Welcome to the Class of 2024!
On June 7, 2024, UW Tacoma celebrated it's 35th annual Commencement at the Tacoma Dome.
Almost 1,800 degrees have been awarded in the 2023-24 academic year across 60 undergraduate and 15 graduate academic programs. 12,000 friends and family members will watch members of the Class of 2024 walk across the stage to receive their ceremonial greetings and diplomas from campus leadership.
As of June 7, there are now more than 33,000 UW Tacoma alumni in the world!
Scroll down to learn more the latest additions to that august group.
New Educational Specialist Degree
The first group of students in the UW Tacoma School of Education's new Educational Specialist degree in school psychology (Ed.S.) is graduating this year.
Dr. Laura Feuerborn, pictured at left, and her colleagues have created a framework to address a critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals who promote anti-racism, collaboration, equity and inclusion.
Highlights of the Ceremony
Medals of Excellence
Learn more about the 2024 UW President's Medalist from UW Tacoma, Danalyn Fernandez, '24, B.A. Psychology; and the 2024 UW Tacoma Chancellor's Medalist, Christian Gombio, '24, B.S. Biomedical Sciences.
Photo Gallery
Relive the excitement and joy of the ceremony through these photos, showing key scenes, from the flying of the "W" flag atop the Tacoma Dome, to the departure of the UW Mace, marking the official end of Commencement.
Meet the Class of 2024
Seniors Share Their Experiences
Seven members of the Class of 2024 talk about their time at UW Tacoma and offer advice for future classes.
The seniors are Sean Lambird, B.A. Urban Studies; De'Andre Carroll, future B.A. Business Administration/Finance; Britney Guel, B.A. Communications; Alesha Rebitzer, B.A. Business Administration; Simon Njoroge, B.S. Mechanical Engineering; Katie Ray, B.A. Business Administration/Marketing; and Vinial Kumar, B.S. Civil Engineering.
Danny Elmoussa
arrow_drop_down_circle Danny Elmoussa
B.A. Business Administration/Marketing
2023 First Gen Fellow
As a first-generation student, it’s not easy to find opportunities to engage as I tend to feel some sort of imposter syndrome and feel like I don’t belong. I have learned to over come these obstacles by having the courage not only to ask questions, but to put myself out there regardless of my perceived acceptability. This mindset has taken me places I’d never thought I’d be.
Danalyn Lia Fernandez
arrow_drop_down_circle Danalyn Lia Fernandez
B.A. Psychology
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
2024 President’s Medal
2024 Husky 100
I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships and resources I’ve gained at UW Tacoma that empowered me to uncover the strengths of my identities as a first-generation student and second-generation Filipina-American! Through research, community partnerships and tutoring, I gained a passion to amplify underrepresented voices in my community by challenging deficit narratives and highlighting intergenerational resilience. I aspire to become a strengths-based psychologist who risks the fight for resilience and equitable mental well-being for AANHPI and first-gen youth — one who honors previous generations whose burdens were silenced and paves the way for upcoming generations to boldly embrace their identities.
Christian Gombio
arrow_drop_down_circle Christian Gombio
B.S. Biomedical Sciences
Cum Laude
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
2024 Chancellor’s Medal
Director, Grad Class Gift Committee
Visit Christian's LinkedIn page
I am a first-generation college graduate who was born and raised on the island of Guam, where I first heard my calling to pursue veterinary medicine. My early years in Washington were a struggle – imposter syndrome weighed heavily on me. I second-guessed transferring to UW Tacoma; I honestly didn’t think I had a lot to bring to the table. Within my first week of classes at UWT, I was proven wrong. What I love most about UWT is the faculty and staff and their willingness to connect with students. My calling has been re-amplified, and I am about to enter a doctor of veterinary medicine this fall!
Hilary Griffith
arrow_drop_down_circle Hilary Griffith
B.A. Business Administration/Accounting
Milgard School of Business
Ambassador, Grad Class Gift Committee
UW Tacoma has helped me reach my dreams of being a first-generation graduate after a 10-year break to raise four amazing kiddos! My once-in-a-lifetime experience has helped me grow in confidence and knowledge. I am excited to move into the business world and make decisions that will help my employer’s business grow!
Advice: Get involved and get to know people, even if you are shy!
Britney Guel
arrow_drop_down_circle Britney Guel
B.A. Communications
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
U.S. Army veteran
I’ve worked for the past two years in the UW Tacoma Veterans & Military Resource Center, helping military-affiliated students access their education benefits. In the Army, I was an information technology specialist. I’m excited to be finishing my degree, but I’m also kind of sad because my time at UW Tacoma is coming to an end. No more school, just a big-girl job now for sure!
Christian “CJ” James
arrow_drop_down_circle Christian “CJ” James
B.S. Biomedical Sciences
Magna Cum Laude
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
2023 Husky 100
Co-Director, Grad Class Gift Committee
Visit Christian's LinkedIn page
My experience at UW Tacoma was unequivocally transformative and filled with relentless opportunities to become the forward-thinking physician I aspire to be. I’m looking forward to pushing the boundaries of preventive care so I can help my community build the pathway reaching those who are underserved.
Advice: Your education and college experiences are generated from the effort you make, not solely from the effort of those providing these opportunities to you.
Vinial Kumar
arrow_drop_down_circle Vinial Kumar
B.S. Civil Engineering
School of Engineering & Technology
2024 Husky 100
Having experienced firsthand the impacts of climate change while growing up in Fiji, I am driven to mitigate greenhouse emissions and create resilient infrastructure. Through leadership in organizations like UWT ASCE and Engineers without Borders, alongside internships and advocacy work, I have worked tirelessly to bridge academic knowledge with practical solutions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and inclusivity. My passion for creating positive change extends beyond traditional boundaries, as I strive to empower diverse voices and champion sustainable development practices for a brighter, more equitable future.
Sean Lambird
arrow_drop_down_circle Sean Lambird
B.A. Urban Studies
School of Urban Studies
Finishing my degree is a little terrifying at first because I’ve never not been in school. I’ve been doing school since I was five years old. But I’m excited to start my career with the Morgan Family YMCA, part of the YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties. My advice to future classes: be as involved as you can because what you get out of your experience on campus is what you put into it.
Lexy Luna
arrow_drop_down_circle Lexy Luna
B.A. Psychology
B.S. Biomedical Sciences
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
2024 Husky 100
My time at the UW Tacoma enabled me to overcome adversity and granted me numerous opportunities to develop as a mentor and leader who creates sincere connections with my peers and patients. Though my endeavors as an Emergency Medical Technician, president of the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students, Office of Global Affairs Fellow and community volunteer, I have dedicated myself to making others feel respected, empowered and connected. My experiences have taught me the importance of embracing new challenges which have thus guided me towards my goal of being an inspiring, confident and compassionate physician in my community.
Maria Escalera Maldanado
arrow_drop_down_circle Maria Escalera Maldanado
Master of Social Work
School of Social Work & Criminal Justice
2024 Husky 100
Since I started graduate school in 2021, I have held many different roles: a wife, a mother to my eight-year-old, a caregiver to my elderly mother and a student who also works a full-time job. As a bicultural BIPOC woman, I have traversed these responsibilities within and alongside the Latino community. I know that my success as a Husky is innately integrated with the promotion of equity and social justice in the underserved and immigrant communities that I have found both within and beyond the campus community. As a first-generation college student and the daughter of an immigrant mother from Mexico, equity is deeply important to me, and social justice has always been at the heart of who I am.
Simon Njoroge
arrow_drop_down_circle Simon Njoroge
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering & Technology
2024 Husky 100
Ambassador, Grad Class Gift Committee
As an international first-gen student from Kenya, I’ve succeeded in navigating the challenges of adapting to a new educational system and cultural environment, transforming hurdles into opportunities for personal and academic growth. In addition to my academic and research pursuits, I established an organization providing mentorship to immigrant students entering engineering, now with 40 members, reflecting my commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the engineering community. Through research, peer mentoring, leadership roles in organizations like Engineers without Borders, and participation in initiatives like the NASA L’SPACE Program’s Mission Concept Academy, I’ve consistently advocated for inclusive engineering solutions that positively impact diverse communities. My ultimate aim is to revolutionize transportation safety and efficiency through innovative vehicle control systems, grounded in critical thinking and inclusivity, to create safer, more sustainable and accessible communities for all.
Alesha Rebitzer
arrow_drop_down_circle Alesha Rebitzer
B.A. Business Administration
Milgard School of Business
2023 First Gen Fellow
Co-Director, Grad Class Gift Committee
My experience at UW Tacoma was exhilarating! Everyone — staff, students and professors — made my experience wonderful. The First Gen Office helped me reach new heights, taught me my voice matters, and let me see I can seriously do anything I put my mind to. I feel a newfound power and love for my strengths that I previously saw as weaknesses. I will forever be a Husky!
Advice: Never stop learning. You never know who you will meet or what you will discover by keeping an open mind.
Trinity Utnage
arrow_drop_down_circle Trinity Utnage
B.A. Criminal Justice
School of Social Work & Criminal Justice
2023 First Gen Fellow
Ambassador, Grad Class Gift Committee
I grew up in the foster care system. I didn’t have much family there to support me at first. I had no examples of a college-educated person. I had to find motivation inside me to step out of what I was used to. I found that fire inside me that said I deserved to go to college and create a better life for myself and my son. Even though I have had struggles in my past, I found that motivation to go to college and now I help foster youth get their voices heard in the Washington legislature and the U.S. Congress.
Advice: Learn from your obstacles and challenges. Turn the pain and fear into motivation to make change. A support system is huge when starting something new and being the first in your family.
McKenna Yohey
arrow_drop_down_circle McKenna Yohey
B.A. Business Administration/Marketing
Milgard School of Business
2023 First Gen Fellow
As the first in my family to attend college, I have overcome many hurdles. I have been pushed to grow and adapt in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I have faced financial obstacles, such as working two or three jobs to make sure I had money for textbooks and gas to get to school. I had to figure out how to navigate the complex application process. But now I am forging a new path for future generations.
Advice: Embrace the journey and have fun along the way!
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