September 2025 | Written by Ashley Tsang

Image Credit: Holly the Husky

Welcome back (or welcome for the first time) to UW Bothell and to the first issue of the 2025–26 school year!

Whether you are a returning reader or brand new to The Husky Herald, I am so glad you are here. My name is Ashley Tsang, and it is an honor to return as Editor-in-Chief of UW Bothell’s official student-run newspaper. As I begin my senior year—and my final one with the paper, I reflect on the fulfillment I have found in journalistic storytelling, and on the many student stories that have inspired our publication.

The Husky Herald enters this academic year with a stronger foundation than ever. Our contributor team has grown significantly, and our print capacity has increased to better serve the UW Bothell community. This growth positions us to elevate the quality and reach of our publication, while continuing to uphold our mission of amplifying student voices through ethical journalism and visuals.

Since our founding in 2008, we have remained committed to depicting diverse identities and experiences across campus. This year, we aim to build on that commitment with even greater impact. We invite you to share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas with us through our website (thehuskyherald.com/contact), as your voice influences the work we do.

This year, I am excited to be joined by Kairi Rojas, our new Managing Editor, who oversees timelines and schedules, and Aysha Siddiqui, our new Assistant Editor, who will be the copyeditor for our monthly publications. Beyond editorial management, we also write stories that shape the campus narrative and engage students through Community-Engaged Learning and Research (CELR) partnerships. Together with our fall team of 15 student contributors, we are dedicated to maintaining a platform that not only informs but also connects you to opportunities, whether through clubs, volunteering, or events.

I am thrilled to present to you The Husky Herald’s 2025 back-to-school issue, centered on this year’s Student Engagement & Activities theme of Igniting Your Inner Glow. Similar to a glow stick that must crack before it can shine, our unexplored passions can often reveal bright new paths ahead. While exploring new ideas and interests can be intimidating at first, sharing these experiences can often inspire others in ways we don’t expect so don’t be afraid to crack open the unfamiliar and take up space as you are; your glow might just light the way forward.

To new and returning students: the next few quarters and years will be some of the most transformative, and you hold the power to shape them. During my time at UW Bothell, I have discovered that involvement opportunities are everywhere, especially through the many student organizations on campus. With a genuine curiosity to step beyond my comfort zone as a business administration student, I found myself in this role during my second year on campus. Today, I am incredibly grateful to lead with the creative power of the pen to publish and uplift writers and artists. I hope my story shows that you, too, can pursue your interests and discover your own inner glow. University is a time for exploration, trial and error, and most importantly, growth, and we would love to hear YOUR story!

Anyone can submit articles, photography, or artwork for review and potential publication through our Link Tree form at any time, which we review on a rolling basis. There would be no Husky Herald without the students, faculty, staff, and partners who have made it possible. We look forward to another exciting year of community engagement and invite you to stay connected through our Instagram page (@husky_herald), where we will frequently promote campus happenings and announce when quarterly contributor applications become available.

Coming up, you can catch us tabling with Student Media at the upcoming club fair on Oct. 1, so be sure to stop by and grab the latest copy! Additionally, mark your calendars for Nov. 6, where we will be hosting our annual Storytime with Student Media Event, featuring folklore stories and snacks in a cozy setting.

As we step into another incredible year of growth and change, I believe there is a place for everyone in our community to belong, thrive, and share stories. Who knows—you may even find your home within The Husky Herald.

Cheers,

Ashley Tsang

Editor-in-Chief, The Husky Herald