Exceptional results are the measure of UVU’s commitment to student success. From classroom breakthroughs to career achievements, our students, faculty, and staff demonstrate what’s possible when talent is matched with opportunity and support. This year’s milestones reflect both individual accomplishments and the university’s dedication to helping every Wolverine turn hard work into meaningful outcomes that strengthen families, communities, and Utah’s future.
UVU celebrated 12,940 graduates in 2025 — the highest number in UVU history.
Operational data provided by UVU Business Intelligence and Research Services (BIRS), as of 6/27/25
12,940 
Graduates
the highest number in UVU history*
Nearly
1/3
are first-generation students
84%
are from Utah
17,278
degrees and certificates awarded*
Our Graduates are from
28
of Utah's 29 counties
53
Countries
47
States
#1
Educating and graduating the most Utahns
71
is the oldest graduate
16
is the youngest graduate
UVU's retention rate has increased 5 percentage points in five years, reaching
70%
Operational data provided by UVU Business Intelligence
Research Services (BIRS) *as of 6/27/25
Commencement 2025
Utah business icon Crystal Maggelet, chief executive officer of FJ Management, Inc. and Maverik, told UVU’s Class of 2025 to develop and embrace resilience as they face life’s challenges during her keynote address at UVU’s commencement ceremony on April 30, 2025.
“That's what resilience is: To work toward something better, even when it's hard. And that's exactly what you've done by being here today."
— Crystal Maggelet, CEO of FJ Management, Inc. and Maverik
UVU Events Engage the Community
In fall 2024, renowned medical anthropologist and Harvard educator Dr. Arthur Kleinman outlined the elements of what he called “the soul of caregiving” — accompaniment, relationships and reciprocity, presence, ritual and habits, and enduring.
“If we wanted a rubric under which care falls, it’s probably love."
— Dr. Arthur Kleinman, Medical Anthropologist and Harvard Educator
In the spring 2025 lecture, Grammy-winning artist and founding member of the Black Eyed Peas Apl.de.Ap reflected on his 35-year career in hip hop.
“Believe in yourself. Whatever your profession after getting your education, help other people."
— Apl.de.Ap, Founding Member of the Black Eyed Peas
Kleinman and Apl.de.Ap also taught masterclasses following the lectures, with hundreds of participants learning more about healthcare and artistry.
Verlan Lewis and Hyrum Lewis, co-authors of “The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America,” discussed how a healthy two-party system contributes to the American constitutional tradition as part of UVU’s fall 2024 Constitution Day conference, presented by the UVU Center for Constitutional Studies.
In her remarks during the 2024 UVU Conference on Mental Health, social worker, author, and mental health educator Minaa B. emphasized the importance of community care as a means of improving one’s mental health.
“Community care looks like figuring out how you could be a helping hand to someone, even to a stranger."
— Minaa B., Social Worker, Author, and Mental Health Educator
A team of UVU students presented collaborative research in an Oct. 2024 event on whether people can detect deepfake content and how that content can impact elections. The study tested 244 subjects across the U.S. with real and deepfake videos and audio to determine their ability to distinguish between the two.
In Nov. 2024, over 500 business and community leaders convened on UVU’s Orem Campus for the Growth and Prosperity Summit hosted by the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, with President Tuminez as a keynote speaker. The event featured remarks from Utah Senator Mike Lee and Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who emphasized the need to build new housing to support the state’s rapidly growing population. The summit aimed to further the growth of Utah Valley by “advocating for the business community, fostering meaningful area development, and maintaining and improving the quality of life in the region.”
“Artificial intelligence is a tremendous tool, but this research tells a cautionary tale for our democracy by illustrating how easily it can be used to push fake messages to voters."
— Brandon Amacher, UVU Emerging Technology Policy Lab Director and UVU Center for National Security Studies Instructor
‘America’s Government Teacher’
Sharon McMahon, known as “America’s government teacher,” spoke at the UCCU Center on UVU’s Orem Campus in Oct. 2024, as part of a multi-city tour for her book, “The Small and the Mighty,” highlighting the contributions of everyday Americans often overlooked in history. The book emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and the way small actions can lead to significant change.
UVU’s marketing and communications team was named a finalist for the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame in the Marketing Company of the Year 2024 category.
President Tuminez delivered the opening remarks at the 2025 Silicon Slopes Summit held on UVU’s Orem Campus in Jan. 2025. Her address, entitled “From Slums to Silicon Slopes: Unleashing the Power of Dreams Through Education,” focused on three key elements from her upbringing in the Philippines: grit, ownership, and generosity.
“Stay gritty and be generous. Be generous with yourself. Be generous with your teams. Be generous with the people you work with. The future truly is in our hands."
— President Tuminez
UVU’s ninth annual Brain Fair provided an opportunity for children of all ages to learn about the brain, neurons, and human senses through hands-on learning activities set up by UVU undergraduate students under psychology faculty mentorship. Students witnessed a real human brain, saw a demonstration of neurons communicating, and built a model of a neuron.
“I think having events at UVU, such as this, shows that this college cares about providing fun family get-togethers where they can learn something new or share their knowledge with others.”
— Shonda Ewell, UVU Psychology Student
In Feb. 2025, UVU Wellness Programs held the “Beauty Beyond the Mirror” event, bringing together UVU community members and local businesses and organizations such as Paul Mitchell The School, Every Body Retreats, and Curveture Plus-Size Thrift Boutique to celebrate body positivity.
“Any time that we can come together and have these conversations, I think that’s really helpful. Body acceptance [and] body image issues aren’t just issues that affect women, they’re issues that affect women and men."
— Kerri Scott, UVU Wellness Programs Director
The UVU Museum of Art at Lakemount presented “Eugene Tapahe: Between the Worlds” from Nov. 2024 to Feb. 2025. Curated by UVU Art History Professor Katherine Jackson, the exhibition included Tapahe’s installations, photography, and performances, engaging people and places while mapping monuments as sacred sites throughout the modern world.
“My work reflects the fragility and resilience of Native American culture. I strive to unite these two worlds in my concepts while transcending worldly uncertainties."
— Eugene Tapahe, Diné Artist
Renowned educator and activist Jane Elliott spoke as part of UVU’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week. Elliott is known for her groundbreaking Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Experiment, first conducted in 1968, the day after King was assassinated. Elliott’s exercise challenged perceptions of discrimination and sparked a lifelong commitment to fighting racism, sexism, and prejudice.
UVU held the 2025 UVU Data Summit in Feb. 2025, featuring presenters including President Tuminez; Christina Baum, UVU chief information officer and vice president of digital transformation; Jordan Morrow, senior vice president of data and AI transformation at AgileOne; and Laura Zemp, district director of enterprise analytics and strategy for Maricopa Community Colleges.
The School of Education held its inaugural MakerCon conference in Nov. 2024 — an event for educators and community makers who want to explore innovative ways to integrate hands-on, project-based learning into their curriculum, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in students.
Scrollable Timeline:
Sept. 12, 2024
UVU hosted a vibrant business conference promoting trade between Utah and Latin American countries, organized by the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Office for Global Engagement.
September 18, 2024
Neil Lawrence, Ph.D., DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge, gave an in-depth look at the promises and perils of artificial intelligence and the irreplaceable qualities of human cognition.
September 24, 2024
Claim Utah
UVU’s 31st annual Ethics Awareness Week, titled “Shaping Our Futures: Ethics and Forward Thinking,” highlighted the role ethics plays in navigating challenges and shaping responsible futures.
October 2024
Colby Hawker, product manager at Google, spoke to a virtual UVU audience on the ways generative AI is revolutionizing business practices.
February 2025
Students, faculty, staff, and community members joined in a celebration of International Mother Language Day, featuring cultural performances from individuals committed to preserving their heritages.
End
Athletic Achievements
Wolverine men’s and women’s basketball both celebrated successful seasons with berths in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), with the women’s team notching the program’s first postseason victory with a win on the road at Air Force.
UVU’s men’s basketball won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season title and dominated the conference’s postseason awards, with guard Dominick Nelson named WAC Player of the Year, forward Carter Welling earning WAC Defensive Player of the Year, and coach Todd Phillips receiving WAC Coach of the Year honors in his second season as Wolverines head coach.
“It's amazing to be a part of a program that has had a lot of 'firsts' with these girls and the coaching staff. We're building something special here, and we're proving it."
— Halle Nelson, UVU Women’s Basketball Guard/Forward
“Coach Phillips has built a championship culture both on and off the court, demonstrating exceptional leadership that resonates throughout our program."
— Jared Sumsion, Ph.D., Director of UVU Athletics
In June 2025, UVU announced it will join the Big West Conference as a full member starting in the 2026-27 academic year, marking a major milestone for UVU Athletics. The move aligns UVU with top mid-major institutions, expands its reach in the West, and brings Big West competition back to Utah for the first time since 2005.
“This move is about vision, opportunity, and long-term sustainability. Joining The Big West strengthens our reach in the West, enhances travel efficiency, supports competitive excellence, and places our student-athletes in one of the most respected mid-major conferences in the country."
— Val Peterson, Ph.D., UVU Vice President of Administration and Strategic Relations
Starting the season with a 2-0 upset victory over crosstown rivals BYU — who were ranked #3 in the country at the time — the UVU women’s soccer team went undefeated in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play and clinched their third-straight regular season championship.
Senior forward and leading scorer Faith Webber led the nation in goals per game and was named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year. She was also named to the Academic All-America team. In addition, four Wolverines were named to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team, the most of any program in the nation.
Under first-year coach Nate Rasmussen, the UVU baseball team notched a 33-29 record and won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament for the first time since 2016. The Wolverines then made history by defeating #12 Oregon in Eugene for UVU baseball’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win. The victory was the team’s first over a ranked opponent on the road since 2019.
The 33 wins are the most ever by a UVU head coach in his first season, and the team’s success earned Rasmussen a contract extension through the 2029 season.
33 Wins
With Coach Rasmussen
“Coach Rasmussen has quickly proven his coaching style and philosophy can be successful in leading our program to the next level. To take over the program and get us into a regional in his first season is a great accomplishment."
— Jared Sumsion, Ph.D., Director of UVU Athletics
The Wolverine track and field teams swept the 2025 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Texas. The victory gave the women back-to-back outdoor titles and the WAC Triple Crown with their earlier wins in both cross country and indoor track and field.
Gabe Remy won the men's 100- and 200-meter dashes, breaking the school record in both, and was named Men’s Most Outstanding Athlete of the Meet. Combined, UVU’s men and women won 30 medals, 15 of them gold.
Men’s and women’s lacrosse teams made history this season, taking the UVU club sport to the national stage. Men's lacrosse dominated the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC), winning the championship and earning a #2 national ranking before advancing to the national semifinals. Star goalie Max Sturgill became UVU’s all-time saves leader.
Women’s lacrosse shattered expectations with a 6-1 record, toppling major programs like Brigham Young University and Arizona State. Ranked fourth nationally, they earned their first trip to the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) national tournament.
94%
Graduation rate
3.52
Average GPA
*UVU Athletics, 2025
UVU’s women earned their first WAC Indoor Track and Field team championship in March 2025, as Quincy Bonds won the WAC title in the 60-meter hurdles and silvers in both the 60 and 200-meter races. Bonds scored 26 points and was named the Women's Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the meet.
UVU’s Anna Martin and Mo Guled both captured individual conference titles and the Wolverine women won their second straight WAC Cross Country Championship with a perfect score.
The UVU women won their fifth WAC title overall after having the top six finishers in the race. The Wolverines became just the second team in WAC Cross Country women's history to obtain a perfect score of 15 points.
Dutch Olympic runner Sifan Hassan, who won three medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, including gold in marathon, prepared for the France summer heat at UVU’s Applied Human Performance Lab with Tim Rowberry, UVU cross country assistant coach.
Hassan’s acclimation sessions took place in UVU's state-of-the-art environmental and altitude chamber, which simulated the exact conditions she would experience in Paris.
“For being the best female distance runner on the planet, Sifan is incredibly grounded and easy to work with. It has truly been a pleasure working with her."
— Andrew Creer, Ph.D., UVU Exercise Science Professor
Dance and Spirit Achievements
In May 2025, UVU’s Ballroom Dance Company won first place at London’s Blackpool Dance Festival, known as the “Olympics of ballroom.” UVU’s team took championship titles in the British Open Latin Formation Champions and the British Open Ballroom Formation Champions. With this year’s win, the UVU Ballroom Dance Company are eight-time British Open Formation Champions.
“Our students have put hours of work into these routines, juggling jobs, school, and other commitments between many early mornings and late nights. This is a win we’ll remember for years."
— Tara Boyd, UVU Ballroom Dance Company Director
The UVU Spirit Squad achieved multiple national honors in 2025, with victories at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Dance Competition at Walt Disney World Resort, as well as at the NCA and NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.
UVU teams earned first place in Division 1 Hip-Hop and fourth place in Division 1 Jazz at the UDA competition, while the D1 Game Day Team (consisting of UVU’s Cheer Team, Dance Team, and Green Man Group) was awarded first place and the national championship title at the NCA and NDA College Nationals in the Game Day Division I category.
UVU Awards: Excellence in Action
Utah Business Magazine, in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power, recognized UVU in 2024 for its commitment to the principles of sustainability. UVU campuses are 92% solar-powered, and the Orem Campus is 100% solar-powered. Additionally, UVU and Rocky Mountain Power collaborated to open the Elektron Solar Farm in Tooele County, holding a ribbon-cutting in July 2024.
92%
UVU campuses are 92% solar-powered, and the Orem Campus is 100% solar-powered.
UVU Receives
For the 10th consecutive year, the Utah Worksite Wellness Council (UWWC) awarded UVU the 2025 Platinum Worksite Wellness Award for its UVUFit employee wellness program. The UWWC is a partnership of Utah wellness professionals who help organizations build effective worksite wellness programs and methods that improve employee health. UVU was one of two schools within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) to receive the Platinum distinction.
“This award reinforces the university’s commitment to empowering employees to prioritize their overall wellness and lead healthier lives.""
— Cameron Evans, UVU Assistant Director of Talent, Wellness, and Leaves
UVU received recognition from EduMed.org for its online nursing and allied health programs. UVU excelled in key healthcare areas, earning high rankings in Best Online Nursing Programs in Utah, Best Online Dental Hygiene Programs, and Best Online Respiratory Therapy Programs.
"UVU’s online programs provide an accessible, student-centered approach that not only meets the needs of today’s learners but also prepares them for future healthcare challenges.”
— Wes Harris Ricketts, Founder of EduMed
Utah Valley Magazine recognized the UVU Museum of Art at Lakemount as part of its annual “Best of Utah Valley” issue. Winners were chosen by votes from Utah Valley residents and honored at a formal ceremony in May 2025. The museum enhances UVU’s academic mission and furthers the appreciation of the visual arts for the community through the interdisciplinary exploration of art, ideas, and experience. UVU has continued gratitude for the Bastian family, who generously gifted the estate to the university.
UVU was honored by Orem’s Natural Resources Advisory Commission with the Leadership in Preserving Natural Resources Award in May 2025. The distinction recognizes residents and businesses who serve as leaders in environmental stewardship.
"This award honors the work that often goes unseen and further elevates our branding as a ‘green’ university — a place where we recognize our responsibility to be good stewards of the land.”
— Sarah Bateman, UVU Sustainability Outreach Program Manager
2024-2025
UVU’s Board of Trustees consists of prominent community figures and leaders who dedicate their time and talents to students, scholarship, and the advancement of higher education, enhancing the university’s culture of excellence.
Rick Nielsen
Chair of the Board, Superintendent of Nebo School District
Scott Smith
First Vice Chair, Qualtrics Co-Founder, Philanthropist, Educator
Jeanette Bennett
Second Vice Chair, Founder and CEO of Bennett Communcations
Paul Thompson
Former Weber State University President
Kara North
Managing Partner at Moxie Law Group, Chair of the UVU Alumni Board and UVU Foundation Board Member
Blake Modersitzki
Managing Partner at Pelion Venture Partners, Investment Leader
Noel Vallejo
Founder and CEO of TestOut
Andrea Clarke
Founder and Co-Chair of the Labor and Honor Foundation
Jeremy Hafen
President and CEO of Clyde Companies
Mimi Barney
2024-2025 Student Body President
Clark Collings
Secretary to the Board, UVU General Counsel
Rachel Arocho: Rachel Arocho, Ph.D., associate professor of family science and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, won second place in the 2024 Cognella Innovation in Teaching Awards.
Cheung Chau: Cheung Chau, UVU professor and director of orchestras, won first place in conducting in orchestra divisions, an award from The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts.
Benjamin F. Cummings: Associate Professor Benjamin F. Cummings, Ph.D., won the Arnova Editors’ Prize for Best Scholarly Paper in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
Jason Erickson: UVU Assistant Athletic Director Jason Erickson received the Public Relations Society of America Golden Spike Award for his feature story, “The Unseen Crossover: Jaden McClanahan’s Anime-Inspired Passion on the Court and in Life.”
Natalie Grecu: Associate Professor of Communication Natalie Grecu, Ph.D., received the Public Relations Society of America Arthur W. Page Center Award for Exceptional Research.
Mark Lentz: Associate Professor of History Mark Lentz, Ph.D., received the prestigious Phi Alpha Theta Faculty Advisor Research Grant in Jan. 2024 at the biennial Phi Alpha Theta Convention in Virginia.
Mandy Luszeck: Assistant Professor of English Mandy Luszeck, Ph.D., received the 2024 NCTE Affiliate Journal of Excellence Award for her work as editor of The Utah English Journal.
Mohammad A.S. Masoum: Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Chair and Professor Mohammad A.S. Masoum, Ph.D., was named to the IEEE Fellows Class of 2025 for contributions to EV charging considering power quality.
Dianne McAdams-Jones: UVU Nursing and Health Professions Professor Dianne McAdams-Jones, Ed.D., RN, CHSE, SFHEA, was selected as one of 27 fellows in the 2024 class for the Academy of Nursing Education.
Melissa Mendenhall: Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Melissa Mendenhall, Ph.D., received the 2024 Marv Tolman Award from the Utah Science Teaching Association (UtSTA).
Marilyn Meyer: Vice President of People and Culture Marilyn Meyer was named one of Utah’s 40 Over 40.
Paige Myers: Education Abroad Program Manager Paige Myers received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award for her contributions to UVU’s Education Abroad Program.
Liz Nelson: Assistant Professor of English and Literature Liz Nelson, Ph.D., received an Honorable Mention for the English Journal Edwin M. Hopkins Award.
Jeffrey Nielsen: UVU Instructor and Ethics Bowl Coach Jeffrey Nielsen received the Pat Croskery Memorial Award, a national honor given to a coach who fosters competitive excellence, moral reasoning, civil discourse, and respect for opposing viewpoints.
Jeff Packer: German Program Director and Associate Professor Jeff Packer, Ph.D., was recognized with the Goethe-Institut/AATG Certificate of Merit, a national award from the American Association of Teachers of German.
Val Peterson: Vice President of Administration and Strategic Relations Val Peterson, Ph.D., was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award as part of the One Utah Service Fellowship ceremony.
Rasha Qudisat: Chief Engagement and Effectiveness Officer Rasha Qudisat, Ph.D., was named one of Utah’s 40 Over 40.
Laurel Riding: UVU Student Leadership and Involvement’s Laurel Riding received the Region V National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Support Staff Award.
Laurie Sharp: Laurie Sharp, Ph.D., senior associate provost of Academic Programs, Assessment, and Accreditation, was appointed to serve as Utah’s academic representative on the Board of Commissioners for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Over the past year, UVU faculty have produced impactful research featured in peer-reviewed journals and respected academic platforms. To honor these accomplishments, we’ve curated a selection of faculty publications that highlight the depth, breadth, and influence of their scholarly work, ranging from the sciences to the humanities.
2025
In Feb. 2025, UVU honored alumni and community members who live the university's mission and have distinguished themselves through career success and efforts in supporting UVU students.
Alumni Impact Award
Akwasi Frimpong ‘13
Honorary Alumni Award
Blake Modersitzki and Sandy Modersitzki
University Partner Award
Capita Financial Network, represented by Michael Littledike ‘08 and Britney Littledike ‘09
Distinguished Alumni Award
Roy Banks ‘96
EverGREEN Award
Chelsea Baugh ‘08 and Casey Baugh
Wilson W. Sorensen Lifetime Achievement Award
Hugh Rode
In April 2025, the UVU Presidential and Board of Trustees Awards of Excellence recognized and honored 11 full-time faculty and staff members who dedicate their time and talents to students, scholarship, and the advancement of higher education. Through their work, these employees nurture student success and uphold the ideals that make UVU a place for all students.
Board of Trustees
Mario Markides
Assistant Dean, College of Health and Public Service
Barney Nye
Associate Vice President of Access and Outreach, Student Affairs
Wade Oliver
Senior Director of Adult Learner Support Initiatives, Academic Affairs
Evelyn Porter
Professor, College of Science
Tami Pugmire
Director of Donor Scholarship Stewardship, Institutional Advancement
Presidential
Rachel Bi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Woodbury School of Business
Jody Birch
Senior Director of Integrated Marketing, University Marketing and Communications
Riley Johnson
Assistant Director of End User Technology Support, Digital Transformation
Mitch Murdock, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Woodbury School of Business
Christine Peterson
Executive Program Manager, People and Culture
Frank Young
Associate Vice President of Facilities and Planning, Administration and Strategic Relations
