Official SLCC Blog

Manette Perez As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, This Meet Our Students blog will feature SLCC’s LUChA Club President, Manette Perez. Pronouns: she/her    Age:  19   Current City of Residence: West Valley City    Hometown: Still West Valley City because your girl likes to be boring. West Valley City is my home, both physically and metaphorically. I’ve been here for almost 20 years, and I wouldn’t trade my time or place for any other city. It has the people, the food, the shops, and the simple, tender care we show for our city.    High School: Granger High School is known for its …interesting football games and our melting pot of a school. Granger is one of the most diverse and largely populated high schools. I met many amazing people there and learned a lot about different cultures. It was also the best school to be an embarrassing teen because you could be in every class, and you would still not know everybody. Go, Lancers!   Major: My...

Cristi Millard Pronouns : She/her/hers Degree(s) earned and institutions : Bachelor of Arts, Brigham Young University Master of Organizational Management, University of Phoenix Years at SLCC : 34 years Current title : Director of Special Projects & Compliance Department : Financial Aid Previous titles at SLCC : I started as an advisor in the Financial Aid Office . Then, I became the director of Financial Aid and Scholarships in 2000. I started in this position last year. What is a typical day or week like for you? My days are never the same; I work on whatever special projects we're have in the financial aid office. Some of the special projects I'm working on are the HEERF funding that goes out to all the students. We've been working on that for about the past two years. I work a lot with the Student Success pilot program. We also have some scholarships through the state of Utah, such as the Reengagement scholarship and the Ad...

Isaac Wood Salt Lake Community College welcomes Isaac Wood, the new head coach of the College’s first Cross-Country and Track and Field teams. Pronouns : He/him/his Degree earned and institutions : Bachelor’s degree in history, BYU SLCC Start Date : May 16, 2022 Current title : Head Coach of Cross-Country and Track and Field Department : Athletics Previous titles in Athletics : Development Coordinator, BYU Athletics Olympics Sports Recruiting Liaison, BYU Athletics Director of Cross-Country and Track and Field Operations for BYU Athletics Assistant Cross-Country and Track and Field Coach for Weber State University Other experience working in Athletics : Started marathon group in the Utah State Prison in Draper from 2015 to 2017 : I would go and volunteer in the prison all summer. I coached these guys to run a marathon around [a little path]. That was a cool experience. Co-founded Run Elite Program and works as club...

Jennifer Ivette Alegría Ibanez Age : 39 From : Graneros, Sexta Region, Chile Major : Social Work. I feel a great calling to serve, motivate and empower others as well in our community. At this moment I am currently learning how to speak English as a second language in the wonderful program here at SLCC . Right to left: Jennifer's son, scanning the pages of a textbook; Jennifer, smiling and looking at her laptop; Jennifer's cousin, reading a book. Academic goals : I want to earn a doctorate or master’s in social work; my passion is in the specialty of social projects and investigations. Dream job : A social worker, where I can be part of changes in people's lives and in the community. Plan B : Generally, I have a plan B when I cannot control all the results; I don’t have a plan B when it comes to my studies because the results are totally dependent on me. Why Higher Education? I believe that higher education is an investment that produces great reward...

Julie Meldrum Preferred pronouns: She/her/hers Degree(s) earned and institutions: Bachelor’s degree in journalism and telecommunications from Arizona State University Years at SLCC: 5 Current position: Specialist III, Miller Library Department: Library Services What is a typical day or week like for you? I love working with students to find what they need to complete classroom assignments. Part of my job is working with faculty to make sure the materials they need are readily available at the library. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? Each semester I make it a point to let our students know about their library and what resources are available to them . Every semester is like a new beginning! What rewards come with your job? When I see a student grow in their experience here at SLCC and then graduate — no better reward! Who or what inspires you at work or in life and why? Before becoming a librarian, I worked in ...

Lucy Smith Pronouns: She/her Degrees earned and institutions: BFA and MS with an experiential education emphasis from the University of Utah Years at SLCC: 9 Current title: Director of Engaged Learning Department: Office of Learning Advancement Previous jobs at SLCC: Service-Learning Coordinator What is a typical day or week like for you? I help build supportive college infrastructures so faculty can implement high-impact practices (community-engaged learning, study abroad and domestic study) in the curriculum. A significant portion of my time is spent organizing and conducting workshops, training, faculty professional development and conference planning. I provide support to community-engaged learning and study abroad faculty by facilitating formal course designation processes and funding. I am also an adjunct faculty member in the Exercise Science program , so I teach regularly. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? One of the most challeng...

Norma Carr at The Utah Sports Hall of Fame. One sentence signed into law by President Richard Nixon 50 years ago forever changed education and sports in America: “No person in the United States shall on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Salt Lake Community College is a co-sponsor of a special exhibit at The Utah Sports Hall of Fame celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX on June 23, 1972. The exhibit features 10 pioneers in the state of Utah who paved the way for and worked to implement this historic law. “This landmark legislation established competitive equity, removed barriers for women and girls, and created new and greater opportunities in ...

Chris Martin, Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO. Chris Martin Pronouns: He/him/his From: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Degrees earned and institutions: BA, accounting and finance, Abilene Christian University MBA, Amberton University Start date: Feb. 1, 2022 Current title: Vice President for Finance and Administration and CFO Department: Finance and Administration Previous titles: Vice President for Business and Finance, North Idaho College Commercial and corporate banker Why SLCC? I’d been at North Idaho College for eight years, and this position came open and was a great fit for me. Salt Lake Community College is a dynamic institution seen as a leader throughout the Mountain West. Getting to be part of that and learn and help support that was a huge push for me. What are your general plans for SLCC in the upcoming year? Overall, the general plan for me is to ensure that we operate in a sustaina...

  Amy Woods hugs her mother Anne Woods   Amy Woods’ father, Casey Woods, wore his favorite cowboy hat. Her daughter Pearl picked out a dress to wear. Amy’s sister, Ronda Fisher, drove 700 miles from her home in North Platte, Nebraska to see her “baby girl” graduate.   Anne Woods, Amy’s mother, was there too, joining an entire Woods cheering section to witness Amy walk across the stage in her cap and gown at the Maverik Center May 6 during Salt Lake Community College’s Commencement Day. “All right,” Casey yelled above the crowd as his daughter approached. The event was a long time coming, and it wasn’t without emotion.   Amy Woods Amy, who turns 40 in June, had children early. She graduated from high school in 2006 and started college in 2008. “And now here I am,” she said in front of her family after she and all the other SLCC graduates received their diplomas. “My mom really pushed me through this. She was my biggest support and help through all of it.”   With ...

Derek Benson waits outside the Maverik Center before receiving his diploma.     When the oldest of Derek Benson’s three children was 13, he struck a deal – if all of them went to college, he’d go back and finish his higher education degree. Well, all three kids did go to college, and Benson, true to his word and 13 years later, recently earned his associate’s degree in general education from Salt Lake Community College .   “They’re trying to talk me into keeping on going,” Benson said while waiting to walk across the stage during SLCC Commencement Day at the Maverik Center in West Valley City on May 6. “We’ll see,” he added.   Benson, 51, lives in Sandy, works for Yellow Freight Trucking and has been married to the same woman, Kayla, for 27 years. Sports is big enough in their house that they named their children after famous sports heroes. But academics is kind of overshadowing athletics these days. Ryzen, 26, graduated from Westminster College and is pursuing a PhD...

Graduate Tim Langan (right) poses for a photo with SLCC professor Elisa Stone.   There’s a story behind every lavender hued graduation stole handed out recently at the Salt Lake Community College Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center in front of the May 6 collegewide Commencement at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.   That simple gift of a strip of fabric worn around the shoulders on Commencement Day meant so much to LGBTQ+ graduates of SLCC who found success and a welcoming home at the college. Held at the GSSRC location on the SLCC South City Campus, the event was a chance for some to share stories and be among friends. Each graduate who attended received a lavender stole.   For Mashayla Dalley, it was the first time she had visited the GSSRC, a place she describes as giving people a sense of belonging. She graduates from SLCC with a degree in business, a few dozen business plans she’s written and a goal someday to attend no less than – and on a full-ride ...

Hilda M. Sandi Pronouns: She/her Degrees earned and institutions: I graduated from the American Business Academy as an executive bilingual secretary and hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Universidad Autónoma de Centro America in Costa Rica. I am also a SLCC President’s Leadership Institute alum and a certified event and meeting planner. I am currently pursuing a degree in exercise science. Years at SLCC: 10 Current title: Administrative Assistant for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement Department: Institutional Advancement Previous titles at SLCC: I also worked in Academic Advising and International Student Services . Prior to my position at SLCC, I served as an executive assistant for top-tier executives at Zions Bank Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America. What is a typical day or week like for you? My typical day starts with an organized to-do list the day before I leave the office. This allows me to control...

  Laura Archila Pronouns: She/her Age: 26 Residence: Layton, Utah. From: Colombia Major: Marketing Academic goals: Finish my associate's degree and keep studying to find excellence.   Dream job: I would like to work in internal communications or communications related to business. I like the business part and I feel comfortable there. Maybe one day I will become SEO for a company or even better for my own company. Plan B: To learn new languages, travel the world and be a professional in tourism. Why higher education: It is necessary to create solid foundations for a bright future. Why SLCC: It has a very high human quality, and I feel comfortable - it has given me everything I expected.   What motivates you or inspires you at school or in life: Keeps focused on the future that I want for myself. Important life or career lessons you have learned so far: Always follow the "step by step" - do not skip any! Best advice you have been given or that you give others: Live, be hap...