Â鶹Çø

Step into the world of flora with Â鶹Çø alumnus and Brave Blooms Flower Farm owner Iesha Molnes ’21. Together with Organic Farm Manager Beth Leimbach ’94 and her team of student farmers, you’ll tour the Organic Farm’s flower garden, learn to identify Indigenous and non-Indigenous species, and explore the science of cut flower farming alongside Indigenous cultivation practices. You’ll create your own Indigenous flower seed mix to take home—letting your newfound knowledge sprout and flourish, just like the flowers you’ve explored.

Suggested Attire:
Closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing, hat and sunscreen (if sunny), raincoat (if raining).

Facilitator:

• Beth Leimbach ’94, Organic Farm Manager

Speaker:

• Iesha Molnes ’21, Owner of Brave Blooms Flower Farm 

Public health is at a crossroads. Federal shifts, funding gaps, and growing community demands are reshaping how we respond to crises and reimagine wellness. Alumni leaders Dolly England ’05, Margaret Flerchinger ’01, and Dr. KK Pandya ’05 are confronting these challenges head-on—from transforming mental health systems, advocating for culturally responsive care, or pushing for equity in emergency response. Facilitated by Leah Ford ’18 of Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, this interactive roundtable invites attendees to face hard truths: What happens when public systems fail to meet urgent needs? What bold interventions are possible when equity and resilience are centered?

You won’t just listen—you’ll help lead. This session is a space for you to speak up, spark bold ideas, identify shared priorities, and shape the future of public health. Your voice matters, and your ideas can inspire real commitments that strengthen our community.

Together, we’ll move beyond reflection to action—because the future of public health depends on it.

Facilitator:

• Leah Ford ’18, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Program Manager

Speakers:

• Dolly England '05, Community Engagement Strategies Manager at Oregon Health Authority
• Margaret Flerchinger '01, Operations and Policy Analyst at Oregon Health Authority
• Dr. KK Pandya '05, Medical Director at Altea Healthcare 

Bring your ideas to life and explore your creative voice in this interactive workshop with Â鶹Çø alumni who’ve successfully navigated the publishing world. Whether you're polishing a manuscript, zine, or essay—or just starting to experiment with writing—this workshop is designed to help you move your work forward.

You’ll get practical advice on how to shape your writing, share your story, and get noticed in a crowded literary landscape. Hear directly from published alumni about their paths to print, the realities of publishing, and how they’ve built visibility around their work. This session includes space for discussion, questions, and reflection—perfect for writers at any stage of their journey.

Facilitator:

• Sean Williams, Faculty, Â鶹Çø

Speakers:

• Jasmin Faulk ’20, MPA ’23, Author, Public Speaker, and Educator
• Dana Simpson ’99, Author of Phoebe and Her Unicorn
• Brendan Basham ’06 (Diné), Author, Artist, Educator, and Former Chef

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, think, and connect—and Â鶹Çø alumni are helping shape its future. In this panel discussion, hear how alumni are applying AI in their careers, learn practical tips for getting started, and gain a foundational understanding of this fast-evolving technology. Together, we’ll explore the promise of AI for social good, as well as its challenges—including environmental impact, ethical concerns, and equity in access.

Facilitator:

• Wenhong Wang, Faculty, Â鶹Çø  

Speakers:  

• Amber Sexton MPA ’10, Delivery Director HCLS Data and AI Lead at Slalom
• Doug Schuler ’76, Faculty, Â鶹Çø; President of The Public Sphere Project

From grassroots initiatives to national organizations, Â鶹Çø alumni are driving change through bold political organizing at every level. Join Master of Public Administration Program Director Meghan Doughty for a timely conversation with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner ’91 of MomsRising, Washington State Senator Yasmin Trudeau ’10, and Pierce Transit ADA Coordinator and Disability & Equity Advocate Dorian Taylor MPA ’25.

In a time of shifting norms and rising disinformation, we’ll explore how organizers are building trust, mobilizing communities, and navigating today’s complex political landscape. You’ll dig deep with tools to start a campaign, build coalitions, make your voice heard e, and advocate effectively in your own community.

Facilitator:  

• Meghan Doughty, Master of Public Administration Program Director, Â鶹Çø  

Speakers:  

• Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner ’91, Founder of MomsRising
• Dorian Taylor MPA ’25, Pierce Transit ADA Coordinator and Disability & Equity Advocate
• Yasmin Trudeau ’10, Washington State Senator

Dive into discovery as you take part in engaging, tide-to-table experiences and explore the fascinating world of shellfish, science, and sustainability, guided by a team of faculty and alumni with expertise in aquaculture, restoration, and education.

Step into the role of a scientist for the day as you investigate the Â鶹Çø Beach through microscopes, shells, and stories in this hands-on workshop. Using scientific tools and field-based methods, you’ll gain insight into sustainable shellfish farming, examine specimens up-close, and learn about the ecological roles of these species. This workshop blends discovery with real-world experience to showcase how Â鶹Çø faculty and alumni engage with marine ecosystems.

Suggested Attire:
Closed-toe shoes

Facilitators:

• Sarah Williams, Faculty, Â鶹Çø
• Pauline Yu, Faculty, Â鶹Çø

Speakers:  

• Jesse Honiker '16 – Crop Controller at Hama Hama Company
• Derek King '14 – Farm Director at Shoalwater Seafood of Willapa Bay Enterprises
• Emily Wilder '16 – Owner of Salinity Seafood & More