The Foundation Board recognized its ten outstanding past chairs by establishing the UVU Foundation Ambassador Endowed Scholarship. The student recipients of this scholarship become UVU Foundation Ambassadors, charged with representing the institution at key events throughout the year. The scholarship is awarded to ten UVU students, one in the name of each board chair to honor the chairs' dedication and loyalty to the University.
The UVU Foundation Ambassador program aims to support the work of the UVU Foundation and the Division of Institutional Advancement through select students serving as the face of UVU and telling the story of the University.
The program assembles a group of student leaders dedicated to UVU and its mission and eager to develop the skills for ambassadorship, to represent UVU, and to assist its administration. As a result of their participation, these students will become better prepared to serve in their professions and as leaders in their communities.
The program will establish and maintain a specially trained group of UVU students equipped to effectively represent the University in a strategic and uniformly branded way, with a goal of engaging current and prospective donors, friends, alumni, and VIPs. Ambassadorship will provide an experiential opportunity for students and will support UVU's mission of engaged learning.
Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Bohdan Yurchenko chose to attend UVU because he believed it was a place where students could be authentic, pursue new ideas, and find a sense of belonging.
Today, he is pursuing a degree in psychology with minors in cognitive neuroscience and computer science while serving as president of the Neuroscience Society of UVU and as a UVU Foundation ambassador. Funding much of his education himself has required determination and sacrifice, but mentors, scholarships, and campus involvement have helped him build a college experience filled with opportunity.
"I want to represent students who feel like they have no support or place they belong to, or who feel like they are not smart enough to be in college,” he said. “I want those students to know that there is a place for them here at UVU."
Today, Bohdan enjoys helping donors understand how opportunity and encouragement can unlock a student's potential.
For Dalila Bello Bravo, the journey to UVU began when one opportunity unexpectedly closed, and another opened. Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, she arrived determined to build a brighter future while pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology.
Today, Dalila serves as a UVU Foundation ambassador, international student mentor, Wolverines Elevated peer mentor, and member of the International Student Council. Her own experiences adapting to a new country inspired her commitment to helping others feel welcomed and supported.
One of the most meaningful parts of her college experience has been helping students navigate challenges she once faced herself.
"Being able to help another international student feel less alone has reminded me how meaningful small acts of support can be when you are far from home,” she said.
Dalila's story reflects the power of opportunity, belonging, and community, and she is grateful for the chance to share that impact with donors and future students alike.
Growing up in a family of sheepherders in northern Utah, Ethan Chournos never imagined the opportunities his education would create. After returning from a religious mission and exploring career options, he discovered the national security studies program at UVU and found a calling rooted in leadership and service.
Today, Ethan serves as a recruitment ambassador manager, co-director of the national security ambassadors, editor of the National Security Journal, Strider Fellow, and a UVU Foundation ambassador.
A guiding principle in his life is the Greek concept of filotimo.
"Filotimo means doing the right thing because you love being honorable, for the love of service itself rather than recognition,” he said.
That commitment to service shapes how Ethan leads, learns, and connects with others. As a UVU Foundation ambassador, he enjoys helping donors see how educational opportunities empower students to discover possibilities far beyond what they once imagined.
Howard Chuang’s path from Taipei, Taiwan, to Utah Valley University wasn't straightforward. Unexpected changes to his academic plans forced him to rethink his goals. Still, those challenges ultimately helped him discover a passion for personal financial planning and helping others make better decisions about their financial futures.
Today, Howard is pursuing a degree in personal financial planning with minors in enterprise development and entrepreneurship. He conducts research with the UVU FinTech Center, serves as a senior mentor with the International Student Council, and represents students as both a UVU Foundation ambassador and UVU Finance Department student representative. He also competes on the UVU Pickleball Team.
As an international student, Howard's experience navigating unfamiliar financial and career systems helped shape his interest in financial planning. Through research, mentorship, and campus involvement, he has found opportunities to grow while helping others do the same.
"One thing UVU has taught me is that education is much more than completing a degree,” he said. “What has made UVU special is how supportive the people here have been and how much the university truly reflects its mission of being 'A Place for You.'"
Today, Howard enjoys helping other students discover opportunities at UVU and helping donors see how education, mentorship, and community can shape a student's future.
At 18 years old, Joaquin Becerra Toncio left Rengo, Chile, and took a chance on an opportunity half a world away. Today, he is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering with a minor in computer engineering while serving as a UVU Foundation ambassador and student leader.
Adjusting to life in the United States tested his determination. Learning English while adapting to a new culture often left him feeling isolated.
"There have been so many obstacles that I have faced during my time at UVU, but the main one has always been language,” he said. What ultimately transformed his college experience was finding community. "Going to activities with strangers and coming back with friends was the best feeling, as finally, language was not a barrier that provoked loneliness."
That sense of belonging turned UVU into something much more than a university. Today, Joaquin is proud to help donors see the impact their support has on students whose dreams begin with a leap of faith.
Leaving the Dominican Republic to pursue an education in the United States meant stepping far outside her comfort zone, but for Milinés "Mili" Sabala Veras, it also opened the door to remarkable opportunities.
Today, Mili is pursuing a degree in health science with a minor in public health while serving as chair of the UVU Foundation Ambassadors. Through leadership roles in the International Student Council and Caribbean Islander Cultural Association, she has dedicated herself to helping students find connections and community.
Adjusting to a new culture challenged her confidence early on, but those experiences inspired her passion for supporting others.
"Being part of the International Student Council has allowed me to help students who may be experiencing some of the same challenges I experienced,” she said.
As the UVU Foundation ambassador chair, Mili is proud to represent a community that helped her find confidence, purpose, and a place where she truly belongs.
For Sameer Massey, a life-changing opportunity came during a walk across UVU's campus. While living in Orem and navigating an uncertain transition, he was preparing to return home to India when he decided to explore UVU out of curiosity. During that visit, he met the dean of students, who took the time to walk around campus with him and discuss what his future at UVU could look like. That conversation changed everything.
Today, Sameer is pursuing a degree in healthcare administration with a minor in ethics. An honors student, Tocqueville Fellow, community advocate, and a UVU Foundation ambassador, he is passionate about serving immigrants, refugees, and other underserved communities.
Arriving at UVU came with uncertainty. Far from home and without an established support system, Sameer wondered whether he would find a place where he belonged. Through mentorship, the honors program, and campus involvement, he found a community that challenged, supported, and believed in him.
"I realized that I did not need to wait for someone else to tell me that I belonged at UVU,” he said. “I could contribute my own culture, experiences, and perspective and help make the university a place where other students could also see themselves."
Today, Sameer is proud to help donors see how a single conversation, opportunity, or act of support can change the trajectory of a student's life.
As a first-generation college student, Sarah Nielson understands how transformative educational opportunities can be. After transferring to UVU, she found the mentors, research experiences, and leadership opportunities that helped her envision a future she once thought was out of reach.
Today, Sarah is pursuing a degree in psychology and an advanced substance use disorder counselor certification, serves as both a recruitment ambassador and UVU Foundation ambassador, and contributes to the Suicide & Trauma Research Collaborative. She is preparing to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Scholarships played a critical role in making that journey possible.
"I genuinely wouldn't have been able to go to college or continue my education if I didn't have any financial aid,” she said. What she treasures most is the community she found along the way. "UVU has not only given education and opportunities to my family, but they have also become a larger family and network for me to be able to have in my life."
Today, Sarah enjoys helping donors see the lasting impact of investing in students.
Raised in Spokane, Washington, Teagan McGee was ready for a new environment when it came time for her to pursue higher education. After touring several universities in Utah, she found what she was looking for at UVU: a campus filled with opportunities and people who genuinely cared about student success.
Today, Teagan is pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in business administration while gaining industry experience through her work with Green House Sales and Marketing. She is working to build a career helping businesses grow through creative and strategic marketing.
Moving to Utah on her own was one of the biggest challenges. Living independently for the first time, hundreds of miles from home, pushed her beyond her comfort zone and taught her how to build community, seek support, and grow with confidence.
"It is the people who make an organization special,” she said. “I have had so many teachers, mentors, and peers that have helped me grow both personally and professionally."
That experience inspired Teagan to become a UVU Foundation ambassador. She is passionate about helping others discover the same sense of belonging and opportunity she found at UVU while sharing the impact donor support has on students' lives.
When Tegan Z. Blanchard arrived at UVU, he was searching for an affordable education and a path toward his goals. What he found was a community of people invested in his success.
Today, Tegan studies national security while serving as a UVU Foundation ambassador, student coordinator for the Center for National Security Studies, director of the National Security Ambassador Program, and resident leader in the Honors Program. Having lived in four different countries, he brings a global perspective and a passion for building meaningful connections. When he is not in school or at work, Tegan is helping run a community of LGBTQ+ individuals in Utah, facilitating events and promoting belonging.
Despite the opportunities he has today, his college journey has not always been easy.
"When I finally landed a job, I remember I had $81 left in my bank account,” he said. “I cried tears of joy that day."
Yet beyond opportunities, the people he found at UVU have left the greatest impact.
"I found staff, faculty, professors, and classmates who had and still have a genuine interest in my success both in my collegiate career and in my life."
As a UVU Foundation ambassador, Tegan enjoys helping donors understand how scholarships and support can change the trajectory of a student's life.
