Herriman Campus: New Collaboration in Utah Revolutionizes Higher Education Accessibility

The Juniper Building at Salt Lake Community College’s Herriman Campus to provide students a first-of-its-kind collaboration between SLCC and the University of Utah.

 

Utah's higher education landscape is on the brink of a transformative shift as Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and the University of Utah (the U) joined forces on August 7 to open the Juniper Building in Herriman City. This visionary project marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration in Utah, offering students a seamless journey toward achieving higher education. 

 

By beginning with an associate’s degree at SLCC and effortlessly transferring to the U for a bachelor's degree, students will now have two degrees in one location.

 

Nestled in Herriman City (14551 S. Sentinel Ridge Blvd.), this 88-acre SLCC campus embodies unity, convenience and boundless possibilities in the rapidly growing southwest quadrant of the valley.

 

SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin, U President Taylor Randall and Herriman City Mayor Lorin Palmer shared their hopes for the building during a ribbon joining ceremony held the morning of July 7, 2023. The two ribbons signify the enduring partnership being created at this one location. 

 

Members from both campuses and the surrounding communities as well as state and local leaders toured the expansive three-story Juniper Building, which will be the Herriman Campus hub. 

 

In addition to educational offerings, the Juniper Building will provide all enrolled students with the necessary resources and amenities such as admissions, financial aid and advising. While the Juniper facility is the first completed building, more buildings are anticipated to meet future growth on the Herriman Campus. 

 

“This campus will play a key role in making college more accessible to those who call this area home, and in turn help their families and community thrive and prosper,” said Huftalin. “I also hope this campus will become a central place for community-wide learning and engagement. We are particularly grateful for the partnership and support from Herriman City in advancing access to higher education in their rapidly growing community.”

 

At the Juniper Building on the Herriman Campus, SLCC students can begin their educational journey by earning an associate’s degree in Business, Economics, Education, Psychology, General Social and Behavioral Sciences, Family and Human Studies or Computer Science Information Systems. 

 

Students can then seamlessly transfer to the University of Utah and earn their bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Education, Psychology (via UOnline), General Social and Behavioral Sciences, Family and Human Studies, see graphic.  

 

“We are committed to the success of all our students and the partnership with SLCC in Herriman provides transfer students an accessible pathway to achieve their educational goals,” said Randall. “This new campus will combine innovative programming and resources to support students to explore many learning opportunities all in one convenient location.”

 

The southwest quadrant, where Herriman is located, is one of the fastest growing areas in the Salt Lake Valley and includes more than 20 middle and high schools. About a quarter of Utah’s high school graduates are within three nearby school districts. 

 

The convenience of having access to higher education near home makes it more feasible for students who are working or caring for children. This significant reduction in commuting distances can save time and money and contribute to cleaner air along the Wasatch Front.

 

SLCC and the U anticipate that within the first year the new campus will serve over 2,000 students and grow to serve some 7,000 students by 2025. 

 

Funding was appropriated by the Utah State Legislature in 2021, with additional support from SLCC, the University of Utah, private donors and infrastructure investments from Herriman City.

 

“Education is a priority in Herriman. We love the idea that students can receive their entire formal education—from elementary school through a college degree—all within the same community,” said Palmer. “We look forward to working with Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah as partners in serving our community’s educational future.”

 

SLCC Media Contact: Peta Owens-Liston, peta.liston@slcc.com, 801-957-5099

The U Media Contact: Shawn Wood, shawn.wood@utah.edu, 435-201-1729

 

 

FACT SHEET: SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S NEW HERRIMAN CAMPUS

 

The opening of the Juniper Building on the new Herriman Campus is a collaboration between Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah. This unique facility allows students to access higher education close to home. Students can earn an associate’s degree at SLCC and, on the same campus, go on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the U of U.

 

·       The new SLCC Herriman campus is 88 acres (14551 So. Sentinel Ridge Blvd.).

 

·       The campus will serve students mostly from the communities of South Jordan, Riverton, Bluffdale, Herriman and Draper. The vision for the campus is to:

o   Increase access to higher education in high-demand programs and fields.

o   Support economic growth and development.

o   Reduce the time and money it takes for students to commute to college, resulting in cleaner air for all living along the Wasatch Front. 

More seamless collaboration between SLCC and U of U faculty to ensure curriculum and academic programs are aligned and students are prepared to successfully transfer from SLCC to the U. 

 

·       The Juniper Building will be the campus’s first completed structure with plans to add more buildings. 

 

·       The three-story Juniper Building is 92,000 square feet. It includes: 

 

o   First floor: student welcome centers, food pantry, event/conference/meeting rooms, offices, collaborative work areas and classrooms, student dining hall, indoor/outdoor student lounge.

 

o   Second floor: classrooms, computer labs, study rooms, meditation room, public safety office, offices, testing center, tutoring rooms, lactation room, bike locker, shower facility.

 

o   Third floor: classrooms, specialized computer labs, collaborative workspace and offices, exterior deck.

 

o   Art installation, “Luminous Ravine” by Michele Gutlove, parallels the 3-level staircase. It represents the wonder of discovering a geode-filled mountain ravine. Level by level, sunlight illuminates the glass work.

 

·       Cost:  $57 million, including the Juniper Building and a central heat plant structure.  

 

·       In 2021, funding was appropriated by the Utah State Legislature, with additional support from SLCC, the U of U, private donors and infrastructure investments from Herriman City.

 

·       The new campus will serve over 2,000 students in its first year of operation and is projected to serve around 7,000 students by 2025.

 

·       The Herriman area includes students in more than 20 middle and high schools. 28% of the state’s high school graduates are within the three school districts surrounding Herriman, so it’s essential that higher education is accessible to these students.

 

·       Students can earn an associate’s degree in Business, Economics, Education, Psychology, General Social & Behavioral Sciences, Family and Human Studies or Computer Science & Information Systems, and then earn bachelor’s degrees in a number of areas through the U.

 

·       Students working toward a bachelor’s degree can save nearly $10,000 by spending their first two years at SLCC. 

 

·       SLCC previously offered classes in Herriman when it opened the Herriman Annex at the former Herriman City Hall in 2018.