UBB Staff Spotlight

We are pleased to welcome Michelle Sato to the University Beyond Bars team! Michelle joined our staff as our new Program Coordinator last week. She will be responsible for the general administrative, logistical, and organizational assistance necessary to support the UBB educational programs at both MSU and WSR. She will be the key liaison for course support, in working with our instructors and TAs to ensure course materials are delivered. She will be responsible for our Arts & Lecture Series at both MSU and WSR, and provide staff support to students in distance learning programs.

Michelle is a graduate at the University of Washington, Bothell, majoring in Society, Ethics & Human Behavior, and minoring in Diversity Studies. Before joining UBB, Michelle taught preschool, worked for the Seattle Mariners, and did a lot of diversity work at a local law firm.

Why did you decide to apply for the Program Coordinator position?

I applied for this position because I wanted to become a more permanent part of UBB. I have been volunteering for two years now and it has completely changed my life. I never thought that a mixed enrollment course during my last quarter of college would set the path for my future, but I am so happy to have ended up where I am now. 

What are your goals for this position?

I am excited about helping to streamline various processes in the organization and to continue to increase our involvement from volunteers and the outside community.

What are you looking forward to in working at UBB?

I am looking forward to partner with the students and to help them reach their educational goals. I also look forward to the further growth of UBB as a whole and being able to be a part of that growth.

We are excited to have Michelle join our team, in hopes to inspire and empower our students in prison to pursue an education, and to ultimately have a better future.