Entertainer, student, influencer, Indonesian, son and fighter — these are just a few of the words Bilal Hasan ’23 uses to describe himself. 

Since graduating from the School of Nursing & Health Studies at the ����vlog��Ƶ, Hasan has been fighting professionally in mixed martial arts. 

He is currently the Flyweight Champion in the Cage Fury Fighting Championships, but his dream is to soon become a champion in MMA’s largest promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 

It’s a dream within punching distance. 

Growing up in martial arts

Hasan has been competing in martial arts since the age of five, starting with Taekwondo. Although he won gold medals in major junior events such as the U.S. Open and competed for Team USA at the Junior World Championships, he admits that he got off to a rocky start. 

“When I started martial arts, I sucked at it,” he said. “I would lose every single tournament. I constantly lost and lost, and I think the reason I lost was because I thought too much about what people thought about me and how I looked. I let the pressure get to me.” 

Hasan said he has learned over time to embrace the pressure, something he believes is leading to his success now in MMA. 

“I’ve realized that a lot of people try to block out the audience and their surroundings, but not many people can embrace it. One of the sayings that I say to myself is that ‘the pressure is a privilege.’ 

“It’s a huge privilege because not many people are able to be in this position.”

Finding success in the cage

After he graduated in 2023, Hasan began fighting in MMA professionally, training out of Charlie’s Combat Club in Everett, where he is also a coach.  Fighting in the CFFC, Hasan is the undefeated Flyweight Champion. He says he thrives during his fights due to his love of being an entertainer. 

“I love to put on a show,” he said. “One of the people that I’ve been obsessed with ever since I was a young man is Michael Jackson — not only in terms of his music but also just the way he portrayed himself and how he performed. I feel like no one else had his aura.” 

I just go in there and try to have as much fun as possible, and one thing I tell myself is that there’s literally nowhere else I’d rather be in that moment.

The adrenaline of beginning an MMA fight “is unlike anything in the world,” said Hasan. 

“I just go in there and try to have as much fun as possible, and one thing I tell myself is that there’s literally nowhere else I’d rather be in that moment,” he explained. “I’m at home when I’m inside that cage. I get to fully be free and fully express myself while everyone is watching. And I just feel so grateful for that exact moment.” 

Despite his love of fighting and entertaining, Hasan admitted that when he first steps into the cage, the absurdity of what he’s doing does enter his mind and for a moment he wonders, “What the hell am I doing here?!” 

Building a personal brand

Hasan was born in Hawaii and grew up in Mukilteo, Washington. Still, he has a large connection to the country his family calls home — Indonesia. And as Hasan has grown in success, he has amassed a large following there. 

This has added extra pressure to his career because he now has a whole country watching him, but he has chosen to embrace it. “I know they’re watching my every step,” he said. “So, I want to make sure that I’m the best version of myself that I can be.” 

One way he is embracing his popularity is by focusing on building up his personal brand. Unlike other sports, such as soccer and basketball, MMA fighters need to manage their own careers, including sponsorship deals, something Hasan is still learning about. “I didn’t want to necessarily classify myself as an influencer and fighter,” he said, “but nowadays you have to in the mixed martial arts world.” 

Recently, to try to capitalize on his success, Hasan traveled to Indonesia to work with sponsors. The reception he found there was unexpected. 

“It felt like I was a celebrity. Everywhere I’d go, three or four people would want pictures with me,” he recalled. “It was like nothing I ever imagined.”

Studying health at UW Bothell

For someone who makes a living fighting, Health Studies might seem like a strange major, but Hasan’s motivation was to learn more about the human body and how to take care of it in the best way possible. 

Hasan was training full-time while attending college, and he said the experience helped him to learn how to balance the different areas of his life effectively. His main takeaways from UW Bothell centered around the importance of community and how to be a good student — which has proven useful in his professional life where he does a lot of reading, journaling and self-analysis. 

I’m still a student at the end of the day. That’s why I love mixed martial arts so much — because there’s something to learn every single day.

“Being a good student, you have to be locked in. You have to have a routine,” he said. “I’m still a student at the end of the day. That’s why I love mixed martial arts so much — because there’s something to learn every single day.” 

As a recent graduate, Hasan said the advice he would give to current students and new alumni is to build a solid community for support. 

“You are who you surround yourself with,” he said. “Find a good group of people that are just going to help you progress in whatever you want in life.” 

A future filled with success

While Hasan is already a success in combat sports, his goal is one day to be a UFC champion. He said it is only a matter of time before he gets invited to fight in the promotion. He also realizes that he won’t be able to compete forever, so his long-term goal is to open his own gym in Indonesia. 

Hasan may already be a recognized champion, but he said he is still working on improving himself every day — and he attributes his success to the positive effect of pursuing martial arts. 

“I think without martial arts I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today,” he said. “I think martial arts have given me the ability to analyze myself constantly, because to get into the cage and be the best fighter possible, you need to be the best person possible outside of the cage — not even just in terms of martial arts but also my relationships in life, how I am as a son and how I am as a coach in my gym.

Without martial arts, I don’t think I would be the best version of myself.

The post Health Studies graduate rises through MMA ranks appeared first on Alumni.

She began as a student employee answering phones and processing work orders — a job Sanderson thought would be temporary. Instead, it launched a career: She now serves as associate vice chancellor for Facilities, serving both the ����vlog��Ƶ and Cascadia College, which is co-located on the same campus.

After starting her college career at Cascadia College, Sanderson transferred to UW Bothell where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Global Studies. She said also discovered a supportive faculty, small classes and a sense of belonging that has shaped her life ever since.

In this Q&A, she reflects on her student experience, her career path and why UW Bothell’s community continues to inspire her.

What first brought you to UW Bothell? 

In high school, I thought I’d go to Western [Washington University], but I wasn’t admitted. Instead, I started at Cascadia, then transferred to UW Bothell after completing my associate’s degree. At first, it felt like a second choice, but once I was here, I realized it was where I was meant to be. UW Bothell is such a special place.��

What stood out from your experience in the Interdisciplinary Studies program? 

The small class sizes and the ability to really connect with professors. They were approachable and generous with their time.��

One of my favorite memories was the ��.��.����ܳ��������龱����ٲ������𳾾��Բ��� in my senior year. We visited the Pentagon and other sites, and I don’t think I fully appreciated how unique that opportunity was until later.��It’s something that has stuck with me.��

How did you get involved with facilities as a student? 

I was working for Cascadia College in the president’s office when someone mentioned that UW Bothell’s Physical Plant was looking for student help. I didn’t even know what that meant at the time! I started by answering phones and handling work orders — and I loved it. The people were welcoming, the culture felt like family, and I could see that my work mattered.��

That sense of belonging drew me in and kept me here. 

How did that student job lead to your career? 

I discovered I loved helping others.��Even as a student, staff would come to me with a problem, and I’d get to help solve it. After graduation, I stayed on full-time, and my responsibilities kept evolving. I transitioned from fiscal work to project management, then to budget oversight and ultimately into my current role.��

I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who trusted me to try new things and supported me along the way. 

What has it been like to watch UW Bothell grow over the years? 

When I was a student, the campus was small — we only had juniors and seniors. Since then, I’ve seen new buildings, residence halls and even major infrastructure like the south entrance take shape.��

What hasn’t changed is the culture. UW Bothell still feels like one big family. Even as the “family” gets bigger, the sense of community has endured. 

UW Bothell still feels like one big family. Even as the ‘family’ gets bigger, the sense of community has endured.

What makes you proud to be both an alum and a leader here? 

I’m proud that my own journey started here and that I’ve been able to give back in a meaningful way. Facilities work is often behind the scenes, but it’s vital — from maintaining safe, clean spaces to supporting new construction that meets students’ needs.��I’m proud of my team and the work they do every day to make UW Bothell a place where students can thrive.��

What message would you share with fellow alumni? 

UW Bothell isn’t just where you studied for a few years — it can be part of your life long after graduation. For me, it became a career, but for all alumni, it can be a place to return to, stay connected and take pride in.��

This campus is unique, and the community is something special we all share.

Want to share your own UW Bothell story? Connect with us at uwbalumn@uw.edu.��

The post 30 seconds with an alum: From an unexpected start to a lifelong career appeared first on Alumni.

For her dedication to students and the profession of teaching, she recently received the from the Association of Texas Professional Educators and the from the Alliant Group for innovative science teaching. 

Gohn said her passion for teaching started while she was a camp counselor during her undergraduate years, where she realized how rewarding it was to work with children. 

It wasn’t until she studied for her Master of Education at the ����vlog��Ƶ’s School of Educational Studies, however, that she became more reflective about her teaching practice. 

The path to UW Bothell 

For her undergraduate degree, Gohn studied at Texas State University, and she said she was unsure about what she wanted to do afterward. She didn’t know what to declare for her major so tried a variety of classes across different subjects. After taking classes in education, she realized teaching was her calling. 

“It just clicked,” Gohn said. “I knew it was what I was supposed to do.” 

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, Gohn immediately started teaching in Texas, then a few years later moved to the North Puget Sound region and began working for Everett Public Schools. It was during her time there that she was inspired by colleagues to go to graduate school. 

“There was a group of teachers at my school at Woodside Elementary in Bothell, and we decided that it would be fun to get our master’s degrees,” Gohn explained. “We just thought, ‘Let’s push ourselves, let’s do it!’” 

Soon, they were all enrolled in the Master of Education program at UW Bothell.

Mindset and experience

At first, it was a challenge for Gohn to get back into the mindset of a student, but she soon found out her experience in the classroom was invaluable. Earning her degree while also working allowed her to focus on changing her teaching practices immediately.

“We’d go to classes at night, then we would use whatever we were learning in our classroom,” she said. “So you’re not just going to college and writing papers. You’re embedding it into what you’re doing in your work.”

Gohn said her time at UW Bothell tripled her confidence in her teaching ability, especially once she saw how her learning had a positive impact on her classroom where the children were blossoming.

Through the three years of her degree, Gohn’s mindset as a teacher changed, and she said she became much more of an intentional practitioner. “I’m constantly reflecting on my practice and what I’m teaching my students — what’s working and what’s not.”

More than a decade later, she still carries that same reflective mindset into her work as an elementary school science and math teacher.

The value of making a mistake

Gohn said she is constantly looking to hone her craft and find the best ways to teach her students.

“I tell my kids that I’m still learning, and they say ‘What?! But you’re a teacher!’ And I say ‘Exactly!’ I’m still learning new things about how the brain develops and best practices for working with children.”

A key part of her practice, Gohn explained, is having a positive mindset towards failure, something she also shares with the children she teaches.

“I tell them failure is a way of learning. I tell them about Dr. Seuss, and how he was rejected — I think it was 41 times — before he was published. I’ll even make a mistake in front of them and say ‘Oh my gosh, Ms. Gohn just made a mistake. Let me fix it.’

“I’m modeling that it’s okay to make mistakes and that it’s proof of learning.”

I’m constantly reflecting on my practice and what I’m teaching my students — what’s working and what’s not.

An award-winning professional

When Gohn received the , she said she was lost for words. 

“It means everything,” Gohn said. “I know that I give my whole heart to this, and for other people to notice that I give 100% to my career and my kiddos — for somebody else to see that — it was so special. It’s probably the highlight of my career.” 

This year, Gohn also won a for increasing student engagement with her innovative lessons. “I can’t do science out of a workbook,” she said. “I have to think outside the box to make classes engaging for the kids.” 

When asked what topic her students enjoyed the most, Gohn said that learning about space was always engaging due to the creativity involved in teaching it. For one lesson, Gohn turned her workroom into a completely dark room by placing black paper on the walls. She then attached glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling in the patterns of constellations. 

After entering the room through a “special portal,” Gohn said some of the children felt like they were floating in space as they pointed to the glowing stars and called out the constellations they could see.

Makings of a successful teacher

Gohn believes one of the most important attributes of good teachers is being dedicated to their work and to the students. “All children deserve an accomplished teacher,” she said, “so you’re going to invest time in getting to know them and what makes them tick.”

For Gohn, this means her relationships with children extend outside of the classroom. “I try to be their person — you know, if they need somebody in their life who’s their cheerleader who’s going to have their backs,” she said. “I want them to know I’m in their life, that I’m their person if they need one.

“It’s not like you’re in my classroom for one year, and then I say ‘Bye, see you later.’ I’ll go to soccer games for current students, and I’ll see former students. They run up to me, and I love it.

“That’s pure joy right there. You feel like a rock star.”

The post Educational Studies alumna named Educator of the Year appeared first on Alumni.

Gonzalez was recently named to for his work with tech startups and . The recognition, he said, felt deeply validating after years of quiet persistence. 

“It’s a very welcome change,” he said. “All of a sudden, people start noticing the work you’ve been doing day in and day out.”

Learning to lead 

Gonzalez began his career in Mexico, studying computer science and launching his first company while still an undergraduate. He was soon recruited by Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade working in engineering and supply chain roles. Along the way, he also founded , a nonprofit that supports software engineering talent in Latin America. 

OmegaUp grew quickly, but leadership proved challenging. Gonzalez found himself struggling to unify a team of passionate and talented professionals without much experience in governance or interpersonal dynamics. 

“I realized it’s not so much about the technology,” he said. “It’s about the people. Getting a group of people to move in the same direction, even if not everyone agrees 100 percent — that’s hard.” 

This insight led him to UW Bothell’s School of Business Leadership MBA program.��

Finding his people at UW Bothell 

Gonzalez said he chose the UW Bothell School of Business, in part, for its timing and location. The program’s evening classes plus their proximity to his office, made it possible to continue working full-time. But he discovered that the format wasn’t the main benefit.��

“What made the biggest difference was the people,” he said. “Everyone had real-world experience. We could ask each other questions, challenge each other and learn in ways that went far beyond the classroom.” 

He made a point to immerse himself in the full UW Bothell Husky experience. He joined student clubs, participated in workshops — and even reached out to professors at other campuses to sit in on additional classes. 

“I was the oldest person in the room by a few years,” he said. “But I learned so much from those students. They were brilliant.”

Switching to startups 

One defining moment came during UW Bothell’s MBA Association conference, put on by the School of Business. While seated next to an investor during lunch, Gonzalez decided to share a rough startup idea. The response wasn’t a yes, but it opened a door.��

“I realized I didn’t need the perfect idea,” he said. “I just had to start. That moment helped me lose the fear.” 

That experience eventually led him to enroll in the Foster School of Business’ Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program. He left Microsoft to focus full-time on building a startup, and DevMatch was born — a platform that evaluates software engineers through real-world challenges rather than brainteasers. 

Looking back, Gonzalez said, his curiosity about how people think and work together was sparked at UW Bothell. 

“I remember reading Influence by Cialdini in a marketing class,” he said. “It completely changed how I thought about business and leadership.” 

Coming back to UW Bothell’s School of Business

The educational foundation Gonzalez received at UW Bothell made it a logical decision to return to the School of Business as an instructor. He now teaches a product development course that brings together business and computer science students. The class takes an interdisciplinary approach that mirrors his professional path.��

“I want my class to be an intellectually stimulating experience that pushes students outside their comfort zones,” he said. 

Students learn tools like Figma, Azure DevOps and cloud deployment platforms; apply Scrum methodology; pitch weekly to mock investors; and use AI-assisted development tools. Just as important, they learn what it means to be part of a functioning team. 

“One highlight for me was when a student reached out after the class,” Gonzalez recalled. “They took what we discussed and applied it to their dad’s business. Seeing that kind of real-world impact makes it all worth it.” 

Teaching across disciplines 

Gonzalez believes that in both startups and classrooms — and said the best outcomes come from working across boundaries. 

“Very few things are built by just one person. You have to be able to collaborate across perspectives,” he noted. “Even if someone completely disagrees with you, their viewpoint might hold something valuable.” 

You don’t have to start a company to think like an entrepreneur. It’s about solving real problems with limited resources and taking initiative instead of waiting for permission.

It’s a lesson Gonzalez first encountered during his nonprofit work and then deepened during his MBA studies. It’s also what he tries to pass on to his students. 

“You don’t have to start a company to think like an entrepreneur,” he said. “It’s about solving real problems with limited resources, seeing opportunity where others see obstacles and taking initiative instead of waiting for permission.”

Looking ahead 

While his current focus is on growing DevMatch and Propio, Gonzalez has longer-term interests in AI, neuroscience and possibly a Ph.D. “I’ve been developing an interest in the brain,” he said. “That actually started during the MBA program at UW Bothell, where I saw how much of leadership and business is tied to how we perceive the world.” 

Curious and committed to the process, Gonzalez continues to build — and teach — at the intersection of innovation and impact. 

The post An alumni bridges disciplines and builds teams appeared first on Alumni.

When she first arrived at UW Bothell, alumna Hannah Kim, Computer Science and Software Engineering ‘25, felt nervous about what lay ahead. But the tight-knit community at UW Bothell quickly introduced her to engaging classes, like-minded peers and interactive clubs. She gained technical skills as a student and strengthened her interpersonal abilities while serving as the president of the Association for Computing Machinery Club. In the future, she hopes to be a software engineer or product manager with dreams of traveling the world along the way.

How did your academic and extracurricular path unfold during your time here?

I was originally an intended chemistry major. I just decided to take a CS course, and I fell in love with it. In my sophomore year, I focused on getting into the major as well as on my studies. Junior year I joined one of my first clubs, ACM. And then senior year I became the president of ACM as well as another club, IXDA. I’ve been able to see so much of the campus that I couldn’t before.

Why did coding resonate with you more than your original field of study?

Even though it was hard, it never felt boring. Once I finished learning about a topic or finished really hard projects, I felt a bigger accomplishment than I did when I was just finishing chemistry problems. I could actually see something I built myself, like my code running and working.

What’s one project that really stuck with you during your time at UW Bothell?

In my Principles of Human Computer Interaction class, we made an application that simulates Zoom, but you’re able to do some of the actions with just your hand input. You could swipe to open the chat and then use different hand motions to mute and unmute. That was cool, learning about accessibility and being able to apply it into a widely used application.

How do you think you’ve grown personally or professionally during your time at UW Bothell?

I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable being uncomfortable. Like being able to speak in front of larger crowds or different stakeholders, especially through my experience in leading ACM.

Why was it important for you to foster connection and collaboration through ACM?

If you support others, they’ll be there for you as well. Building that community is important and making sure you have even a couple of key people who you can really trust and grow with is super important for your own growth. ACM helped me ease into that because even in high school I didn’t have a community, or my friends were all doing different things.

Who has had a big impact on you?

Professor Annushka Zolyomi. Even just starting with being in her class, she made sure that the environment was welcoming, and that students could ask any type of questions. Once I joined her research, I was a little bit intimidated, but again, she reassured me and was able to get me set up for success.

The post 30 seconds with an alum: Building connections with code  appeared first on Alumni.

The post A gift for future physicists appeared first on Alumni.

When Alexandra Wienckowski, a 2024 graduate, moved from Montana to Washington in 2018, she was chasing something bigger: the chance to grow, explore new ideas and create a better life for her young son. She began at Shoreline Community College and later transferred to the ����vlog��Ƶ, where she found a supportive environment that helped her redefine what was possible. 

“I’ve always loved the outdoors,” she said. “I thought I’d build a career in environmental studies, but once I started studying public policy, it opened up a completely different path — one that could make an even bigger impact.” 

A pivotal academic shift 

At UW Bothell, Wienckowski majored in Environmental Studies with a minor in Restoration Ecology. But a conversation with an academic adviser changed the trajectory of her education and her life. 

“She told me I could double major without adding a ton of extra time,” she said. “Once I enrolled in a politics class, everything clicked. I saw how systems, laws and leadership shape the environment, education, housing — everything.” 

That realization led her to add a second major in Law, Economics & Public Policy, creating an interdisciplinary foundation that prepared her for real-world impact. 

The turning point came through an internship at the Washington State House of Representatives. Wienckowski first heard about the program in a class taught by Dr. Amy Lambert, associate teaching professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences. She followed up through UW Bothell’s Career Services with assistance from Ryan McIrvin, the University’s director of government & community relations.  

Turning opportunity into action 

“I didn’t even know jobs like that existed,” Wienckowski said. “That experience gave me insight into how government really works and helped me see where I could fit in.” 

The internship opened new doors, too. Through the experience, she built strong professional connections that led to further work in Olympia after graduation, including time with the office of Rep. Greg Cheney. 

“I considered all kinds of roles,” she said. “Policy research, legislative assistant, executive assistant — anything that would help me get my foot in the door and keep growing.” 

As a single mom balancing classes, parenting and part-time work, Wienckowski said the was critical to her success as well. 

“I could not have completed the internship or a study abroad program without that scholarship,” she said. “It helped cover the things that add up — books, fees, housing — and gave me the freedom to focus on being a student and a mom.” 

Looking ahead to a life of service 

With support from scholarship funding, Wienckowski joined a study abroad program in Thailand and Cambodia. The experience expanded her perspective and reinforced her commitment to equity, sustainability and community. 

“I became a global ambassador for study abroad because I wanted other students — especially nontraditional students like me — to know what’s possible,” she said. “That trip changed everything for me.” 

Wienckowski continues to explore her path in public service, with an eye toward legislative work and community impact. She is energized by the possibility of working directly with people and using policy to address systemic challenges. 

“Public service is about fixing problems on multiple levels and understanding where people come from. That’s how we make meaningful change.”

“To me, public service is about fixing problems on multiple levels and understanding where people come from,” she said. “That’s how we make meaningful change.” 

Longer term, she said she hopes to continue gaining experience in government and one day run for public office. 

Advice for the next generation 

Wienckowski’s path hasn’t been easy, but it’s been deeply meaningful. And she has a message for current students thinking about a future in service. 

“There were times I wanted to quit because it would have been easier,” she said. “But I didn’t want to live with regret. You’re more capable than you know, and there’s support out there. When you reach the other side of the tunnel, it’s worth every step.” 

Help more students like Alexandra thrive: Your support of the opens doors to transformative opportunities — from internships and study abroad to careers in public service. Every gift helps students overcome financial barriers and pursue what’s possible. to make an immediate impact. 

The post Finding purpose beyond the trailhead  appeared first on Alumni.

Read the full story on UW Bothell News.

The post James Dainard credits success to hard work and education appeared first on Alumni.

Read the full story on UW Bothell News.

The post Capstone project set alum on path to executive leadership appeared first on Alumni.

“I was part of the AVID program in high school,” Vorn said. “It opened my eyes to what college could mean — not just in terms of income but in what kind of life I could build.”

That drive led her to UW Bothell, where she embraced the challenges of being a first-gen student. “I didn’t want to waste what my parents had given up,” she said. “So, I made the most of every opportunity. I asked for help when I needed it, and I built strong relationships with people who believed in me.”

A mentor and a moment of transformation

One of those relationships changed everything: Professor Deborah Hathaway.

“She was my sunshine,” Vorn said. “Her classes helped me express myself and find confidence — especially in her voice and movement class. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me embrace who I am.”

What started as an academic requirement became a turning point for Vorn. Hathaway’s mentorship helped Vorn build more than just skills — it built a new mindset.

“She taught me that it’s OK to feel uncomfortable,” Vorn said. “That’s often where growth happens.”

From volunteering to a career in science

Vorn’s journey into health and manufacturing began before college. Her first job was at an orthodontist’s office where she had her braces done. What started as a volunteer gig — helping make impressions and putting rubber bands on brackets — became a hands-on introduction to health care.

After college, that early curiosity led her to a role as a Manufacturing Associate at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she now contributes to life-changing treatments on a global scale.

“My background, my culture, and my family — they’re all a part of what motivates me,” she said. “In Cambodian culture, family is everything. And my parents were involved every step of the way in my education.”

Honoring the past, while building the future

At UW Bothell, Vorn learned to bridge her past and future — finding balance between discipline and self-expression, hard work and healing.

“I was taught to be tough and to work hard,” she said. “But college also taught me how to breathe, how to ask for help, and how to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

Now, as a young professional in the biotech industry, she continues to carry those lessons with her — honoring her roots while forging her own path forward.

The post 30 seconds with an alum: How education fueled family dreams appeared first on Alumni.