Category Archives: Alumni Spotlight

PPPA Alums Share Experiences With UWT Community

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Invited to UWT’s Alumni Speaker Series, two PPPA alums recently returned to campus to discuss their personal stories, along the way providing students with college and career advice.

On January 11th, Dee Sonntag, who was recently elected to the Tacoma Municipal Court, visited us. Dee graduated magna cum laude in 2013 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. While a student, she started the Pre-Law Society, then was selected to be her class’s Commencement Speaker.  Post graduation, Dee attended the University of Washington School of Law, then worked for both the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel.  A year ago she was elected to the Tacoma Municipal Court.

Prior to Dee’s visit, last November 16th, NIck Brooks came to campus to talk with the UWT community.  Nick graduated a couple of years ago with a degree in Politics Philosophy and Economics. Before UWT, Nick served in the Air Force for 21 years. Since graduation, he’s been active in the non-profit community, and has served on community boards such as with the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, and the historical preservation group Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle. Nick also has long experience as a entrepreneur and property developer.  Nick is also active as a father of five, and a coach of various youth sports teams.

It’s always great to see our former students back on campus!

UWT Alum Elected Tacoma Municipal Court Judge

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A trailblazer, Dee Ann (Dee) Sonntag, graduate of University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) and the University of Washington School of Law, was elected (by over 60%) as Tacoma Municipal Court Judge, Department 1, the first woman to serve in this position.

Sonntag completed her bachelor’s degree majoring in Politics, Philosophy & Economics and minoring in Human Rights. At UWT, she was an active member of several student organizations, including the Pre-Law Society, ASUWT, and the Legislative Action Committee. After graduating from UW, Sonntag worked as a prosecuting and defense attorney at the Superior Court, District Court, and Department 1 of Tacoma Municipal Court. These formative experiences gave Sonntag a firm foundation for a career as a dedicated public servant.

While acknowledging the flaws of the current criminal justice system,  Sonntag pointed out in an interview with Faith Rasmussen for Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) news, that it is essential to keep faith in the role the system plays, adding that she believes “in the important work that we do to try to make it better.” Sonntag endeavors to connect with community partners and act with a “compassionate therapeutic-based approach to criminal justice [hiredeesonntag.com]” that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.

Congratulations, Dee Sonntag! We are all proud of your new leadership role for the Tacoma community.

Alumna Runs for Tacoma Municipal Court Judge

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Dee Ann “Dee” Sonntag is the embodiment of grit and advocacy. A graduate of both the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) and the University of Washington Seattle (UW Law School), Sonntag is currently pursuing a position as a Municipal Court Judge for the city of Tacoma. Born in Puyallup, Sonntag grew up around three older sisters. In fourth grade, her whole family moved to a small town called Roundup in the state of Montana but returned to Tacoma for her higher educational career; transferring from Tacoma Community College to the UWT.

Sonntag majored in Politics, Philosophy & Economics and minored in Human Rights. She was involved in multiple Student Organizations including Pre-Law Society, A.S.U.W.T., Politics, Philosophy & Economics Club, Public Relations Committee, and the Legislative Action Committee.  When asked if she had any advice for freshmen who are new to the U.W.T. campus, Sonntag suggested:

“I’ll pass on the good advice that I received, which was to remain open-minded and invest yourself as much as you can in your institution.” Continue reading →

Alumni Spotlight: Christopher Martinez, ’15

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Christopher Martinez, ’15

Christopher Martinez can confidently say that UW Tacoma was the right choice for him. “I made some lifelong friendships and met mentors that I still keep in touch with today,” he says. “My time at UW Tacoma had a huge impact on my career and education.” And his career and education are going far — currently, Christopher is in his third year at the University of Washington School of Law, and works in California with the Department of Justice’s Civil Division doing employment and labor litigation.

As a Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major with a minor in Human Rights, Christopher secured an internship through the Washington State Legislative Internship program at UW Tacoma, and he credits that experience with his subsequent job at the Attorney General’s Office. Continue reading →

Alumni Spotlight: Jackie Wheeler, ’13

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Jackie Wheeler, ’13

Congratulations to UWT alum Jackie Wheeler on her acceptance to the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University! 

Since graduating from the Politics, Philosophy & Economics program in 2013, Jackie has worked as a Program Specialist with the Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, in Olympia, WA. She also interned for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. while still an undergraduate. Now returning to the D.C. for her Master’s, Jackie reflects on how UW Tacoma helped her along her path to a career she feels passionate about.

When she moved to Washington from North Carolina, Jackie originally intended to attend UW Seattle, but unexpectedly fell in love with UW Tacoma instead. “I love the small class sizes, the prestigious faculty, and the feeling of community that you get when being on campus,” she says. “I have many fond memories at UWT. I know that the friends I made while at UW Tacoma will be my friends for life.”  Continue reading →

Alumni Spotlight: Catherine Tonsberg, ’16

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Catherine Tonsberg, PPE ’16

Congratulations to Catherine Tonsberg on her recent acceptance to Brown University’s Master of Public Affairs program! Currently living and working in Rhode Island, Catherine answered a few questions for us about how her time at UW Tacoma prepared her for her career and, now, her graduate education.

Catherine majored in Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE), with a Law and Policy minor. Describing her program, she says, “I was first drawn to UW Tacoma by the faculty who were active in their field and doing interesting and important work, but the PPE major is what cemented my decision to attend…. The PPE major provided me with analytical tools far beyond what any of these fields would have on their own, and has made me well prepared to think about the human and moral implications of political and economic issues.”  Continue reading →

Pam Nogueira Maneman (’12) Running for Pacific County Prosecutor

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Pam Nogueira Maneman, UWT ’12

Pam Nogueira Maneman, a graduate of UW Tacoma (’12) and the UW School of Law (’15), is running for prosecutor in Pacific County, WA. In the midst of her busy schedule working in a private law firm and serving on Grays Harbor County Drug Court, Pacific County Drug Court, and as a City Council member for the City of Raymond – in addition to running her campaign! – Pam was generous enough to answer some questions for us about her passion for law, her career ambitions, and her UW roots.  Continue reading →

Alumni Spotlight: Mohamed Rashed, PPPA ’11

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Mohamed Rashed, PPPA ’11

In 2006, already at work on his degree in business administration, Mohamed Rashed made the daunting decision to leave his home in Egypt and move to the United States. He arrived with little English skills, but enrolled in UW Tacoma just the next year. By 2011, he had graduated with dual Bachelors degrees in Politics and International Business, and then went on to Eastern Washington University for 2 Masters degrees in Business and Public Administration. Today, Mohamed is a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, alongside working as a newly-hired Vice President and Branch Manager at Banner Bank in Spokane, WA and teaching financial literacy to refugees through World Relief.

Continue reading →

Our Alums Staff Legislators’ Offices

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UWT grads are increasingly walking the halls of the state capitol!  This year, three former students are employed as Legislative Assistants for members of the legislature.  All three got their feet wet in state politics through their participation in our internship courses. Anna Nepomuceno (far left) is the LA for Rep. Jake Fey (D-27th District).  Anna graduated last year with a major in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Derek Zable (second from left), is the LA for Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45th District).  He graduated five years ago, and also majored in PP&E.  Nick Russell (far right) works in Sen. Hans Zeiger (R-25th District). He too was a PP&E major, and graduated three years ago. Last month the three alums met with our current interns in the state legislature.  Shown here are Barbie Weaver (center) and Andy Brown (second from right).  Not shown are interns Adan Espino and Monica Cysensky.

Alum Lester Burkes Moderates City Club Event

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On Nov 1st, Lester Burkes (PPE, ’14) moderated a forum on Community Policing sponsored by City Club of Tacoma.  Community Policing brings police and citizens together to prevent crime and solves neighborhood problems. Panelists included Sue Rahr (former King County Sheriff), Rev. Gregory Christopher (Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church and current President of the Tacoma branch of the NAACP), Don Ramsdell (Tacoma Chief of Police), and Marcus Rogers (Project Peace Executive Board and Tacoma Police Representative).

Sue Rahr (left), Don Ramsdell (c) and Lester Burkes (r).

Continue reading →