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.��

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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.

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“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.

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Where do you consider your hometown to be?

I tell people I’m a Midwest farm boy from Columbus, Ohio.

What was your first ever job?

I was helping a professor at Ohio State University who ran a summer camp for autistic kids.

When did you start running in UW Bothell Husky 5K?

I ran the very first one. I remember the first couple of years they were put on as part of a project management class. I pulled my records and from what I can tell, I’ve run 15 of them at this point!

On the 5K’s (in)famous hill (#IYKYK)

Over the years I’ve developed, you know. Initially, it was a dread for that hill. But after a point, I’m like, “I know how big the hill is. I’ve done the hill so many times. It’s a known amount of pain.” So I kind of look forward to that little hill now.

Are you serious about running, and do you do other races?

No. Man wasn’t meant to run more than 5K. One time when I ran an 8K, I got by the 5K mark and wondered why I was still running.

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Hometown: Seattle, WA

What was your first job?

I was a barista at Starbucks. I met the guy who played Josh (Bradley Whitford) in “The West Wing.” He gave me a $100 tip because it was Christmas!

What springs to mind when you hear the word “impact”?

Healing. There are lots of different threads of healing throughout my life, from my professional career in nursing to my non-professional mountaineering career. Healing has many dimensions. I’ve been lucky to have many opportunities in my life. I encourage people not to be afraid to explore other avenues for healing, whether it’s music, spirituality or something else. Open your heart to love and healing!

What is one of the ways you make an impact on the world?

Each year I go to Lourdes in France and assist with pilgrims there. I help with medical concerns and provide support within the sanctuary, as a member of the L’Association Médicale Internationale de Notre-Dame de Lourdes. This year I will become an official member of the Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes, which was inspired by the Order of Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem. Their job during the Middle Ages was to look after the sick, the poor and pilgrims.

Who has had a big impact on you?

My nursing mentor, Sharon. I think of her professionalism, her competency and her ability to authentically show that you mattered to her.

What motivates you?

My perspective on the world is simple, I like to have fun — that’s important. But I also want the things I do to be impactful, not just for me but for other people. I have a group of kids who are leaving my youth program this year, and I hope they remember me as their mentor and as their coach. I hope that I help influence them to be good human beings — conscientious, responsible and kind.

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Hometown: King Cove, Alaska

What can you remember about being a first-generation student?

I had two professors (Jennifer Schultz and David S. Goldstein) who I took several classes with consistently because it was a small community back then. They took an interest in me and really fostered and developed my skills. They were such great encouragers and cheerleaders saying, “You do awesome work!”

Coming from an environment where I didn’t necessarily have that kind of support, I still try to do similar things for other people. I’ve had that modeled for me, so I want to give back whenever I can.

Is there a key memory from your time at UW Bothell that is meaningful?

I loved the small community. I got to know folks really well, particularly my professors. I remember going to my graduation ceremony, and those two professors came up in their robes and floppy hats and said, “Oh my gosh, you got magna cum laude!” They were so happy for me, and they were just so excited.

I think that’s a good representation of how I felt overall. I just always felt like someone was paying attention to me and recognizing the work that I had done.

How has being a first-generation student impacted your career?

There are so many things I think I learned from being a first-gen student in terms of having perseverance and resourcefulness and asking for help — finding people who want to be in your corner for support and really leaning into that.

It’s such a core part of my identity. It’s a motivator — a catalyst for lots of things like creative problem-solving, thinking outside of the box and being curious about the folks who are not at the table. That’s where I center my lens and experience: on those who are at the margins or the most underrepresented, particularly in traditional systems of higher education.

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What was your first job?

Selling snow cones at a flea market in California. It’s also where I met my husband on the last day of the season.

What got you interested in running?

When I moved to Washington State, I wasn’t familiar with some of the extracurricular activities here such as hiking, biking and running. I was really excited that I could do a race and then get a medal and some swag — and have a cheering squad at the end of the race just for running. I thought that was pretty neat.

Do you have a most memorable race?

I always think back to my first half-marathon in Seattle with my husband. I had no clue how hilly Seattle was. I lost a toenail! My brother started to get worried because we were taking so long. It wasn’t because we were struggling. It was because we were more like tourists looking at all the places around Seattle. That changed my view of running as an adult and doing it for pleasure from being a kid and doing it because I had to.

Do you have any race traditions?

If it’s a longer distance, I always think about my last five or so miles more than anything. The last five are always more of a mental game for me. So, I think about those five miles, and I try to dedicate each mile to somebody else. I think about all the things that person would be telling me. It helps keep the focus on something other than the physical.

My brother is always my last mile. Always. My brother has had a couple of mental health disorders. He’s had a difficult life. I think about that during the last mile and how it’s no comparison to real life. I can get through it. There are times that I cross that finish line with tears in my eyes because I always think of my brother in that last mile.

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Hometown: Kent, WA

What was your first job?

Soccer coach for a Seattle Sounders summer camp.

Why start your own business?

It was the idea of not working a 9-5 my entire life. I want to have fun, I want to travel, and I want to play soccer while not worrying about work!

Why a photo booth?

I wanted to create a business that could expand to different areas and cater to any event. I believed that taking pictures was one thing that everyone does, and it captures memories that last for years.

What has been your favorite event so far?

The very first event we did was for a wedding reception. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but the night was super interactive and fun with the host extending our time by an hour. The vibes were immaculate, and since I didn’t expect anything, it was an event to remember.

Do you have any advice for your younger self?

Be adventurous and take risks. Life is all about taking risks to find yourself and to find what you’re best at.

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