We are delighted to announce that Farrah Tung – an undergraduate student from the Department of Urban Design & Planning – has been named to the 2026 Husky 100 cohort! She is a part of a group of 100 outstanding undergraduate, graduate and professional students who actively apply what they learn to make a difference on campus and beyond.
About Farrah Tung, CEP ‘26
Farrah is an international student from Taipei, Taiwan, who is graduating this spring with a double Bachelor of Arts in Community, Environment and Planning and Environmental Studies and a minor degree in Urban Planning. Through her studies, Farrah unites concepts across disciplines, viewing urban design and planning through both a social and environmental lens.
“One takeaway from my time at UW is my passion for sustainability,” says Farrah, “After I started double majoring, I realized that there are so many ways you can integrate sustainability into urban planning, either through building management or through business operation.”
Farrah’s Impact at the UW
Farrah has been a stand-out in her Program on the Environment capstone as a student who is able to connect rigorous research with real-world application in a meaningful way. What has impressed me most is her ability to balance strong analytical thinking with a clear commitment to equity and community health. Farrah consistently approaches her work with professionalism, curiosity, and a focus on impact, all of which makes her an outstanding representative of the UW community.
This interdisciplinary perspective comes to life in Farrah’s work, where she translates her academic interests into tangible impact both on campus and beyond.
Farrah has distinguished herself in the Program on the Environment by linking strong research with significant real-world applications. As part of her capstone internship with the Seattle and King County Department of Public Health, she is tackling the complex and urgent issue of extreme heat in K-12 schools, translating evidence on indoor air quality and climate impacts into practical, actionable guidance for decision-makers.
“What has impressed me most is her ability to balance strong analytical thinking with a clear commitment to equity and community health,” says Capstone Instructor P. Sean McDonald, “Farrah consistently approaches her work with professionalism, curiosity, and a focus on impact, all of which makes her an outstanding representative of the UW community.”
Further Engagement On- and Off-Campus
Outside of her coursework, she has played an active role in community-building at the UW. Farrah has been involved with various registered student organizations (RSOs), serving in leadership roles for clubs like the Taiwanese Overseas Student Association and Unite UW. Through Unite UW, she served as a program lead, photographer and facilitator, engaging students in cultural exchanges to help foster a sense of belonging, unity and cultural understanding for students.
On top of her involvement with clubs on campus, Farrah is a Resident Adviser for student housing and has served as a Housing Tour Guide for UW Housing & Food Services. She has also interned for Colliers International in Shanghai, China, as an Engineering & Sustainability Services Department ESG and Culture & Leisure Operation Department Intern.
Reflections as a Husky
As an international student from Taiwan whose first time in the U.S. was three years ago for college, I have been maximizing and building my Husky Experience at the intersection of sustainability, public health and community-building, grounded in my LEED and WELL certifications. As a Resident Advisor, Unite UW Cultural Exchange Program Lead and Public Health Seattle & King County intern, I also lead and support 300+ students each year to make shared spaces more equitable and environmentally responsible.
Across these experiences, I have learned to connect technical knowledge with community care to create healthier environments where people and nature can co-exist and thrive.
Reflecting on her journey as a Husky, she expresses how valuable student organizations have been for her growth and success.
“There are so many cool RSOs out there, and it doesn’t matter how many groups you join — as long as you find something that’s good for you,” she says, “Through that, I got so many resources and learned so much.”
Farrah emphasizes, “I’m proud that I was able to maximize my opportunities as a student, which allowed me to build community and learn more about myself and other people around me, while also pursuing two majors that uncovered my passion for building healthy sustainable urban environments.”
Congratulations, Farrah, on this well deserved recognition from the UW!