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Upcoming speakers
The free Alumni Speaker Series brings alumni back to campus to share their stories and career advice with current students and fellow alumni. Speakers have earned a University of Washington Tacoma degree, professional certification, or in special cases, have attended a University of Washington campus for at least two years and have graduated from another accredited college or university. This also includes UW alumni who live and/or work in Tacoma or the South Sound and have a positive impact on UW Tacoma, Tacoma, and the South Sound.
Dr. DeAnn Dillon (SIAS '17, EdD '23)
Faculty, Seattle Colleges
November 7, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m.
William W. Philip Hall
DeAnn Dillon is a citizen of the White Earth Nation of Ojibwe but grew up with the Puyallup Nation in Tacoma. DeAnn graduated with her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington Tacoma’s partnership with Muckleshoot Tribal College. She received her MPA from The Evergreen State College Tribal Governance program, attained her BA in Ethnic, Gender & Labor studies with a minor in American Indian Studies from UWT, and an AA from Tacoma Community College. DeAnn serves as a full-time tenure-track faculty member at South Seattle College, a lecturer in UWT/Muckleshoot Tribal College’s Ed. D program, and she is a school board member for Chief Leschi School. Her journey from tribal school, Tribal foster parenting, Tribal Early Learning Education, and working in the WA State legislature led to DeAnn’s passion for enhancing representation and supporting a bridge of access for Natives in state government, agencies, and higher education. In her own words, “As a tribal community teacher, auntie, mentor, and advocate, having lived the same experiences carrying the generational traumas of settler colonialization, it is imperative that I share my ancestorial knowledge to disrupt, dismantle, and rebuild education as a healing tool.”
Dr. Natalie Hart (SIAS '11)
December 4, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m.
William W. Philip Hall, 1918 Pacific Ave., UW Tacoma campus
Dr. Natalie Hart is a seasoned DEI consultant with over a decade of experience. She excels in creating inclusive workplace cultures, developing engaging training programs, and facilitating courageous conversations. With expertise in breaking down complex subjects and crafting compelling presentations, Dr. Hart empowers teams to thrive. She holds a doctorate in K-12 Leadership from University of Southern California, a master in Education Policy and a double bachelor's degree in American Ethnic Studies, Communication, and Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington.
PAST ALUMNI SPEAKERS
Milgard School of Business
- Megan Ackaert (MBA '05) – March 2022
- Jessica Barry (BABA 16) – March 2021
- Anne Kerker (MBA '10)
- Mohamed Rashed (BA/BABA '11) – October 2021
- Ty Reed (BA '98, MBA '09) – November 2021
School of Education
- Alicia Porter (MEd '10) – February 2023
School of Engineering & Technology
- Eric Barone (BS '11) – October 2024
- Steve Stermer (BS '16) – September 2022
- James Stevens, (BS '20) – January 2022
- Matt Tolentino (MS '04) – May 2020
School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
- Courtney Acoff (BA '10) – December 2021
- Omari Amili (BA '14, MA '16) – June 2020
- Nick Brooks (BA '16) – October 2023
- Nadia Caldwell (BA '16) – October 2022
- Paolo Campbell (BA '10) – May 2022
- Jeff Dade (BA '11, MACP '20) – April 2022
- Joseph Evans (BA '00) – January 2023
- Mark Glenn (BA '95, MSW '01) – April 2020
- Ngoma Howard (BA '98) – January 2021
- Michael Jordan (BA '14) – February 2022
- Chana Lawson (BA '07) – May 2020
- Bonita Lee (SIAS '06) – December 2023
- Alicia Porter (MEd '10) – February 2023
- Mohamed Rashed (BA/BABA '11) – October 2021
- Ty Reed (BA '98, MBA '09) – November 2021
- Dee Sonntag (BA '13) – January 2024
- Angela Suresh (BA '17) – December 2020
- Nuk Suwanchote (BA '17) – May 2024
- Jeremy Williams (BA '14) – April 2024
School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
- Peterson Chum (BA '14) – May 2021
School of Social Work & Criminal Justice
- Alishia Agee-Cooper (MSW '17) – October 2023
- Mark Glenn (BA '95, MSW '01) – April 2020
- Armando Mejia (BASW '08, MSW '11) – June 2020
- Josette D. Parker, LICSW, CDVT (MSW '11) – November 2020
- Jonathan Teeter (BA '15) – April 2021
School of Urban Studies
- Nick Brooks (BA '16) – October 2023
- Jeff Dade (BA '11, MACP '20) – April 2022