The University of Washington Tacoma announced Monday the establishment of the “Strickland Fellowship for Career Pathways,” named in honor of Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s contributions to education and workforce development in Tacoma and the South Sound.

The program provides students with hands-on experience working on municipal projects in Tacoma city departments, helping them prepare for engineering careers close to home. The fellowship’s name was unveiled during a ceremony recognizing Strickland, who helped shape the program’s vision while serving as Tacoma’s mayor.

“City staff and I discussed the need for more engineering students from all walks of life,” said Strickland. “This fellowship will help them get the education and exposure to careers in the fields of environmental services, public works and public utilities.”

The program was established through a partnership between UW Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Tacoma Public Utilities and local nonprofit Degrees of Change. It aims to build a local workforce pipeline that helps meet the region's need for more STEM talent.

“The Strickland Fellowship for Career Pathways is a powerful example of what's possible when we work together to invest in talent, opportunity and the future of the South Sound,” said UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange. “This partnership offers a clear path to success that eliminates barriers for students pursuing STEM careers while keeping local talent local.”

The fellowship welcomed its first students in January, offering hands-on experience through job shadowing, guided tours of City of Tacoma facilities and mentorship with city staff.

The second group of students will begin the fellowship in September. More information is available at https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/set/programs/engineering-fellowships.

Photo Caption: Left to right, UW Tacoma students Emre Avcular, Obsidian Addams, and Marcus Abram. Center to right, Congresswoman Marylin Strickland, UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and Degrees of Change CEO, Marquise Dixon