Official SLCC Blog

Keynote speaker emphasized that graduates should pursue their dreams while also pursuing liberty and freedom for all. On Thursday, May 4, Salt Lake Community College proudly celebrated the achievements of more than 3,000 graduates during its 2023 Commencement Ceremony at the Maverik Center in West Valley City. SLCC’s Class of 2023 is comprised of 3,330 students, including 1,497 who are first-generation college students and 154 who are military veterans. Graduates range in age from 16 to 76, and most earned degrees are from the school’s general studies and general education programs followed by nursing, business and psychology.   “This year, SLCC is celebrating its 75 th anniversary, and today’s graduates join a legacy of trailblazers dating back to 1948,” said SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin. “Many of these students began their college journey two years ago during one of the most challenging times in modern history. Through it all, our graduates have demonstrated determination ...

  More than 3,000 new Salt Lake Community College graduates streamed out of the Maverik Center on Thursday afternoon into a blue-sky day and one step closer to their educational goals and dreams. For Synne Grubbs, who earned an AS in psychology, the next step is the University of Utah to continue studying psychology through their honor’s program. “I really want to help people with their struggles in life and psychology seemed like the best way to help the most people,” says Synne, who plans on pursuing a PhD to ultimately teach and provide clinical care.   For Mario Mejia earning a certificate in Auto Collision and Repair, while working three jobs, was for his parents. “I didn’t have to go to school to get a job in this industry, but I wanted to make my parents proud. I’m the first in our family to go to college,” says Mario. He always had a connection with cars growing up and then he was drawn to this area of auto repair in the first class he took at SLCC in the School of Tec...

Leopoldo Torres Reyes, Associate of Science in Political Science, 2023 Leopoldo Torres Reyes patiently waited in line to enter the Maverick Center for the 2023 commencement ceremony with a smile as bright as the sun. By the look of Leopoldo's smile, one would never guess that he considered not attending the commencement ceremony. As a first-generation, non-traditional college student, Leopoldo started his academic journey amid the pandemic. "My roommates and I were watching tv, and I blurted out to them, what if I go back to college," says Leopoldo. A thought that went from a random idea to a reality. Although starting college during a pandemic may seem frightening, Leopoldo had a different outlook. "During the day, I was working my corporate job, and after work, I was going to college," says Leopoldo, whose mentality helped him succeed academically. Due to the global pandemic, learning had shifted into a virtual world, which meant no formal college events for s...

  The Mill's Everyday Entrepreneur Program's recent graduates and their instructor, Brian Acord. Salt Lake Community College's Everyday Entrepreneur Program (EEP) recently celebrated their latest cohort of refugee and new American entrepreneurs’ graduation. Students from Grenada, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Mexico and Pakistan all gathered together to present their business ideas and graduate from the program. Each student had a few minutes to make their pitches, which was part of their qualification for graduation. They shared their stories, talked about their business ideas, goals, needs and expectations. Some of the business ideas included custom made cabinets, a welding company in honor of a parent, a Filipino-Mexican fusion cuisine food truck business and a foundation to help orphans in Grenada. “My goal is to provide support to youth like myself, having been an orphan and poverty stricken,” says Salisha Allard-Blaisdell, originally from Grenada, her fo...