Dressel Scholars Program

Peiton Buggert is majoring in business administration and minoring in sports enterprise management. Peiton’s lifelong passion for sports began in her childhood, playing soccer and keeping up with various sports such as hockey, football, and basketball. From being a student athlete throughout high school and into her collegiate career she learned to apply her skills of teamwork, discipline, and leadership into many other aspects of her life. Outside of her academic pursuits, she dedicates her time to enriching her community. She works at a daycare, mentors' youth in soccer programs, and volunteers as a christian youth group leader for high school students. As Peiton continues her college journey, she is committed to intertwining her love for sports with her desire to support and inspire the younger generation. Peiton’s aspirations post-graduation includes pursuing a career that bridges her academic knowledge with her passion for sports, ultimately aiming to create opportunities and positive impacts for others and the future of sport

Noemi is a dedicated senior undergraduate student at the University of Washington Tacoma, studying Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education. She serves as the School of Education (SOE) Senator for the Associated Students of UW Tacoma, actively advocating for student voices in education. Noemi is also the founder of ECHO, a dance organization on campus that promotes creativity, collaboration, and self-expression for dancers of all levels. In addition, she co-founded the B.E.T.T.E.R. Education Club (Bringing Educators Together Through Equity and Reform), a community for teachers and those interested in education outside of SOE.

In her free time, she enjoys studying languages, dancing, enhancing her educational practices, and spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Currently completing her student teaching, Noemi is gaining valuable hands-on experience in the classroom. Aside from the world of teaching, she also works as a marketing assistant for Career Development, helping to connect students with essential career resources on campus.

Excited to join this mentorship program, Noemi looks forward to the impactful experiences and lifelong friendships it will bring. She hopes to become an Elementary Teacher after graduating and give back to her local community.

Norah is a senior at UW Tacoma, pursuing a double major in Psychology and Business Administration. She actively contributes to campus life in multiple impactful roles, most notably as the Director of Internal Affairs for the Associated Students of UW Tacoma. In this role, she oversees the Senate, manages hiring and accountability processes, supports the Inclusive Access Task Force, and advocates for meaningful change on campus and beyond. Additionally, Norah serves as President of Pride Pack (UWT’s LGBTQIA+ student organization) and as Outreach Manager for the Student Management Organization. She enjoys these positions because they enable her to pursue her passion for mentorship, empowering students to realize their potential, achieve their goals, and effect positive change. She is also a member of the Services and Activities Fee Committee, helping shape campus resources and initiatives. Following graduation, Norah hopes to pursue a career in higher education Student Affairs.

Roland Heyne is a first-generation student and a senior majoring in marketing with plans to get his JD after graduation at UW Tacoma. Roland was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and has landed in Tacoma by way of Texas. Throughout his time at UWT, Roland has served as the student activities board chair, the ASUWT Director of University Affairs, and the SAB identity and culture coordinator. Roland reignited the pride pack (UW Tacoma's LGBT+ organization on campus) by re-founding the club and by planning pride week on campus which included several events focused on queer identity and celebration. Roland is currently working on the community outreach and engagement team for Metro Parks Tacoma and is supporting their language access and climate action plans. Roland finds his joy through supporting his peers and helping to connect them with valuable resources. His hallmark achievements are the lasting impacts and impressions that he makes on his loved ones. Roland is excited to continue to ignite his professional success, but above all hopes to build and strengthen his dedication to community support and stewardship.

Hazel Jung is a new, dedicated registered nurse currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, driven by a commitment to patient-centered care and lifelong learning. Her primary passion lies in diabetes education, where her goal is to become a Certified Diabetes Educator, providing empathetic and personalized support to those affected by diabetes. She aspires to leverage her nursing skills to give back to her community, with a focus on assisting underserved groups, including the Korean community, where her cultural roots reside. She looks forward to empowering patients with effective diabetes management strategies, reducing complications, and improving quality of life. Upon graduation, she plans to continue gaining valuable nursing experience, taking each step toward achieving certification as a diabetes educator and contributing meaningfully to both individual and community health.

Jamie is a first-generation college student and a junior at the Milgard School of Business, pursuing a concentration in management/marketing with a minor in criminal justice. Jamie has a strong passion for community service, having worked with Tacoma Public Schools and MultiCare to support underserved populations. Currently, she serves as a marketing coordinator at the Office of First Generation at UWT, whose goal is to connect and provide support to first generation UW Tacoma students as they navigate college life. Though still uncertain about her exact goals after graduation, Jamie is exploring a blend of creative fields, social justice, and the desire to become someone who can help people in similar situations to their own.

Bobby is a first-generation student from Munster, Indiana, majoring in Business Management at the University of Washington Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business. Bobby is a current Active-Duty service member serving 14 years in the Army and earned the opportunity to attend college full-time through the Army’s Green to Gold program. He is the first service member to receive the Dressel scholarship. He is concurrently enrolled in Army ROTC out of PLU, where he will be commissioned as an Army officer after graduation. Bobby wishes to be a Human Resources officer in the Army and wants to continue working in this field after his time in service. Bobby is the treasurer of UWT’s Student Veterans Organization (SVO), a UWT’s First-Gen Fellows member, and Phi Sigma Pi and Omega Nu Lambda honors societies. As a husband and father of four, he spends his remaining time volunteering to strengthen his community through All Kids Win, where he delivers food bags for children in need at schools, as a soccer coach, and in his children’s schools.

Ibadat Sandhu is a Computer Science and Systems major at the University of Washington Tacoma with a deep-rooted passion for bridging linguistic barriers in communities. Originally from India, Ibadat's journey to the United States was transformative, sparking a desire to address the challenges of translation accuracy. She hopes to develop a comprehensive online dictionary starting with Punjabi, her mother tongue, addressing nuances currently missing in translation tools.

Throughout Ibadat’s academic and professional journey, she has actively contributed to their community. Volunteering regularly at a local Sikh Temple, Ibadat teaches Punjabi to younger generations. As a former member of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievements), Ibadat works to raise awareness and create opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM. Additionally, Ibadat has volunteered with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS), leading after-school STEM sessions for elementary students to build critical skills and career awareness.

Driven to continue learning, Ibadat is committed to honing their technical skills in computer science. Their goal is to leverage software development as a means to create impactful resources, starting with solutions to bridge language divides. After graduation, Ibadat hopes to combine their technical, linguistic, and community-driven expertise to work on projects that foster inclusivity and access, especially in their local Tacoma community.

Lluliana Sanchez is a first-generation college student and a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration Management at the University of Washington-Tacoma. Raised in Los Angeles by Mexican immigrant parents, she has embraced her heritage and actively works to bridge the cultural barriers that impact underrepresented communities. Her passion for advocacy was shaped by her own experiences and her commitment to supporting new immigrants and first-generation Americans. Lluliana is an active member of the Celebrando Comunidad Committee at UW, where she celebrates leaders in the Latinx community and embraces her culture. She is also a proud second year Dressel scholar, recognized for her dedication to community service and her vision for creating opportunities through technical education.

As co-founder and administrative manager of In & Out Plumbing, she is currently applying for a seat on the Washington State Plumber Advisory Board. In this role, Lluliana aims to advocate for policy changes that reduce barriers in the technical industry, ensuring more equitable access to careers in trades like plumbing. Her work is centered on making a lasting impact through advocacy, education, employment, and policy change, striving to empower diverse communities and future generations.