Meet Our Faculty: Dennis O'Reilly

Dennis O'Reilly

Assistant Professor, Club Advisor

Applied Technology and Technical Specialties

Automotive Department

What he teaches:

Automatic Transmissions, Manual Transmissions and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, other Automotive courses as assigned and Leadership (through my Student Life and Leadership Advisor engagement)

Number of years teaching at SLCC:

Undergraduate degree:

Utah Technical College (SLCC)

Why working at SLCC matters:

It affords me the opportunity to give back to the college that has given me so much and to honor the memory of Robert S. Nielson and John E. Cameron Sr. They were two of the great men who helped teach me about integrity.

Greatest professional challenge:

Living up to my expectations and not getting stuck in the ruts.

Greatest professional accomplishment:

Receiving tenure at the greatest community college and earning the respect of my colleagues.

Advice for students or others:

Challenge yourself to do more than you believe you are capable of.

Future plans:

To complete a bachelor’s degree and/or become a full professor.

Family:

I am married to Terri who is my soul mate, and I have two children, Douglas, who is in the Navy and was formerly stationed on an aircraft carrier and is now enlisted stateside, and Danielle, who works in retail sales.

Hobbies:

Automotive racing, classic automobile restoration, cycling, research projects, football.

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

The Center for Prior Learning Receives an Honorable Mention

Today, SLCC's Credit for Prior Learning department received an Honorable Mention from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL ) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education for its intentional approach and for expanding student options to receive credit for prior learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to obtain college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside of the traditional academic environment. This is exceptionally beneficial for adult learners, who, according to CAEL, have a 17% higher chance of graduating compared to those adults who don’t earn credits through prior learning programs. The CPL department at SLCC was created in 2020 and since then the volume of students served has grown as the department continues to expand. To be eligible for CPL, students must be working towards a degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. Director of Credit for Prior Learning at SLCC, Andrea Tipton, mentioned fee...

Board of Higher Ed names Gregory F. Peterson 9th SLCC President

The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously selected Gregory F. Peterson, Ed.D., as the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College today, following an extensive national search. Peterson will assume the position on July 1, 2024, and succeeds Deneece G. Huftalin, who served as president from 2014-2024. “I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as Salt Lake Community College’s next president, and I look forward to reinforcing SLCC’s commitment to providing educational pathways for transfer and workforce that improve the lives of every member of our community,” Peterson said. “SLCC has an amazing future ahead, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that journey.” As part of its delegated duties and responsibilities, the SLCC Board of Trustees named an 11-member committee in December 2023 to conduct a national search for the next president of SLCC. The committee is composed of representatives from the Utah Board of Higher Education and SLCC trustees, facul...

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