Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health
Food Systems Major
April 22, 2026
Elvis Chan
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I moved to the U.S. at 17 to pursue my education, starting at a community college in Seattle before transferring. I was drawn to UW not only because of how beautiful the campus is, but also because...Vanessa Perez
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I grew up in Washington, so staying near home and in a community I am familiar with was really important to me. At the same time, I have always loved big cities, so Seattle felt like the perfect place for me. The UW campus is...Eric Liu
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? Coming from Guangxi, China, I grew up in a region with a rich agricultural heritage and a deep respect for the journey from farm to table. When looking for a university, the University of Washington stood out not just for its academic rigor, but for...November 5, 2025
Carmela Stewart
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I am Afro-Peruvian, born in Peru and raised in Seattle. While my parents were getting their PhDs in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology at UW, they were simultaneously raising my older brother, my younger sibling, and me. I grew up in a diverse community consisting of musicians,...March 12, 2025
Daniel Y Queyquep
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? As a second-generation college student to immigrant parents, I’ve always been encouraged by them to pursue higher education. The main reason why I chose to attend UW was how rich and diverse the campus life is. Coming to the Seattle campus for the first time,...November 25, 2024
Chenell Coppock
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I grew up in Williamsburg, VA, where I was immersed in a culture rich with ancestral history, yet often found historical narratives altered in textbooks. My background includes varied roles in the food and hotel industry, working as an Army medic, and teaching. After moving...October 9, 2024
Alex Ball
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I actually came to UW to study marine biology, and there aren’t many opportunities for that in the Midwest! Even after I changed my path, I still wanted to move somewhere else to grow as an individual person. What influenced you to major in Food...March 27, 2024
Valerie Lam
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I was born and raised in Hong Kong; a city rich in diversity. I chose to come to the United States for my education—particularly the UW—because the UW School of Public Health (SPH) is highly ranked as one of the best schools for public health...November 20, 2023
Elissa Fong
Tell us about your background and why you chose UW? I am a second generation Chinese American from Pasadena, California. My family is from Hong Kong where food is a big part of our culture. What drew me to UW was the broad range of subjects that I could study and the variety of unique...August 26, 2023
Carlos Morales
As a business owner of a small restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, Carlos Morales sourced foods from a local farmers market. When Morales shared with his customers the story of where the food came from, he noticed both their disconnect with the land and their desire to understand how food is produced. From those conversations, Morales...Next page