1. Real world solutions outside the classroom
Published: February 24, 2015
“Go long or go home.” It’s a mantra that transfer student Salina
Shugarts brings to the golf course and her education. An avid
golfer, Shugarts finishes in the low 80’s on the golf course, and
she swings high for her education at UW Bothell.
Shugarts is brand new to UW Bothell having transferred here in
January. “UW Bothell is known for its academic success,” she
explains. “Getting an education is important, but I wanted to
challenge myself into getting the best education.”
The Society, Ethics and Human Behavior student is indeed
challenging herself. She is eager to talk about her community
psychology and education and society courses, which embed
community-based learning and research (CBLR). Shugarts
volunteers with Healthy Start, offered through the Center of
Human Services and devoted to providing education and support
to young families. She also tutors children in underserved
communities.
Through her CBLR work, Shugarts focuses on barriers to success
with one family in order to bridge the gap between individual and
community resources that may be available. The combined

2. classroom and volunteer experience allow her to create real world
solutions through a new lens. “I’m learning how to collaborate and
generate new ideas to better serve the kids and the women we
help.”
The reciprocal partnership structure of CBLR means that Shugarts
is both a resource to and student of the community. She says her
work reflects what she’s learning in class, “We talk about
community organizing and community research and
qualitative/quantitative data, what that looks like, and how to
apply different methods to different situations.”
UW Bothell’s CBLR classes help connect students to the
community. Interim director Kara Adams says “We believe the very
best form of education will engage students in the processes of
learning about issues of public concern and gaining the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes to address them.” Last year, 1,214
undergraduate students participated in CBLR courses at UW
Bothell.
With more than 90 percent of UW Bothell’s alumni living and
working in the state of Washington, it is no surprise that Shugarts’
site supervisor is an alumna and former CBLR student. Holly Teran
graduated with a community psychology degree in 2014 and is
now a family support specialist at Healthy Start.
http://www.bothell.washington.edu/news/uwbothell-news/2015/salina-shugarts-
022415