Student Advisory Council | College Of The Environment

Charge

The charge of the College of the Environment’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) is to represent student voices in the College’s administrative planning , primarily in the annual budget and financial planning process.

The SAC acts as a voice for the student population. Council members provide communication pathways between themselves, their student communities, and the Dean’s Office.  By regular advising, dialogue, and collaboration with the Dean and Associate Deans of the College, the SAC provides recommendations on issues such as College-level budgets, new initiatives, policies, and planning that affect students.

Goals

• Advise on various topics that impact students within the college
• Serve as a communication pathway between students and the Dean’s Office
• Keep the SAC connected and accountable to the general student body
• Elevate student feedback and concerns
• Promote interdisciplinary college community and identity

Council structure and membership

The College of the Environment Student Advisory Council includes members from all undergraduate and graduate degrees:

Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science

One undergraduate, one graduate

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

Department of Earth and Space Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

One undergraduate, one graduate

Environmental Studies/Program on the Environment

One undergraduate

Marine Biology Program

One undergraduate

School of Marine and Environmental Affairs

One graduate

School of Oceanography

One undergraduate, one graduate

Center for Quantitative Science

One graduate

Associated Students of UW Student Senate representative

One ASUW Student Senate member who is a student in the College of the Environment

Graduate and Professional Student Senate representative

One GPSS member who is a College of the Environment student

Total Possible Members = 14-16

Council positions

Chair or co-chairs

Elected by the council members. Co-Chairs (one undergraduate and one graduate student) are responsible for setting the agenda, serving as liaison with Dean’s Office staff and facilitating meetings.

The Student Advisory Council may coordinate with the Dean’s Office to create other positions as needed.

2025-26 membership

View council member profiles

Unit	Name	Level
School of Aquatic and Fishery Science	Jessica Lao	undergraduate
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences	Taylor Triviño	graduate
Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science	Coco Lipe	undergraduate
Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science	Skylar Gale	graduate
Department of Earth and Space Sciences	Maya Nagaraj	undergraduate
Department of Earth and Space Sciences	Anna Grace Ulses	graduate
School of Environmental and Forest Sciences	Blaise Stricker	undergraduate
School of Environmental and Forest Sciences	Jaqueline Wu	undergraduate
School of Environmental and Forest Sciences	Anna Fall (co-chair)	graduate
Environmental Studies/Program on the Environment	Sarah Desai	undergraduate
School of Marine and Environmental Affairs	Beatrice Pickett	graduate
Marine Biology Program	Clara Kreutziger (co-chair)	undergraduate
School of Oceanography	Elise Herzfeld	undergraduate
School of Oceanography	Brooke Carruthers	graduate
Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management	Lilac Hong	graduate
ASUW Representative	Kriscilla Robinson	undergraduate
GPSS Representative	TBD	graduate

Application and review process

The Council calls for applications for new members annually in spring quarter.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Councilmember terms and responsibilities

Councilmember terms of service

• Councilmembers will serve 1-year terms (Autumn – Spring) with 1-year reappointment possible.
• Staggered terms (i.e., some inaugural members will serve only one year; some will proceed for re-appointment at end of first year). The council will ask for volunteers to serve an additional year or end terms as needed for staggered terms.
• Reappointment does not require a new application.
• Total annual commitment: approximately 20 hours, including meeting time, preparation for meetings and work between meetings to seek input from students on topics discussed.

Councilmember responsibilities

At minimum, each Councilmember is responsible for:

• Introducing themselves via email to the students they represent in their units or organizations at the beginning of the school year.

• Understanding, and innovating, communication pathways between themselves and their student constituents, including sharing information from the Dean’s Office and the SAC with their student community, and requesting, assembling, and synthesizing information and input from their student community to communicate back to the SAC and the Dean.
• Creating and maintaining a SAC “tool kit” which includes but is not limited to:

• • further description of the duties and responsibilities of SAC members including elected officers
  • communication templates and pathways specific to each SAC position including relevant in-unit or in-organization listservs, email lists, or other methods of reaching the relevant student community
  • SAC meeting documents and other best practices

Meeting schedule

• Two meetings/quarter, except summer quarter (~6/year).
• Standing meeting time is set quarterly (1.5 hours/meeting).
• Dean’s Office staff representative will attend all meetings.
• The Dean will attend at least two meetings per year.

Benefits of serving on the SAC

• Develop your leadership skills.
• Represent students in your major/program in College-level discussions.
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the College of the Environment is organized and how policies and budgets shape the work of the College.
• Provide feedback on initiatives and policies that may continue after you are no longer a student.
• Expand your network beyond your department. Make meaningful connections with Dean’s office staff, and students from across the College.

Key topics that may be addressed by the Student Advisory Council

• Budget issues and planning
• Student recruitment and retention
• Academic affairs and programs
• Inclusivity initiatives
• Strategic planning

Dean's Office Contact:

Michelle Hall

Director of Student & Academic Services

• hallm@uw.edu
• 206-543-6233