Kelly Snyder

Kelly Snyder is a first-generation community college transfer student who earned her bachelor’s degree in 1991 and her master’s degree in 2005, from the University of Washington.

She has had a successful career at the UW Bothell campus as assistant vice chancellor and now as the current director of public works for Snohomish County—the first woman at Snohomish County to hold this position.

Kelly’s passion to support UW Bothell’s students and women in STEM is solidified in an endowed scholarship that she and her husband, Virgil, established after the passing of Kelly’s grandmother and father. After working with their financial planner, Kelly placed her inheritances into investments, which established and funded the Kelly and Virgil Snyder Endowed Scholarship for Women in Engineering at UW Bothell to help reduce barriers for women entering engineering careers. Additionally, to ensure their legacy will “live beyond the base gift,” the couple has included a provision in their will to increase the size of the scholarship.

During Kelly’s time working at UW Bothell, she often connected with students and shared her career path and college and University journey, and they were surprised how much it mirrored their own. “If you don’t see someone like yourself at the top or in a leadership role, it can be challenging to see that possibility for your own future. The students felt seen and heard, and supported, something I always searched for.

I was grateful to have had my own mentors along the way to provide that same support and guidance. I’m now paying it back and forward after my own success and helping to inspire students.”

You can make a difference, just like Kelly and Virgil. Learn more inside on ways to transform lives through a beneficiary designation or scholarship. Ready to chat? Contact Office for Planned Giving at 206-685-1001 or giftinfo@uw.edu today.