Category Archives: Division News

Announcing “253 Economics,” a Collaborative Blog from PPPA

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UW Tacoma’s Division of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs (PPPA) has started a new blog, 253 Economics, that features students’ voices on contemporary issues and debates within economics, including those occurring here in the 253 area code. The purpose of 253 Economics is to show how economic reasoning applies to real world issues, and to do so in non-technical language that a general audience can understand. Sample topics include economics of education, health, immigration, labor, trade, and urban policies. The blog is a collaborative effort among economics faculty and students, and gives students an opportunity to share insights gained through their coursework and experience.

253 Economics is managed by UWT’s economics faculty and edited by Seyed Karimi (skarimi2@uw.edu). Bookmark blogs.uw.edu/econ253/ for easy access to new posts!

 

Congratulations! Dr. Jane Compson and Dr. Will McGuire Receive Tenure

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Congratulations to Dr. Compson and Dr. McGuire! Celebrate these newly tenured faculty by getting to know them a little better, including a preview of their current and upcoming projects.

Dr. Jane Compson, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Dr. Compson has taught at UW Tacoma since 2012. Her specialties are applied philosophy, environmental ethics, philosophy of religion and the environment, comparative religion, and Buddhist thought (phew!).

Developing new work with the community is a big priority Continue reading →

PP&E Student Espino Cited in Seattle Times Article

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About 40 percent of UWT students receive need-based grants from the State. That fact comes to us from PP&E major Adán Espino Jr.   Last week, Seattle Times reporter Katherine Long interviewed Espino, then cited him in her article on proposals under consideration by state legislators to increase funding for the state’s need-based grant program. If passed, one proposal would turn this grant program for college students — which is currently underfunded — into an entitlement program, so that all students eligible for aid would receive it. Currently, only 70,000 out of the 90,000 students in the state eligible for a grant, receive one.

Espino is the UWT’s legislative liaison this year; he’s been spending the quarter in Olympia representing UWT students during this year’s legislative session.  The student lobbyists have all been pushing hard for fully funding the state’s need based grant program. That effort seems to be paying off!

Our Students in Olympia

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This quarter, four UW Tacoma students have been hard at work in our state’s Capitol. Andy Brown, Monica Cysensky, and Barbie Weaver are participating in the Washington State Legislative Internship program, and Adán Espino, Jr. is UW Tacoma’s student lobbyist in Olympia. As the quarter draws to a close, we’re checking in with these students to learn about their experiences so far.

Andy Brown, a Law and Policy major, is working for Senator Steve O’Ban, Legislative District #28.

Andy Brown, pictured at the Supreme Court Bench.

Andy says, “This experience has given me an entirely new outlook on what it takes to enact new legislation and be a part of the Washington State Legislature. It is a very fast paced 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.

Farewell to Our Graduating Seniors: Shonda Singleton

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“I’ve come a long way,” reflects graduating senior Shonda Singleton (left). Indeed she has.

Shonda is one of eight Law and Policy students graduating this quarter. Like many of our graduates, Shonda aspires to law school, and next year she plans to take the LSAT.

But graduating from college has not been easy.  Shonda was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, and at the age of 13 was pregnant.  Before finishing sixth grade, she had dropped out of school and never returned.  As an adult, Shonda eventually left Louisiana and followed family members settling in the South Puget Sound area.  “Monroe had turned into a ghost town,” she explains. “There was nothing there to do. No jobs, no opportunity.”  Eventually Shonda wound up at Tacoma Community College, and after three years achieved her dream of obtaining her GED. With encouragement from TCC faculty, Shonda soon enrolled in college, and in 2014 completed her AA degree at TCC.  Two years ago she arrived on our campus. Continue reading →

Williams and Wadland Detail UWT’s History

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Ever wondered about UWT’s history? Wonder no more!  Professor Charles Williams and librarian Justin Wadland recently collaborated on an essay detailing the history of the UW Tacoma campus.  The essay is now published on Historylink.org (The Free Encylopedia of Washington State History) and is available to all online. Read about the establishment of the campus, the first classes held downtown in 1990, and the eventual expansion of offerings from one single upper-division Liberal Studies program to its current full range of undergraduate and graduate offerings across seven programs and schools.  Congratulations, Charles and Justin.

Our Interns in the Community, Here and Abroad

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This quarter, four of our students have interned in various locations, most in Tacoma, but one in far-flung Azerbaijan!  Aaron Guzman (left), is graduating this quarter in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. This quarter he was an investigative intern with Pierce County’s Department of Assigned Counsel, working with alleged criminals during pre-trial procedures. “I’ve been learning a lot about investigations,” Aaron says. “My supervisor provides us with real world experience, and I enjoy going to court houses and jails. Now more than ever, I’m interested in a career in federal law enforcement.”   Aaron’s supervisor Glenn Glover calls Aaron a “great asset,” and was glad to have him join their team.

Meanwhile, across the globe, Emma Watkins (senior, Politics, Philosophy and Economics) spent last summer in Azerbaijan, a country nestled between Armenia, Russia, Georgia, and Iran. Continue reading →

Understanding Ethnic Conflict at Home and Abroad

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“Understanding Ethnic Conflict at Home and Abroad,” is the topic of our Fall Quarter Global Classroom. Jointly hosted by UW Tacoma’s Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), the SIAS Division of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs (PPPA) and the World Affairs Council Tacoma, Global Classroom is an interactive speaker series on global issues that matter. The flyer is attached, please join us!

The event is free and open to the public. We strongly encourage registration as Global Classroom typically fills quickly:  http://wactacoma.com/event-2719179/Registration