Message from the Dean

Dean’s Message 2022-23

Dear Students, Staff, Faculty, and greater UW Tacoma Community,

It is with great enthusiasm that I share some exceptional highlights from our innovative and dynamic School of Engineering and Technology (SET).

Academic year 2022-23 has been a historic milestone for SET, witnessing the highest enrollment in our history. We welcomed 925 juniors, seniors, and graduate students across a diverse range of programs, including Bachelor’s programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Systems, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, we are proud of our graduate programs, such as the M.S./Ph.D. in Computer Science & Systems, M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Master of Cybersecurity & Leadership, and the Graduate Certificate in Software Development Engineering – a specialized program catering to non-computer science bachelor’s degree holders seeking a career change.

At SET, we take pride in providing an exceptional student experience. Our commitment to small class sizes, our state-of-the-art laboratories, and undergraduate research opportunities ensure all students of SET have a well-rounded and highly personalized educational experience. We believe that the dedication of our esteemed faculty, the abundance of student groups, and the beauty of campus further enhances this transformative journey for our students.

Our undergraduate student body is diverse and representative of our commitment to inclusivity. In 2022-23, we were delighted to welcome a student community with 57% first-generation students, 25% underrepresented minorities, 12% military-connected individuals, 18% women, and 38% Pell-eligible students. This diverse atmosphere fosters creativity, innovation, and broad perspectives in our classrooms and beyond.

During the 2022-23 academic year, SET awarded a total of 356 bachelor’s degrees and 110 graduate degrees. We were also excited to graduate our first cohort of B.S. in Mechanical Engineering students, as well as our first Ph.D. in Computer Science and Systems candidate– we encourage you to read the news story “A Ph.D. for Tacoma,” to learn more about our first Ph.D. graduate’s research and next steps after their time at UW Tacoma. We are proud of the hard work and determination of our 2023 SET graduates, and look forward to witnessing their continued success as they embark on their professional journeys.

Our programs prepare students to succeed in industry, and SET students have proven to be highly sought after in the job market, with numerous prestigious companies offering job opportunities to our graduates. Companies such as Intel, Nordstrom, Google, Costco, Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, and many others have recognized the excellence of SET Graduates. This impressive list also includes renowned organizations such as NASA, Infoblox, Weyerhaeuser, MultiCare, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Tacoma Power, Naval Undersea Warfare, among others.

Beyond UW Tacoma, our students have gained admission to esteemed graduate programs in renowned institutions, such as Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California San Diego, Purdue University, Boston University, and many more.

SET faculty have been at the forefront of groundbreaking research across various disciplines. From machine learning and cryptography/cybersecurity, to transportation engineering and bioinformatics, our faculty’s work is advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges. Their research endeavors have been supported by grants from prominent organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, NASA, National Security Agency, the Kern Family Foundation, and the WA Department of Ecology.

The incredible work of our faculty and students would not be possible without our dedicated SET Staff. I am delighted to share that our esteemed Undergraduate Advisor, Beth Jeffrey, has been recognized with the prestigious “2023 Tri-Campus Adviser of the Year” award by the Association of Professional Advisers & Counselors (APAC) at the University of Washington. Beth’s unwavering dedication and commitment to supporting and guiding our undergraduate students has earned her this well-deserved honor.

I invite you all to experience the excitement and energy that permeates the UW Tacoma campus and the School of Engineering & Technology. If you are considering joining our community or seeking guidance on your academic journey, our friendly advisors are here to assist you. Schedule an appointment and explore the endless possibilities that await you at SET.

Go Huskies!

Raj Katti

Dean, School of Engineering & Technology