The HCDE Graduate Student Association (GSA) is a registered student organization led by HCDE graduate students. The GSA creates opportunities for students to connect with one another, build community, explore career and professional interests, and get involved in the department.
Interest-Based Groups GSA OfficersInterest-Based Groups
Organized by the HCDE GSA, HCDE’s Interest-Based Groups are student-led communities where graduate students connect over shared hobbies, passions, and professional interests outside the classroom. They meet on the HCDE Interest-Based Groups Discord server, the online hub for the 2026–2027 graduate cohort.
These groups give master’s, certificate, and PhD students a space to celebrate shared experiences, talk openly about challenges, support one another, and build friendships and professional networks that last outside the classroom and beyond their time at HCDE.
Join the Interest-Based Groups DiscordInterest communities
Interest communities bring students together around life outside of school. Whether you want to find a weekend hiking crew, share playlists, organize a board game night, swap craft projects, explore Seattle’s food scene, or find a running buddy, these groups are a low-pressure way to recharge and meet classmates across programs.
Professional communities
Professional communities connect students who share career and research interests. Members exchange resources, talk about industry trends, share job and internship leads, give feedback on work, and learn from one another’s experiences. Current groups include UX Design, Research, Accessibility, Emerging Tech, and AI.nother.
Any questions or group suggestions? Contact the HCDE GSA at hcdegsa@uw.edu.
GSA officers
President
Kathryn Rambo (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | kmr2025@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Navigating Academic Research Processes (research labs, conferences and publishing)
On - Campus Jobs
Transitioning from Out of State to Seattle!
Anything HCDE GSA
Free time and passions:
Local Community Events, Creative Writing (poetry and short fiction),
Hiking / Climbing / Mountaineering, Experimenting with Touch Designer
Vice President
Shannon Dale Youngblood (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | sdcm1201@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
K-pop (esp. ENHYPEN, my favorite group!)
Navigating full-time employment with graduate studies
Seattle (Go Hawks, Go M’s, and Go Dawgs)
Public Health and Healthcare Industry
Cute things and artsy stuff :)
Free time and passions:
Spending time with loved ones, Video games and YouTube, Crocheting and sketching, Trying new food, K-pop
Community Relations Officer
Ana Bungag (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | acgb@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
What anime you’re currently watching
Climbing in general
Cafes and restaurants around the city
New hobbies I should get into
Anything Sanrio!! 🎀
Free time and passions:
Arts and crafts, Video games and anime, Rock climbing (bouldering/rope), Dancing (wh/aacking)
International Community Advisor
Nimesh Mohanakrishnan (he/him)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | nimesh@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
International Student Experience
Designing your Portfolio
AI in HCDE
Free time and passions:
Golf, Cafe Hopping, Physical Activities (Gym, Climbing, Running, Walking), Trying New Restaurants, Stamp Collection
International Community Advisor
Amber Liu (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | yushao@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Product Design career
Transitioning from work back to school
Photography, arts, and museum
Cafe and restaurant recs in Seattle
Manga, anime, and game!
Free time and passions:
Photography, Drawing, Coffee Hopping, Game, Cooking, Karaoke, Golf.
Affinity Group / Interest-Group Lead
J.P Nguyen (he/him)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | jeanpamn@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Working in the industry (6+ years @ Amazon)
Academic organization and team/project leadership
Planning social and professional events
Living in Seattle (food and activity recs)
Movies (Letterboxd) and music (Spotify)
Free time and passions:
Board Games 🎲, Badminton 🏸, Overwatch 🎮
MS Curriculum Representative
Laura Song (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | laursong@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Research experiences, DRGs
On-campus employment
Maker’s Fair
Healthcare access & transparency
Free time and passions:
Stained glass, arts & crafts, Photography, Cozy games
Social Media Manager
Sravanti Vadrevu (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | svadre@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Social Media Upkeep + Designing for Social Media
Gamification in Design
Theoretical Design, Character Design, Random Cool Facts, Philosophy, Podcasts!
Free time and passions:
Board games (+ board game design!), Video Games: Sim games, Roguelikes, Mini Metro; Dramas: Kdramas, Cdramas; Racket sports, swimming, figure skating
Graphics Co-Lead
Claire Liu (she/her)
Second year Master’s student
LinkedIn | clailiu@uw.edu
Chat with me about:
Everything DIY (+ resources on campus!)
Accessibility & Inclusive Design (HuskyADAPT)
Health Tech (User Research in Healthcare, UX Health @ UW)
Co-Designing with Kids (UW KidsTeam)
Event Planning, Traveling, Recipes, Cozy Games, Horror Movies & Psychological Thrillers
Free time and passions:
Arts & Crafts 🎨, Cooking & Baking 👩🏻🍳, Hosting Events 📋
Graphics Co-Lead
Maxine Tang
Second year Master’s student