Today, success and innovation in public higher education requires a dynamic transparency and deep commitment to collaboration. I am grateful for the exceptional leadership found throughout Undergraduate Studies and the U—individuals here work together to address challenges and seize opportunities through expertise, experience, inclusivity, deliberate listening, and trust. Your leadership shapes the minds and futures of our students as well as secures the future of the U's legacy! 

In the Office of Undergraduate Studies, our shared commitments reflect this philosophy. We have a clear focus on expanding access and success for first-generation, low-income, and minoritized students while ensuring an exceptional educational experience for every student. On that path, we equally commit to fostering faculty success and professional development for our incredible staff throughout the U by leveraging crucial partnerships with other units, colleges, and schools. We aspire to be a community where students, faculty, staff, and supporters thrive. We become that community through collaboration and engagement as we focus on shared priorities like Navigate U and faculty success initiatives.

The time is now to engage our collective future—we are shaping the future of the U! I believe every member of Undergraduate Studies shares in this vision. These are my commitments to each of you as well. 

As a season of thanksgiving, joy, and light is upon us, I appreciate each of your good work and dedication. Let's continue to inspire and innovate for and with students!

And as always, Go Utah!
Chase

Up Home: One Girl's Journey

By Ruth J. Simmons

Future U Podcast

Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn discuss what’s next for higher ed.

The Assistance League of Salt Lake City (ALSLC) announced the awarding of 12 scholarships to support students at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College. These scholarships are part of the Assistance League’s new Educational Scholarships program, created this year to alleviate financial barriers and empower students with demonstrated financial need.

The LEAP Program is thrilled to share that Dr. Nora Wood has received the 2023-2024 Distinguished Teaching Award. This award recognizes the exceptional work Dr. Wood has been doing with students at the U. As per the nomination requirement, “A nominee for Distinguished Teaching Award must maintain a consistent record of outstanding teaching performance and implement effective and innovative teaching methods which demonstrate exceptional abilities to motivate student learning… and must show concern for students and their wider education as well as their career preparation and must also contribute to the educational process outside of the classroom…”

Dr. Wood will be presented with the award during the University Commencement Ceremony on May 2, 2024.

Congratulations Professor Wood!

There have been updates to the Undergraduate Studies support site support.us.utah.edu

In addition to submitting requests to US Support teams and finding common knowledge base articles, you can now reserve touchdown spaces and checkout items. 

Available items include AV equipment such as Owl conference cameras, laptops, presentation remotes, and AV adapters.  See the Checkout Requests section on the homepage for more information. 

Each summer, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), a nationally competitive opportunity that provides undergraduate students with an intensive 10-week summer research experience under the mentorship of a University of Utah faculty member.

Congratulations to the 40 faculty serving as undergraduate research mentors for SPUR 2024! The dynamic mentoring of these faculty members, from 14 different colleges, has made a transformative impact on the lives of students. 

SPUR Student applications are open from November 1, 2023 to January 28, 2024. Please share this opportunity with undergraduate researchers!

Planning is underway to launch the Navigate U student mobile app in spring. The app allows students to track to-dos, update preferred pronouns, raise their hand with a concern, and receive push notifications and reminders. More details will be forthcoming.

The 11th annual scholarship luncheon was held on Oct. 26 at the Ken Garff University Club. Remarks from student recipients and T. Chase Hagood, senior associate vice president Academic Affairs and dean Undergraduate of Studies, created a delightful atmosphere celebrating undergraduate students and the donors who support their academic success. In 2023, over 112 students received $573,900 in scholarship funding through the Undergraduate Studies Scholarship office.

Undergraduate Studies hosted “First-Gen Friendsgiving” on November 20 at the Sill Center. Over 75 first-gen students mingled and enjoyed a festive taco bar. The event was the first of many and a great way for first-gen students to make new friends, relax, and enjoy some time together before the frenzy of finals. Thank you to the Center for First-Generation Success and our friends from UFirst Credit Union for making the students feel that they are welcome and for helping us create a sense of belonging at the U.

First Generation Alumni and Students and the 1850 Society are now part of the Forever Utah Alumni network—offering excellent opportunities to mentor and connect with first-gen students on campus.

It has been a year since the U joined the UIA! In that time we have received over half a million dollars in support of student success. Huzzah!

Fall Semester
Classes End

Opening Reception for UPEP: Reinventing Portraits

6-7:30 PM

Salt Lake City Public Library, Central Branch

Undergraduate Studies Holiday Celebration

2-3:30 PM

Sill Center

University Closure Day

University Closure Day

Student Success Coach, Student Success and Transformative Experiences

Trish joins the Student Success Coaching team from Weber State University. She has been working in higher education for more than 20 years in roles ranging from a custodian to a math professor. She earned both her Master of Education and B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology from WSU. Before coming to the U, Trish lived in India for two years doing volunteer work at an ashram. Trish says she is excited to work as an SSC, helping make students’ college experiences as fulfilling and easy as possible.

Director of Major Exploration, Academic Advising Center

Jerry joined the AAC team in 2023 but started working in higher education as a first-year advisor in Anchorage, Alaska after retiring from the Air Force and earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He was both a first-generation and non-traditional student, which helps inform his passion for helping traditionally underrepresented students navigate the college experience and achieve their educational goals. Like nearly everybody else in Utah, Jerry enjoys the occasional hike and bike ride, but most weekends he can be found on his motorcycle supporting Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association events.

Student Success Coach, Student Success and Transformative Experiences

Steven comes to Undergraduate Studies thirty years after graduating from the U with a Juris Doctor. During those decades he worked as an attorney, professor, criminal justice program director, elected county commissioner, and executive for an international company. Most recently, he taught incarcerated fathers for USU and served as a program review assistant director at SLCC. He is happy to return to the U with his broad background.  Steve was drawn to the Student Success Coach position because he wants to help students at the U thrive and succeed. In his free time, Steve enjoys traveling and has visited 49 states (having only Vermont left to explore).  

Student Success Coach, Student Success and Transformative Experiences

Claudia comes to the Student Success Coaching team from her previous position as a program coordinator in the Financial Wellness Center at the U. She is from West Valley City and is a proud Salt Lake Community College and U of U alumnus. She has worked with unhoused youth in the SLC Valley and at-risk youth in wilderness programs. While working in the High Uintahs, Claudia found her love for nature and empowerment. One of her fondest memories is when she realized she already knew how to use the sun compass method to find directions and tell the time with the sun’s position. Knowledge passed down from a great-grandfather who was a shepherd in the foothills of el Cerro de Culiacán. She hopes to help students find their inner compasses to guide their academic journeys.  

Student Success Coach, Student Success and Transformative Experiences

Eric joins Undergraduate Studies from Manhattan, Kansas where he attended Kansas State University and earned his M.S. in Counseling & Student Development and double bachelors’ degrees in both Kinesiology and Mass Communications. For Eric, being able to make a difference in the lives of students is what makes him want to be a student success coach. In his spare time, Eric enjoys lifting weights, watching stand-up comedy, and exploring all that Salt Lake City has to offer. 

Student Success Coach, Student Success and Transformative Experiences

Amanda joins the Student Success Coaching team from the U Health WISE team. She is originally from York Beach, Maine and came to Utah to attend Westminster College. Amanda describes coaching as her favorite role in a variety of spaces, and says she is stoked to support and coach students here at the U. In her free time, Amanda enjoys skiing and has been a ski instructor for almost half of her life. 

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