Official SLCC Blog

  PRESS RELEASE Salt Lake Community College announces 11-member Presidential Search Committee and upcoming public meetings. As part of its delegated duties and responsibilities, the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Board of Trustees named an 11-member committee to conduct a national search for the next president of SLCC. The college is working with AGB Search, a national search firm, to establish a position announcement and call for nominations and applications. Brady Southwick, chair of SLCC’s Board of Trustees, will co-lead the presidential search committee with Sharon Eubank from the Utah Board of Higher Education. The committee is comprised of representatives from the Utah Board of Higher Education and SLCC trustees, faculty, staff, students, administration, and alumni as well as a community representative. “I’m confident with our search committee and stakeholders, that we will find someone with the higher education expertise and vision to lead Salt Lake Community College,” said

On December 12, Salt Lake Community College unveiled and dedicated a new statue on campus of the renowned inventor, Nikola Tesla. The statue, crafted by local artist Stan Watts and Russian sculptor Andrey Sledkov , is the first of many by the artists that will be placed throughout the United States and Europe, and the only one to be placed at a college institution.  “In celebration of Tesla's vision and influence on today's technology, we thought it was so important that it be right at the entrance of our science, math and engineering building to help our students see what's possible in the world of engineering,” said President Deneece Huftalin during the unveiling.  The new Nikola Tesla statue displayed at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. Positioned at the west entrance of the Science & Industry (SI) Building at Taylorsville Redwood Campus, the statue greets students as they enter the building with a contemplative Nikola Tesla sitting in a chair and reading a book en

The second annual Human Physiology Symposium for Physiology of Physiology Students (POPS) was held in the Student Event Center on December 7. The symposium, organized by the Human Physiology leadership and sponsored by the Allen Foundation, aimed to highlight the research conducted by students in the field of human physiology.  The course is a hands-on lab where students investigate physiological processes through data and analysis and could pick topics ranging from cardiovascular, respiratory, biomolecules, circadian rhythm, nervous and muscular systems. Students came up with a question and used the scientific method to carry out experiments. They collected and analyzed the data and created figures to explain how the data supports their hypotheses. This symposium prepared many of them to have experience in undergraduate research. Presenters at the symposium: Aileen Henning, Rachael Ivie, Bridget Kroetch, Bekah Masina, and Hailee Marcroft “It was better than having to take finals or t

“Paige” Chomplearn Richchouyrod Last year, Paige Chomplearn, who worked for many years in food service at the University of Utah Hospital, became a ‘scrub tech,” which is industry slang that differentiates medical workers into patient and non-patient care by who wears scrubs.   As a surgical technologist with the orthopedics team, Paige reflects on the past year since graduating from the Surgical Technology program at SLCC. She admits that she was initially scared when she started her new position at the hospital. She says the quality of the education she received at SLCC helped give her the skills to do her job and cope with the stress in the profession.    “This is a hard profession and won’t get any easier, but I found that taking control by breaking things down into steps helped me not to get overwhelmed,” said Paige.   Paige is among the many skilled workers in the surgical technology field that are in high demand nationwide, with an expected 8,600 job openings over the next decad

The public higher education system in Utah has come together to eliminate in-state college application fees.  Traditionally, college application fees have been a hindrance for many prospective students, especially those from low-income families. These fees can accumulate when applying to multiple institutions, discouraging students from pursuing higher education. In recognizing this challenge, Utah's public higher education institutions decided to take a collective stand to address this issue. The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education, comprising Utah's sixteen public colleges and universities, voted on Friday to eliminate application fees for in-state applicants. This unified effort is aimed at removing financial barriers and promoting equal access to higher education for all Utah residents.  “USHE has long been laser-focused on increasing access to college and changing the college-going rate,” said President Deneece Huftalin. “W

Name: Dreyah Hagan Pronouns: She/Her Degree(s) earned and institutions: Bachelor's of Psychology w/ a minor in Family Consumer Sciences from Central Washington University Years at SLCC: 2 years and 3 months Current title: Advisor 3 South Region Recruitment Department: Admissions Previous titles at SLCC: Advisor 2 College Recruitment What is a typical day or week like for you? In my professional role, a typical week is characterized by a dynamic and ever-changing schedule. Each day presents unique challenges and tasks as I oversee the South Region within Admissions, which has experienced significant expansion. My office at the Herriman Campus provides an excellent work environment. My responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties within admissions and concurrent enrollment. A typical day might involve tasks such as responding to emails, assisting walk-in visitors, providing concurrent enrollment advising, and even traveling between various schools to participate in events

Salt Lake Community College’s Gender & Sexuality Student Resource Center (GSSRC) honored the national Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on Nov. 20 with a presentation and an unveiling of a monument to recognize and support transgender members of the SLCC community.  The quote, “How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race” by Marsha P. Johnson was suggested by Professor Anthony Nocella and chosen by President Deneece Huftalin. The quote will be engraved on a rock in the courtyard of South City Campus, along with a bronze plaque placed nearby that reads: “In recognition of our transgender students, faculty, and staff.” Students, faculty, and community members all gathered to not only honor the lives lost to anti-transgender violence and discrimination, but to celebrate those lives as well.  “We are all sisters and brothers. We are all connected. We all matter. And we want to make sure our transgender commun

  Culinary Art Club Officers A pinch of this and a squeeze of that with the right ingredients, patience and a whole lot of love; the byproduct of raw materials can become an exquisite meal. The Salt Lake Community College Culinary Club does not only invite folks—whether in the culinary program or not--to join the club, they opened their doors to everyone to participate in their events, and Spooky Bites was no exception. Burnt Ends (flavorful pieces of meat) Spooky Bites, an annual event hosted by the Culinary Club brings camaraderie and a joyful ambiance, as strong as the aromas coming from the food. A competitive event where participants showcase their culinary skills by creating food to be shared amongst attendees. A celebration that was once strictly for culinary students was opened to all SLCC community to attend and participate. “Opening the opportunity to all people to participate, not just to those in the cooking and baking track, would allow people to showcase their talents a

  Dr. Deneece Huftalin recently announced that she will retire as president of Salt Lake Community College after ten years of service in this role. As of her retirement date, June 2024, she will have been one of the longest serving female presidents in the Utah’s System of Higher Education (USHE) and will have completed a career that expands more than 30 years at Utah’s largest two-year college.     “I am incredibly proud of the journey we’ve undertaken together to strengthen student success, create a more inclusive environment and serve as a model for colleges nationwide in affordability, innovation, equity, and commitment to mission,” said Huftalin, who has overseen the growth of SLCC’s campuses from six to nine campus locations to increase geographic accessibility.     She has helped state leadership understand the pivotal role of community colleges in Utah. For students, she focused on increasing educational opportunities, bolstered college readiness, leveraged open resources (savi

      " Courage cultivated in the military isn't confined to the battlefield; it's a mindset that extends into every aspect of life. One habit born from the ethos of courage that I still uphold is facing challenges head-on. In the military, embracing difficult situations with courage and determination was crucial, and this habit persists in my daily life ." -Kam Howell Name: Kam Howell Current title: Director of HVAC Military branch: Army (5) and National Guard (5 years) Years served in the military: 10 Kam Howell, an Army veteran and SLCC alum, is no stranger to serving others in his job. He previously served the United States of America and now serves Salt Lake Community College as the Director of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Kam's military career of a decade included serving in two military branches, the Army and the National Guard, where he obtained immeasurable professional and personal experience. At 22, Kam packed his bags and embar

To kick off Native American Heritage Month, Salt Lake Community College hosted a storytelling event with Larry Cesspooch, a contemporary Native American storyteller. The event was held Nov. 8 in the Student Event Center and was sponsored by the Student Writing and Reading Center, Arts and Cultural Events and the Publications Center. Larry is a respected figure and a spiritual leader in the Ute community. He grew up on the Uintah and Ouray Ute Reservation in northeastern Utah and served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Anthropology Film Center and uses all forms of media to tell his stories, including film, music and lectures. “Everybody has a story. And our people have many stories,” Larry told the audience. “Story is passed down knowledge of where we came from, how we came to be.” Larry is known for his ability to weave history, culture and humor into his tales, connecting the past with the present within his narrative. His stor

Thank you to all who participated in the 2023 Halloween Costume Contest.  The winners are: 1 St   place:  A Dark Angel - Jason Shearer (Adjunct Instructor) 2 Nd   Place: The Cast of Bob the Builder (From Left to Right) Kamsi Nnah, Dalton Davis, Caleb Prusso, Cameron Houston, Michael Tshibangu, Kaylee Milliner (SLCC Facilities and Moving Crew) 3 rd   place: The Body -  Angie Glauser (Exercise Science) Winners may pick up their prizes from PWC. Thanks! Leialoha Pakalani Senior Director, People and Workplace Culture  

Name: Sean Stetson Pronouns: he/him Residence: Rose Park, Salt Lake City  Major: Journalism and Digital Media Academic goals: I plan to get my associates at Salt Lake Community College this spring, and then transfer to the University of Utah in the Fall of 2024.  Dream job: I am manifesting that more professional sports come to Utah so I can either be a beat reporter or even a broadcaster. Plan B: I will still find a way to be involved in some capacity to my dream job.  Why higher education: I really wanted to just learn as much as I can about everything to do with journalism. Why SLCC: It was just there. Easy and accessible and I’m so grateful for that.  What motivates you or inspires you at school or in life: My wife Wendy Brown, the best appellate public defender for the state of Utah I know (I am very biased).  She’s the smartest and hardest worker and she makes me want to be a better person every single day.  Meaningful life or career lessons you have learned so far: Well

Last week, Salt Lake Community College's Tanner Forum on Social Ethics welcomed distinguished speaker Dr. Robert Glennon, a leading authority on water policy. Dr. Glennon is the author of two books, including the New York Times bestseller, Unquenchable. He was a professor of law and public policy at the University of Arizona and much of his work has shaped the policy debate around the water crisis in the United States. Dr. Glennon’s presentation offered an exploration of the challenges faced by the region as well as the ethical considerations that come into play when addressing these issues. In his address, Dr. Glennon emphasized the urgent need to reevaluate our approach to water management, as the West grapples with recurring droughts, groundwater depletion and a growing demand for this finite resource. “We're entering the era of reallocation where we have this giant milkshake glass, and everyone has a straw in it. And we absolutely have to say no more straws. It is the trage

In front of the door that leads to SLCC’s Automotive Collision, Repair and Refinishing ACRR shop, highly coveted awards are on display.   Stepping inside, students are greeted with warm, friendly smiles from Associate Professors Hondo Espil and Kirk Miller, who come eager to share their knowledge and help students develop their skills in the industry to an award-winning level.    Hondo's approach teaches students the why behind the skill rather than the how. "You can always show them the how, but helping them discover the why is where their passion for the trade comes from," says Hondo, talking about his classroom management style. Students in the ACRR program are not only taught every skill that will be needed when working at the shops but they are also motivated to continue pursuing their passion. "We teach our students a craft that can earn students a high earning; we are talking about six figures," says Kirk, who graduated from SLCC's program in 1996.  

For many students at Salt Lake Community College, the dream of earning a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution is within reach. However, navigating the transfer process can be daunting. National Transfer Week is designed to serve as a bridge to success, providing students with valuable information and resources to facilitate a smooth transition. On Oct. 16, Salt Lake Community College kicked off National Transfer Week with the University Transfer Fair where representatives from SLCC's university partners visited the Taylorsville Redwood Campus to answer questions about their programs, discuss transfer requirements, offer guidance and assist with transfer admissions. Four-year institutions such as University of Utah, Utah State University, and Utah Tech University all visited SLCC campus.  If you missed the transfer fair, there are many transfer events at SLCC that happen throughout Fall and Spring semester. For more information and a calendar of events visit: SLCC Tran