Dr. Tracy Hilliard graduated from the University of Washington (UW) three times and has been a champion for the University’s diversity efforts ever since.
A lifelong resident of Seattle, she is the daughter of Barney and Norberta Hilliard. After attending high school at Holy Names Academy, Hilliard enrolled at the UW where she earned her PhD in health services research, a MPH in maternal and child health, and a BA with Distinction in sociology.
As a young professional, Hilliard has received several national and local awards from many organizations including the American Public Health Association – Health Informatics Information Technology Section, National Council of Negro Women – Seattle Section, and Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation – Women of Color Empowered.
Following fifteen years as a leader in the health and social services fields, Hilliard recently joined ORS Impact, a local consulting firm that assists nonprofit, philanthropic, and government clients with strategy for measurement and evaluation.
Hilliard was also recently selected as a member of the inaugural cohort for Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Leaders in Equitable Evaluation and Diversity (LEEAD) program, which launched earlier this year. LEEAD aims to develop leaders with doctoral degrees who will contribute to better science and social innovation for evaluation, in order to advance the field and improve the life outcomes of children, families and communities through a commitment to equity and social justice.
Prior to joining ORS, Hilliard served as a director with the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department where she led strategy and innovation regarding the use of data and technology to advance the social and health services delivery system for Seattle’s most vulnerable residents. In this role, she served as co-chair of King County’s Committee to End Homelessness Data and Evaluation Committee.
As a volunteer at the UW, Hilliard has spent over a decade assisting students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in achieving their dreams of a college education by helping raise scholarship funds for the UW Alumni Association (UWAA) Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) Scholarship Program. A former MAP scholarship recipient herself, Hilliard chaired the MAP Scholarship Committee for over twelve years and led the organization in awarding over $250,000 in scholarships to over 60 students.
Hilliard’s humble motivation stems from her first hand knowledge of the financial challenges students face when pursuing their education. And she’s quick to recognize the efforts of others who have helped make college a reality for so many UW students.
“I’m grateful for the outgoing MAP multicultural Scholarship Committee Members– Candace Fries, Elena Guevara, Vivian Lee, Dr. Larry Matsuda, Dr. Carol Simmons, and Justin Simmons for their dedication and advocacy in raising funds to reduce financial barriers to a college education for UW students,” said Hilliard of her fellow committee members.
To increase MAP scholarship funds, Hilliard and her scholarship committee secured sponsorships from numerous organizations and individuals, including Pacific NW Bell, State Farm Insurance, Safeco Insurance Foundation, the Neilsen Company, Bon/Macy’s, Pfizer, Merck, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Ben Bridge Jewelers, Alfredo Arreguin and others which included over $30,000 from a retired anonymous donor who admired their work. The committee members also secured strong scholarship support from the families of Owen G. Lee, Drs. Thaddeus Spratlen and Lois Price Spratlen, Hon. Claudia Kauffman, Hon. Kip Tokuda, Dr. Willard Bill, Ricardo Aguirre, Julian Argel, Connie Tajon, and the NW Asian Weekly Foundation.
When asked about the support she received around UW’s campus, Hilliard expressed her gratitude “for the support of campus partners who strongly assisted [her MAP scholarship efforts], including the UW Alumni Association, UW Office of Student Financial Aid, UW Advancement, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, and Angelica and Scott Macklin.”
Hilliard was also a key member of the committee that established the UWAA MAP Endowment. The endowment was established in 2003 under the MAP presidency of Dr. Terryl Ross, who is currently Director of Diversity at UW Bothell, and co-chaired by Vivian O. Lee and Dr. Carol Simmons. During Hilliard’s tenure the MAP Endowment grew to more than $754,000.
Because of her new career opportunities, Hilliard will transition the leadership of the MAP Scholarship Committee to new MAP Board Members. A transition that is bittersweet to many MAP supporters.
“Tracy leaves a significant legacy of achievement ensuring support for underrepresented students and promoting diversity at the UW,” says Vivian O. Lee. “She will surely be missed.”
Hilliard feels strongly that her UW and MAP friends, mentors and role models, along with her education, guided her career path by providing access to professionals in a variety of fields. According to Hilliard, these contacts opened many doors and new opportunities.
“I will always treasure the MAP community and encourage new graduates to give back to their universities and communities by assisting students coming after them in reaching their career goals,” says Hilliard.
Although she is a big support of her alma mater, Hilliard doesn’t confine her volunteer work to the UW. She is extremely passionate about causes serving her community to advance education, economic development, health and social services. She is especially excited about opportunities for encouraging students of color to pursue higher education, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Hilliard also volunteers as a member of the planning committee for Seattle’s largest health fair for African Americans to promote awareness about kidney health and chronic disease prevention, led by Dr. Bessie Young. She has been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since she was an undergraduate at UW, where she has served as an award-winning health committee chair, mentored African American high school and college women, and served on a national committee to promote asthma prevention and management among underserved communities.
She is also an active member of the Greater Seattle Chapter of The Links, Inc., where she is the youngest member of the chapter.
“Since 1955, Links have been committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry in Seattle,” says Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, president of the Greater Seattle Chapter. “Tracy’s dedication to our local African American community is evident in her outstanding service via our health and human services and scholarship committees.”
If her schedule wasn’t already busy enough, Hilliard also finds time to gives back by volunteering at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. These efforts include working with the Young Professionals’ Leadership Summit, the Urban League’s Annual Breakfast and Guild Tea fundraisers, the Career Bridge program and the Urban League’s Scholarship Committee.”
“[At the Urban League] our mission is to provide high quality services and support for African American and other underrepresented communities to thrive by securing educational and economic opportunities,” said Pamela Banks, President and CEO of Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “We are so proud of Tracy, a former Urban League scholarship recipient, for her commitment to our community and legacy of giving back.”
Dr. Tracy Hilliard believes, as Marian Wright Edelman penned, “….we learned that service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.”
