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Husky 100 for 2024

Meet Tacoma's "Husky 100" students

April 29, 2024
Seven remarkable students who are making the most of their time at UW Tacoma.

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A mix of students studying biomedical sciences, psychology, social work and engineering make up this year’s UW Tacoma contribution to the Husky 100. 

A total of seven UW Tacoma students are part of this year’s cohort. The tri-campus recognition celebrates the outstanding work and achievements of students who have made the most of their Husky Experience. The seven copme from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, but they all actively connect what happens inside and outside the classroom and apply what they learn to make a difference on our campuses, in their communities and for the future. Through their coursework, research, volunteer and leadership efforts, internships and jobs, they have created their own unique Husky Experience.

Members of the Husky 100 are formally recognized by UW leadership and are connected to networking opportunities with UW students, alumni, faculty, staff and community leaders. A total of 64 UW Tacoma students have been named to the Husky 100 since the program launched in 2016.

You can see the entire Husky 100 here.

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Vinial Kumar

Vinial Kumar

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Vinial Kumar

Vinial Kumar

B.S. Civil Engineering

Having experienced firsthand the impacts of climate change while growing up in Fiji, I am driven to mitigate greenhouse emissions and create resilient infrastructure. Through leadership in organizations like UWT ASCE and Engineers without Borders, alongside internships and advocacy work, I have worked tirelessly to bridge academic knowledge with practical solutions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and inclusivity. My passion for creating positive change extends beyond traditional boundaries, as I strive to empower diverse voices and champion sustainable development practices for a brighter, more equitable future.

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Jannat Musawi

Jannat Musawi

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Jannat Musawi

Jannat Musawi

B.A. Psychology; B.A. Social Welfare
Global Engagement

I was born and raised in Iraq, which ignited a passion in me to later return and help tackle some of the country’s most pressing issues. However, as I advanced in my education and gained more experience, I realized Iraq’s issues are more complex and systemic than I initially thought, urging me to become more civically engaged. My education at the UW provides me with these civic learning opportunities so that I may understand how to combat these problems in creative, innovative and productive ways. I understand that my goals will continue to evolve as I progress in my education, but I am truly eager to see where my vibrant journey at the UW will take me, and how my experiences and knowledge will shape my career and myself.

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Maria Escalera Maldanado

Maria Escalera Maldanado

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Maria Escalera Maldanado

Maria Escalera Maldanado

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Since I started graduate school in 2021, I have held many different roles: a wife, a mother to my eight-year-old, a caregiver to my elderly mother and a student who also works a full-time job. As a bicultural BIPOC woman, I have traversed these responsibilities within and alongside the Latino community. I know that my success as a Husky is innately integrated to the promotion of equity and social justice in the underserved and immigrant communities that I have found both within and beyond the campus community. As a first-generation college student and the daughter of an immigrant mother from Mexico, equity is deeply important to me, and social justice has always been at the heart of who I am.

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Holly Wetzel

Holly Wetzel

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Holly Wetzel

Holly Wetzel

B.A. Healthcare Leadership; B.A. Psychology 

I have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of my community through spearheading many initiatives, such as a NARCAN distribution program at the UW Tacoma and developing a more inclusive training curriculum for my local crisis hotline. In leading these health initiatives and advocating for systemic changes at the state level, I’ve proven my ability to unite diverse groups and successfully advance public health initiatives. My Husky Experience reflects my passion for public health and my readiness to drive positive change in my community through the nonprofit and public sectors, embodying a leadership style that is proactive, compassionate and community focused.

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Simon Njoroge

Simon Njoroge

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Simon Njoroge

Simon Njoroge

B.S. Mechnical Engineering

As an international first-gen student from Kenya, I’ve succeeded in navigating the challenges of adapting to a new educational system and cultural environment, transforming hurdles into opportunities for personal and academic growth. In addition to my academic and research pursuits, I established an organization providing mentorship to immigrant students entering engineering, now with 40 members, reflecting my commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the engineering community. Through research, peer mentoring, leadership roles in organizations like Engineers without Borders, and participation in initiatives like the NASA L’SPACE Program’s Mission Concept Academy, I’ve consistently advocated for inclusive engineering solutions that positively impact diverse communities. My ultimate aim is to revolutionize transportation safety and efficiency through innovative vehicle control systems, grounded in critical thinking and inclusivity, to create safer, more sustainable and accessible communities for all.

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Danalyn Lia Fernandez

Danalyn Lia Fernandez

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Danalyn Lia Fernandez

Danalyn Lia Fernandez

B.A. Psychology
Education & Community Engagement

I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships and resources I’ve gained at the UWT that empowered me to uncover the strengths of my identities as a first-generation student and second-generation Filipina-American! Through research, community partnerships and tutoring, I gained a passion to amplify underrepresented voices in my community by challenging deficit narratives and highlighting intergenerational resilience. I aspire to become a strengths-based psychologist who risks the fight for resilience and equitable mental well-being for AANHPI and first-gen youth — one who honors previous generations whose burdens were silenced and paves the way for upcoming generations to boldly embrace their identities.

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Lexy Luna

Lexy Luna

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Lexy Luna

Lexy Luna

B.A. Psychology; B.S. Biomedical Sciences

My time at the UW Tacoma enabled me to overcome adversity and granted me numerous opportunities to develop as a mentor and leader who creates sincere connections with my peers and patients. Though my endeavors as an Emergency Medical Technician, president of the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students, Office of Global Affairs Fellow and community volunteer, I have dedicated myself to making others feel respected, empowered and connected. My experiences have taught me the importance of embracing new challenges which have thus guided me towards my goal of being an inspiring, confident and compassionate physician in my community.

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