Dembowski awards Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service to Ana Mari Cauce

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski awarded Ana Mari Cauce the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service for her impactful leadership at the University of Washington. Dembowski highlighted her accessibility and dedication to the student community, noting her contributions to the democratization of the presidency. Cauce, the university's 33rd president, has served in various roles since joining the faculty in 1986. Under her leadership, the Husky Promise program was established to cover full tuition for low-income students, and the Race & Equity Initiative aimed to embed equity as a core value at the university.

She will step down from her presidential role in June and return to her faculty position. Cauce's tenure has been marked by numerous awards and an active research focus on adolescent development. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the councilmembers awarding local individuals who embody Dr. King's legacy. Her leadership has significantly impacted the university and the community, emphasizing equity and student support.