The programmers are tasked with putting on events around campus that enrich the student experience, such as educational lectures, fine arts, and community social events, in a way that is accessible and affordable to students. The events also serve as spaces for the Tacoma community to gather in a learning community with the university and as points of intersection between students and community members. Each programmer has specific genres of programming they are responsible for, but they often collaborate with each other and with other campus organizations.

Meet the Programmers!

If you’re interested in collaborating with ASUPS on a program, please get in touch with one of the individuals below.

The Cultural Consciousness Programmer organizes lectures, speakers, workshops, and events to promote campus-wide conversations on vital contemporary and historical social justice topics. Topics have included white privilege, racism, ableism, gender and sexual orientation discrimination, recognition of power, criticism of colonialism, how to be a better ally, and why we use inclusive language.

The Campus Films Programmer works to bring feature films and related events to campus to enrich student experiences on campus. They are supported by and manage a team of ushers to pursue their goals.

The Performing Arts Programmer coordinates with the Director of Student Programs to bring national-caliber artists to campus to enrich the student experience. Events are often planned in collaboration with student bands and performers. Past performers have included Grammy winners Arturo Sandoval, Delfeayo Marsalis, John Pizzarelli, T.S. Monk, and Joshua Redmond.

The Popular Entertainment Programmer focuses on national entertainment touring performers and organizes at least one large-scale event each year, along with several smaller-scale events. They will lead the planning process with the Director of Student Programs and work to broker deals, sort out event logistics, and manage event staff. Past events have included Macklemore, Ben Folds, Girl Talk, Maroon 5, Tool, Allen Stone, and Mary Lambert.

The Northwest Sounds Programmer’s chief function is to create meaningful student engagement with local communities in the broader Tacoma, South Sound, and Washington areas through music, spoken word, poetry, and other events.

The Special Events Programmer is responsible for putting on events that help enrich the student campus experience. They are also the primary organizer of various campus events that help connect current students’ parents to the campus community. Past events include midnight breakfasts, boat cruises, dances at the Point Defiance Aquarium, and more.

The Lectures Programmer organizes guest lectures with speakers from around the nation (and the globe). They are tasked with enriching the student learning experience with scholars, thinkers, artists, and activists of our time to share their work with students.