Meet Our Staff: Idolina Quijada

Idolina Quijada

Name:
Idolina Quijada

Years at SLCC:
8 years

Current title:
West Valley Center Site Manager

Previous titles at SLCC:
I started as a Student Services Specialist, then moved to a Coordinator, and now I am a manager. My title has evolved thanks to my passion for what I do and for helping students and the community.

What is a typical day or week like for you?
No day looks the same for me. But the basics are navigating classroom issues, setting up events, helping students, looking for funding, and helping the community. It depends on the needs of the day, week, or month.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is needing more support from others and hoping they will see and believe in the potential of West Valley Center and our community. I wholeheartedly believe in our Center and serving our community.

What rewards come with your job?
Helping people. Helping the community and believing in what I do will eventually make a difference in others.

Who or what inspires you at work or in life and why?
I don’t think I do anything special. When we are in a position where we are, we must share the knowledge with our community and provide a helping hand. I think about others who have helped my parents and family. I want to pay it forward. I want people to know that they belong here at SLCC. If I can provide resources and support to the community to help them succeed, I will do so.

Tell us something about yourself from outside of your SLCC life.
I am a mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother. My granddaughter is my ray of sunshine; she is my life.

Family:
My family is everything to me. My family consumes me, and I mean it in the most positive way possible.

Hobbies/interests:
Cooking. I love to cook. People come together around food, and I enjoy cooking and surrounding myself with people in food. I also enjoy crafting, which is a creative outlet I enjoy losing myself in.

Awards/accomplishments:
My children are my biggest accomplishment. Nothing is perfect, but it makes a difference when someone tells me how kind my children are to others. It makes me proud because it shows that I’ve done an excellent job.

Favorite/unique thing about West Valley Center
We are a family here. We all work together, regardless of which department we may work for. Our primary focus is supporting students; we all are glad to help students. They are our number one priority.

The dream center is my safe place here. It’s a space that was built for people like us. I can sit there and relax. It is a comfortable space, and I think of all the work that has gone into building it. That is going to be my most significant achievement, and I take pride in knowing that I work hard to have that place built.

What does the West Valley Center represent to you?
This place represents the community. Anything is possible here. I keep dreaming, keep fighting, keep going, breaking down barriers. I encourage people to keep trying. You all can do it.

Any advice about college you can share?
It is never too late; don’t hesitate to ask for help. I am not your traditional student; it is possible, and we are here to make a difference. I will ask you to believe in yourself first and come to the West Valley Center, and we will walk you through every step.

I encourage people to visit us at the West Valley Center. We are moving forward to become an Hispanic Serving Institution, but we have been doing that work and keep moving forward to ensure we are available to the communities. I have faith that we will be successful.

SLCC's Undergraduate Annual Research Conference Registration Deadline

Salt Lake Community College’s annual Undergraduate Projects, Performances, Presentations, and Research Conference (UP3RC) is set to take place on April 2, at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, offering students a chance to showcase their academic achievements, fostering a culture of intellectual exchange. The UP3RC is an annual event designed to celebrate and highlight the academic accomplishments of undergraduate students. It provides a supportive environment for students to share their work, hone their presentations skills, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty. All SLCC departments and programs, including faculty and staff, are encouraged to support and visit the day of the event. Students with their poster from last year's UPRC event “The goal of this event is to make sure every school and student is given the opportunity to participate,” says Dr. Kamal Bewar, interim director of the STEM Learning Center, who is chairin...

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...

HB 261 and HB 257 Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: The Utah Legislature recently passed two bills that significantly impact higher education: HB 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives and HB 257 Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Women’s Opportunities. Salt Lake Community College is deeply committed to our students, faculty, and staff. We strive to be a place where all are welcomed and respected. While there are many unknowns about the ultimate effect these bills will have on some student and staff support programs, be assured that SLCC will maintain an environment where all can find success and feel a sense of belonging. In the coming months, college leadership will work to gain clarity and determine the changes necessary for legislative compliance. We will also share this information as it becomes available. We realize that during this time, some in our college community may feel unsettled and stressed. We encourage you to make use of available SLCC resourc...

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