Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to educate a University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) student.
On June 8, the school hosted a luncheon to recognize the businesses, organizations and agencies that have contributed to its students’ education.
“I can’t emphasize enough how grateful we are,” Kara Adams, director of community engagement with the school’s Office of Community-Based Learning and Research (CBLR), told event attendees.
The partnerships, Adams said, range from the King County Prosecutor’s Office working with the school’s forensic accounting program to cultural studies students partnering with a local film forum organization.
In addition, she said those partnerships manifest in other forms including organization representatives supervising students’ onsite visits; collaborating with UW Bothell faculty; visiting and speaking in classrooms; participating in career fairs and days of service; and partnering with school programs on grants.
Partnering with businesses and organizations provides a transformational learning experience for UW Bothell students and creates opportunities for faculty research, Adams said. In addition, she said the partnerships help them uphold the school’s public mission as a state institution.
Adams told attendees — who represented more than 50 organizations the school works with — that these partnerships have helped the students become successful in their learning and she hoped that the organizations feel the benefits from the partnerships as well.
UW Bothell has a total of about 130 community partners.
For K’Leia Wilson, a graduating senior who studied educational studies and community psychology, UW Bothell’s partnerships offer students real-life experience.
Wilson addressed the audience as well and shared some of the experiences she had with Planned Parenthood, the Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ) and Voyager Middle School in Everett — all of which she worked with during her time at UW Bothell.
Through her time with these organizations, the Bothell resident said she has become an active advocate for women, people of color and the LGBT community; attended workshops on climate change and social justice; and has learned the importance of mentorship.
“Your support really helps a lot,” Wilson said in thanking everyone in the room.
She added that these partnerships also provide students with possible off-campus job opportunities. In addition to being able to add real-life experience to their resumes, Wilson said working with outside organizations and agencies also allows students to network with possible employers.
At last week’s event, Adams and CBLR program coordinator Elizabeth Carosso recognized the community partners that have worked with UW Bothell, presenting them with a certificate and notebook.
In addition, presenters also recognized organizations that have partnered with the school for more than five years: YWCA Seneca Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter, Friends of Youth, Green Kirkland Partnership, Moss Adams, Clark Nuber and Sound Salmon Solutions.
