University of Washington Graduate School

Today we celebrate Juneteenth. On this day, enslaved Texans learned that they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

This began a celebration that begain in Texas and spread nationwide, becoming a federal holiday in 2021.

Congratulations to this year’s Graduate School Medal Award recipient Mia Hoffman!

A Ph.D. candidate in University of Washington Mechanical Engineering, Hoffman is transforming how young children with motor disabilities experience play. Her innovative Switch Kit helps children engage more fully with their world through adaptable, accessible technology designed in partnership with families, clinicians and community members.

The Graduate School Medal recognizes doctoral students whose scholarship and civic engagement create meaningful social impact. Hoffman’s work embodies that mission—demonstrating how graduate student research can improve lives and expand access for all.

Read more about her inspiring journey and the difference her work is making: https://grad.uw.edu/2026-graduate-school-medal-award-winner/

Seven University of Washington students and recent alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, joining about 2,000 students and recent graduates from around the country to pursue graduate study, conduct research and teach English abroad.

Read more about this year’s UW Fulbright Student Program finalists and the projects they will pursue abroad at the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards website and the Graduate School’s website.

7 UW students receive Fulbright exchange awards for study, research and teaching positions around the world Seven University of Washington students and recent alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, joining about 2,000 students and recent graduates...

ConGRADulations to everyone who walked across the stage this weekend! We know the path to graduate school is hard and the journey to the stage is even harder -- but you made it! Enjoy this moment with your loved ones and we can't wait to see you step into this next chapter.

Happy graduation day to all of our talented students! We are beyond proud of everything you have accomplished during your time at UW and cannot wait to see the impact you make in the world. Congratulations!

Equipped with her doctorate, recent grad from UW Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute Gizem Gökçe-Alpkılıç is using AI-powered tools to create proteins and solve global challenges, like drug-resistant infection.

Gökçe-Alpkılıç’s work could help scientists solve persistent global challenges, like infections from bacteria or viruses that have adapted to the medicines that typically kill them. What she couldn’t have predicted when she began her doctoral studies is how AI tools would rapidly accelerate and transform the field, allowing scientists to quickly test hundreds of potential protein designs and create new proteins that don’t exist in nature.

Read more about Gökçe-Alpkılıç’s work and her journey at UW on our website.

Engineering the Future | Be Boundless Equipped with her doctorate in molecular engineering, recent grad Gizem Gökçe-Alpkılıç is using AI-powered tools to create proteins and solve global challenges,

What can graduate students build in just 72 hours?

At Human Computer Interaction + Design, MHCID, University of Washington program, graduate students took on an international design challenge—forming teams, developing prototypes, and tackling complex human-centered problems under intense time constraints.

Their work demonstrates more than technical skill; it showcases the collaboration, resilience, and interdisciplinary thinking that define graduate education and shape the future of design.

Congratulations to these graduate students for turning ambitious ideas into award-winning innovation and meaningful impact.

Read more about their projects and journey on their website.

Inspire | MHCI+D at UW See how the MHCI+D students and faculty spark ingenuity and design innovation across competitions, classes, projects, and alumni initiatives.

Fred Gregor “Greg” Rahouj (MA, Scandinavian Studies, 2026), an international student from Estonia, has pursued research that supports an Indigenous language of Siberia called Khanty, which is at risk of becoming endangered. Greg has addressed a problem with natural language processing of Khanty, and also the challenge of studying/supporting an endangered language in Russia due to the Foreign Agents Act of 2022, which seeks to prohibit any foreign influence in Russia. Greg plans to return to Estonia and work on language policy and other projects to support marginalized language communities.

Page Not Found | UW College of Arts & Sciences CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? We recently updated our website and we moved some things around. You can likely find the page you're looking via our site search or in one of the sections below:   Perspectives Newsletter Our Stories All Departments Arts Division Humanities Division Natural Scie...

Today we honor and remember the many U.S. military personnel who gave their lives while in service. This Memorial Day we give our deepest gratitude to the fallen heroes who gave everything.

Two current UW graduate students and one recent alumnus have been selected to receive the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for Young Americans.

This merit-based program supports outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate education in the United States. Thirty fellows were selected this year from a competitive pool of more than 3,000 applicants nationwide.

Congratulations Daniel G. Chen, Briana Martin-Villa and Ethan Shen for receiving such a prestigious award!

Read more about their work and the fellowship on our website.

3 UW-affiliated graduate students among this year’s 30 Soros Fellows Two current University of Washington graduate students and one recent alumnus received this year’s prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.