SPRING 2016

Bruins Rock it! ON AND OFF THE COURT

SLCC PROMISES FULL TUITION

OUR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

GRADS STEP AHEAD TO FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS

2016 NATIONAL CHAMPS SNAPSHOTS

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1. A student shares a light moment during orientation at the SLCC Taylorsville Redwood Campus. 2. A high school student tries her hand at dentistry during the annual High School Career Day at the Jordan Campus. 3. Utah Rep. Mia Love visits with Nick Burns, associate dean of communication performing arts, during an SLCC TV taping of “Community Roundtable.” 4. SLCC students pitch in for a photo shoot to promote the College’s Aerospace/Aviation pilot program. 5. “What Would You Do?” TV host John Quiñones visits The Grand Theatre to talk about the show and his new book. 6. Metal sculpting instructor Richard Prazen and a piece he created. 4

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6 PRESIDENT’S LETTER

THIS EDITION OF SLCC MAGAZINE represents the best of academics and athletics at Salt Lake Community College. SLCC Magazine is published by the Institutional Our men’s basketball team, under the direction of Head Advancement Division of Salt Coach Todd Phillips, went on a tear in Kansas and brought Lake Community College. home a national championship trophy from the NJCAA For information regarding tournament. The women’s basketball team also had a great the College, visit: overall season at 31-3 under the leadership of Betsy Specketer. slcc.edu I couldn’t be more proud of all of our coaches and athletes, both in and out of the classroom! For comments or information regarding the magazine, We visited the State Capitol to contact: announce the SLCC Promise, DB Troester an initiative designed to remove 801-957-4443 financial barriers to college. The Utah [email protected] Legislature passed a funding bill that paves the way for an expanded For Alumni Relations, contact: Westpointe Center with a new Megan McDowell 120,000-square-foot building expected 801-957-4490 to open in 2018. And after a year of [email protected] planning that involved hundreds across the College, SLCC has a new vision- For SLCC Public Relations, mission statement and values that will contact: Joy Tlou serve as our compass moving forward. 801-957-5099 Gov. Gary Herbert helped us [email protected] introduce to the community the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways For Giving and Development, contact: program that will help people transition more quickly into the Nancy Michalko workforce. And while SLCC is well known for its role as an 801-957-4247 economic driving force in workforce training and education, we [email protected] are also the leading institution in Utah for transfer education. In this edition of SLCC Magazine, we share some highlights of Salt Lake Community College that critical function. is an equal opportunity institution providing There are so many reasons to be proud of what we do at education and training to SLCC. I invite you to discover within these pages just some of more than 60,000 students what’s happening at your community college. annually at 10 locations in Salt Lake County.

Sincerely, © 2016 Salt Lake Community College. All rights reserved.

DENEECE G. HUFTALIN, PHD PRESIDENT

2 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 SPRING 2016 CONTENTS 8 4 20

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SPRING 2016 FEATURES SECTIONS

Bruins PAYING FOR EDUCATION: SLCC 4 Milestones Rock it! ON AND OFF THE COURT 4 Promise has far-reaching implications

SLCC PROMISES 8 Transfer Education FULL TUITION OUR for the future of education. Thousands DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

GRADS STEP AHEAD TO FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS of students, families and communities in 14 Athletics 2016 Utah will benefit from this educational- NATIONAL CHAMPS funding initiative. It’s an innovative 20 Workforce Training model for the nation. & Education COVER 22 SLCC News Athletic and Academic PREPARING TO STEP AHEAD: Nearly success: SLCC’s men’s 8 three quarters of students who attend 26 Community basketball team won the SLCC intend to transfer to four-year national title, and the 28 Students majority of players are schools. moving on to four-year 32 Alumni schools. A BRIGHT SPOT: High-tech training Spotlight 20 helps Utah veterans get jobs in the solar 35

Pictured: industry. Conner Toolson, NJCAA 36 Commencement 2016 Championship tournament MVP. EDEN IN THE DESERT: A new 28 backcountry course introduces students to Havasu.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 3 MILESTONES

SLCC Promise makes college affordable for everyone

SCORES OF STUDENTS gathered toward two free years of college, in the Gold Room of the Utah without costing taxpayers anything State Capitol and stood to extra. The initiative helps eligible, applaud Salt Lake Community full-time students pay for their College President Dr. Deneece education by covering the cost of G. Huftalin’s announcement of tuition and fees when federal grants SLCC Promise, a game-changing fall short. initiative to increase access to To qualify for SLCC Promise, higher education for thousands of applicants commit to take a full Utahns. load of courses — 12 to 18 credit “Many of our incoming students hours — and must be eligible are first-generation students and for federal Pell grants. They also students with limited resources meet with an advisor to develop a to fund their college educations,” two-year degree plan. Funding for Huftalin told the crowd. “It SLCC Promise is made possible is incumbent on us to keep by incorporating innovative affordability and access at the management practices with forefront of our mission . . . and lay student aid, scholarship dollars and out a financial path for students institutional resources. and families to earn a degree.” For more information, visit: SLCC Promise is poised to help slcc.edu/promise up to 14,000 qualifying Utahns

4 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 MILESTONES

SLCC students and staff applaud the announcement of SLCC Promise at the Utah Capitol.

EDITORIAL SLCC’s free-tuition plan will make Utah smarter THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT. whatever subsidy we can give uniqueness: We don’t apply for Salt Lake Community them. federal aid as much as residents College President Deneece In the pursuit of Gov. Gary in other states do. Utahns carry Huftalin has pieced together Herbert’s pledge to have two- the lowest student debt load in two free years of college for thirds of Utah adults with the nation, and that’s a good up to 14,000 Utahns. Her post-secondary degrees by thing. The credit for that goes efforts are made all the more 2020, Huftalin’s move is among both to debt-shy Utahns and to impressive by the fact that she’s the most important. Her Utah higher education’s efforts doing it without asking Utahns college, more than any other to keep college affordable. for more tax money. Utah institution, has the role But a consequence of that Instead, she is resetting the of producing college graduates is, in passing up student loans, school’s existing resources to from families who have never Utahns often also pass up Pell make better use of Pell grants, had them. And for many of grants. The grants, which the federal student aid that those graduates, the two-year have been around since 1972, students don’t have to pay back. SLCC degrees will lead to are the federal government’s Essentially just two things four-year degrees elsewhere. commitment to college are required to receive a Pell This free offer is not just a education as an investment grant: a high school diploma or handout. The bargain Huftalin that will be paid back in future GED and a moderate family is making with her students earnings, not in student loan income (or individual income also addresses a nagging issue payments. if the student is over 24). for all Utah colleges: taking too By redirecting existing Then, to maintain the grants, much time to graduate, or not scholarship money to add to the the students have to have graduating at all. To get the Pell grants, Huftalin is able to satisfactory success. carrot of free tuition and fees, make her free-college pledge And success is exactly the the students will face a stick. to Utahns who have the desire threshold that Utah should They must pursue a two-year and the ability but not the have for keeping students in degree, and they must go full means for higher education. It college. It shouldn’t be whether time to get through in two is leveraging private and public they can keep paying tuition. years. No dawdling. dollars and the hard work of If they can be successful, we the next generation. The other hallmark of this THAT IS THE UTAH WAY. are almost certain to get back plan addresses another Utah This editorial appeared March 6, 2016 in The Salt Lake Tribune and is reprinted with permission.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 5 MILESTONES State funds Westpointe expansion

Illustration

THE UTAH LEGISLATURE agreed SLCC campuses are enrolled in March to fund a $42 million, in CTE courses across 29 SALT LAKE CITY 2150 W Dauntless Ave. 120,000-square-foot expansion programs in areas that serve INTERNATIONAL Salt Lake City, UT 84116 of SLCC’s Westpointe Career aviation, electronics and AIRPORT and Technical Education (CTE) electric power technology, Center. The expansion is in engineering and manufacturing response to needs expressed by technology, logistics, skilled business and industry in Salt Lake service technology, welding and SALT LAKE County. fabrication. The new building CITY “We can now move forward to will benefit traditional students N break ground on our new high- acquiring new skills, incumbent tech CTE building and begin to workers enhancing their skills, strengthen and expand key CTE transitioning workers re-entering Lake City International Airport. the workforce and underemployed programs,” says SLCC President It will include 5,000 square feet workers trying to improve their Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin. It’s of space to remain responsive to the employability. anticipated the new center will rapid-changing needs of industry. open in late spring or early summer The building will be adjacent Companies in Salt Lake County of 2018. to SLCC’s existing two-story will be able to use the space to meet More than 28,000 students at Westpointe instructional and immediate training needs. training center, east of the Salt

Illustrations

6 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 MILESTONES Vision and mission guide SLCC

THE PROCESS took more than a told faculty and staff gathered at SLCC for workforce education, the year, involving hundreds of people SLCC’s Grand Theatre during focus will be on stats surrounding across Salt Lake Community Professional Development Day. whether they are finding College. In the end, the College Now the work begins to move meaningful employment and jobs adopted new vision and mission the needle in areas like access, that pay well. statements, along with values and success, completion, retention and Huftalin says the College needs goals that will serve as a compass equity. The new mission statement’s to increase its overall student- for the institution moving forward. impact on students will manifest in completion rate from its current 22 Two things were the catalyst for how the College allocates resources percent to 40 percent by 2023. She the huge undertaking: SLCC had and how staff and faculty engage will be watching the “big needle” a new president, and the College students. To say “your community in areas such as transfer preparation was going through an accreditation college” in the mission statement and pathways; workforce needs; process. is declarative about SLCC’s open- equity in student completion; and The Institutional Effectiveness access focus. institutional sustainability and Council led collegewide meetings Moving forward, it’s all about capacity. and behind-the-scenes discussions measuring the progress of the throughout 2015. They included values and goals that are driven by input about values from everyone the vision and mission statements. who attended Convocation at the For students who are attending start of the fall semester. When the strategic planning process was done, SLCC President Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin’s cabinet signed off on the statements, followed by approval from the SLCC Board of Trustees. “We now have a clear and compelling vision moving forward, a succinct statement of our mission and values which will ground our work together,” Huftalin

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 7 TRANSFER EDUCATION Preparing students to step ahead More than 70 percent of students entering SLCC intend to transfer to four-year schools

Breeanna Gray began taking classes at SLCC while still in high school and is working toward a master’s degree at the University of Utah.

endy Vu was inspired at from Taylorsville High School and About 73 percent of students an early age to pursue from SLCC with an associate’s entering SLCC intend to transfer medicine as a career. degree. “I had all of my general to four-year institutions. Transfer HerW father was an orderly at the old studies requirements taken care of students at SLCC include those Cottonwood Hospital in Salt Lake at SLCC, which was a lot cheaper with a handful of courses under Valley and she began volunteering and helped save time when I got to their belt, all the way to those who there the summer after eighth the University of Utah,” Vu says. “I earn a two-year associate’s degree. grade. Now she’s a third-year was able to focus on the required About 60 percent of those who medical student at the University of courses for my major and pre-med enroll at SLCC and transfer to Utah. track once at the U.” Her goal now another school, go to the University Vu’s trajectory toward medical is a career in pediatrics after she of Utah. And 45-48 percent of school is one that included Salt graduates with an MD degree in undergraduate transfer students Lake Community College. In spring 2017. at the U come from SLCC, and academia, the College is highly study in different academic schools regarded for its role in helping SOLID FOUNDATION throughout the U. well-prepared students transfer All eight of Utah’s public “We absolutely regard Salt Lake to the state’s four-year colleges institutions, as well as Brigham Community College as our top and universities, and thousands of Young University and Westminster feeder institution,” says Mary successful students each year follow College, accept SLCC courses Parker, associate vice president for the transfer path through SLCC. numbered 1000 or above as general Enrollment Management at the During high school, Vu took education, major credit or elective U. “We do a significant amount of concurrent enrollment classes at credit. The same holds true for recruitment there.” She says the U SLCC. In 2008, she graduated most out-of-state schools. is increasing its presence at SLCC

8 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 TRANSFER EDUCATION campuses and focusing on creating transfer. “We more and better pathway programs can definitively between SLCC and the U. Access say that we have U, for example, guarantees SLCC worked very hard students admission into the U and to ensure that a guaranteed scholarship of up a student who Wendy Vu’s academic to $2,000 upon meeting certain plans their time path in medicine qualifications and graduating from here can have a began at Salt Lake SLCC. great preparatory Community College. The U and SLCC are also experience for exploring incentives like discounted transferring,” says tuition and priority registration to Nate Southerland, compel SLCC students to finish an SLCC assistant associate degree prior to transfer. provost of Once SLCC students transfer Academic to the U, statistics show that Support. “We have aligned our they’re succeeding academically easily start out at a four-year school, programs and pathways to as many and graduating. “They perform but for a variety of reasons they of our transfer partners as possible.” very well. The data show that choose SLCC. “It has to do with students coming in from SLCC are Breeanna Dahle Gray can attest cost, times classes are offered, the performing the same or better than to that. While at Bingham High size of classes and where they’re some of our students,” Parker says. School in South Jordan, she learned offered,” he says. Gray can relate. about SLCC’s biotechnology Early on, she signed up for a physics PAVING THE WAY program and thought it might be class at the U with 250 students but something she wanted to do with SLCC’s internal processes and quickly fell behind. “I was feeling her life. “I got into the biotech lost. I was terrified,” she recalls. programs as a transfer institution program and fell in love,” she says. include articulation agreements Gray needed a smaller class with No, literally, she fell in love, with an instructor who could answer with other schools: making sure her husband Mike Gray, whom she a course offered at SLCC is questions during class. She dropped met while taking a biotech class the class and the next semester the same, or similar enough, at at SLCC. She invited nearly every another institution to say it will picked it up at SLCC, this time in SLCC instructor she had to the a class of about 25 students. “It was wedding. “They felt like really important for me to have the family.” ability to go to the teacher in real Gray, 25, began taking time,” she says. Gray earned an A classes at SLCC’s Jordan in the class. Campus in the Jordan Applied Technology MORE OPPORTUNITY Center while still in high Kari Walker, 32, once balked at school. She graduated the idea of going to a community from Bingham in 2009, college. Now she says she kicks earned her associate’s herself for not starting out at degree in 2010 and SLCC. Walker went to Utah transferred to Utah State University, transferred to the Valley University, which University of Utah’s Department she notes also offers of Physical Therapy and took night courses at SLCC’s prerequisites in physics, chemistry, Jordan Campus. Now anatomy and physiology at SLCC. she’s working full time She and several SLCC classmates in the biotechnology in Melaney Birdsong Farr’s human field and steadily moving anatomy class at SLCC applied toward a master’s degree for and received a grant from the in biotechnology at the Human Anatomy and Physiology University of Utah. Society (HAPS), earning them a Kari Walker took Southerland says many prerequisites for physical therapy at SLCC. transfer students could Continued

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 9 TRANSFER EDUCATION

SLCC Transfer students to University of Utah Transfer student with a minimum of % 12 credits after attending Salt Lake 16 Community College. % % 14 14 13% % 178 11 9% % 7 % % 6 6 % 173

166 5 108 83 58 Undeclared Undeclared Humanities 132 Science 77 Health Nursing 73 Fine Arts All Others Business 203 Social & Behavioral Science Engineering TOTAL: 1,251 TRANSFER-STUDENT MAJORS, AS OF THE BEGINNING OF THEIR FIRST TERM, 2014-2015

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

spot as presenters at the 28th STARTING AGAIN annual HAPS spring conference. “I had research opportunities, In 2015, Karen Minchow amazing opportunities, that retired after 25 years as a captain, U students can’t have because paramedic and firefighter with they’re in such big classrooms,” Salt Lake County and Unified Walker says. Fire Authority, and knew exactly what she wanted to do. She As a single mother to an followed friends’ advice to start 8-year-old daughter, she is still at SLCC, which she did in 2011, finding her way, and took time and is currently in the Physician’s off from school this year to Assistant program at the U. pay down student loans. She is considering a path toward Minchow and her daughter education and leadership both took classes at SLCC. “My policy. “Our class sizes allow experience was truly amazing and for students who don’t have a incredibly helpful in preparing firm idea of what they want to me,” Minchow says. “The do to develop their academic personalized attention meant a personality,” says SLCC Provost lot going back as a nontraditional After retiring, for Academic Affairs Clifton student. I think that SLCC has Karen Minchow Sanders. As an instructor in helped prepare me for my new sought a new journey. The instructors and career. She the past, he often saw ability in started at SLCC students and would pull them the friends I made while there and now studies aside and advise them on options. continue to inspire and challenge in the physician’s “I think that’s something me.” assistant program at the we do differently than other Read about University of institutions.” transfer success Utah. of SLCC’s men’s basketball players. Pg. 14

10 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 TRANSFER EDUCATION

Earning a bachelor’s degree without leaving SLCC

Josh Schreiber is taking courses for a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University at SLCC.

ometimes life — family, was easy for him. He filled out universities that are offering the mortgage, career — gets in the an online application, qualified degrees and pay the tuition rates set way of finishing a bachelor’s academically, paid USU and began by those schools. The courses are Sdegree. It did for Josh Schreiber, 36, taking USU-administered classes at taught by professors from the four- a father of three and an insurance SLCC. year institutions and are available broker who in 2017 expects to He’s one of hundreds who online and in the evenings to finally graduate with a bachelor’s benefit from SLCC’s university accommodate the busy schedules of degree in business administration. partnerships that offer bachelor’s nontraditional students. The best part for Schreiber is he’s degree programs at SLCC taking all of his classes without campuses. The College has SOLID DIRECTION having to visit any school other partnerships with USU, Utah than SLCC. Having guidance along the Valley University and Weber way has been helpful for Leena “At the end of the day, it’s a State University for bachelor’s Sombath, 24, who works in South lifelong goal,” says Schreiber, degree tracks at SLCC that Jordan. “I always get ‘check-in’ whose degree will be from Utah include technology, health emails from my advisors to meet State University. Schreiber says sciences, business, criminal with them and see how things are getting admitted to USU’s Jon justice, communication and more. M. Huntsman School of Business Students have to be admitted to the Continued

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 11 TRANSFER EDUCATION

going, or I am voluntarily active in data processing, is Weber degree programs with courses in scheduling meetings myself, in State’s program coordinator taught at SLCC and online. For order to see what I should do or if and advisor. He has also been a the spring 2016 semester, more I have questions,” says Sombath, computer science instructor for than 240 students were enrolled a USU student studying business both schools. “Our typical SLCC in classes being taught at SLCC’s administration through SLCC. “It computer science student is usually Miller, Jordan and Taylorsville has always taken stress off of me working in the field and needing Redwood campuses. Planning being able to meet whenever I need to complete a bachelor’s degree to is underway to offer a bachelor’s some advice.” either keep a job or progress up the degree program in construction Ted Cowan, a 1979 graduate career ladder,” says Cowan. management through WSU by of Utah Technical College (now He notes that statistics show that summer 2017. SLCC) with an associate’s degree the salaries for a software engineer “The benefit is our students can work, study and live all in one place,” says Daysi Hernandez, SLCC University Partnerships coordinator. Students can meet with a program advisor at SLCC or an in-house partner advisor and map out classes they should take at “It has always taken SLCC that will transfer into the stress off of me baccalaureate program of choice, she says. “The students have an being able to meet almost seamless transition from whenever I need an associate degree to a bachelor’s some advice.” program of study.” MAKING IT EASY ­— Leena Sombath The value of convenience cannot be overstated for USU business major and senior Erica Lewis, 31, who works for Rio Tinto as a project procurement advisor. “I currently work more than full with a bachelor’s degree are much time most weeks, have a husband higher than engineers with just and a son, and I’m eight months an associate’s degree. “When the pregnant,” Lewis said. “I’ve been market is strong, anyone can get able to go to classes without any a job. When the job market has a issues for the first part of my downturn, it becomes much more pregnancy, and this semester I difficult for an associate’s degree opted for all online courses to “Our typical holder to even get an interview.” complete from home.” SLCC computer Cowan’s students love the flexible She entered into the accelerated science student night and online classes. “They are business program through is usually usually more experienced and a bit SLCC after finishing her general working in the older than your typical first-year education courses for an associate’s field.” freshman, but I don’t get them until degree. “This is a vigorous program they have completed their lower where you take three to four — Ted Cowan division computer science classes classes in 10 weeks, two nights and general education courses at a week for 14 months,” Lewis SLCC.” says. “The program advertised a smooth transition to the Utah State GROWING PROGRAM extension in order to complete your bachelor’s degree.” She was sold The University Partnerships on the program. Her only glitch department has evolved since the was that classes fill up in about early 1990s to offer eight bachelor’s

12 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 TRANSFER EDUCATION

quality degree similar to what they would earn if they attended on-site in Logan.” Jose Jara, 37, decided to pursue a more stable income “It’s been a great after working 15 years for five experience for different companies as a mortgage underwriter: he’s currently a me and very software developer for a local accommodating.” company. The idea of earning a bachelor’s degree while at SLCC began to percolate for Jara after — Jose Jara seeing advertisements around campus and then talking to teachers and an academic advisor. He also likes that the Taylorsville Redwood Campus is close to home. “It’s been a great experience for me and very accommodating for a full-time worker,” Jara says. “The 15 minutes (she registers with two advisor who is very responsive quality of the classes is good, which computers at once). through email, but I rarely need I attribute to the size of the classes. I really like that I don’t have to She has almost completely him with the DegreeWorks tool. This online tool shows you how far travel too far to go to class. I’ve outsourced her academic guidance been coming to SLCC my entire to technology. “My best friend is along you are in your degree and what credits you still need.” college career — same campus, DegreeWorks,” she says. “I’m not close to home.” Jara expects to have sure how anyone went to school PERSONALIZED his bachelor’s degree in computer without it. I have a great academic science from Weber State by EDUCATION December. SLCC Advisor Lee Martinez says students ask him every week about the bachelor’s degree BACHELOR’S DEGREES programs, when and where they’re offered and how much they cost. OFFERED AT SLCC He’s able to tell them that class Utah State University sizes at SLCC are smaller, with more access to instructors resulting • BS, ASLI Communicative in a more personalized education. Disorders • BS, Business Administration For the USU business degree, • BS, Health Science two classrooms are used at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus Utah Valley University — one to teach a course that broadcasts off campus to students • BS, Biotechnology with internet access, and the other • BS, Technology Management for students who take courses that originate elsewhere in Utah and are Weber State University broadcast to that room at SLCC. • BS, Computer Science • BS, Criminal Justice “The USU business degree • BS, Network Management presents a tremendous opportunity Technology for students to complete a bachelor’s Erica Lewis is degree without incurring any For more information, visit seeking a bachelor’s significant inconvenience by slcc.edu/universitypartnerships degree in business needing to relocate,” says Dennis from Utah State University and takes Bromley, SLCC dean for the her classes at Salt School of Business. “It’s a high- Lake Community College. SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 13 ATHLETICS

14 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 RECIPE FOR SUCCESS GOES Beyond the Hardwood

ith a national men’s basketball championship on W his sports resume, 6-foot, 10-inch tall Tyler Rawson is headed to play and study at the University of Utah. NJCAA 2016 Championship Tournament MVP Conner Toolson and teammate Christian Musoko are going to Utah Valley University and 7-footer Scott Cook is transferring from SLCC to Westminster College. Out of this year’s 12-man roster, eight players on Head Coach Todd Phillips’ basketball team are in line to transfer to four-year institutions. But before recruiters had SLCC sophomores signing on the dotted line, the team tasted victory during the NJCAA tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, making an impression on and off the court. John Blazek, supervisor of the officials for the NJCAA Men’s National Basketball Tournament, was so impressed with SLCC’s team that he wrote an email to SLCC President Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin. “Not only are they national champions on the court, they are the kindest and most sportsmanship-oriented team I have ever seen play at the national tournament in all my years,” Blazek wrote. “I spent all week at the national tournament and I know it becomes a grind and tough after two days, but your coaches and players always showed class on and off the court.”

Continued

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 15 Not only are they national champions on the court, they are the kindest and most sportsmanship-oriented team I have ever seen play at the national tournament in all my years.”

John Blazek Supervisor of the officials for the NJCAA Men’s National Basketball Tournament

SLCC’s proud president shared the news with her cabinet and board of trustees, as well as Utah Gov. Gary Herbert when the team visited the State Capitol to meet and pose for photos with the governor. Winning this past season began with a motto from Assistant Coach and Team Academic Advisor Paul Marble: Higher expectations mean higher accomplishments. “The higher the expectations we initially place on the kids, the better they do,” Marble says. The academic goal at the beginning of each year is to see every player make the President’s or Dean’s lists — and many do. The overall grade point average for all athletes combined at SLCC hovers between 3.0 and 3.3 each year, Marble says. Rawson’s abilities on the court and in the classroom drew attention from about a dozen

16 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 schools, including Oregon State, Marquette University, Villanova University and University of Colorado. “Ever since I’ve been able to move, my BRUIN STATS dad was putting a basketball in my hands,” he says. “It could be 20 degrees outside and I’d be in my • For the season, the men’s team had driveway shooting.” The future physical education four players averaging 10 or more major says he would like to coach basketball as points per game. a career, and attending SLCC was a great growth • The team averaged 90.5 points per experience. “I’m just grateful for the teachers and game versus opponents’ 69.1. the people at SLCC.” • The team’s regular-season record was “The team was extremely well prepared and 28-8. the game plans were spot on,” said SLCC Athletic Director Kevin Dustin. “Ultimately, players make • SLCC beat Hutchinson Community plays and that is what happened when it counted College 74-64 in the championship during the tournament. This group will rank among game. the great teams in school history.” • Prior to this championship, the Bruins last won the NJCAA title in 2009.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 17 ATHLETICS Women’s basketball team makes history

LCC’s women’s basketball action by No. 6 Trinity Valley. the map nationally.” had its best starting season in “This team was by far one of With eight sophomores moving Sthe team’s 29-year history. It the most athletic groups we’ve on, Dustin predicts that many went undefeated, 18-0, from Oct. ever had and I think it’s their will transfer to high Division I 30 until Jan. 7, length and their athleticism that programs, which will bring even and was ranked No. 1 in the set them apart,” says Head Coach more recognition to SLCC. In the National Junior College Athletic Betsy Specketer, who is assisted classroom, the team annually posts Association’s Division I for five by Marcilina Grayer and Katie a GPA above 3.0. “We constantly weeks. In prior seasons, the team’s Fuller. “That length, quickness and remind them that although highest NJCAA rank was No. 7. overall athleticism, especially on basketball has been the means Before and after the team’s first the wings, gave our opponents fits to their college experience, the loss during the regular season, on the defensive end. And when earning of a degree is the end goal,” SLCC had thoroughly dominated we were able to turn people over Specketer says. their opponents, winning games defensively, that led to transition Specketer already is focusing by more than 30, 40 and even 50 points, which was another area on recruiting for the next season. points and, after 21 games, Recipehad forwhere success we were goes very good beyond all year.” the hardwood“We’re looking hard for players been averaging 73.6 points and 15.7 “The unbelievable success of who will work to keep Salt Lake assists per game. The Bruins ended our women’s basketball team has Community College women’s up 31-3 as a No. 3 seed with a first- a tremendously positive effect on basketball at the elite level round bye headed into the NJCAA our program,” says Kevin Dustin, nationally,” she says. National Championship, where SLCC athletic director. “It they were defeated in Elite Eight instantly puts our entire college on

18 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 Goaaal! College starts soccer teams, hires coach

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAMS will begin play at SLCC in the fall, and the College hired veteran soccer coach Mark Davis to coach both teams. SLCC will play in the Scenic West Conference. Other colleges with soccer teams in the conference are USU- Eastern; Snow College; College of Southern Nevada; and Colorado Northwestern Community College. The College will be eligible for post-season competition within the National Junior College Athletic Association for the 2016 season. Davis previously was head soccer coach for BYU-Hawaii and is head coach of the Real Salt Lake women’s soccer team. He was assistant coach on the 2015 team that won the Women’s Premier Soccer League Elite National championship, and was named the PacWest Coach of the Year in 2013. He played intercollegiate soccer at Iowa Western College, leading the team to a conference championship in 2009. He is a graduate of Copper Hills High School in West Jordan, UT, BYU-Hawaii and Concordia University-Irvine where he earned a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration.

Specketer has banner year, looks to next season

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH Betsy Specketer completed her 20th year at SLCC with a career record of 463-178 and a season to remember. She was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year, and for the eighth time. The women’s basketball team finished as SWAC champions for the third straight year. “She helped me learn a lot this year about basketball,” says sophomore player Tilar Clark, the team’s leading scorer. “She pushes you to limits that you never thought you could reach.” Clark led the team in steals and was the No. 3 player in the SWAC for average points per game and average steals. Recipe for success goes beyond the hardwood Specketer’s philosophy for the hardwood, is simple: “Recruiting never changes. From year to year, I look for players who I think will be a good fit for our culture and our system. Plus, I love kids who more than anything else just want to be a Bruin and show a willingness to work and buy into our program.”

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 19 WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION

Solar Ready Vets graduates at a ceremony on Hill Air Force Base, joined by Deputy Secretary of Energy Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, second from right.

Popular program getting vets ready for jobs in solar industry

early a year after President theory, troubleshooting and solar Barack Obama visited technology sales. At the fair, there NUtah and challenged the was a shared attraction to hiring Department of Energy (DOE) vets. Vivint Solar recruiter Robert to increase the scope of its Solar Freebairn said his Lehi-based Ready Vets program administered company is rapidly expanding and in the state by SLCC, a DOE hiring hundreds of veterans who, official is lauding the program if they’re coming out of the Solar as a model for others across the Ready Vets program, are able to nation. “hit the ground running.” “This partnership with “It’s going to be a great community colleges for us is technology that will be booming,” designed to meet the needs of a said Jess Shelley who is leaving broad range of American citizens the Army National Guard after and help them get access to jobs six years, and completed Solar in the dynamic clean energy Ready Vets. “I decided to jump sector,” said Deputy Secretary of on the train while it’s still in the Energy Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood- station,” Shelley said. Clarence Randall at SLCC’s Solar Ready Gleton, a father of new twin girls Vets commencement ceremony in and senior airman leaving the Air late March at Hill Air Force Base. Clarence Gleton thinks it’s a great time to Force after six years, agrees. “I Eighteen veterans graduated in get into the solar industry. thought it would be a great time the ceremony. The program trains to get into the industry.” veterans for careers in the high- Judy Fisher, SLCC program tech solar industry. working in the solar industry than manager for solar technologies SLCC in association with the in coal mining, and a third of all and the Energy Institute, said DOE tweaked the Solar Ready new electric-generating capacity Obama’s visit last year to Utah Vets curriculum for Hill Air in this country comes from solar brought a lot of attention to the Force Base to help meet the solar technology. solar program at SLCC. She has energy industry’s job-training The day before the ceremony, had to cap attendance in some needs in Utah and beyond. “We’re veterans and service members classes and move others into partnering with community attended a solar industry jobs larger classrooms. Fisher wants colleges at each base,” Sherwood- fair at SLCC’s Miller Campus. to add a course that focuses on Randall said. “Community They had just finished an designing solar energy systems for colleges are an essential part in intensive training program residential clients. She praised the this endeavor.” She said more in areas such as photovoltaic Solar Ready Vets graduates: “This people in the U.S. are now installation and design, electrical was a great group of students.”

20 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION

Putting high school students on diesel career paths

alt Lake Community College It will help students toward better prepare for transferring plays a key role in a new “meaningful, lucrative and to SLCC’s diesel tech program. S program to allow high school rewarding careers” as diesel “The instructors at SLCC are students to integrate quickly into technicians, Huftalin said. Herbert really great,” Emphenour said, career paths in the diesel technician noted that it offers students more adding that the hands-on learning field. opportunities to succeed in one of environment and real-world Utah Diesel Technical Pathways the strongest state economies in the experiences make a difference as he encourages students to take country. moves forward with his career. diesel-tech classes in high school Diesel technician students are and continue in the diesel-tech entering careers that start in the programs at SLCC for a certificate $40,000 range and they can move UTAH DIESEL TECHNICIAN of completion or an Associate of up to about $100,000 within PATHWAYS INDUSTRY Applied Science degree. It offers five years, said Kyle Treadway, PARTNERS hands-on internships through president of Kenworth Sales industry partners. The program was Co., a partner in the pathways • Cummins Rocky Mountain initiated by the Utah Governor’s program. Diesel-tech programs Office of Economic Development, nationwide are graduating about • Jackson Group, Peterbilt SLCC, Canyons School District 3,500 students a year, but the need and Jordan School District. is much higher as nearly one-third • Kenworth Sales Co. of the country’s estimated 600,000 It will create a brighter • Komatsu Equipment Corp. future for students, said Brady diesel-tech workers are leaving Southwick, president of Cummins through attrition and retirement, • Mountain West Truck Center, Treadway said. “You can do the Rocky Mountain, one of the Volvo, Mack industry partners. The program math yourself,” he said. “There is opportunity out there nationwide.” was announced in February at • Wheeler Cat Machinery Cummins with SLCC President Starting in high school at Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin and Utah Canyons Technical Education Gov. Gary Herbert. Center helped Weston Emphenour

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 21 SLCC NEWS

College ‘Best for office at Jordan Campus. SLCC recently began Vets’ for fifth year coordinating with Veterans Services from various universities in Utah Salt Lake Community College to help veterans plan to transfer to was ranked for the fifth time by four-year institutions. The College Military Times as a “Best for Vets” is also working with residents of the two-year college. VA Valor House, which provides temporary transitional housing Serving about 1,300 veterans, for veterans and assists them with SLCC ranked 18 on the training and education toward national publication’s “Best for finding employment. Vets: Colleges 2016.” The list recognizes schools for commitment SLCC has annually ranked in to providing a wide array of the top 20 for two-year schools educational opportunities and since making the “Best for Vets” benefits for veterans and their list in 2011. For this year’s list, families. more than 600 institutions took part in surveys that documented “By working with departments an array of services, special rules, on campus, our many community accommodations and financial partners in education, and the local Center, at the South City Campus, incentives offered to military and VA, we bring the best services to add to its Taylorsville Redwood veteran students, and other aspects we can on campus to serve those Campus Veterans Center. The of veteran culture on campuses. who have served our country,” says College also added an employee The Military Times’ ranking also Darlene Head, SLCC Veterans to provide outreach to the West used data compiled by the U.S. Services manager. In January, Valley Center, Jordan and Miller Department of Education. SLCC opened its second Veterans campuses, with the goal to open an SLCC chosen as elite test site for competency-based education

The experiment has far-reaching implications for the future of education. If successful, the model could be implemented in all six schools at SLCC, and would be a prototype for other higher- education institutions nationwide. CBE courses are not eligible for federal financial aid under current regulations. But the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is granting temporary waivers to schools to experiment Salt Lake Community College biotechnology program, and other with alternative methods of will become a test site to allow CBE courses, to complete their administering aid. students enrolled in competency- education for less cost, in less time, SLCC is one of 34 higher- based education (CBE) to be and to obtain high-wage, high- education institutions nationwide eligible for federal financial aid. demand jobs. It’s part of a multiyear to receive the waiver, known as the The initiative will help students experiment approved by the federal Experimental Sites Initiative (ESI). taking CBE courses in SLCC’s government and calls for creating College officials plan to begin ESI School of Applied Technology a funding-and-support model for implementation this year. and Technical Specialties, the students who enroll in CBE.

22 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 SLCC NEWS

Native Americans to benefit from new scholarship fund Salt Lake Community College for two-year scholarships for of Indian Affairs. received a one-time gift of $316,687 American Indians with financial Fingl pursued a business career to establish the new Betty Jean need and who demonstrated after her family returned to Salt and Edward Fingl Scholarship for commitment to program Lake City. She worked as an Native Americans. completion. administrative assistant in the SLCC was selected as one of Each scholarship includes full Office of the Dean, University of several beneficiaries of the Betty J. tuition and fees, renewable for the Utah College of Medicine, where Fingl Trust. The gift is from Betty second year if satisfactory progress she met and married Edward G. Storrs Fingl (1920-2015), who was is maintained. Each recipient needs Fingl, a professor in pharmacology. preceded in death by her husband to be an enrolled member of a He was a Fulbright scholar and Edward Fingl (1923-2009). Utah Indian tribe recognized for later a researcher at the University The one-time gift establishes an services by the Federal Department of Utah. The two married in 1956 endowment to be administered by of the Interior and approved by the and cofounded the Betty J. Fingl the SLCC Scholarship Committee director of the Utah State Division Trust. Instructor named fellow by international group

The International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (ICTCM) recognized Salt Lake Community College professor Shawna Haider as a fellow during its 28th annual conference in Atlanta. The designation recognizes faculty who have indicated a sustained effort in using technology for teaching mathematics, and it implies a record of innovation, Mexican students benefit from grant command, leadership, A $5,000 grant from Juntos rights attorney. “Juntos Podemos contributions Podemos/Together We Can and scholarship program provides and a the Institute for Mexicans Abroad opportunities for students to long-term (IME) will help 10 to 15 Mexican have a better chance in life,” said commitment students attending Salt Lake SLCC Academic Advisor Hector to the ICTCM Community College. The IME- Cando. “About 95 percent of the environment. According to Becas grant was awarded to the FUNDET-sponsored students ICTCM, the fellow recognition Utah-based FUNDET Scholarship complete the program, become honors the excellent and the Program, a private scholarship self-sufficient and contributors extraordinary, to lift the morale program to assist Hispanic adults in to the state’s economy. It is a very of the profession by providing earning technical degrees to enter worthwhile scholarship program.” a singular honor among the workforce and become self- Students attending SLCC’s mathematics educators. sufficient. School of Applied Technology The designation is given to Scholarship recipient Ciria and Technical Specialties benefit those who have reached a level Alvarez notes the funding helped from the FUNDET scholarships. of expertise achieved by only a her overcome barriers and obstacles The program is managed and few colleagues in this vital area of as an undocumented student, directed by the FUNDET Student teaching mathematics. toward someday becoming a civil Leadership Council.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 23 SLCC NEWS

Close named Distinguished Faculty Lecturer

John Close has been named is praised for his encouragement Distinguished Faculty Lecturer and support while maintaining for 2017. He specializes in academic rigor in the classroom. developmental mathematics and In his personal life, he enjoys fly- has taught at SLCC for 24 years. fishing, singing, kite building and Close holds a master’s degree in flying, woodworking and doing mathematics from Minnesota home improvements. State University and a master’s in Close has authored or meteorology from the University co-authored over a dozen of Utah. His teaching career spans mathematical texts, including over three decades and includes a developmental mathematics assignments in North Dakota, series. His Distinguished Faculty Minnesota and Tanzania. Project will center on “The Role He has dedicated his career to of Community Colleges in U.S. helping underprepared and first- Economic Growth.” He will give generation students advance into his lecture in spring 2017. the academic mainstream, and

Student selected for NASA program

Salt Lake Community College student Katlynne Bills was selected to travel to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center in April to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS). Bills was selected as one of 216 community college students from across the U.S. to be part of NCAS. She participated in a five- week online course that covered the past, present and future of NASA and produced a 3-D rendering of her own Mars rover design before earning a place in the NCAS project. The five-week scholars program culminated with a four-day, on- site event at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and offered students a prototype rover, form a company’s future careers at NASA,” said the opportunity to interact with infrastructure, manage a budget Tania B. Davis, manager of the NASA engineers and others and develop communications and Minority University Research and to learn more about careers in outreach. Education Project (MUREP). science and engineering. While “NCAS not only inspires “NCAS has a legacy of alumni at NASA, students formed teams community college students moving from NASA internships to and established fictional companies to advance in STEM (science, the NASA workforce.” interested in Mars exploration. technology, engineering and math) Each team had to develop and test fields, but it also opens doors for

24 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 SLCC NEWS

Building leaders from within 2016 MLK Salt Lake Community College completed the first President’s Humanitarian Leadership Institute under the administration of College President Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin. Thirty-eight staff, faculty and Award winners administrators from various departments and disciplines graduated The College named Christine from the six-month institute in March. Bray, Philip Anosike and Jerri The institute is designed to cultivate and strengthen Harwell winners of The Martin leadership within the College. It builds community and provides Luther King Humanitarian opportunities for SLCC employees to learn hands-on leadership Award. The award recognizes styles, management tools and to become more familiar with a individuals and organizations broad spectrum of higher-ed operations. The institute culminated for outstanding service and in 10 teams of institute participants researching and creating 10 advocacy toward fulfillment of project proposals to improve the College. The next President’s “The Dream.” Leadership Institute is slated to begin in the fall. Bray is the vice president of collective impact at United Way of Salt Lake, SLCC President Dr. where she leads a team to Deneece G. Huftalin, manage and coordinate all left, gives a President’s efforts of collective impact. Leadership Institute She manages staff, oversees graduation award to SLCC Marketing collective-impact investments, Manager Jan A. basic-needs grants and works Coleman. to measure, track and report outcomes. Anosike was originally hired at SLCC as the project corporation coordinator for the Skills Center, now the School of Applied Technology and Technical Specialties. He currently serves as an academic advisor in SLCC Student Services and is an adjunct instructor in the SLCC Communication Department. Harwell is an associate professor of English at SLCC, where she teaches beginning and advanced composition President’s Leadership Institute Graduates courses. She is a published Zachary Allred Edward Engh Brandon Kowallis Hilda Sandi author and is on the Faculty Eileen Boswell Shellie Jo Enscoe Brandi Mair Enrique Soto Association Executive Board. Scott Brown Cynthia Farley Andrea Malouf Lee Stevens She has served on numerous Sue Christensen David Fawcett Alia Maw DB Troester other committees for SLCC. Jan Coleman Joe Fox Sherine Miller Merrill Van Leuven Read about Kim Cosby Tyler Hall Hoa Nguyen Bridget Vickery MLK’s “Beloved Community,” Ann Crissman Victoria Harding Trina Polta Justin Wiker displayed through Sean Crossland Tevita Hola Idolina Quijada Cheryl Williams a sixth-grade Daniel DeWitt Ologa Iopu Kevin Rusch photo project. Pg. 26 Kevin Dustin Renee Johnson Gillette Samms

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 25 COMMUNITY

MLK’s “Beloved Community” paired kids with cameras

ikir Teklemedhin searched Arts, Communication & Media. that, even in life’s darkest hours, for and found her photo Student photos were displayed in people have something to which among the dozens on display. an exhibit that opened Feb. 24 at they can attach hopes for the FHers depicted the silhouette of South City Campus. future. a building — the sun burning Before being turned loose with Student Esmeralda Sanchez took above — with mountains in the cameras, students wrote about a photo of her “quiet, peaceful” background and trees in the “beloved” on one side of a 3x5 street, using an in-camera effect foreground. She called her father, card and “community” on the that gave areas of light a starry, grandmother and siblings to view other. They discussed racism and sparkly look. Josh Virgen, who her photo, as other classmates what they might want to change wants to be a surgeon when he darted about looking for and about their neighborhoods. “They grows up, took a photo of an orange admiring their own photographs. were able to get a really good idea basketball against a backdrop of Teklemedhin, who was born in of what ‘community’ could be green grass to depict his love of the Ethiopia and lived there until she and what the photos could look sport he plays in his community. was 5, captured the image as part like,” says Whitney King Hyans, Dominik Woolf decided on a tight of an assignment for sixth-graders associate professor of photography shot of the word “Cleveland” on at Whittier Elementary School, at SLCC. She taught the students a street sign near his house. “You near SLCC’s South City Campus. about photography for the project. have to check the lighting, how it Students used digital cameras to “It was cool to see how engaged looks and how it might end up in take photos that portray Martin they were,” she says. the camera,” Woolf says. Luther King Jr.’s notion of “beloved The goal is to expand the Teklemedhin, whose father had community.” In the process, they project, says Richard Scott, dean given her a camera and a head start learned about King’s vision for of the SLCC School of Arts, on photography when she was in societies to embrace notions of Communication & Media. The third grade, wants to be a lawyer cooperation, unity and connection. photography project, he believes, someday. “But, depending, I might The project was made possible combines the humanities and be a computer programmer,” she by a $6,500 grant from the arts as a means to dig deeper into says. Photography, for now, is just a SLCC Division of Government social issues. The arts, he added, hobby. and Community Relations and should be informative, playful and supported by the SLCC School of engrained in the community so

26 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 COMMUNITY Fieldwork drives girls toward STEM

hey found damselflies, leeches and aquatic worms. They measured the oxygen and pH levels in waterT samples. Some even ventured into mountain streams and onto trails for the first time in their lives. These 20 female students from four middle schools in the Salt Lake Valley participated in WaterGirls, a program to keep girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at a time in their lives when they’re most likely to lose interest. The excursion to Big and Little Cottonwood canyons was led by SLCC geosciences Assistant Professor Maura Hahnenberger to teach the girls to conduct hands-on research. She was assisted by volunteer female scientists from SLCC, as well as scientists from the University of Utah and the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. Hahnenberger received a $6,500 innovation grant from iUtah that allowed her to supply transportation, equipment and food for the girls as they visited the canyons. They learned to measure water samples for electrical conductivity and dissolved solids while also collecting and identifying macro-invertebrates found in the streams they visited. “They were really excited about actually taking measurements and understanding what those measurements meant while being out in the environment where so much was going on,” Hahnenberger says. Hahnenberger and volunteers engaged students in analysis and discussion of their findings before requiring them to make presentations. The plan for this year and WATERGIRLS, A STEM next is to expand the program to include COLLABORATION: afterschool activities that focus on the Jordan River and possibly a river in the • Salt Lake Community desert southwest. College Hahnenberger says females coming out • Salt Lake City School of high school might not be as confident or District prepared for a STEM pathway because of institutional bias that sets them up to fall • iUtah, (Innovative Urban behind early in college, and to choose non- Transitions and Aridregion STEM paths. She hopes WaterGirls will Hydro-sustainability) help change the course of that academic current.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 27 STUDENTS

Students find Eden in the desert

he students bundled against the As you plan for a trip like this, it early-morning chill in March, helps immensely to have someone cinched straps on packs and like Martinez leading you. He is T looked down more than 2,000 confident, knowledgeable, prepared, feet at the desert descent they were funny, ridiculously fit, adventurous, about to make into Havasu Canyon curious and humble — great qualities on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in a backcountry leader. He will lead a in northern Arizona. They smiled group on the same trip this fall. for a group portrait at the canyon rim “Havasupai Falls was on my and took off, heel-toe, heel-toe to the bucket list of places to experience crunch of rock and dirt underfoot. because of pictures I had seen, Anticipation of the spectacular but experiencing it for myself far unknown muted conversation about surpassed my expectations,” said Soni whatever hardships might loom on Adams, associate dean for Health the strenuous 10-mile hike ahead of and Lifetime Activities at SLCC. them. “All parts of the hike and what we Salt Lake Community College saw were epic for me.” Havasupai students Eliza Filippi, Chandra translated means people of the blue- Carlson, Victor Jaimez and Gabe green water, which appears that Moreno volunteered to pilot the trip, way because of lime deposits in the one that SLCC Academic Advisor canyon. “The trip was physically hard, Lee Martinez has logged many times. but awe inspiring,” Adams adds.

28 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 Getting to the trailhead for this Shangri-La in the desert from Salt Lake City is a haul for one day, requiring about 550 miles on the road before reaching Peach Springs and a lodge for the night. Martinez and crew, which included SLCC President Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin and other SLCC staff and faculty, took off for the hour-long ride to the trailhead after an early breakfast at the lodge. “This adventure was everything I expected and more,” says Moreno. “After hiking those 10 sweaty, dusty miles, while carrying a 29-pound pack down from the west rim of the Grand Canyon into Havasupai, we found Eden in the middle of the desert . . . Trips like these are extremely valuable and credit worthy. You not only get to experience the raw beauty of the wilderness, but you also learn things such as leadership, teamwork, survival Students find Eden skills and more.” The days are filled with awe and wonder at the towering cliffs that cradle a canyon filled with travertine pools of welcoming cool water making its way to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon below. The in the desert nights are for jokes, bonding, learning, camp talk, replenishing calories spent by day and quietly marveling by night at the ribbon of cloudless black sky dotted by shimmering evidence of the infinite ether above. “On this adventure you’ll get to walk across logs, climb down ladders, hang on to chains for dear life and see the bluest water ever,” says Filippi. Lifelong Wellness General Education course - Fall 2016 • Four-day, three-night trip to Havasu Canyon • One-credit class in Health and Lifetime Activities, HLAC 1520 • Preparation includes instruction on the backcountry, and writing assignments • Students will carry packs of 25-35 pounds • Last 2 miles is a grueling 2,000-foot elevation gain

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 29 STUDENTS

Heroes class touts healthy living to thousands of kids

JADE TIMOTHY ENROLLED at Salt Lake Community heroes return and express what a growth opportunity College for two reasons: to play volleyball with one that ‘Heroes’ provides,” says Derek Waddoups, SLCC of the top NJCAA institutions and to complete her baseball assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. general education courses before transferring to a four- “We watch our student athletes become more year school. But then a teammate told her about the comfortable and, long-term, more confident in their class “Know Greater Heroes” and how it would rip her own abilities to have a positive impact in their families, out of her comfort zone and change her as a person. communities and most importantly in their own lives,” “I thought of myself as a confident person already,” Waddoups says. says Timothy, 19, a 6-foot tall freshman from Vernal, Basketball player Conner Toolson, Utah. “But now, looking back, I realize how much 21, won his way into hearts and confidence I’ve gained from just my first semester of minds at Redwood Elementary attending this class.” School late last fall as he sang Assemblies at elementary schools throughout the to the kids. “Having to sing a Salt Lake Valley begin with loud music, big smiles and solo for Heroes was absolutely high fives as students enter gymnasiums filled with terrifying for me the first fit, energetic athletes from SLCC. The athletes get time. But I feel a lot more comfortable now and would sing y the students moving and engaged with lots of dancing. h in front of other people,” says ot im They offer skits, demonstrations and speeches designed e T to encourage healthy lifestyles and good dietary choices Toolson, who is originally from Jad and to equip students with the knowledge and verbal Spain and hopes to play professional skills to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Throughout basketball in Europe after college. the 2015-2016 school year, the athletes appeared in At one assembly, Toolson was next to a little girl and front of more than 16,000 students and hundreds of discussion turned to the subject of staying off drugs. teachers at about 25 schools. “She leaned over to me and told me her birth parents The for-credit “Know Greater Heroes” class is billed were both on drugs and couldn’t take care of her, so as a leadership program that gives student athletes the she was adopted,” Toolson says. That made him realize opportunity to engage in hands-on leadership training. the importance of the class. “It has made it more of a Ultimately, it changes lives. “I have had several past focus to help someone every day,” he says.

30 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 STUDENTS

Rep. Angela Romero, left, and SLCC student and legislative intern Andrea Valverde in the Utah Capitol. After internship, student sees future in public office

THE SCENE IS VIVID in her She managed schedules, Valverde had “really bad grades” memory: She’s a little girl trying attended meetings and events, in her first attempt at college, to explain in perfect English to a helped with social media, provided taking general studies courses. She middle school principal why she updates on bills and prepared for worked in a secretarial job for 10 didn’t need to be in ESL classes. media interviews. She attended years, and then a brief period at At the same time, she’s translating community councils, town hall a nonprofit agency. She realized to her mother in Spanish that her meetings, galas and functions she needed a career plan and her new school is woefully misjudging at the Capitol. She participated older sister, Rebecca, signed her her academic abilities. Now at in the Martha Hughes Cannon up last fall for her first classes at age 30, Andrea Valverde can’t Caucus, composed of former SLCC, where a political science hold back tears remembering and current female legislators. instructor recommended her for what it was like to be put in a “It’s a bipartisan group that the internship. position that was intimidating and inspires other women who want Valverde is attentive and a terrifying. to participate in state politics,” stickler for detail, says Rep. That experience became a Valverde says. Duckworth. “She has been willing motivating factor in her academic The first woman who inspired and ready to research and does life, and her determination Valverde was her mother, Alba, an excellent job and goes beyond propelled her to be the first who moved from Guatemala City what is expected.” Salt Lake Community College to California in search of a better Valverde’s internship showed paid student intern through the life. Her father, Mario, crossed her that one person can make a Office of Legislative Research the border on foot from Mexico, difference in government. “This and General Counsel in the Utah looking for work. The pair met experience has also made me Legislature. Valverde interned in a church in Los Angeles. The rethink what I want to do, and I with Reps. Angela Romero and family moved from California to can say that now those plans may Susan Duckworth for the 2016 Utah in 2000, when Valverde was include something in public office legislative session. in ninth grade. or community council,” she says.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 31 ALUMNI

2016 Distinguished Alumni

GERARD FORD CRAFT

TO SAY THAT GERARD CRAFT snowboard photographer in Salt fast-casual restaurant, with plans has found success as a chef Lake City. Before opening his for two locations in the St. Louis and businessman would be an first restaurant in a rehabilitated area. Using his social media savvy, understatement. He received Food building in Benton Park, St. Louis, Craft has racked up about 10,000 & Wine’s Best New Chef and he cooked at Bistro Toujours in followers on Twitter and more than Innovator of the Year awards. He Park City; Chateau Marmont in 5,000 followers on Instagram. He’s was one of Inc. magazine’s Star Los Angeles; and Ryland Inn in also well liked on Facebook and Entrepreneurs Under 30. And he New Jersey. Pinterest. won the James Beard Foundation Craft continues to build his In 2010, Craft told St. Louis Best Chef: Midwest award. culinary niche on a foundation magazine, “Growing up, all I In 2005, at the age of 25, he that took shape at Salt Lake wanted to do was to own a business opened the restaurant Niche in Community College’s Culinary and be a businessman.” In that Missouri and has since extended Institute at the Miller Campus. “In article, he talks about beginning his his offerings as part of Niche Food that kitchen is where I learned the cooking career at ski resorts. As an Group in St. Louis to include building blocks of cooking, and impulsive 25-year-old, he made the Taste by Niche, Brasserie by Niche, without them I wouldn’t be where I leap to Missouri after seeing that Pastaria and Porano Pasta, and am today,” Craft says. “something good was happening” a second Pastaria is expected to Craft has carved out a reputation as a lot of young owner-chefs were open in Nashville this summer. for innovative interpretations of starting businesses there. He now His success has grown from an humble Missouri ingredients that lives in St. Louis with his wife, addiction to the restaurant life he sources from local farmers. The Susan, and their two daughters. he developed while he was a newer Porano Pasta is billed as a

32 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 ALUMNI

2016 Distinguished Alumni

MARISA DAWN EGBERT

MARISA DAWN EGBERT discovered math programs to expand their excited about what SLCC has to her love for civil engineering during academic and professional offer in those areas.” a pre-engineering class at Salt opportunities. Egbert is a registered professional Lake Community College, where Over the past decade, her engineer in Utah and has worked she attended with an athletics relationship with SLCC has come for the Utah State Division of scholarship and played on the full circle through her work with Water Resources for the past 11 women’s basketball team. Her focus MATHCOUNTS as dozens of years. Prior to working for the state, at SLCC was on STEM-related SLCC students, faculty and staff Egbert worked in the geotechnical (science, technology, engineering have volunteered to help her run engineering field in Florida for and math) courses. She transferred MATHCOUNTS competitions several years. to Utah State University and earned every February and March on She is a project manager in the a Bachelor of Science in civil the SLCC Taylorsville Redwood engineering. Division’s Development Branch. Campus. The Branch provides financial In 2000, Egbert became state “I am grateful for my STEM assistance for water-related projects coordinator for MATHCOUNTS education at SLCC,” Egbert says. throughout Utah. She also leads the in Utah and continues to lead the “I had no trouble transitioning Bear River Development Feasibility program, which annually benefits seamlessly to Utah State with my Study, planning for the future water about 500 middle school students SLCC education. I found a quality needs of Utah. Egbert has served and more than 60 participating STEM education at SLCC, where on the Executive Committee of schools statewide. Over 5,000 I love bringing MATHCOUNTS the Utah Section of the American Utah students have participated every year. I’m proud that I got Water Resources Association for in MATHCOUNTS, a national my start at SLCC, and I want the past 10 years, including the past nonprofit foundation that strives to young students participating in eight as secretary/treasurer. engage students of all ability and MATHCOUNTS and who are interest levels in fun, challenging interested in STEM subjects to be

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 33 ALUMNI

Former SLCC student receives Churchill Scholarship

MACKENZIE SIMPER received the scholarship and the first University find out and asks me why I chose to prestigious Churchill Scholarship of Utah student to win the award. start early, I respond with a simple to study at the In her application to become an answer: ‘I’m motivated.’” University of SLCC Graduate of Excellence, The scholarship was established Cambridge. Simper Simper wrote, “Some might say in 1963 at the request of Sir received two that my greatest accomplishment Winston Churchill and provides associate degrees has been starting college at students with the opportunity to in math and such a young age. Now 15, I am earn a master’s degree in one year biology from Salt graduating with two associate at the University of Cambridge in Lake Community degrees. While I do think this the United Kingdom. Since leaving College in 2014 is pretty cool, I don’t think my SLCC, Simper also won the 26th at the age of 15. age should define me. I don’t annual Association for Women in She has since tell professors my age because I Mathematics Alice T. Schafer Prize transferred to the University don’t want that to be the factor for Excellence in Mathematics of Utah, where she is studying that distinguishes me — I prefer and the U of U Mathematics mathematics. She was one of 15 to stand out because of my Department’s Calvin Wilcox students in the nation to receive the performance. When someone does Scholarship.

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34 SLCC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2016 SPOTLIGHT

HOLLYWOOD COMES TO SOUTH CITY

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE worked closely with the Sundance Institute to expand opportunities during the Sundance Film Festival. Hundreds of students benefited from instruction by filmmakers and industry professionals at South City Campus. The Grand Theatre was the second-largest venue to screen Sundance films, introducing thousands of community members to SLCC and South City for the first time.

Adam Leipzig, executive producer of 30 films, Filmmakers Adam including “Dead Davies and Dianne Poets Society” and Bellino instructed “Honey I Shrunk students on the the Kids,” taught creative and the Filmmaking narrative aspects in Action Master of their short film, Class during the “The Itching.” festival.

SUNDANCE AT THE GRAND THEATRE • 18 films screened, including 10 premiers Glenn Kiser, director of The • An estimated 17,000 Dolby Institute, people attended screenings instructed students in the • 138 people volunteered at finer points of using sound The Grand techniques to tell a story. • The historic theater seats 1,100

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COMMENCEMENT 2016

More than 4,100 students graduated from Salt Lake Community College in May. It’s the second-largest graduating class in the College’s history, and family and friends filled the Maverik Center in West Valley City to recognize and cheer students’ accomplishments during SLCC’s spring commencement. Global business leader Gretchen McClain gave the keynote address and told graduates to persevere in life. “It’s about having a deep gut belief in everything you are capable of and the courage not to let any naysayers or your nerves get in the way,” said McClain, former NASA chief director of the International Space Station. “It’s about knowing the difference between confidence and overconfidence and understanding that being open to learning at every phase of your life is a strength.” More than half of the 2016 graduates, or 2,130, earned associate’s degrees in general studies and nearly 200 earned certificates from the College’s School of Applied Technology and Technical Specialties. More than 3,000 graduates received Associate of Science degrees. SLCC President Dr. Deneece G. Huftalin compared students’ experiences to the arc of a story. “This day marks the formal ending to this particular story in your life,” Huftalin said. “My hope for you today is that you take some time to reflect on this particular story arc, to realize the changes that have occurred in you during your time here and to celebrate them.”

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 37 2016 GRADUATES TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Teaching Excellence awards are given annually by the SLCC This prestigious distinction Foundation to instructors who have achieved an outstanding recognizes hard work, commitment level of student service, dedication, creativity and innovation. and selflessness. One student is Recipients are recognized for long-term professionalism in the selected from each school and classroom, and for service to the College and community. General Studies. These are students with excellent GPAs who typically have received scholarships and awards for their academic achievements. They have demonstrated leadership skills JANE DREXLER and a dedication toward serving Jane Drexler’s students call her funny, others, in addition to other notable clever and someone who loves what she achievements related to the creative does, and colleagues say she’s dynamic arts, athletic excellence or involvement and energetic. Drexler has taught at SLCC beyond the classroom. philosophy full time at the college level for the past 12 years, including nine at SLCC. She believes studying philosophy can help students take a holistic perspective, and help them take part in engaged thinking and problem-solving. Drexler is the 2010 winner of the national Blackboard Exemplary Course Award.

ASHLEY BAKER LILLITH DRAPER General Studies School of Science, Mathematics General Studies major and Engineering Pre-Health Sciences major MEQUETTE SORENSEN Mequette Sorensen became a first-generation college graduate largely because of the influence of her grandfather, a migrant worker from Mexico who admonished her not to become a laborer like him and to instead get an education. She was a social-work CATARINA GRANUCCI JOELLE MERRIMAN practitioner when an adjunct professor School of Applied Technology School of Health Sciences in the field helped her realize a passion and Technical Specialties Health Sciences major Criminal Justice major for teaching. In June 2016, Sorensen will celebrate teaching for 18 years at Salt Lake Community College, including 12 as full-time faculty.

RON CARPENTER FABRYNN SOONALOTE TRUNG THAM As an adjunct English instructor at Salt School of Business School of Arts, Business/General Studies major Communication and Media Lake Community College since 2012, Fashion Design major Ron Carpenter relies on Hopi values of autonomy, balance and kindness for his teaching philosophy. His goal is to help students improve their rhetorical and critical-thinking skills as future leaders. Students often credit Carpenter with helping them to develop an appreciation for service. One student wrote about VANESSA WILKINS Carpenter, “I got involved with service School of Humanities and Social Sciences learning and found a whole new way of Psychology major learning.”

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HONORARY DOCTORATES BESTOWED

Salt Lake Community College awards honorary doctorates to two individuals each year for longstanding service to the community and education. These individuals are distinguished in their fields and are dedicated and hard-working supporters of Salt Lake Community College. They have given their time and talents to improve Utah and to better the world.

BARBARA L. TANNER Barbara Lindquist Tanner is a family, they cultivated a concern community leader, humanitarian, for community, the environment human rights activist and and humanity. Tanner shared her philanthropist. Growing up in leadership talents in organizing Ogden, her father developed his such agencies as Utah Girls business while her mother was a Village (now Utah Youth Village) community leader. She attended and established and participated Ogden High School, Weber in musical groups such as the Utah College and then transferred Symphony and the Gina Bachauer to the University of Utah. At the International Piano Competition. University of Utah, Tanner was on In 2006, she established the the debate team, and during one Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner event her opponent was Norman Center for Nonviolent Human Tanner. They were a well-matched Rights Advocacy. She also has team even when they were on been a strong supporter of opposite sides of a debate. hundreds of Salt Lake Community Barbara and Norman were College students through married for 77 years and raised scholarship programs she has four children; Clark (deceased), established. Susan, Deon and Deb. As a

STANLEY B. PARRISH Stanley B. Parrish, currently the and Economic Development president and CEO of the Sandy and served for several years Area Chamber of Commerce, on the SLCC Board of Trustees. began his career in the wholesale He was president of the PPI floor covering business at Midwest Group, president of the Salt Lake Floor Covering Inc., where he Chamber of Commerce and worked for 21 years, seven as president and CEO of Waterware, the president and CEO. Parrish Inc. Parrish then became the worked five years as the chief of owner of the Mighty Distribution staff for Sen. Orrin Hatch and was Center and Parandco. A long- appointed by President Ronald time friend of the College, Parrish Reagan to serve as the associate has helped SLCC by supporting deputy administrator of the U.S. philanthropic efforts such as the Small Business Administration. annual golf tournament. He and Upon his return to Utah, Parrish his wife Joyce live in Salt Lake served as the Utah governor’s City and have six children and 17 executive director of Community grandchildren.

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 39 GRADUATION STATS 2016

TOP 20 Most Popular Total graduates Degrees/Majors

2,130 General Studies 241 Business 232 Nursing 139 Computer Science and Information Systems 8 11 Computer Science Fundamentals 104 Psychology 4,125 82 Software Development 80 Health Sciences 75 Criminal Justice 60 General Education 56 Education 41 Web Programming and Development 37 Paralegal Training 35 Social Work 32 Network Routing and Switching 31 Engineering/Mechanical 599 High Honors (cumulative GPA 3.8 31 Surgical Technician or higher) 30 Network and System Administration 29 Sociology 992 Honors 28 Culinary Arts (cumulative GPA 3.5 - 3.79)

Age Range Number of Degrees 3,007 Associate of Science 723 Associate of Applied Science 412 Certificate of Proficiency 281 Certificate of Completion Youngest Associate of Arts 16 graduate 134 64 Associate of Pre-Engineering Oldest 4 Diplomas 67 graduate 197 SAT Certificates

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2016 SLCC graduate Tianna Ovard

SPRING 2016 | SLCC.EDU 41 4600 S. Redwood Road P.O. Box 30808 Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0808

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