Joy Williamson-Lott
Dean of the Graduate School
Joy Williamson-Lott is a professor and previously an associate dean in the College of Education, an accomplished scholar and researcher in the field of American higher education, and a committed advocate for equity and diversity in higher education. She is the author of several books examining black higher educational history and the black freedom struggle, including her most recent book, “Jim Crow Campus: Higher Education and the Struggle for a New Southern Social Order.” Her teaching focuses on education as a moral endeavor, the shifting definition of “proper education” and “liberation” for different social groups, and the educational histories of people of color.
Dr. Williamson-Lott was awarded the UW’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2010 and received the Mildred Garcia Award for Early Career Exemplary Scholarship from the Association for the Study of Higher Education, among numerous awards and recognitions.
graddean@uw.edu
206.543.7468
Ralina Joseph
Associate Dean for the Office of Graduate Student Affairs
Ralina Joseph is a professor of Communication and adjunct professor of American Ethnic Studies and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies.
Dr. Joseph is the founding and acting director of the Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity. For the 2019-20 academic year, she was in residence at the Northwest African American Museum as a Mellon/ACLS Scholars & Society Fellow, where she brought her “Interrupting Privilege” course and expanded it for the general public. Her second book, Postracial Resistance: Black Women, Media Culture, and the Uses of Strategic Ambiguity, was the winner of the International Communication Association’s 2019 Outstanding Book of the Year Award.
Dr. Joseph was recently profiled in UW Magazine, explaining how the concept of “radical listening” is a way to amplify and learn from often-unheard voices around issues of race and injustice.
313 Loew Hall | Box 353770 | Seattle 98195-2191
206.616.9365
rljoseph@uw.edu
Kalei Kanuha
Associate Dean for the Office of Graduate Student Success
Leading the Office of Graduate Student Success, Dr. Kanuha helps serve students through a cohesive, equity-centered approach. As a faculty member in the School of Social Work, Dr. Kanuha brings a rich background in social work, community-based research and academic leadership. She has previously served as assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion and associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Social Work, and is a longtime member of the Graduate School Council.
Dr. Kanuha will officially start her new appointment with the Graduate School in September 2025.
Mayumi Willgerodt
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
As Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Willgerodt and her team partner with colleges and schools to establish, maintain and innovate graduate education at the UW. A nationally recognized leader in school health and nursing education, Dr. Willgerodt brings extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, and mentorship. An endowed professor in the School of Nursing, she has also served as director of graduate studies at UW Bothell and has been an engaged partner in Graduate School activities, often supporting academic unit reviews.
Dr. Willgerodt will officially start her new appointment with the Graduate School in September 2025.
Jeremy Davis
Director of Academic Affairs and Policy
Jeremy oversees the curriculum and academic unit review missions of the Office of Academic Affairs and interprets, researches, and organizes the development of graduate school policy. In addition, he supports both the Dean and Associate Deans of the Graduate School on a portfolio of strategic projects and collaborates with Graduate School staff and colleagues across the UW to support the academic mission of interdisciplinary programs.
jerdavis@uw.edu | Teams Call Link
Andrew Gorohoff
Director of Computing and Information Resources
Andrew oversees the UW Graduate School Computing and Information Resources (CAIR) group and provides IT support for the UW Graduate School and various Interdisciplinary UW groups.
Carolyn Jackson
Director of Graduate Student Success and GSEE
Carolyn oversees the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) and Office of Graduate Student Affairs (GSA). In support of the University’s outreach, recruitment and retention of graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences, GSEE (formerly known as GO-MAP) presents networking and professional development opportunities for graduate students throughout the academic year, in collaboration with graduate programs and campus units. GSA uses a holistic approach to supporting current graduate students through student-centered services & programming, timely resources and intentional university partnerships.
206.543.9016
uwgsee@uw.edu
Jesse Knappenberger
Director of Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS)
Jesse oversees the GEMS team, who support all students, including prospective applicants, applicants, admitted students, current students and former students. Learn more about GEMS’ support.
Yvette Moy
Director of Public Lectures
Yvette oversees the Office of Public Lectures. The lecture series shares the UW’s academic expertise with general audiences through lectures that are promoted in collaboration with the UW Alumni Association.
Helene Obradovich
Director of Fellowships and Awards
Helene oversees the Fellowship and Awards staff, who administer regional and federal fellowship and scholarship programs which require Graduate School involvement, including the application process for Fulbright and other international and research abroad programs for students and faculty, and fellowships funded by private gifts to the University.
gradappt@uw.edu
206.543.7152
Chris Partridge
Director of Academic Unit Review
Chris oversees the academic unit review process for units offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across all three campuses, liaising with academic units, deans, and faculty review committees, and other administrative stakeholders across the UW. He works to continuously improve the academic unit review process in terms of transparency, helpful guidance to stakeholders, and value to the institution.
chrisrp@uw.edu
206.543.9973
Annie Pellicciotti
Director of Marketing and Communication
Annie and the communications team direct, design, create and maintain our online presence that serves the Graduate School’s audiences. In addition, we gather, coordinate and disseminate information of interest and importance to UW graduate students, Graduate School staff, University leaders, the UW campus and the community, and collaborate with units campus-wide to share content and cross-promote news and successes.
Christy Sherwood
Director of HR
Christy oversees the Graduate School’s HR department. From the start of the recruiting process through the time an employee separates from the Graduate School, HR provides tools and coaching to support all Graduate School employees.