The College of Science builds the scientific economy and scientific literacy of the Wasatch Front region and beyond. We carry out this mission by offering academic degrees, certificates, and courses, including service and general education courses, and opportunities for collaborative research by students and faculty, in an atmosphere which encourages innovation and which creates opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders to attain their personal and professional goals.
I am excited to reflect on the incredible impact our graduates are making in the world. While many of our students initially come to us with the goal of becoming medical doctors, we encourage them to explore the wide range of opportunities available to them in every field of science. Our graduates are making a difference in countless ways, from working as physicians and scientists in Utah’s thriving biomedical industry to developing products for nutraceutical companies to identifying valuable mineral resources. They are helping to ensure a safe water supply, leading the way in the outdoor recreation economy, and conducting analyses that help a variety of industries thrive. And, of course, graduates from all of our departments are teaching at the secondary level, shaping the minds of future generations. The common thread among all of our graduates is their desire to help people. While many of them do go on to become doctors, they also recognize that every field of science provides opportunities to make a difference in the world. They are using their knowledge and skills to keep people healthy and safe, to grow and maintain a healthy economy, and to educate and inspire others. As we move forward, I am proud to lead a college that is making Utah healthier and wealthier through the pursuit of scientific knowledge. I look forward to another year of growth and achievement, and I encourage each and every one of you to explore the many opportunities available to you in the College of Science.
Dr. Danny Horns
Dean, College of Science
Professional Profile
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 801-863-8582
Office: SB 241
Assistant Professor - Exercise Science
Kathryn Dispennette
Dr. Kathryn Dispennette earned her B.S. in Exercise Science and B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, her M.S. in Kinesiology from Western Kentucky University, and her Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus on human behavior from The Ohio State University, before launching her faculty career at UVU — where she plans to stay.
Her research has spanned oncology exercise science, resistance training, muscle dysmorphia, and most recently the acoustical properties of Himalayan singing bowls, with work published and presented at venues including the American College of Sports Medicine and the Acoustical Society of America.
Originally from Pittsboro, North Carolina, Dr. Dispennette brings both scholarly rigor and genuine enthusiasm to her teaching and is deeply committed to the students and colleagues she works alongside every day. She shares her life with her husband Kit Scott and their one-year-old daughter Evren, and she appreciates the mountain views from her office window as a daily reminder of why she loves calling Utah home.
Assistant Professor - Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation
Nic Clark
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dr. Nic Clark developed a passion for sport and human performance early in life, competing as a sailboat racer and earning his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He went on to earn his M.S. in Health and Human Movement from Utah State University and his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Central Florida, where his research focused on fatigue thresholds, autonomic nervous system behavior, and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise.
Since joining UVU in Fall 2021, Dr. Clark has taught courses in exercise testing, clinical exercise physiology, and research methods, while also developing the Exercise is the Best Prescription (EBP) program, a community outreach initiative that connects trained student interns with UVU employees, students, and community members through evidence-based fitness assessments and personalized exercise prescriptions. He has been recognized as UVU Athleticsʼ Most Valuable Professor in consecutive years and serves as Primary Investigator on a $30,000 UVU Grants for Engaged Learning project examining body composition in World Senior Games competitors, with five student-led research presentations accepted at the 2026
American College of Sports Medicine National Meeting. Dr. Clark credits the people, collaborative spirit, and institutional support at UVU as what makes his work here especially meaningful, and he shares his life with his wife Fernanda and their five-year-old daughter Eva.
Professor - Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning
Roxanne Brinkerhoff
Originally from West Point, Utah, Professor Roxanne Brinkerhoff began her career in higher education as an adjunct instructor at Weber State University before joining UVUʼs Developmental Math Department in Fall 2008. Over the course of her career at UVU, she has steadily advanced from Instructor to Assistant Professor, then to tenured Associate Professor, and in 2022 attained the rank of full Professor through sustained excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship.
She has co-authored three mathematics textbooks published through Utah Valley University
and has contributed to
peer-reviewed journals on topics including generative AI integration in undergraduate
mathematics and increasing social presence in asynchronous courses. In 2024, she was
honored with the Academic Innovation Pedagogy Group Award from Academic Affairs, reflecting
her continued commitment to innovative and student-centered instruction.
Professor Brinkerhoff values the collaborative culture at UVU, noting that the opportunity to engage in shared governance, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship within a community focused on student success makes her work especially fulfilling, and she is the proud mother of three children.
Administrative Support III - Chemistry
Kellie D. Hancock
A dedicated member of the UVU community for twenty years, Kellie Hancock has been an indispensable part of the College of Science since joining the university as an administrative assistant supporting the Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics departments. As those departments grew, Kellieʼs role evolved, and she now focuses her expertise exclusively on the Chemistry Department, where her institutional knowledge and commitment to service continue to make a lasting impact.
She has been recognized for her outstanding contributions twice before, receiving the College of Science Distinguished Staff Award in both 2007 and 2015, making this her third such honor. Kellie holds an Associate in Science in Business Management and is known across campus for building strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students alike.
Originally from Spanish Fork, Utah, Kellie and her husband Mike are the proud parents of two sons, Wyatt and Rhett, and she enjoys reading, attending concerts, exercising, and shopping in her spare time.
Adjunct Instructor - Biology
Brittany L. Bugg
A proud UVU alumna, Brittany Bugg earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology (2017) and her Bachelor of Science in Botany (2022) from Utah Valley University, where she also made the Deanʼs List in her final year. Her passion for the natural world extends well beyond the classroom. She has served as a wildlife educator and “owl expert” at Sundance Mountain Resort since 2016, has been a volunteer and board member of Great Basin Wildlife Rescue since 2017, and completed an environmental education internship at Tracy Aviary in 2015.
Since Fall 2022, Brittany has served as an adjunct biology lab instructor at UVU, and her dedication to undergraduate research is reflected in her co-authored publication in the American Journal of Botany (2026) on phylotranscriptomics and genome size evolution in Leucaena.
She lives in Santa Clara, Utah with her husband Spencer, their seven-year-old son Silas, and two reptile companions, and enjoys birding, gardening, and exploring Utahʼs native plants in her spare time. Brittany cherishes the inclusive and welcoming environment at UVU and is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of biology with students from around the world.
Academic Advisor II - Biology and Earth Science
Kinzie Greer
A UVU alumna herself, Kinzie Greer earned her Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science in Family Science from Utah Valley University in 2023, and her path to advising began during her student years when she worked as a peer advisor in UVUʼs Pre-Professional Center from 2021 to 2022. Since joining the College of Science as a full-time advisor in January 2023, she has advised students across eleven different programs, and enthusiastically took on advising responsibilities for the Earth Science programs when a vacancy arose — quickly developing a deep appreciation for the department and its students.
Her commitment to the profession is reflected in her certifications as an Academic Advisor II, Certified Family Life Educator, and Certified Trauma Support Specialist, as well as her recognition as UVUʼs Advisor of the Month in January 2025 and her nomination for the NACADA 2024 New Advisor of the Year Award.
Originally from Saratoga Springs, Utah, Kinzie is the oldest of seven siblings, loves biking, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends, and shares a love of dogs with her husband, whom she famously met in a statistics study group. She believes wholeheartedly that the people surrounding you can make or break a job — and she is grateful every day for the students, colleagues, and mentors who have made UVU feel like home.
Develop Courses to Succeed
Create courses and programs for students' success in science careers or advanced studies.
Engaging Teaching
Foster engaging teaching for better learning and retention.
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
Enhance teaching with hands-on, out-of-class learning experiences.
Facilitate Research
Support faculty expertise in research and teaching through training
Advise to Completion
Improve degree completion with effective advising.
Promote Science Education
Advance science and science education through K-12 and public outreach.
Secure Needed Resources
Foster support, partnerships, and resources to fulfill the College of Science's mission.
Consistent Messaging
Establish a cohesive brand identity and message through marketing and communications.
Associate Dean
Associate Dean
Finance Manager
Administrative Support
Assistant Dean
MarCom Manager - COS
