Folks say it's spring. I'm not quite convinced...and, I'm loving it! So much of the ongoing collaborations of US with the Colleges and Schools throughout the U are seeing impact in the lives of every student. More of this powerful work is ahead as we move forward on various projects and innovations from General Education Reimagined to enhancing Undergraduate Research and much more! I'm taking a few lines here to celebrate the work that each of you do to advance this mission of Students First. In the coming weeks, presentations and conversations will continue on two, interrelated topics: mapping undergraduates students' journeys at the U and a new predictive analytics/student success partnership that is set to transform how we work for and with every undergraduate as they navigate the University of Utah. Great things are happening because of your hard work and dedication to students. That hard work is paying off and I know you share my optimism and enthusiasm for student success at the U. 

As always, Go Utah!

Chase

In January Student Success Coaches adopted a mission statement defined by the following characteristics:

Aligned—The program fits and forwards the goals and outcomes of Undergraduate Studies and the University of Utah.

Equipped—Student Success Coaches have the knowledge, training, support and resources needed to coach effectively.

Connected—Student Success Coaches support one another as a team, partner with a multitude of others across campus, and connect with students at every opportunity.

Effective—The program is assessed regularly to know if and how the coaching team is reaching program goals.

Student Focused—Students are known as whole person, know they matter and experience the campus as a place they belong. 

Currently, coaches are developing and implementing targeted outreach plans to reach first generation and major-undeclared students. For more information, contact Stephanie Santarosa, director of Student Success Coaching, at stephanie.santarosa@utah.edu.

Please join US in congratulating Professor Mike White from LEAP Learning Communities.  He has been selected for the Sweet Candy Distinguished Honors Professorship. This award is selected by Honors students to recognize a professor who has made a significant difference in their lives.  Traditionally the recipient of the Sweet Candy Company Distinguished Honors Professorship award is invited to speak at the Honors graduation luncheon and receives a monetary award from the Sweet Candy Fund. 

"Mike is so deserving of this award, and I am excited to see his impact acknowledged by Honors students." says director of LEAP, Dr. Marissa Diener.

Mike joins other LEAP faculty who have also been acknowledged with this award:  Dr. Nora Wood and Dr. Ann Engar.

Friday, March 31
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Join the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College for the 4th annual Transfer Summit at the University of Utah's Alumni House.

The summit is for faculty and staff and will include:

Registration closes on March 27.

Monday, April 3
10:30 AM-12:00 PM

Join US in celebrating this year’s award-winning researchers and mentors at the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Awards Ceremony. The event recognizes students from each of the 18 colleges, in addition to acknowledging the Dee, Francis, and Parent Fund scholars. This year, OUR is also inaugurating the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Awards. 

On March 15, 2023, the Utah Prison Education Project (UPEP) held its first Ethics Bowl Exhibition at the Utah State Correctional Facility. The event was organized by Drs. Rachel Robinson-Greene and Richard Greene, UPEP volunteer philosophy instructors. Five UPEP students participated in the exhibition against undergraduate students from Weber State University and Utah State University. In attendance were Dr. Erin Castro, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, and Dr. Ravi Krovi, Provost, Weber State University, as well as guests from five local colleges and universities. 

Seniors from Granite School District who have applied to the University of Utah were able to visit for Granite Senior Day! Amery Kongphouthakhoun, Jaenette Heltman, and Nicole Alley helped host an amazing day where students were able to visit departments for workshops and attend a tabling session in the Student Union. UCAC advisors were great tour guides and these students are now better prepared for their next steps at the University of Utah.

Help unlock $5,000 for youth Foster Care! Thanks to a generous anonymous friend, when we hit 30 donors to First Star Academy on U Giving Day an additional $5,000 will be unlocked. Gifts of all sizes help collectively make a large impact for foster care youth in Utah.

Help unlock $5,000 for foster care alumni, our Impact Scholars! Thanks to a generous anonymous friend, when we hit 30 donors to Impact Scholars on U Giving Day an additional $5,000 will be unlocked. Gifts of all sizes help collectively make a large impact for students with experience in foster care.

In 2020 the UIA began work on the Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI). The initiative identifies areas where institutions can improve with thoughtfully designed, innovative projects that transform their campuses into spaces that are more welcoming and supportive of their Black student communities. As part of this initiative, the University of Utah has been awarded $25,000 through a grant from the Dell Foundation. The funds will be used to support the Black Cultural Center’s program, Generation Next: Building Black Professionals of Tomorrow. EDI will contribute a 1:1 match for a total of 50k in resources.

Undergraduate Advancement is looking for people from Undergraduate Studies to join scholarship selection committees! This is a great way to hear more from undergraduate students across campus. The review process will occur between April and July. Specific timelines are determined based on the number of applications and member availability but the standard review period is typically 2-6 weeks. Most committees will not require in-person meetings and they will do their best to accommodate committee members’ schedules.

Giving Day

Transfer Summit

8:30 AM-2:00 PM

OUR Awards

10:30 AM-12:00 PM

CLC Community Service Project

10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Faculty Development Retreat

9:00 AM-1:00 PM

First Gen Con

10:00 AM-3:00 PM

April 4th, 5th, 6th
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Location: Glendale Community Learning Center, 1388 Navajo St, Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Volunteer to help the Glendale Community Learning Center expand its garden! We will be re-mulching, installing new seating, prepping garden plots, weeding, and other maintenance activities. Activities for children will be provided. 

Bring a water bottle, warm gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Be sure to check the weather and dress appropriately.

Have something you'd like US to highlight in the newsletter? Email marketing@us.utah.edu