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University of Washington Bothell
University of Washington Bothell
from Wikipedia

The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell or UWB) is a campus of the University of Washington and is located in Bothell, Washington. It was founded in 1989 and is one of the three campuses of the University of Washington, alongside the Seattle main campus and UW Tacoma. The campus is located near the junction of Interstate 405 and State Route 522; it is shared with Cascadia College, a public community college.

Key Information

UW Bothell is led by a chancellor who leads the campus and reports to the president and provost of the University of Washington.[2]

History

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University of Washington Bothell was founded in 1989 when it was granted the approval of the Washington State Legislature. The university began with a staff of 12 faculty members and a class of 143 students.[3] Its first classes were held in fall 1990, and its first graduating class ⁠— of three students ⁠— completed their degrees in 1991.[4] The permanent campus was built in the 1990s on a 115-acre (47 ha) cattle ranch that had been previously proposed for a regional shopping mall.[5][6] Dr. Warren Buck III was appointed the university's first chancellor in July 1999 and served until June 2005.[7] Over the course of his chancellorship, he oversaw the university's transition into a four-year institution and the establishment of its permanent campus in 2000.[8]

Academics

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UW Bothell currently offers 33 undergraduate degrees, 21 undergraduate minors,[9] and fifteen master's degrees[10] among five schools:

  • Business, School of
  • Educational Studies, School of
  • Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, School of
  • Nursing and Health Studies, School of
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, School of

UWB falls under the accreditation of the University of Washington;[11] as such, students receive a University of Washington degree.[12]

Student life

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Enrollment

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UW Bothell enrolls nearly 6000 students in 55 undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs.[13] UW Bothell began accepting freshmen in autumn 2006 and the first class to finish all four years at UW Bothell graduated in June 2010.

An agreement with the City of Bothell limits UW Bothell and Cascadia College enrollment. The enrollment limit is currently 10,000 FTE students. Initially, enrollment was limited to 3,000 FTE students until an entrance was built with direct access to State Route 522. The Washington State Department of Transportation completed this project in September 2009.[14]

The overall undergraduate admission rate for 2020 was 74%,[15] but admission to the university's Computer Science & Software Engineering (CSSE) program is highly competitive. [16]

Housing

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On-campus housing for UW Bothell student is contained within the Residential Village, operated by university staff.[17] Cascadia College students may also live in the village.[18]

Wetland restoration project

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Looking from under Washington State Route 522 north into the wetland restoration area.

UW Bothell is home to one of the largest wetland restoration projects on the West Coast, covering 58 acres (23 ha). Prior to the restoration of the wetlands, the land had been used for cattle grazing.[19] Before this North Creek was straightened and confined to transport timber from upper areas of the watershed to sawmills located around Lake Washington. The complex ecological restoration project for the wetlands began in 1997 along with the construction of University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College campus. The goal of this project was to restore the area within the surrounding urban watershed into a sustainable and fully functional floodplain ecosystem. To manage and ensure forthcoming sustainability, great detail was given to essential theories of ecosystem science and ecological restoration in the design and implementation of the site. The hydrology was restored; drainage ditches and dikes were filled or removed. Small topographic variations were added to encourage environmental diversity and multiple plant communities. Between 1998 and 2002, over 100,000 plants were planted. Seven years after initial planting, the Wetland restoration project met its 10-year objectives.[20]

The wetland is also an area for education. Over 30 courses from First-Year Programs, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) have visited the restored wetland.[21]

References

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from Grokipedia
The Bothell (UW Bothell) is a public undergraduate and graduate campus of the , located in , and dedicated to providing access to high-quality education with a focus on , hands-on research, and . Established by approval of the in 1989 alongside the UW Tacoma campus, UW Bothell opened on October 1, 1990, initially offering upper-division courses to 155 juniors and seniors at a site in the Canyon Park Business Center. It graduated its first three students in 1991 and relocated to its current 128-acre campus—shared initially with Cascadia Community College—in 2000, following the state's purchase of the land in 1995 for development including wetland restoration. In 2006, the campus expanded to admit first-year undergraduates, broadening access to the system for high school graduates. As of autumn 2025, UW Bothell enrolls 6,361 students (5,755 undergraduates and 606 graduates) across more than 55 degree programs offered through five schools: the School of Business, School of Educational Studies, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, School of Nursing & Health Studies, and School of STEM. The campus supports 357 faculty members and emphasizes close student-faculty relationships, diversity (with 49% of incoming students identifying as underrepresented minorities), and , including innovative programs like restoration on site. In 2025, UW Bothell was classified as a “Research College and University” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, reflecting its $80 million in research expenditures over the past decade and contributions to Washington's economy exceeding $394 million annually. Its , 90% of whom remain in the state, earn the highest wages among graduates of Washington's public four-year universities.

History

Founding and early development

The University of Washington Bothell was established following legislative approval by the in 1989, which authorized the creation of two new upper-division branch campuses—UW Bothell and UW Tacoma—to expand access to higher education in underserved regions of the state. This decision stemmed from a statewide study assessing future educational needs, particularly in northeast King County, where rapid and demanded localized opportunities for advanced degrees to support the regional workforce. The study, coordinated by Donna Kerr and known as the 1988 “Kerr Report,” involved extensive consultations and led to Kerr receiving the 2025 Catalyst Award for her contributions. The campus was designed as an upper-division institution, focusing initially on junior- and senior-level undergraduate courses for transfers, as well as graduate programs, to accommodate non-traditional students such as working adults seeking to complete their degrees without relocating to the main campus. UW Bothell opened its doors on October 1, 1990, with its first classes held in leased temporary space at the Canyon Park Business Center, a local off the Bothell-Everett . The inaugural cohort consisted of 143 students and was supported by a founding faculty of 12 members, drawn from various disciplines to build an interdisciplinary foundation aligned with regional economic priorities like , , and . This modest start emphasized flexible scheduling and practical curricula to meet the needs of place-bound learners and professionals in the growing Eastside tech and service sectors, marking a deliberate shift toward inclusive, regionally responsive within the system. The campus awarded its first in 1991, underscoring its early success in delivering targeted upper-division education despite operating from provisional facilities. Throughout the , planning for a permanent home advanced, culminating in the state's purchase of a 128-acre site in 1996—previously a historic known as the Truly Ranch, located at the intersection of Interstate 405 and State Route 522 in Bothell. This selection of the former land, which included significant wetlands, reflected a commitment to while providing ample space for future growth to serve the evolving educational demands of the .

Expansion and key milestones

The University of Washington Bothell opened its permanent campus in September 2000 on a 128-acre site in northeast , shared with Cascadia Community College. Initial facilities included three main buildings constructed with brown brick to harmonize with the surrounding wetlands and woodlands: one dedicated to UW Bothell's upper-division and graduate programs in areas such as liberal studies, , , , and ; another for Cascadia's lower-division courses; and a shared central building housing the , media center, and . This move from temporary leased spaces marked a significant milestone, enabling expanded operations after a decade of planning. By the mid-2000s, enrollment had surpassed 1,000 students, reflecting robust growth driven by new degree offerings and regional demand for accessible higher education. Under the leadership of its first chancellor, Dr. Warren Buck III, who served from 1999 to 2005, UW Bothell transitioned from an upper-division institution to a full four-year university, broadening access to bachelor's degrees for Eastside and northern residents. This shift culminated in 2005 when the campus began accepting applications from high school graduates, followed by the admission of its first freshmen class in 2006. The expansion solidified the institution's role within the system, with the first four-year graduating class completing degrees in 2010. In the , UW Bothell and Cascadia Community College established a combined enrollment cap of 10,000 (FTE) students—6,000 for UW Bothell—to guide long-term and development, as outlined in the 2016/17 Campus Master Plan. A key milestone came in 2025, when the Carnegie Foundation designated UW Bothell as a "Research Colleges and Universities" institution, recognizing its growing activity and contributions to production alongside excellence.

Campus

Location and facilities

The University of Washington Bothell campus is situated in the suburban city of , approximately 20 miles northeast of and adjacent to Interstate 405. The 128-acre campus, co-located with Cascadia College, occupies a site originally purchased in 1995 as a portion of the Boone-Truly Ranch, comprising approximately 128 acres, which has since expanded through development while integrating natural features. This includes the incorporation of a 58-acre restored area along North Creek, transforming former pastureland into a functioning as part of the campus layout. Key facilities on campus include the Beardslee Building, the original structure opened in 1998 that houses classrooms and offices. Discovery Hall, a 74,000-square-foot STEM-focused building completed in 2014, features 11 science labs, a 200-seat , and flexible classrooms to support interdisciplinary learning. More recently, Innovation Hall opened in autumn 2023 as a $79 million, 90,000-square-foot facility dedicated to , chemistry, , physics, and , fostering collaborative and hands-on interdisciplinary work shared between UW Bothell and Cascadia College. On-campus housing is provided through the Residential Village, completed in Fall 2024, which includes residence halls such as Forest Hall, Summit Hall, and Horizon Hall, accommodating 1,055 students in dorm-style and apartment units with communal dining facilities. The campus emphasizes sustainability in its infrastructure, achieving for electricity through Puget Sound Energy's Green Direct program, sourcing power from the Lund Hill Solar project in Klickitat County and the Skookumchuck Wind project in Lewis County. This commitment aligns with broader environmental goals, including the preservation and integration of the area to support ecological balance amid urban growth.

Environmental initiatives

The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) spearheads significant environmental efforts through its North Creek Wetland restoration project, a 58-acre initiative launched in the late to reconnect the creek's after historical alterations from , , and waterway modifications. began in 1993 following the site's acquisition for development, with restoration design approved in 1998 and planting activities occurring from 1998 to 2002, during which over 100,000 native plants—primarily early successional like red alder and black cottonwood—were installed across 261 polygons representing 20 types. Recognized as one of the largest and most complex restorations in the , the project exceeded its regulatory mitigation goals by 2009, just seven years into monitoring, by enhancing , , and connectivity while serving as a model for regional ecological recovery. This restoration integrates deeply into UW Bothell's educational framework, functioning as a living laboratory for hands-on learning in , restoration, and , with involvement from numerous courses across disciplines including arts, humanities, and sciences. Faculty and students conduct research on topics such as populations, plant succession, and , while K-12 programs and professional training utilize the site for , fostering interdisciplinary understanding of human-ecosystem interactions. Beyond the wetland, UW Bothell pursues campus-wide through its five-year Sustainability Action Plan, targeting zero-waste operations via composting expansions, waste audits using sonar technology, and green purchasing to minimize diversion. The university commits to neutrality by 2050, achieving reductions in energy use through LED upgrades and load-shedding programs that cut by 35 kW, while aligning with Washington's Clean Buildings Standards ahead of schedule. These efforts tie into socio-ecological via the Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE), which promotes interdisciplinary studies in and resilience through field-based projects at the nearby Environmental Education and Research Center. Community partnerships with organizations like the Friends of North Creek Forest and local agencies ensure ongoing monitoring, public access via trails, and collaborative events that extend the wetland's benefits to regional stakeholders.

Academics

Organizational structure

The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) is organized into five academic schools that form the core of its educational framework: the School of Business, the School of Educational Studies, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). These schools oversee undergraduate and graduate programs, with each led by a dean who reports to the campus's executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. As part of the larger system, UW Bothell operates under a distinct governance structure with its own serving as the , reporting dually to the UW president and provost. This separation of leadership, including a dedicated executive vice for academic affairs (functioning as a campus provost), was established as the transitioned to a full four-year university in 2006, enabling focused administration of its growing academic and operational needs. UW Bothell emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to , integrating perspectives across disciplines through and cross-school collaboration to prepare students for real-world challenges. This model encourages hands-on projects that draw on multiple fields, fostering innovation and while promoting faculty and student interactions beyond traditional departmental boundaries. The campus employs 346 full-time faculty members as of 2025, supporting a student-faculty of 21:1 that facilitates personalized instruction and .

Degree programs and rankings

The University of Washington Bothell offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its five schools: the School of , School of Educational Studies, School of Interdisciplinary & Sciences, School of & Studies, and School of , , Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). At the undergraduate level, the campus provides 33 bachelor's degrees and 21 minors, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and practical applications in fields such as , , , and STEM. Graduate offerings include 15 master's degrees focused on advanced professional development, with no doctoral programs currently available. Notable programs include the B.S. in Computing & Software Systems within the STEM school, which prepares students for careers in and through rigorous coursework in algorithms, , and . In the School of Business, the B.A. and M.B.A. in emphasize , , and , with options for concentrations in areas like and . In terms of academic reputation, UW Bothell ranked #6 in Regional Universities West and #4 among public regional universities in the West in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, placing it in the top 10 regionally. Nationally, it earned #33 in Best Value Schools, highlighting its balance of quality education and affordability. Furthermore, alumni with bachelor's and master's degrees from UW Bothell earn the highest wages among graduates of public four-year institutions in Washington state.

Enrollment and admissions

Enrollment statistics

As of fall 2025, the University of Washington Bothell has a total enrollment of 6,361 students, comprising 5,755 undergraduates and 606 graduate students. Enrollment at UW Bothell has shown substantial growth since its founding, starting with 126 students in its inaugural quarter in fall 1990 and reaching record highs over its 35-year history, though the campus is planned to cap at 10,000 FTE in coordination with its partner institution, Cascadia College. For the 2024-25 , enrollment breakdowns indicate 33% of students in first-year and pre-major programs, 25% in the School of (STEM), and 17% in the School of Business, reflecting a diverse distribution across disciplines. UW Bothell emphasizes access for non-traditional students, including a notable proportion of transfers (602 in the fall 2025 incoming class), older learners, and part-time enrollees, as evidenced by historical gaps between headcount and FTE figures that suggest significant part-time attendance.

Admissions process and demographics

The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) began admitting direct freshmen in autumn 2006, expanding from its initial focus on upper-division transfer students to offer a full four-year undergraduate experience. Applications for first-year admission are submitted through the Common Application or the UW system, with a non-refundable of $60 for domestic students and $75 for international students; need-based waivers are available. The process prioritizes transfers from Washington colleges, reflecting the campus's historical emphasis on regional access and seamless pathways for continuing students. UW Bothell employs a holistic review process that evaluates applicants beyond academic metrics, considering high school GPA, personal essays (250-650 words on topics such as personal background or challenges overcome), extracurricular activities (up to 10 listed with descriptions), letters of recommendation when available, and . This approach allows written responses to provide context for an applicant's experiences and potential contributions to the community. The undergraduate acceptance rate stood at 74% in 2020 but has since increased to approximately 91% in recent years, signaling broader accessibility while maintaining selectivity for competitive programs like & . The student body in autumn 2024 reflects significant diversity, with 34% identifying as Asian, 28% as , 10% as or African American, 10% as Hispanic or Latino, 6% as multiracial, 5% as international students on visas, less than 1% as American Indian or Alaska Native, and less than 1% as Native Hawaiian or ; 6% did not indicate race/. Among incoming students, 31% of first-year and 43% of new transfers are first-generation attendees—the first in their immediate families to pursue a four-year degree—highlighting the campus's appeal to underrepresented groups. To support this composition, UW Bothell's admissions office collaborates with the UW Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity through initiatives like Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment, which target low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students via culturally relevant practices and regional partnerships to enhance access and equity. These efforts align with the campus's strategic commitment to increasing representation and achievement rates among diverse populations.

Research

Research classification and funding

The University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell) was designated as a Research College and University in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, recognizing its growing emphasis on research activity alongside undergraduate and graduate education. This classification highlights the institution's investment in innovative research, with fiscal year 2023 expenditures reaching $5.74 million, surpassing the threshold for the designation. Over the past decade, UW Bothell has amassed nearly $80 million in research expenditures, reflecting a strategic shift from a primarily teaching-focused campus to one integrating research across its programs since the 2010s. Research funding at UW Bothell is sourced from a mix of federal agencies, including the (NSF) and the (NIH), as well as industry partners. Notable examples include a $2.4 million NSF grant awarded in 2015 for initiatives. Industry collaborations, such as sponsored capstone projects in and partnerships, further support applied research efforts. In 2023, the Office of Sponsored Research facilitated 36 awards from 58 proposals, demonstrating robust grant acquisition. UW Bothell's research emphasizes applied areas like biotechnology, education, and socio-ecological studies, contributing to broader regional impacts. According to the 2024 University of Washington Economic Impact Report, the campus generated $394.2 million in economic activity for Washington state in fiscal year 2023, supporting 2,539 jobs through research-driven innovation and alumni retention. This focus aligns with the institution's mission to address local challenges, fostering collaborations that enhance economic vitality in the Puget Sound region.

Centers and initiatives

The University of Washington Bothell hosts several specialized research centers that foster interdisciplinary collaboration and address pressing societal challenges. These centers integrate faculty expertise, student training, and community partnerships to advance knowledge in , socio-ecological systems, and . The Center for Biotechnology Innovation and Training (CBIT), established in 2022, focuses on preparing STEM graduates, particularly from underrepresented groups, for careers in the biotechnology industry through hands-on training and educational programs. It partners with local biotech firms to facilitate collaborative research projects, including summer undergraduate awards and industry-aligned seminars on topics like high-throughput biotech and AI applications in assays. In 2024, CBIT received funding from Career Connect Washington to develop a biotechnology certificate curriculum in collaboration with Life Science Washington, aiming to bridge academic training with industry needs. The Collaborative for Socio-Ecological Engagement (CoSEE), operating from the Environmental Education and Research Center at Saint Edward State Park, conducts interdisciplinary centered on , , and . It connects scientists, educators, and community partners through programs that emphasize equity-focused ecological studies, including undergraduate capstone projects and immersive fieldwork. CoSEE offers project-based internships in , conservation, and community outreach, supporting both UW Bothell and UW students in addressing socio-ecological issues. In 2025, CoSEE contributed to a trial using Distributed Acoustic Sensing technology to monitor Puget Sound's population. The Goodlad Institute for Educational Renewal, housed at UW Bothell since 2008, promotes justice-centered by co-designing renewal processes with schools, universities, and communities. It emphasizes PK-16 and fosters school partnerships to advance democratic and equitable educational practices. The institute supports research projects on topics such as multi-tiered systems of support for school administrators and models. Other initiatives at UW Bothell leverage campus resources for ecological research, notably through the North Creek Wetland, a 58-acre restored that serves as a living laboratory for studies in , , and management. Emerging groups in AI and health studies are also gaining momentum, building on interdisciplinary projects in , , and to explore applications in and equity.

Notable people

Alumni

The University of Washington Bothell has produced over 34,000 alumni who contribute significantly to various sectors, particularly in the Puget Sound region's technology, education, and health industries. These graduates are recognized for achieving some of the highest median earnings among public four-year institutions in Washington state, with alumni earning a median of $74,063 annually ten years after entering college (2022 data), reflecting strong post-graduation outcomes driven by regional economic opportunities. Notable alumni include Cruz Garibay, a 2015 graduate who served as UW Homecoming King and later received a 2018 Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to study in , where he focused on advocacy for immigrant communities, drawing from his own experiences growing up in an immigrant family in Yakima. Another prominent figure is Carol Miu, a 2025 physics graduate and former CEO of PeopleFun, a mobile gaming company, who has been highlighted in university features for her innovative leadership at the intersection of business and , including her return to academia to pursue research. The network supports these achievements through dedicated programs, such as the university's Office of Alumni Engagement, which organizes events and career placement services to foster connections among graduates. A key initiative is the UW Alumni Association's GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Council, which engages recent —typically those who graduated within the past 10–15 years—through targeted networking events, opportunities, and resources to aid early-career transitions.

Faculty and administration

The University of Washington Bothell is led by Kristin G. Esterberg, who has served in the role since October 2021. Previous chancellors include Warren Buck III, the inaugural leader from 1999 to 2005, and Kenyon S. Chan, who held the position from 2007 to 2014. The administrative structure includes an Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Brian Martensen, who assumed the role on August 1, 2025, and oversees academic operations in a role akin to a provost. The campus comprises five academic schools, each led by a dean: the School of Business (Sophie Leroy), School of Educational Studies (Wayne Au), School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (), School of Nursing & Health Studies (Vanessa Lopez-Littleton), and School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Jennifer McLoud-Mann). This framework supports an emphasis on diverse hiring practices to reflect the campus's commitment to equity and inclusion across leadership and operations. UW Bothell employs 346 faculty members, with ongoing efforts to enhance representation from underrepresented groups in academia. Faculty accomplishments highlight interdisciplinary integration, blending fields like computing, environmental science, and human-centered design to address real-world challenges. Notable examples include Daniel Jaffe, professor of atmospheric and environmental chemistry, elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2021 for his pioneering work on pollutant transport and wildfire smoke impacts. In human-computer interaction, Annuska Zolyomi, assistant professor in the Department of Computing & Software Systems, advances accessible technology design for neurodiverse users through collaborative, user-centered research. Recent recognitions underscore faculty excellence in teaching and service; for instance, , teaching professor in biological sciences, received the 2025 UW Distinguished Teaching Award for innovative that fosters and student engagement. These contributions align with the campus's mission to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty.

References

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