Official SLCC Blog

  A new era of leadership officially began at Salt Lake Community College on Thursday, August 21, as the community came together to celebrate its ninth president, Dr. Greg Peterson. This was no ordinary inauguration; instead of a formal ceremony, the event was a vibrant, energetic showcase of the very people at the heart of the College’s mission: its students. Held at SLCC’s South City Campus, the celebration’s mood was, truly, celebratory. Guests were invited to move through various stations, each offering an interactive experience hosted by the college’s outstanding faculty and students. In one example, attendees could walk through a mock crime scene meticulously set up by a forensic science class, offering a firsthand look at the hands-on learning that defines an SLCC education. The feedback was clear: guests loved the chance to engage directly with the talented students who make the College what it is. The evening’s theme was a perfect reflection of President Peterson himself—a...

  Today, Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) joined the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s expanded Unlocking Opportunity network—an initiative designed to help community colleges reform programs in ways that improve student outcomes—ensuring students earn degrees that lead to good-paying jobs. SLCC, alongside 54 other colleges, will join 10 pilot institutions in a growing national effort to align their programs and student advising with the two most important goals of community college students: leaving college with a credential and a good job or transferring and completing a bachelor’s degree. Through three years of focused reforms, these colleges will work with Aspen to assess current programs, set goals, and implement research-based reforms to increase student success.  “We are thrilled to be selected for the Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity network. This recognition reflects a proud moment for our College and the communities we serve,” said Greg Peterson...

Staff Members Veronica Aguilera and Rob Ware figure out clues in the Markosian Library Escape Room What happens when you combine academic resources, student engagement, and a little AI mystery? At Salt Lake Community College's Markosian Library, the answer is a library-themed escape room that is changing how students feel about walking into a college library for the first time. The escape room was designed to introduce students to library services in a fun and engaging way, with clues related to library resources and research tools. It's an innovative approach to library orientation that helps students succeed by familiarizing them with free academic resources, including academic journals, books, and laptops. Where in the world is ...? The Vision Behind the Escape Room  The escape room was developed by library staff Erica Gudiño, Public Services & Outreach Librarian, and Christina Holm, Assistant Director of Library Academic Services, with the help of AI. The escape room w...

Dr. Jamie Cooper, Provost of Academic Affairs Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jamie Cooper as its new Provost of Academic Affairs, effective August 1, 2025. An experienced leader with nearly 30 years in higher education, Cooper brings a strong background in technical college programs, student and academic support services, and institutional research strategies. Cooper joins SLCC from York Technical College in South Carolina, where he served as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. In that role, he led transformative initiatives that integrated academic programming with workforce development, including the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) service and repair program tailored to meet regional industry needs. “Colleges have a responsibility not only to educate but also to empower,” said Cooper. “That means providing students with relevant training and support while serving as active partners in community and economic development. ...

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Jason Wood as the new Vice President of Salt Lake Technical College (SL Tech), part of SLCC dedicated to workforce development and technical education. Wood brings more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership, most recently serving as President of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Under his leadership, Southwest Tech earned national recognition, including the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was celebrated for its innovative approach to ensuring students graduate into careers that offer a living wage—reforming or eliminating programs that did not meet that standard. “Helping students realize they can learn, persist, and succeed—especially those who never imagined themselves in college—is the most gratifying part of my career,” said Wood. “I’ve seen firsthand how education can transform lives, and I’m excited to bring that passion to Salt Lake Co...

In commemoration of President Greg Peterson’s inaugural celebration, SLCC is staging a special retrospective of the President’s Art Show from August 11-21 at the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery at the college’s South City campus. The exhibit celebrates the decades-long legacy of SLCC’s annual juried show while taking a look forward. The selection features works from the College’s permanent collection and highlights pieces from President’s Art Shows dating back to the late ‘90s. The timeframe spans the tenures of four former presidents, one interim president, and now — with his official inauguration over a year after he took the president’s chair — President Peterson. The show was curated by James Walton, SLCC’s art collection manager and gallery director. “Exhibiting selections from the permanent collection that span three decades gives a sense of where SLCC’s art committee has been under previous presidents,” Walton said, “while preparing us to focus our attention on wher...

 “I have a dream,” Martin Luther King Jr. intoned on the steps of Washington DC’s Lincoln Memorial during an August heatwave in 1963. Those words became a symbol whose gravity bent what King elsewhere refers to as the “arc of the moral universe.” That arc is long, King said, “but it bends toward justice.”  Now, SLCC’s Taylorsville Redwood Campus hosts a statue commemorating the moment that King described his dream in a larger-than-life, 9-foot bronze monument. The monument’s physical mass substantiates the figurative weight of King’s dream. The statue is the work of Stan Watts, a Salt Lake City-based sculptor who heads a workshop called Atlas Bronze Casting. Watts has also sculpted other civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks and Ida B. Wells, and — along with fellow sculptor Tami Brooks — populated the Peace and Justice Garden at South City Campus with a series of sculptures honoring other historically significant women. James Walton, who manages SLCC’s galleries and art collec...

  The Eccles Early Childhood Development Lab School at Salt Lake Community College’s Taylorsville Campus is dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment for young children while fostering the educational development of students at SLCC. Students in the Family and Human Studies program can gain practical experience through collaboration between the program and the Eccles Lab, creating a learning environment that benefits both children and students. The Eccles Lab curriculum is designed for children aged two to five years old, providing each class with developmentally appropriate activities to ensure the learning and safety of the children. Through exploration, play, and multi-sensory activities, children learn to develop emotional, social, and intellectual skills that are appropriate for their age. Zack Allred, SLCC Director of Library Services, and parent of an Eccles Lab student, says, “Our kiddo was and is quite shy, but has grown so much socially and verbally, it is...

Recently, SLCC's Health Science Respiratory Therapist Program received an important award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC ), earning the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. Associate Dean for the Division of Allied Health, Angela Belnap, says, "This award is a big deal and a proud moment for everyone involved in the Respiratory Therapy program at Salt Lake Community College. It demonstrates how our faculty go above and beyond to prepare students for success in one of healthcare's most vital roles." The recognition received through CoARC confirms that SLCC is among a select group of programs that effectively prepare graduates for a successful career in respiratory therapy. Furthermore, it is a testament to the commitment of SLCC professors to helping students reach their educational and professional goals. The Respiratory Therapy program is a highly competitive program that provides students with classroom experience, as wel...

  Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is pleased to announce Gary Verón as its new Athletic Director, effective June 2, 2025. Verón brings over a decade of distinguished experience in collegiate athletics administration to SLCC, including leadership roles at Brigham Young University, the University of Wyoming, and BYU-Hawaii. “I'm honored to lead in this new role and am excited to build on SLCC's remarkable foundation. Our coaches and student-athletes rank among the best in the country—not just in junior college athletics, but at any competitive level,” said Verón. “This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime." As SLCC's Athletic Director, Verón will leverage his extensive background in NCAA compliance, student-athlete development, and administrative leadership to advance the College's athletic programs. “We are thrilled to welcome Gary to lead our outstanding Athletics program. In addition to his years of collegiate athletics experience, he brings tremendous vision...

Salt Lake Community College recently partnered with InsideTrack , an organization dedicated to helping students navigate their educational journeys. This collaboration aims to provide personalized re-enrollment support to students who have stopped attending college without adding a burden to SLCC staff and faculty. “The work that Inside Track does as a nationwide nonprofit is tailored to supporting learners on their academic journey ,” says InsideTrack Senior Vice President for Partner Success, Steve Ast, “we generally focus on non-traditional learners -- such as adult learners, first-generation college students, minorities, or Pell eligible individuals -- those are the folks who we want to benefit from coaching .” The primary focus of the partnership is targeting students who began their educational journey at SLCC but did not complete it. InsideTrack will handle the outreach to students and guide them through the process. Personalized Coachi...

  Nearly two dozen graduates from Salt Lake Community College’s (SLCC) Lineworker Pre-Apprentice Program put their skills to the test today in an exhilarating rodeo and skills competition at the Miller Campus in Sandy. The event drew a crowd of family, friends, and industry leaders, including local utility companies on the lookout for promising new talent.    In a major boost to the program, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation presented a generous $15,000 gift, aimed at supporting tuition assistance and funding two new rescue manikins for vital hands-on training.    “We are thrilled to receive this generous gift from Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, which helps us train the next generation of lineworkers while ensuring the highest safety standards," said Rhett Bigelow, program manager of SLCC’s Energy, Utility & Licensing Programs. “Rescue training is essential in this field, and this donation allows us to continue offering life-saving instruction at an affo...

  U.S. diplomat shares why what he learned at SLCC matters now more than ever—intellectual humility, fighting certainty of thought, and leaning into curiosity.     Today, May 9, Salt Lake Community College proudly celebrated the achievements of more than 3000 graduates during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.    SLCC’s Class of 2025 comprises 3,385 students, including 1,580 first-generation college students and 151 military veterans. Graduates range in age from 16 to 67, and the most earned degrees are from the General Studies and General Education programs followed by Nursing, Business, and Computer Science & Information Systems.    “To be a part of the energy and excitement of this day, surrounded by thousands who have just achieved a hard-earned milestone in their lives, fills me up with hope for our future and awe at the immense potential among this class of graduates,” said SLCC President Greg Peterson, ...