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Legislative Champ 2023: Melissa Garff Ballard


Melissa Garff Ballard, Utah House of Representatives District 20, Davis County
Melissa Garff Ballard, Utah House of Representatives District 20, Davis County

LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION
Melissa Garff Ballard
Utah House of Representatives District 20
Davis County

Representative Melissa Garff Ballard is SLCC’s Legislative Champion for 2023. She will be honored during the College’s Commencement Ceremony scheduled for May 4 at the Maverik Center.

Representative Ballard began her service in the Utah House of Representatives in 2019. At that time, she was appointed to the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, and in 2023 was named as the committee’s chair. In this role, she has been a great champion for SLCC and Utah’s other higher education institutions.

During her early days as a legislator, Representative Ballard visited SLCC to learn more about its students and perspectives on important issues related to education. Through the years, she continues to keep in contact with SLCC leadership and students. During the most recent legislative session, Representative Ballard was instrumental in helping higher education institutions receive unprecedented state funding for a wide range of programs and initiatives, including many that will benefit SLCC students.

In addition to leading the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, Representative Ballard chairs the Utah Higher Education and Corrections Council and is an ardent advocate for incarcerated students. Her work on the council aims to provide these students with the opportunity to receive college-level training and education that helps them successfully transition into society upon their release. These efforts have resulted in meaningful assistance and support for students participating in SLCC’s highly successful Prison Education Program.

Representative Ballard was born and raised in Davis County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and a master’s degree in Music from the University of Utah.

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