Category Archives: Information for Students

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 →

Applications now being accepted for The Hertog Foundation Fellowships and Seminars

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The Hertog Foundation is pleased to announce its 2018 fellowships and seminars for undergraduates and recent grads.

Visit hertogfoundation.org to learn more and apply.

As you can see on our website, the Foundation offers various fellowships on public policy and political thought in Washington, DC. Each carries funding for travel as well as housing accommodations. Fellows study with master teachers and hear from distinguished speakers drawn from academia, politics, journalism, and business. Current lecturers include Yuval Levin (National Affairs), General John Allen (Brookings), Robert Bartlett (Boston College), Vickie Sullivan (Tufts), Frederick Kagan (AEI), and many more.

We have four offerings next year: Continue reading →

Truman Scholarship Supports Careers in Public Service

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The Truman Scholarship is a prestigious national scholarship for students passionately committed to careers in public service, social justice, or education. It provides funding for graduate school, leadership training, and professional opportunities.

If interested, visit the Truman website and contact Cindy Schaarschmidt, UWT Director of Student Fellowships & Study Abroad to learn about UWT’s nomination process.  Applications are due November 27, 2017.

Benefits

  • $30,000 toward graduate school
  • Career and graduate school mentoring
  • The Truman network! (Some of the most highly placed figures in public life were Truman Scholars.)

Eligibility

  • Juniors only (i.e. graduating between December 2018 and August 2019).
  • Strong track record and commitment to public service.
  • Desire to be a ‘change agent’.

Campus Deadline

  • November 27, 2017 (scholarship requires University nomination)

Questions? Email Cindy Schaarschmidt (cs65@uw.edu) Director, Student Fellowships & Study Abroad to set up a one-on-one meeting.

New Law School Application Success Series

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Ernesto Chavez (left) joined our faculty this fall as a Lecturer in Law and Policy; he is also the campus’ new Pre-Law Coordinator.  Prof. Chavez comes to us from Saint Martin’s University where he taught courses in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. Prior to Saint Martin’s, he spent fourteen years as a criminal defense attorney after receiving his law degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, As our Pre-Law Coordinator, Prof. Chavez will be supporting UWT students aiming for a law-related career. This year, in conjunction with the Teaching and Learning Center, Prof. Chavez has initiated the Law School Application Success Series, a series designed to help students navigate through and succeed with their law school applications. The series will include UWT’s first ever slate of LSAT preparation classes. Please join Prof. Chavez and the TLC for its kick off event on October 11th.

What:  Kick Off Event for Law School Application Success Series

When:  Wednesday October 11th, 3-4:30

Where:  Lucien Boardroom, 320 GWP

For more information, contact Prof. Chavez at elchavez@uw.edu

Interested in Career in the Foreign Service? Check out this Fellowship

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Here is a great fellowship opportunity for students interested in a Foreign Service Career. 

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship:

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service.  The Rangel Program selects 30 Fellows annually and helps support them through:

  • Two years of graduate study;
  • Internships and professional development activities; and
  • Entry into the Foreign Service.

The program provides up to $47,500 annually towards tuition, room, board, books and mandatory fees for completion of two-year master’s degrees. Members of groups historically underrepresented in the RangelForeign Service and those with financial need are especially encouraged to apply.  Fellows who successfully complete the program and Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers (and have to serve for five years).

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be U.S. citizens;
  • Be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2017 for a two-year program at a U.S. university in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service.
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

Deadline

Application deadline for 2017 is September 21, 2016.

Additional Information

For more information please visit the Rangel website and schedule an appointment with Cindy Schaarschmidt at the Office of Student Fellowships & Awards.

Spring interns served the legal profession

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Bethany Johnson

This spring, four Law and Policy students interned with different parts of our criminal justice system. Each provided valuable services while also gaining first-hand experience.  Both Bethany Johnson and Margarita Varaksa interned with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office; Margarita worked in Pierce County’s Juvenile Court while Bethany was in its Property Crimes division.  Amy Magnuson worked down south with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office.  Among other things, Amy filed petitions and notices of hearings, prepared Orders of Non Compliance and Bench Warrants, handled discovery, and logged trial exhibits.  Kanani Palafox worked for Pierce County’s Department of Assigned Council.  Kanani found her internship to be provocative. Reflectin

Margarita Varaksa (right)

g on her experiences, she commented: “I often sit with alleged criminals, and find myself wondering about their lives. How did they get here? What circumstances in their lives led them to being incarcerated? How are their families affected by their choices?  And some moments at work strike a chord with me, and I realize it is what I want to do as a career. Being an advocate and a voice for justice is something I continue to be passion about.”

Kanani Palafox

All four students met their major’s capstone requirement by writing a substantial policy paper corresponding with their weekly internship obligations. Their supervisors were all thrilled with the extra support the four provided to each of their offices.  “She’s a keeper!” said Amy’s supervisor Wendy Ireland.  “As good as any of our paralegals.”

Bowling and McMinimee To Discuss Constitutional Rights in Criminal System

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Nate Bowling

This Tuesday evening, Prof. Shannon McMinimee and Lincoln High School’s Nate Bowling (Washington State Teacher of the Year, and National Teacher of the Year finalist) will lead the discussion “Beyond Law and Order: Understanding Your Rights in the Criminal Justice System.”  Designed for both high school and UWT students, the conversation will focus on individuals’ constitutional rights from initial interactions with police through a trial.

Date and Time:  April 25th 6:30 p.m.

Location:  UWT’s Science 309

Shannon McMinime

Mr. Bowling teaches AP Government and Politics and AP Human Geography at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School.  He is a 2016 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, as well as a 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year.  In 2014 he won the Milken National Teaching Award; he is also the Co-Founder of Teachers United.  Prof. McMinimee is an attorney specializing in school and employment law, providing her clients with guidance on their Constitutional rights and liberties.  She represented the Seattle School District before the United States Supreme Court.  She teaches Constitutional Law at UWT this quarter.

UW Law School Hosts Open House for Students

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UW’s Law School is hosting two upcoming events. The first is an Admissions Information Session on April 12 from 5:45-7PM.  Come hear information about the application process. Students may RSVP here: https://www.law.washington.edu/admissions/events/.

The second event is an Annual Open House on April 29 where students are invited to participate in a mock class, speak with students, and learn about the student organizations.

Questions?  Contact Mathiew Le, Asst. Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, UW School of Law (mathiewl@uw.edu).

UWT Students Spend Winter Quarter Working for State Legislature

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Seven UWT students are spending this winter quarter interning with the State Legislature. These UWT students were among 70 selected for this annual internship opportunity for students attending Washington colleges. Those selected are paid and earn credit while gaining a first-hand up-close look at the legislative process.  All interns work full time alongside legislators and their staff to learn about public policy.  The internship also builds students’ professional skills as they serve the citizens of Washington State.

DeAnn Dillon, a senior majoring in Ethnic Gender and Labor studies, interns with Senator John McCoy.
Madison Edmiston, a senior Arts Media and Communication major, works for the Senate Democratic Caucus. Zach Fish (senior, Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)), is a Session Aid for Senator Doug Erickson.  Amy Welch, another PPE senior, interns for Sen.Joe Fain. Malisa Wei splits her time between Sen. Reuven Carlyle and Sen. Steve Conway, and is graduating this winter in PPE. Chris Johnson studies Law and Policy, and is interning with Rep. Sherry Appleton and Rep. John Lovick. Finally, Jessi Williams (senior in  Law and Policy) works in the offices of Rep. David Sawyer and Rep. Eileen Cody.  Amy Welch sums up her own experience this way: “This internship has brought both challenges and rewards. I’ve learned how laws are made, what influences the process, and how hard our elected officials work. It’s inspired me to do work that matters and to think of others before myself.“

Applications for next year’s Legislative Internship Program are due in October 2017.