Four social work students join UW Husky 100 group
Three MSW students and one undergraduate are part of the prestigious Husky 100 cohort for 2022. The three MSW students attend the main Seattle campus; the BA candidate is enrolled at UW Tacoma. All four students will graduate in June.
The Husky 100 is a student recognition program that honors 100 undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines from the Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell campuses who exemplify leadership, passion, creativity and commitment. The process is highly competitive and hundreds are nominated for the distinction.
Sasha Duttchoudhury, from Bothell, Wash., will graduate with an MSW degree. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English in 2013 from the UW, Duttchoudhury was appointed a South Asian Americans Leading Together fellow in 2014 and a Voices of our Nation’s Arts fellow in 2016, and was also involved in local and national organizations seeking racial and gender justice. With a strong commitment to working at the intersection of equity, education and mental health, Duttchoudhury returned to the UW campus to pursue an MSW in clinical social work. “Coming back to school with seven years of experience serving diverse communities, I knew I wanted to support deep transformation and healing,” said Duttchoudhury.
Long Island native Jas Harcum, studying for an MSW in clinical social work, has a passion for fostering cross-cultural connections, social change and community care. “My time as a Husky has helped me be more confident as I prepare for social work licensure, build my professional and community networks, and weave intention in all the work I do,” said Harcum. While pursuing a master’s degree, Harcum used education, work and volunteer service to assist immigrant and refugee communities during the pandemic and facilitated queer and trans BIPOC processing groups.
Orie Kimura, who grew up in Chiba, Japan, will graduate from UW Tacoma with a BA in social welfare. At UW Tacoma, where she was president of the Student Social Work Organization and Global Ambassadors Coordinator, she worked to provide a welcoming space for students to discuss and learn about social justice issues around the world. She will start her MSW studies this summer on the Seattle campus. “My heart lies in committing myself to cultural humility and advocating for marginalized communities,” said Kimura.
Analeigh Smith, from Greenville, W. Va., was a former U.S. Army medic. Smith joined the School of Social Work to learn new skills and make a difference in the world. Drawing on this background, Smith has engaged in research and advocacy for both the trans and veterans communities. “I’m grateful for the many learning opportunities I’ve had at UW and I am committed to working towards improving the lives of others through research and clinical practice,” said Smith. Smith will graduate with an MSW this June.
The Husky 100 program demonstrates how education happens both inside and outside the classroom. By actively connecting these spheres and applying what they learn, Husky 100 students are making a difference on campus, in their communities and for the future.
Program nominees were judged by a committee of students and faculty in five categories, including having a discovery mindset, committed to being part of an inclusive community, and having a capacity for leadership. Here is a complete look at the 2022 Husky 100 cohort.