Associate Professor, Behavioral Science
Martin McDonell
Originally from Brea, California, Martin McDonell has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and a master’s degree from California State University at Long Beach. He earned a doctorate from the University of Utah. McDonell has been a mental health counselor in an in-patient psychiatry setting, a child abuse investigator for Orange County Social Services, and has been on the faculty at BYUIdaho, BYU-Hawaii, the University of Arkansas, and Utah Valley University. He earned several recognitions at BYUHawaii, including the Faculty Recognition Award (2009–2013, 2015), and the Faculty Leadership Award (2011–2014). “I believe each of my students has a tremendous desire to learn and then apply the theories to the clients and people they will serve in the social work arena upon graduation,” McDonell says. “The students are motivated and eager to get out in the field and make a difference. It makes teaching at UVU very exciting to be part of their learning experience.” McDonell is the father of five, finds cycling to be a huge passion, and loves spending time in Arizona when possible.
Assistant Professor, Integrated Studies
Gregory R. Jackson
Gregory R. Jackson is originally from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and now lives in Lehi, Utah. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and a Master of Arts in French Studies from BYU, followed by a doctorate in history from the University of Utah. Jackson has been an assistant professor in the Department of Integrated Studies since fall 2014. He contributes to several other programs as well, including French, political science, history, and national security studies, where he’s also served as assistant director since 2018. Prior to coming to UVU, Jackson taught courses in history at Westminster College and the University of Utah. He has published academic articles, book reviews, and op-eds, made expert appearances on radio, TV, and podcasts, as well as presented research at conferences across the U.S. and internationally. Jackson launched a U.S. history podcast two and a half years ago called “History That Doesn’t Suck” that has grown virally and hit the top of various charts on several podcast platforms. He also serves as a historical consultant for the highly acclaimed Wondery/Airship-produced podcast “American Elections: Wicked Game.” Among his honors, Jackson was awarded an Undergraduate Research Summer Institute Grant (UVU, 2018) and UVU Presidential Fellowship (UVU, 2017–18). “The best part of working with students at UVU are the students themselves,” Jackson says. “They are the perfect mixture of intelligence, drive, and humility. They ask for nothing while doing everything. They’re scrappy in all the right ways, yet kind, compassionate, down-to-earth, and open-minded. You can’t help but want to do everything in your power to empower and further build up students like that.” Jackson enjoys reading, rock climbing, cycling, baseball, and spending time with his family. He serves on the Lehi City Planning Commission. His wife, Sue, is also on the UVU faculty.
Administrative Assistant, Communication
Kristen Smith
Kristen Smith is from Lakeridge, Virginia, and currently lives in Provo, Utah. She received her executive office professional certification from Stanford-Brown College, in Vienna, Virginia, in 2001. She has worked at UVU since 2013. “One of my favorite things about UVU is the emphasis on continued learning,” she says. “I firmly believe learning is a lifelong process, and I love working with others who embrace that same vision.”
Associate Professor, English & Literature
Nathan Gorelick
From New York City and now living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nathan Gorelick graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from New York University. He earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in comparative literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Gorelick has been at UVU since 2010. He was named Club Advisor of the Year (Creative Writing Club, 2015), earned a grant for Engaged Learning in the Liberal Arts (2013 and 2014), and was an honorary inductee to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2014). “I am endlessly impressed by our students’ curiosity, enthusiasm, and boundless craving for knowledge,” Gorelick says. “They know we only grow when we reach and exceed our own limits, and that we are fully ourselves, most valuable to others and our wider world, most in command of our own destinies, when we commit to building rather than discovering a meaningful reality. I am immeasurably fortunate to work with such an engaged, thoughtful, inspired, and inspiring group of people.”
Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Associate Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship or Creative Work
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Advisor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Lecturer, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship or Creative Work
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Program Coordinator, Integrated Studies
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Assistant Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Academic Advisor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Administrative Assistant, Languages & Cultures
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
Advisor, History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Administrative Assistant, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Academic Advisor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Administrative Assistant, History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Professor, English & Literature
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities; Director, Peace & Justice Studies Program
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Academic Advisor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Assistant Dean, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Servicek
Professor, English & Literature
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
Communication
Dean’s Award for Excellence for Research
Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Integrated Studies
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
English & Literatures
Dean's Recognition Award for Creative Work
Behavioral Science
Dean's Recognition Award for Service
Behavioral Science
Dean's Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Integrated Studies
Dean's Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
English & Literature
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Creative Work
Behavioral Science
Dean’s Recognition Award for Service
Behavioral Science
Dean’s Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Integrated Studies
Dean’s Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
Communication
Dean's Recognition Award for Service
English & Literature
Dean’s Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Languages
Dean’s Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
