥� laid bare once again by ubiquity of cellphone cameras. The post-pandemic goal should not be to go back to the way it was. We must do better. As we enter into a period where a new vigilance around hygiene and closeness will become habitual, and where we measure the consequences of our individual actions not just by their effect on our own health, but on how they might affect our family and friends, let鈥檚 create a 鈥渘ew normal鈥� where attention to issues of equity becomes habitual as well. In this community, in our community, we can and we will continue our work to address issues of equity, racism and bias. The veil has been lifted. We cannot give up 鈥� or go back.

Laura, I see you, I hear you. I know the smart, strong, sensitive woman that you are. I know your pain. My brother has been murdered next to yours, leaving a hole in my heart and life that can never be filled. And to you and all Black students, faculty and staff, while I can only imagine what it鈥檚 like to walk in your shoes because my light skin protects me from your terror, I can and will walk with you.

George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor 鈥� say their names, see their faces, hear their cries. Weep, then act.

This message from 91探花President Ana Mari Cauce was posted to the President’s Blog on May 30, 2020.

Recent developments related to COVID-19 (Message from Denzil Suite)

This message was sent to undergraduate and graduate students at the 91探花’s Seattle campus from Vice President for Student Life Denzil Suite on March 24, 2020. For regularly-updated information and updates on the novel coronavirus and the University鈥檚 response, please visit uw.edu/coronavirus.

Dear Students,

The spread of the COVID-19 virus has created some very challenging times here in Seattle and around the world. Information comes at a frenetic pace, and this crisis has altered nearly every aspect of our personal, academic, social, and professional lives. I write today to acknowledge the flexibility, grace, and goodwill you have shown as we navigate remote instruction and campus life, and to provide some information and resources as we continue to navigate during a turbulent time.

Please know that it is natural to feel stress and uncertainty during these times. However, I also want you to know that all of us at the 91探花are staying abreast of developments and are making every decision with the well-being and education of our students at the forefront as we constantly adapt to this evolving situation.

One important recent development is the stay-at-home order issued by Governor Inslee last night. In light of this, the following information may prove helpful, particularly for those of you who remain on or near campus.

Stay-at-home order: What does it mean?

Essentially, the Governor鈥檚 order requires every Washingtonian to stay in their residence unless they need to pursue an essential activity such as going to the grocery store, accessing health care, or for other critical needs. It also bans all gatherings for social, spiritual, and recreational purposes, as well as closes all businesses except . However, there are some things you can do:

Grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies remain open.
You can still go to restaurants offering take-out.
Feel free to go outside for activities such as walking or exercise, but it is important to keep at least six feet of distance from other people.
Most 91探花offices remain available to you through remote means.
You may return to your existing residence (e.g. returning to your apartment, residence hall, or fraternity or sorority house after being away); although public health guidance recommends you return to a living situation where you can engage with the fewest people possible and we encourage you to follow that guidance by remaining in your permanent residence, if you can.
- For those who live in the Greek system, please connect in advance with your chapter house to confirm whether it is still open.

Additionally, on the UW鈥檚 COVID-19 information page, we continue to share important information about community impact, campus response, and health tips. The key health prevention measures have remained consistent, and include:

Washing hands often with soap and water for a least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer, with 60-95% alcohol, if water is not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and immediately dispose of the used tissue.

Taking care of yourself

Now more than ever, it is critical that you take care of yourself so you can stay well and be there for others. Here is some information from the that may prove useful:

Pay attention to your reactions: It is normal to experience stress, anger, anxiety, and fear during a crisis. Being aware of your reactions can help you decide what you need to cope with these feelings.

Be kind to each other: Remember that COVID-19 doesn鈥檛 recognize race, nationality, or ethnicity. Wearing a mask does not mean a person is ill. Being compassionate is the best thing we can do for ourselves and our communities.

Take a break and relax: There is life outside of the current crisis. Make sure to schedule a break and relax or do things you enjoy such as meditation, listening to music, coloring, etc. Different coping strategies work for different people; use what has worked for you in previous times of stress.

Maintain a healthy routine: It is important to maintain your regular schedule for sleeping, eating, studying, working, socializing, etc. Don’t use nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs to cope with your stress 鈥� these may in fact reduce your body’s capacity to heal itself.

Limit information: Too much information leads to overload and more stress, so try to limit your exposure to news and information regarding the virus. Choose a reputable and non-sensational news source such as the CDC or King County Public Health.

Connect with others: When in distress, you may feel lonely and isolated in what you are going through. You can benefit from connection with others where you can provide and receive support from each other. Talk to your friends and family.

Staying safe

We have found that when there are fewer people on or near campus, safety becomes of greater concern. To help keep you safe, we ask that you:

Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
Use the buddy system; do not go out at night alone.
Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.

Contact the 91探花 Police Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

Moving forward together

These are distressing times for all of us, and while this all will pass and normalcy will return, the disruption to our norms, routines, and communities will undoubtedly affect each of us at different times and in different ways.

Weathering this crisis will be a marathon, not a sprint, and we are all in it together. Let us harness the challenge of these times by banding together; by checking in on one another and looking for ways we can help and support one another. We confront these extraordinary times together, and it is together that we will work through this, with resilience, compassion, and strength.

Sincerely,

Denzil J. Suite
Vice President for Student Life

Campus resources

听provides personal counseling, assessment, referral, and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled students (206-543-1240).

听provides a range of services to assess and treat mental health concerns (206-543-5030).

听provides support and case consultation for students experiencing personal hardship, including academic hardship as the result of extenuating life circumstances (206-543-6085).

听provides a central online resource for access to health and wellness services across the campus.

Academic Advising听may be able to help if you are experiencing challenges navigating academic commitments in light of stressors and disruption associated with these tragedies (206-543-2550). Your department may have additional academic resources.

SafeCampus听is here for you 24/7 if you ever need to privately discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others (206-685-SAFE [7233]).

听is focused on reducing suicide by empowering individuals and communities to take sustainable action, championing systemic change, and restoring hope (206-543-1016)

91探花spring quarter classes will be held remotely (Message from President Cauce)

This message was sent to students on all 91探花 campuses from 91探花President Ana Mari Cauce. For regularly-updated information and updates on the novel coronavirus and the University’s response, please visit uw.edu/coronavirus.

Dear Students,

Today we are announcing our path forward for spring quarter 2020. Thank you, again, for your perseverance and goodwill as we navigate difficult, uncertain and rapidly changing times in our country and the world.

Classes and instruction to be offered remotely throughout spring quarter

Spring quarter will begin as scheduled on March 30, with remote instruction that will continue through the end of the quarter. As country-wide social distancing requirements continue to increase and evolve daily, we believe this is the best course of action for reducing uncertainty and anxiety and establishing a reliable, high-quality method of instruction and academic progress for 91探花students through the spring.

At the outset of the quarter, you and your instructors will work together to establish class norms for teaching and learning remotely. They will offer a grace period with no written assignments due in the first week. Your instructors will also connect you with resources to support this transition, including online advising to support your questions about academic progress. As important, we will be developing online resources focusing on wellness and on how to maintain community and prevent isolation as we work together virtually to cope with the challenges of this ongoing public health crisis. Our faculty, staff and student leadership are here to help you both with your continued academic success and with new ways to engage in this uncharted chapter of your 91探花education.

The quarter will end as scheduled, after final exams conclude on June 12, 2020.

We recognize the nature of some courses precludes their being offered online due to the experiential nature of the content, or lack of access to required materials. We will be flexible with shifts in your schedule and hope to increase course offerings over the summer and fall to ensure access to classes required to meet major requirements. We will also provide, as much as possible, flexibility in requirements to support those nearing graduation, so as not to impede your post-graduation plans or opportunities. You can expect to hear more from your college or department soon about these and other issues. We also understand you likely have many questions. We have created听听and will be updating that frequently. Online student support services for advising, financial aid, libraries, counseling and career services will be available, and staffing adjustments are underway to expand our service capabilities.听There will be no change in financial aid for full-time students enrolled in spring quarter who qualify for and planned to receive it.

It鈥檚 important to note that while there are many other practical details to attend to as we transition to a remote environment, a 91探花education, whether delivered in-person or online, is still an excellent 91探花education. Our faculty and staff are welcoming this quarter with a spirit of innovation and exploration, drawing on their scholarly and instructional expertise to create an active, engaging and experiential learning experience for students. We fully expect that for graduate and undergraduate students alike, research, vigorous inquiry, meaningful projects and a variety of programs and offerings will continue 鈥� online, but with the same creativity and commitment to quality that they do in person.

Housing, dining and campus operations

We expect that most students who returned home prior to spring break will remain there, and we encourage that. Housing and Food Services will send additional information directly to all students who currently have housing agreements with the University. We will provide those students with ample time to retrieve your possessions to ensure you have a smooth transition process.

Our residence halls, along with limited dining services, remain available to students who need to reside on campus. All students who remain in campus housing will be required to stay in residence halls or apartments with private bathrooms to limit shared hygienic spaces and encourage social distancing. As mentioned, more information will be sent directly to all students who currently have housing agreements with the university.

For those who do live on or near campus and wish to access campus services, modified operations will be in place. We continue to encourage all employees who can perform their work remotely to telework as per public health guidance. Those offices that remain open will have limited operations that minimize in-person interaction.

Thank you for your patience, flexibility and dedication to your education. We understand how profoundly disruptive and disappointing this crisis is to your academic and campus experience, and we share your sadness and appreciate your sacrifice on behalf of those who are most susceptible to this virus. We also recognize that the loss of in-person community and remote learning can feel socially isolating, and we encourage you to reach out and stay connected. Be assured that we will do the same.

As we deal with so much uncertainty, there is one thing about which I am certain 鈥� even from afar, we are a part of a great Husky family. Together, we will come through this, stronger, wiser and more deeply connected than ever before.

Sincerely,

Ana Mari Cauce
President
Professor of Psychology

Importance of self-care in light of recent losses

A message from Denzil Suite, 91探花Vice President for Student Life.

Dear Fellow Huskies,

The holidays are a time of love, charity, and joy. The cooler weather has arrived, the leaves are more colorful, and the sights, smells, and sounds of the season are all around us. This is the time of year when we collectively express the love and gratitude we feel in our hearts all year long.

For some, however, the holiday season is also a source of stress and anxiety. During this time, it is easy to develop a false perception that everyone else is living perfect lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many of us struggle with numerous things and we fail to remember to take care of ourselves. I therefore ask that we all prioritize during what can be a frenetic time.

We recently learned of the passing of two cherished members of our 91探花student family who died by suicide. We are profoundly saddened by these losses and are providing support to the families, friends, and classmates of these students. We are also reminded of the importance of embracing community, not hesitating to reach out for help, and as much as ever, being there for one another.

Losing a fellow student and member of our Husky family has significant and far-reaching impacts, and can affect each of us differently. The reasons underlying every suicide are complex, and following events like these, it often feels like there are .

For those of you impacted by these losses, I cannot overstate the importance of allowing yourself to grieve, which can take many forms 鈥� no two people are likely to experience grief in the same way. Life hands grief to all of us at different times and unexpectedly.

One of the strongest protective factors for emotional health is being involved with and connected to community. Especially as we enter a stressful period of the quarter where expectations seem enormous, I ask that we all make an extra effort to reach out to others, check in on one another, and extend compassion at every opportunity, including the classroom.

Importantly, this means applying that same attentiveness and compassion toward yourself. Truly nothing is more important than your health and well-being.

Below are resources if you or someone you know needs help processing these deaths or is currently struggling with thoughts of suicide 鈥� please do not hesitate to use them, and support others in doing the same. For example, take a walk with a friend to the 听or make a courageous phone call to SafeCampus.

We mourn these losses together as a 91探花community. Please know that we are here for you in the weeks and months ahead to help with any support you may need.

Sincerely,

Denzil J. Suite
Vice President for Student Life

Campus Resources

听connects 91探花students with support from counselors without an appointment via drop-in hours at various sites on campus.

听provides personal counseling, assessment, referral, and crisis intervention services to currently-enrolled students (206-543-1240).

听provides a range of services to assess and treat mental health concerns (206-543-5030).

听provides support and case consultation for students experiencing personal hardship, including academic hardship as the result of extenuating life circumstances (206-543-6085).

听provides a central online resource for access to health and wellness services across the campus.

SafeCampus听is here for you 24/7 if you ever need to privately discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others (206-685-SAFE [7233]).

听is focused on reducing suicide by empowering individuals and communities to take sustainable action, championing systemic change, and restoring hope (206-543-1016).

External Resources

If you鈥檙e thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

:听1-800-273-8255

:听741741

If the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger of killing themselves and/or refuses to stay safe with you, call 911, or text 911 with location information and services needed.

Grad Student Spotlight: How Kickboxing made me a better Teacher, Researcher, and Engineer

Guest post from Eldridge Alcantara, 91探花Electrical & Computer Engineering PhD Candidate, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, and Cardio Kickboxing Group Fitness Instructor.

My Husky Experience began in autumn 2013, when I started my graduate program in Electrical Engineering. And I鈥檓 not going to lie 鈥� I felt like I was on top of the world.

Even though I was setting aside a pretty good life already in San Diego, CA, where I was born and raised surrounded by a large Filipino family, close friends, and a full-time engineering job, I was thrilled to be here in Seattle because I was finally pursuing my dream of getting a PhD.

On top of that, I came into 91探花with a five-year scholarship and a guarantee to return to my job in San Diego afterwards. Nothing could go wrong, right? I just have to be the best student researcher with the most amazing research project, and this degree would be in the bag.

But that鈥檚 not what happened.

Fast forward to 2019, I鈥檓 still in my PhD, in my sixth year, and still fighting to finish. What has surprised me is that my most notable highlights so far have not come from research, as I had originally envisioned and is common with other PhD students. Rather, my greatest experiences and successes have come from another love of mine: teaching.

I came to 91探花with the intention to improve in research. But I soon realized I could not turn away from teaching that easily, something rooted in me ever since my time leading Electrical Engineering discussion sections as an undergraduate at UC San Diego. Something about being a TA just feels right. I like the interaction with my students. I like coming up with new ways to review concepts and solve problems. So, I decided to carve my own path and seek out other opportunities to teach.

I emailed Professor Maryam Fazel, who was teaching a class called Continuous-Time Linear Systems (EE 235), and I asked her if I could lead optional discussion sections as a volunteer. I鈥檓 surprised to this day that she did not brush this off as a prank, and I鈥檒l be forever grateful that she agreed to let me teach these sections, which I continue to lead to this day.

Photo: 91探花EE 235 (Continuous Time Linear Systems) class, Spring 2014

So, after my first year, I was doing great with my PhD program while continuing to keep my teaching skills sharp. I started to wonder, what鈥檚 next for me?

Little did I know that an opportunity was waiting in the wings.

That opportunity was 91探花Recreation鈥檚 Fitness Instruction Training (FIT) Program. I was already a group fitness enthusiast, and I liked the idea of getting paid to work out, but I saw something else with the FIT program: another opportunity to teach 鈥� to teach a new class format, in a new environment, and to a wider campus community I鈥檇 never worked with before.

I joined the program not being the fittest person in my cohort (nor the most enthusiastic), but I was determined to finish. I completed it in spring 2015, and began teaching Cardio Kickboxing the following autumn quarter.

During my first quarter teaching Cardio Kickboxing, I was amazed how I was able to seamlessly apply all that I learned from engineering teaching. Over eight weeks, I taught short combination sequences to the beat of music that incorporate basic punches and kicks and increase in difficulty over a quarter.

Photo:听 91探花Dawg Daze Cardio Kickboxing class, Autumn 2017

My time as a TA helped me understand the importance of designing organized lesson plans. I knew how to break down what I taught into small, digestible parts that my participants could follow. I also understood how to progress my lessons slowly and methodically over a quarter to help my participants safely reach their fitness goals.

Unfortunately, there was one thing missing that first quarter: enthusiasm.

As my fitness manager noted, 鈥淓ldridge, your experience in teaching clearly shows, but if you want your students to be at 100% intensity, I need you to be teaching at 110%.鈥� I learned right away that any amount of enthusiasm I showed in an engineering classroom was not going to be enough for fitness, so I worked on it.

I practiced my class routines more regularly, so that over time, I worried less about the elements of my choreography and focused more on being comfortable in front of my participants. It worked. My class blossomed as a result, with healthy attendance rates that continue to this day, 11 quarters later.

But do you know what surprised me most about my experience with 91探花Recreation?

Being a group fitness instructor served to improve other areas of my work in ways I could never imagine. My engineering students now comment on how much more engaging my class is because of my energy and enthusiasm. I owe that to Cardio Kickboxing and the confidence it taught me, where I鈥檓 regularly shouting things like 鈥測ou go, boy!鈥� or 鈥渘ice side kick, girl!鈥�

My work as a researcher also improved. I get regular comments from my advisors and colleagues on how my presentations flow well and are easy to follow. I owe that to Cardio Kickboxing and the experience teaching to music and speaking to a wider non-technical audience.

Reflecting on these last six years, I never would have predicted that teaching would define my Husky Experience. My love for teaching has only deepened. From teaching group fitness and further engaging outside the classroom, I truly believe I have become not only a better researcher, engineer, and TA, but a healthier and more well-rounded individual.

Photo:听 91探花Dawg Daze Cardio Kickboxing class, Autumn 2018

Easy Ways to Practice Self Love this Valentine鈥檚 Day

Valentine鈥檚 Day is known for a lot of things鈥攔oses and chocolate, to name just a few. It鈥檚 a day to celebrate significant others, family, and friends, but it鈥檚 also a great opportunity to remind yourself to practice some self-love as well. With the gloom of winter weather, the stress of midterms season, and finals seemingly right around the corner, there鈥檚 never been a better time to take a little better care of yourself. Not sure where to begin? Try starting with a few of these ideas.

Detox your social media feeds

Social media has been the center of a lot of controversy lately; love it or hate it, , FOMO, and the are undeniably issues of our generation. If your own feed is triggering any feelings of stress or anxiety, it might be time to take a look at who you鈥檙e following or what posts show up while you scroll. Unfollowing or unfriending someone might feel awkward, especially if they鈥檙e a friend, so instead try just muting some Instagram stories or unfollowing people on Facebook so their posts won鈥檛 pop up every time you open those apps. Not only will this help stop comparison culture, you might even cut down on daily time you spend on social media since you鈥檙e not wading through content that you鈥檙e not interested in.

Check your caffeine habits

I know, I know鈥攖his can seem impossible at best, and blasphemous at worst. Whether you鈥檙e brewing your own coffee at home, stopping by a campus Starbucks, or using energy drinks to get an extra boost, caffeine can seem like a necessity just to get it all done. However, too much caffeine can like nervousness or a racing heartbeat. If you鈥檙e already stressed, that鈥檚 the last thing you need鈥攏ot to mention it can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. Check in on whether you鈥檙e drinking those 2 or 3+ cups a day out of necessity or habit. Do you really need the caffeine boost or do you just like the taste? The cozy feeling of a hot beverage on a cold day? Think about trying decaf after lunch or branching out to try matcha or chai.

Stretch

After hours of class, group project meetings, and studying, it鈥檚 no surprise if you feel stiff or sore at the end of the day. Taking ten or fifteen minutes to stretch can help shake off that tension and leave you feeling infinitely more relaxed. Not only will you be less tense, but it can lead to better posture and even better sleep.

Schedule something you鈥檒l look forward to

Some weeks are rougher than others, and these mid-quarter, dead-of-winter weeks can feel like the roughest of all. One of the best ways to motivate yourself to make it through the endless grind is putting something on your calendar you can look forward to. A bright spot you know is coming up in the future will make the Ode study sessions in the present just a little more bearable. Commitment is key鈥攂ook a spin class in advance online, get movie tickets, or make plans with a friend to go to Volunteer Park. Accountability will mean you actually take time off from studying, working, or, let鈥檚 be honest, even just re-watching Parks & Rec on Netflix for the umpteenth time.

Say no to something

After the last tip this might seem a little counterintuitive, but having time to say yes to things you love usually means having to say no to something else. If your Google Calendar is starting to look like a rainbow kaleidoscope of colors, appointments, and commitments, maybe it鈥檚 time to create a little white space鈥攍iterally and figuratively. Everyone needs to unwind every now and then, and that free time can free up some mental space as well.

Make a go-to playlist

We all have certain songs that always make us feel better, so why not put them all in one place for when a bad day or a late afternoon slump hits? Throw anything on there that always puts you in a good mood鈥攗pbeat jams that always make you feel better, any soundtracks that hype you up, or even some middle school throwbacks. A better day is only some headphones and a push of a button away.

Valentine鈥檚 Day might be just a day in February, but these are habits you can carry throughout the year to make getting through those classes and extracurriculars just a little easier.

Student Life blogger Hannah M. is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English听who听is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to听find her听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.

UW鈥檚 Lincoln Johnson Awarded Top Student Life Honors

By the 91探花Student Life team

We think Lincoln Johnson (Associate Vice President for Student Life) is an extraordinary individual. And it turns out we鈥檙e not alone鈥� We are overjoyed to announce that Lincoln has been awarded the AVP Student Affairs Professional Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession in the US and around the world. The award honors student affairs’ and higher education’s most transformational leaders.

Without launching into a hyperbolic series of food-based analogies (peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots鈥� you get the idea), we will say that it鈥檚 hard to imagine 91探花without Lincoln. 鈥淏ubba Linc,鈥� as he is affectionately known by many, has devoted most of his career to empowering 91探花students to reach higher, achieve more, and have fun in the process.

In more than 20 years at the UW, Lincoln has held a variety of roles. He has served as Director of the HUB, Assistant Vice Provost for Campus Life, and in 2010, he took on his current role as Associate Vice President for Student Life. The departments in his portfolio include more than 100 full-time staff positions and more than 900 student employees.

During his tenure, he has been a leader and an advocate for an array of causes and communities that have transformed the student experience (and even the physical landscape) at UW.

He has worked to build and advance 91探花programming supporting leadership development, diversity and equity, the LGBTQ student experience, student veteran success, fraternity and sorority life, student legal services鈥� the list goes on.

He has been a pivotal liaison between the University administration and student government, registered student organizations, and other key campus partners and student-led constituencies. And somewhere in all of that, he even found the time to rebuild the HUB! Well, at least oversee its massive renovation.

Lincoln has diligently served the University as a whole and has empowered hundreds (thousands?) of students to not only see their own potential, but strive actively to reach it.

If you ask him, one of the most rewarding parts of his career has been to keep in touch with the small army of students he鈥檚 helped along the way. Seeing the way his face lights up when he shows off the (literally) countless holiday cards he gets from alumni and student mentees, it鈥檚 easy to understand why he cherishes his work with students.

Since completing his undergraduate and graduate studies at Baylor University in Waco Texas, he has worked for four universities in four different states. His life鈥檚 work has been in service to students and improving the higher education experience for all.

While he is originally from Texas, there鈥檚 no doubt that Lincoln has made 91探花his home. And we鈥檙e so glad he did.

Congratulations Lincoln, and thank you for all that you do!

Student Voices: Perspectives on Leadership from the Husky 100

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 23^rd!) 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�

鈥斕�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.

听鈥淭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�

鈥斕�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.

To learn more about the Husky 100听recognition as well as current听and past nominees, visit the Husky 100 website.