Letter from the dean

As I reflect on winter quarter stepping into the permanent dean position, I am feeling proud of the school more than ever. I have been successful in slowing down so that I can listen to learn more about the landscape of the school from faculty and staff colleagues. Based on listening session feedback, I will be able to assess and address both short-term and long-term gaps and opportunities. I have also been investing in one-on-one time with individuals to gain deeper understanding of what brought them to 56�Թ��� Bothell and what keeps them here, which is part of the STEM Scoop community building initiative that I launched last autumn. I am discovering new things to love about my community every day.

At the heart of all conversations and activities, the STEM community devotes itself to transforming lives, one student at a time. Our faculty have robust research programs, and many of them mentor students, especially undergraduate research students. Check out the sections of the newsletter sharing information about Mary Gates scholarship recipients and 56�Թ��� Bothell’s new research Carnegie classification!

I continue to be impressed by the generosity of individuals who devote their resources, including their time, to make an impact for STEM students. This newsletter highlights some of the incredible events happening on campus to increase industry engagement and better prepare students for their future. Dedicated individuals are also stepping up to ensure that our students have access to cutting-edge equipment needed to provide the critical hands-on experiences that prepare them for the workforce. The overriding feeling coming from this generosity is the desire to make a difference for others, which resonates and aligns with the passion that I bring to my new role as dean.

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann

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“We are so grateful to our donors and faculty who know how important it is for our engineering students to work on projects using industry-grade equipment so that they are workforce ready,” Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Sharon Jones said.  

Located in Innovation Hall 015, the Engineering Machine Shop serves as a crucial resource for students in engineering and related fields. 

“A machine shop is a vital organ of an engineering program,” Mechanical Engineering Lab Coordinator Jacob Roth said. “We envisioned a teaching shop that could accommodate up to 18 students at a time, and that’s exactly what we have now.” 

The shop is split between instruction and student-driven work, serving as both a learning space and a hands-on workshop. Roth regularly assists students conducting research, building prototypes and completing capstone projects. 

Expanding access to the machine shop 

In prior years, Roth taught a three-hour hand-tools only course for students to experience some of the shop’s features. With the establishment of the new shop in Innovation Hall, he is planning to revitalize that workshop to expand opportunities in the space. Currently, access to the machine shop is limited to students who have completed the machining fundamentals course for the safety of both students and the equipment. 

However, Roth hopes to make the entire shop more accessible to a broader range of students by expanding the machining fundamentals course to all students. Currently, it has mechanical engineering prerequisites, so it’s typically only engineers taking the class. 

“It would be great if I could tell anyone and everyone, ‘take our intro to machining,’” Roth said.  

A hub for innovation & collaboration 

Access to the machine shop allows students to create custom metal parts on short notice and work one-on-one with Roth to refine designs in advanced software.  

“For research students in non-engineering disciplines, who haven’t been trained on any machines, I’ll often work with them to produce engineering drawings and then I’ll make the part for them and give it to them,” Roth said.   

Beyond coursework, the machine shop is also a hub for student clubs. Groups like the Electric Motorsports Club and the TrickFire Robotics Club frequently use the space, helping fund equipment purchases and maintenance through the Student Technology Fee. 

Souri Banerjee, a mechanical engineering graduate from 56�Թ��� Bothell, ran into difficulties using the worn-down equipment in the previous machine shop. The parts he machined for his electric motorsport club wouldn’t turn out exactly as envisioned because the equipment was well used. He reached out to Roth about utilizing the student technology fee for additional equipment since a lot of student clubs used the space. After surveying other engineering clubs to see what equipment they needed for their projects, he and Roth worked together to submit a funding request which was approved.  

“I wish we had that new equipment when we were students, because that would have made our tasks easier,” Banerjee said. “But I am so very glad that the students now and all future students are going to be able to experience machining.” 

With the funding from the Worthington Fund and the Student Technology Fee, the 56�Թ��� Bothell Machine Shop is enhancing hands-on engineering education, supporting student innovation and fostering collaboration across STEM disciplines. 

Available equipment 

• Four lathes 
• Three manual mills 
• Grinder station including chop saw 
• A vertical and horizontal bandsaw 
• Drill press 
• Two Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and a forthcoming CNC lathe 

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Letter from the dean

As this calendar year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect and express gratitude for many of the accomplishments that have happened during the last quarter in the School of STEM.

As you know, the school is committed to serving all students, especially those from underserved communities, and creating opportunities to raise awareness and participate in activities beyond the traditional classroom is essential for their success.

Holly Gion, STEM Advisory Board chair, and I would like to highlight some of the investments that have been making a meaningful impact for students. The first STEM Advisory Board scholarships were awarded this autumn quarter, providing critical financial support for students with significant financial need. The first endowed faculty fellowship was awarded to recognize outstanding success in undergraduate research mentorship.

The board also launched an ambitious series of events focused on raising awareness of career pathways across the spectrum of STEM disciplines. These events provide students with guidance about what to do while they are students as well as how to transition to the workforce. Keep watch for events and updates on social media (,��,��) — this is a great way to stay connected to STEM! I am deeply grateful for the advice and support advisory board members provide to the school. In this newsletter you can read about the legacy of Ralph and Doreen Boy. Ralph is one of the first STEM Advisory Board members and our first emeritus board member.

I am excited to report that the School of STEM fundraised $28,700 at the recent I heart 56�Թ��� Bothell luncheon. Some of the proceeds from this event will fund research scholarships to increase experiential learning opportunities for students who collaborate with faculty or community and industry partners. Experiences like these help students discern their professional pathway, which is especially important to 56�Թ��� Bothell’s large population of first-generation college students. Thank you for your generous contributions and support  — they help STEM students significantly!

Now that we have settled into Innovation Hall, we hosted a STEM Soirée, a night of innovation and impact, in October to celebrate this new space that transforms traditional classrooms and offers improved and expanded lab spaces. At the event we unveiled the newly named electrical engineering student project/capstone lab, the “Decuir Room,” thanks to the generous gift from Joseph Decuir in honor of his father Laurence Decuir.

The School of STEM has been anticipating an announcement about who will be named the next permanent dean for the School of STEM. With this newsletter planned for Tuesday, it was nice timing that the 56�Թ��� Bothell Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs announced on Monday that I will have the privilege to continue on in this role as the official spokesperson for the school. A big thank you to everyone who participated in contributing to this process.

We are looking forward to launching a new year and exploring innovative ways that we can continue to collaborate to enhance the student experience. Together with you, we will transform lives, one student at a time.

Happy Holidays to everyone from the School of STEM!

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann

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Since the founding of the Electrical Engineering program, Ralph and his wife Doreen have left an everlasting impact on the campus community and continue to give back their time, talent and treasure. With the formation of the School of STEM, Ralph became one of the first advisory board members and in 2024 was recognized as the first emeritus advisory board member.

Blueprints to breakthroughs 

Ralph joined the 56�Թ��� Bothell Electrical Engineering Advisory Board in 2010, and his expertise helped establish the EE program as it exists today. He focused on designing the capstone program to ensure students were working on projects in which they were building a product that would work and in theory be able to sell.

“It’s a very hands-on type of support that really our students benefit from,” said Berger. “Having Ralph as a capstone mentor and adviser to the program is invaluable.”

Leveraging his career at Boeing, Boy developed a comprehensive checklist for EE capstone projects that helps students navigate the complexities of engineering projects, from schematic designs to market analysis. The capstone projects provide students with a physical portfolio that they can present to potential employers at interviews.

“I think that’s one of the things I’ve really learned is the power of having a mentor from industry to help bridge that gap between what they’re taught from books and here it is in practical application,” Ralph said.

A living room launchpad 

With the School of STEM yet to be established and the EE program beginning to gain interest, Ralph and his wife Doreen opened their home to students working on capstone projects and for celebration dinners.

“There was no place for them to assemble some of these projects to work on that,” Doreen said. “So, we invited them to come up to our house and had them work here.”

Doreen didn’t get involved in the projects, but through hosting students at their home, she built a rapport with them, learning their stories and backgrounds.

“I got to meet the students and see them firsthand, and you start to learn a little bit more about them and some of the struggles that they had to get to the point they’re at in their education, “Doreen said. “And at that point, that’s when Ralph and I talked about what we can do to help some of these students that are kind of living on the edge, so to speak.”

With a background in nonprofit fundraising and donor relations and a passion for equal access to quality education at any age, Doreen saw an opportunity to help 56�Թ��� Bothell students who were pursuing higher education but might have struggles come up like a broken-down car, an illness, or family emergency. She saw an opportunity to establish an endowment.

Doreen was not alone in this line of thinking. “We wanted to do STEM because we felt that it could be one of the underfunded or under endowed programs,” Ralph said.

Despite neither Ralph nor Doreen having attended 56�Թ��� Bothell, they felt connected to the tight-knit community and saw firsthand the impact that they could make. In 2017, the was established.

Engineering a legacy for the future 

After donating to the endowment every year, Ralph and Doreen decided they needed to set a goal – one million dollars.

“We both work on a philosophy that says, lay your intention and the universe will take care of the details,” Doreen said. “We had no idea how we’re going to get a million dollars endowment.”

Setting the goal was step number one. Step two was figuring out how to make it happen. Ralph and Doreen have planned on a combination of matching funds, tax advantaged donations and real estate transfers to accomplish their goal. Ralph pointed out that market growth always helps.

“We both look at this as a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Ralph said. “You had to build up a relationship and then everything had to be just right in order to do this.”

In 2018 the Boys were honored with the 56�Թ��� Bothell Legacy Award, the highest award for donors and supporters, in recognition of their service, philanthropy and inspiration.

Through their expertise, mentorship, and philanthropy, Ralph and Doreen have not only shaped 56�Թ��� Bothell’s STEM programs but transformed the lives of students. Their endowment reflects their joint commitment to education and equity, ensuring that future generations of students can achieve their dreams. As Ralph and Doreen continue to work toward their ambitious endowment goal, they inspire the community to believe in the transformative potential of generosity and the enduring legacy of shared purpose.

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Letter from the dean

On February 1, I was honored to step into the role of interim dean for the School of STEM. My immediate focus was to provide continuity for faculty and staff as the school conducts a national search to identify the next permanent dean later in the calendar year. I have been utilizing my super power — listening — to ensure that those around me have the support they need to be successful.

I have been excited to collaborate with others to enhance the student experience for STEM students. We have increased industry engagement on campus by hosting a variety of events such as the Avanade-sponsored hackathon and the Boeing AI Innovation Challenge that you will read about later in the newsletter. We generated $21,346 on Husky Giving Day from contributions to the STEM Excellence Fund, STEM DEI Excellence Fund, and STEM Scholarship Fund — thank you again for these generous contributions and support!

I would like to encourage everyone to join us on June 7 for the STEM Symposium, a signature event where students present results from experiential learning opportunities and are recognized for their excellence by the faculty. As a part of the STEM Symposium, we will host the first Annual All STEM Recognition Ceremony from 1:00-1:45 p.m. in Discovery Hall, room 061 to celebrate our amazing students receiving awards and the new Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed 56�Թ��� Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship Award winner!

To our STEM students graduating this year, I extend a heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you! You have demonstrated excellence in challenging STEM programs and the triumphs you have achieved are remarkable — a true testament to your unwavering dedication and brilliance. I am proud of you and excited for you to continue on your journey.

As I finish my 11th year in the School of STEM, I continue to be extremely proud of how my community supports students both inside and outside the classroom. Together, we transform lives, one student at a time.

– Jennifer McLoud-Mann

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As a university that primarily serves underrepresented student populations — comprised of about 40% first-generation, 72% students of color, and 44% eligible for federal Pell Grants — imposter syndrome is a common feeling amongst 56�Թ��� students.

Michael Cho, a 2022 56�Թ��� Bothell alumnus knows this feeling exactly.

“I struggle with it a lot still myself,” Cho said regarding imposter syndrome. “But it is just about having the confidence in yourself that you can do these kinds of things.”

Second chance

Cho began his journey into academia from a prison cell through the This experiment grants people who are incarcerated eligibility to receive the Pell Grant for postsecondary programs. Cho was part of one of the six pilot programs through Centralia College and was the first graduate for Washington State Prisons. Following his release, Cho was admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program at 56�Թ��� Bothell.

“I realized that education’s really a great way to get out of the system and transformational for your life,” Cho said. “I was always learning, growing and I liked the academic environment.”

As an undergraduate student, Cho engaged in research with Assistant Professor Afra Mashhadi, focusing on federated machine learning. This research utilized edge devices – mobile phones – to collaboratively train a machine learning model to mitigate biases. This process allows for more diverse user-driven data, which ultimately can lead to more comprehensive research.

“He’s been a very inspirational person with the way he challenges himself, like really being motivated to learn more,” Mashhadi said. “When he said he wanted to do a Ph.D., I was just so happy because I think it really fits his personality of craving to be on top of research and learn more.”

Pursuing excellence

Cho accepted an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. offer from the University of Georgia Institute of Technology after completing his degree at 56�Թ��� Bothell and is now working in a research lab focusing on the use of biosignals. More specifically, Cho is working on denoising, or making clearer, the signals from devices like smart watches and chest monitors. When the devices move on your wrist or chest, it can interrupt the signal and make it more difficult to interpret.

Inspired by his current work and the research he did as an undergraduate student, Cho decided to submit a research proposal to the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The NSF GRFP is the country’s oldest fellowship program that directly supports graduate students in various STEM fields. It provides students with a three-year stipend and access to opportunities for professional development. NSF GRFP fellows can become knowledge experts who significantly contribute to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to tell my story and try to apply for things that would make more of an impact,” Cho said.

Cho’s proposal for the fellowship combines his research in biosignals with his undergraduate work in federated machine learning. With enough user-generated data from a system like the one Cho proposes, the hope is that these biosignal watches or patches could more accurately detect things like cardiac diseases.

“It’d be cool to have a system that would be able to gather data from different sources and train it on these phones,” Cho said. “You can get more diversity of data and have the system more inclusive to other populations and demographics.”

Upon learning that he had received the fellowship, Cho recalled feeling excited, surprised, and very fortunate that he would be able to make his professors and advisors who helped him along the way proud.

Embracing the past, shaping the future

Previously, Cho stated his plans to one day teach science behind bars, and while that is still a goal, he is not entirely sure of his path going forward. While he completes his doctorate and fellowship, Cho has begun looking locally for opportunities to give back. One nonprofit he reached out to is Common Good Atlanta, an organization that provides people who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated with access to higher education.

“I definitely want to bring back some of the things that I learned and some of the benefits I have from my academic career to places where I’ve come from,” Cho said. “I still kind of don’t know exactly where I want to go, like whether it’s industry or academia, but I definitely want to try some volunteer opportunities, especially for prisons.”

Cho wasn’t immune to the imposter syndrome that challenges a lot of young academics, but his journey through academia is a testament to the resilience and determination of underrepresented students in academia.

“I always have that imposter syndrome, even at 56�Թ���, but if you keep working at it and you’re passionate about what you do and you’re genuinely like a nice, friendly person, then I think that you’ll make it pretty big if you just keep trying,” Cho said.

Cho was honored by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Sharon Jones for his fellowship at the 56�Թ��� Student Academic Showcase on May 16, 2024 – Mashhadi accepted the award on his behalf.

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We successfully transitioned to in-person teaching this autumn and are once again back on our wonderful campus. Of course, we have learned much about teaching fully on-line – including new ways to teach, methods to keep our classes interactive, do group activities/projects, make presentations – and just finding new ways to still keep our connections between students, faculty and staff. Things will certainly never be the same again, which is good because our students will now be working in a global economy and likely be employed at least part time from their homes in the next-generation workplace. The CSS community is highly engaged in discussions and “experiments” as we try out new methods and approaches to further create a vibrant and accessible learning environment for all.

As we returned to campus we welcomed new faculty, staff, and leaders across campus like and Dean Leslie Cornick of the School of STEM. In this you will read about the new faculty and staff that joined the Division of CSS, huskies making an impact in the world, faculty promotions and multiple awards, sponsoring the Grace Hopper Conference, an NSF grant to research AI-enhanced cybersecurity, funding for 911 emergency communications, and more!

CSS Student Advisory Council

We are pleased with the formation of the new CSS Student Advisory Council who will provide feedback and recommendations regarding the student experience and courses/curricula. As technologies change, new areas of opportunity emerge, and new methods and processes for software engineering evolve, it is important to hear from our students as they enter the workforce to learn how the core competencies of the CSS programs are applied – and the need for refocus/ideas can be reviewed to assure a vibrant and contemporary learning experience. Our students are very passionate about our work, and we look forward to the work of this council! We will provide more info in future issues of Nibbles!

Technology Advisory Board

The Technology Advisory Board, led by Professor of Practice Arnold Lund, had its first meeting on October 22, 2021 and their second meeting on December 10, 2021. Board members were organized into working groups which led to them forming three subcommittees: student engagement, academic engagement, and community engagement.

• Student Engagement committee will focus on better preparing and supporting students seeking careers in industry.
• Academic Engagement committee will help with academic engagement by engaging with the student liaisons and faculty.
• Community Engagement committee will be bringing the community in to engage on campus, and finding ways for 56�Թ���B to engage outward into the community.

STEM4 ground breaking

Dean Leslie Cornick helped break ground for the new STEM4 academic building shared with Cascadia College over the summer. STEM4 reflects our commitment to access and excellence, and will move the School of STEM one step further towards preparing our graduates for in-demand STEM careers. Read the 56�Թ��� Bothell story on STEM4.

The new STEM building will support a variety of new classrooms and labs – featuring designs that encourage teamwork and collaboration and that are similar to what they might experience in industry. New labs will provide opportunities for research in cybersecurity, IoT, human-computer design, networking, AR/VR and other emerging areas. New undergraduate and graduate research spaces will also be created that offer small workrooms and conference spaces – each outfitted with large computer monitors/screens where students and faculty may share their work with others. The labs and classrooms can be readily configured to a variety of formats, including group activities, lectures, and even industry conferences/presentations for larger gatherings. The building will also feature spaces outside of the classroom for breakout sessions and other collaborative activities.

Demand and opportunity in CSS

The demand for software engineers is incredible – regionally, nationally and globally. The need for a well-rounded education that includes the requisite technical skills and ability to learn new programming languages and technologies – combined with strong software engineering methodologies and practices – is critical. Of course, teamwork and effective communication skills are paramount for success.

Large companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Facebook/Meta, are all clamoring for new employees that are prepared for the many challenges. There is also considerable growth in small- to medium-size companies, as well as government and other businesses, that rely heavily on technology for delivery of their products and/or services. Studies vary considerably in terms of the magnitude and “counts” of how many software engineers are needed; however, the one thing that is certain is that the demand far exceeds the supply! CSS is doing its best to provide opportunities for our students and assure their success. State funding and industry support to further help us in expanding growth and opportunities for learning is paramount. It is indeed a partnership – with many opportunites!

Happy Holidays to everyone, enjoy winter break and see you again in the new year!

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This autumn we were excited to welcome new and returning students, faculty, and staff back to campus. We also welcomed our newest leader and we are excited to finally be able to meet face-to-face with our new Dean Leslie Cornick of the School of STEM. While it is exciting to be back on campus, I recognize that coming to campus amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is filled with mixed emotions. One of the benefits of the pandemic is our increased knowledge of, and comfort with, the use of technology. Our increased ability to work and teach virtually has provided us with opportunities that we never dreamed of before. I continue to be impressed with the faculty and staff adapting to the change, continuing to use technology to make their face-to-face learning environment better and more accessible for our students. Thank you!

In this you will read about the new faculty and staff that joined the Division of E&M, Connected Learning Excellence Awards, faculty grants awarded, faculty promotions, a new online game to identify whale calls, an Avanade STEM scholar turned employee, and more.

Our alumni experience features Husky 100 honoree and Mechanical Engineering graduate Andrew Truong who found an opportunity to connect his time on the field playing intramural sports to his research in the lab. In the faculty spotlight we showcase recent funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for a joint research project with Dr. Joey Key, Luisa Buchman, and myself about establishing a partnership with Heritage University, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution and Heritage University to create STEM pathways for underrepresented students of the Yakima Valley. The Division of E&M continues to explore new ways to broaden the participation of diverse learners and build a culture of inclusion.

Great progress has been made on the new STEM4 academic building, a joint building shared with Cascadia College. July 29, 2021, was the ceremonial groundbreaking and construction is going quick (check out the of the site). Read the 56�Թ��� Bothell story on STEM4. We are excited to have some wonderful engineering spaces for our E&M students in the near future!

Finally, as interim chair, I’m pleased to share that Dr. Tadesse Ghirmai will be back as chair in winter 2022. I have been honored and delighted to serve as either the chair of E&M or the mathematics program coordinator for the past 11 years – I am excited about the new leadership in the Division of E&M. Dr. Tadesse shares my values, and as the Dean Leslie Cornick said in the appointment announcement, “Dr. Ghirmai’s commitment to our students, to an inclusive division, school, and campus culture, and to increasing the diversity of students and faculty in the division are all critical to our success.” Thank you Tad for taking on this important leadership position!

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, we celebrate news from several of our research groups; two CSS faculty nominations for the Distinguished Teaching Awards for Innovation with Technology; CSSE students receiving Mary Gates scholarships and a Gilman scholarship; student work with industry in developing a “vaccine-finding” website; an update from our Technology Advisory Board, and a welcome for our new staff in the School of STEM! Our faculty spotlight is on Marc Dupuis for his research in the human factors of cybersecurity, and our alumni & student experience looks into what the 56�Թ��� Bothell ACM chapter has been up to over winter quarter.

Remote operations will continue through the Spring and Summer as the 56�Թ��� community continues to work together in offering online courses, capstone experiences and research opportunities. We continue to explore and experiment with new methods to create an inclusive and engaged learning environment – and examine new methods for assuring that learning goals are met as students prepare for the next stages of their academic interests and careers. As progress continues to be made in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to echo recent 56�Թ��� Bothell Coronavirus Communications to keep doing our part during the pandemic, staying safe and healthy.

What is especially exciting is the great work that continues to happen as we look forward to the future. Examples include focusing on the design of our new STEM 4 building which will boast great student learning spaces, labs and next-generation classroom facilities; working on new minors in cybersecurity and data science; new searches in progress for CSS faculty, engagement in critical diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the School of STEM; and planning as we anticipate the move back to the campus in autumn 2021.

Much happening – and much to look forward to!

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Writing this first Musings column on National Native American Heritage Day, I find myself reflecting on many crossroads, which inspired me in naming this newsletter.

• I’m reflecting on a year of loss for so many. Loved ones lost to the coronavirus pandemic is approaching 260,000 today in the United States alone and likely will be well beyond 300,000 by the time you read this.
• I’m also reflecting on the painful loss to communities with so many unemployed and with local businesses large and small shuttered, many forever.
• I’m reflecting on the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on America’s First Peoples*, on whose sacred lands we all reside, and on the black, brown, and low-income communities across the country. The pandemic has magnified an already broken and inequitable health care system.
• I’m reflecting on the frontline workers who risk their own lives and families every day to provide care to the sick and many other essential services.
• I’m also reflecting on a divided political landscape in the aftermath of an election that is still not resolved in the eyes of almost half of the electorate — and on the impacts of that division as we come to the crossroads of the peaceful transfer of power, a hallmark of our fragile democracy.

Much as the pandemic has amplified cracks in the healthcare system, so has it amplified the disparities in our systems of justice, the economy, and, yes, education. We must come to terms with the continued impacts and deep trauma of systemic racial injustice, the unacceptable taking of black lives like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among so many others, and the continued assault on voting rights and the blatant attempted disenfranchisement of black and brown voters.

In all of these systems, some have access while others are left behind. Higher education — and STEM in particular — is at its own crossroads as we work to dismantle systemic racism and sexism in the disciplines that create new knowledge, foster the development of the very breakthroughs that will get us to the other side of the pandemic, and provide pathways out of poverty for entire generations and communities.

When I learned early this spring that I would be honored with the opportunity to serve as the next Dean of STEM at 56�Թ��� Bothell, I knew it would be a challenging time to start a new job. I’ve still only been on campus a few times! Many of our students and even some faculty and staff have never been on campus at all.

STEM students, faculty, and staff are all reflecting on what’s most important as we continue to work and learn remotely, navigating a world of Zoom backgrounds, synchronous or asynchronous courses, remote labs, and missing coffee on the quad, the hallway conversation, club meetings, a firm handshake, or a compassionate hug — all of the things that help us create community and belonging.

Over the course of the coming year and beyond, I will use the Musings column to continue to reflect and ponder. But I will also use The Quarterly Crossroads to share with you what we’re doing to move the School of STEM forward, to dismantle broken systems and replace them with the healthy ecosystem we need to succeed.

My first act to this end has been to create the 56�Թ��� Bothell School of STEM DEI Excellence Fund, which will support initiatives to create a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive School of STEM. I invite you to participate by giving online.

In this issue of The Quarterly Crossroads, we’re also linking you to a few recent highlights of the amazing work of our STEM faculty and students.

Watch for other features in coming editions of The Quarterly Crossroads, including Division, Faculty, Staff and Student Spotlights as well as a Community Partner Spotlight and an Events Calendar.

I look forward to sharing with you all of the exciting things happening in the School of STEM, and when we are able to be back together on our beautiful campus, I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in person!

In the meantime: Wear Your Mask, Wash Your Hands, and Watch Your Distance.

GO DAWGS!

Dr. Leslie Cornick, Dean
School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Professor Biological Sciences

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