Degrees of Change, along with partners UW Tacoma, City of Tacoma, and Tacoma Public Utilities, announced yesterday 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.
“It is my honor to support homegrown Engineering students through the Strickland Fellowship at the University of Washington Tacoma,” Strickland said. “This idea came about during my time as mayor, when city staff and I discussed the need for more engineering students from all walks of life. 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 Degrees of Change, UW Tacoma, and the City of Tacoma’s Tacoma Public Utilities. 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. We are incredibly grateful to Rep. Strickland for her inspiring vision and continued support of this important work.”
The fellowship welcomed its first cohort in January, offering students hands-on experience through job shadowing, guided tours of City of Tacoma facilities, and mentorship with city staff.
“In Tacoma, we know that investing in our students is investing in our future,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “The Strickland Fellowship ensures that the engineers who will design our city for decades to come are rooted in the South Sound and committed to serving their community.”
While contributing to real-world projects with the city, students also grow as leaders through a cohort-based leadership and professional development model facilitated by Degrees of Change.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the University of Washington Tacoma and the City of Tacoma to shape the future of engineering in our community,” said Marquise Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Degrees of Change. “This partnership is about more than building skills — it’s about developing innovators ready to tackle our city’s toughest challenges and create lasting impact in our community.”
Marcus Abram, a rising junior who plans to study mechanical engineering, applied to the fellowship because it would allow him to gain real experience working with engineers in Tacoma.
“Connections are very important, and that’s what this fellowship has a lot of,” Abram said. “Comparing my mindset now to when I was just starting, I can actually start to see myself in professional roles. That’s a huge thing, and a confidence booster as well.”
The program began with a focus on civil engineering with plans to expand into other disciplines within UW Tacoma’s School of Engineering and Technology.
“The Strickland Fellowship is the latest chapter in the decades-long partnership between UW Tacoma and the City of Tacoma, attracting students who otherwise may not have considered pursuing engineering careers with local impact,” said UW Tacoma Professor Joel Baker, who serves as Port of Tacoma Chair in Environmental Engineering and Science Director for the Center for Urban Waters. “Representative Strickland’s leadership and continued support ensure that Tacoma leads the Puget Sound region and beyond in finding innovative, effective and efficient solutions to pressing environmental challenges.”
The second cohort of students will begin the fellowship in September. More information is available at tacoma.uw.edu/stricklandfellowship.
Featured image: In the center, Representative Strickland poses for a photo with (on her left) the first Strickland Fellowship cohort, and (on her right) UWT Chancellor Lange, Tacoma Mayor Woodards, and Degrees of Change CEO Marquise Dixon. (Photo courtesy of UW Tacoma)
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