“Be tenacious, don’t be afraid.” Ann Drayer, Enrollment Counselor in Concurrent Enrollment at Utah Valley University (UVU), has embraced this philosophy in every aspect of her life.

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Ann graduated from high school there before starting school and work at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). While earning two associate degrees in general studies and art, Ann also worked as a student worker and an administrative assistant in multiple departments at TMCC, including daycare, business industry, and graduate school.

Ann eventually left TMCC and began working at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). For about seven and a half years, Ann worked as an administrative assistant in UNR’s graduate school and nursing program.

However, when Ann’s sister and family went through hard times, Ann became their primary caretaker for seven years. After that, Ann went to North Carolina for a year to assist her sister, whose husband had just been deployed and whose daughter was very ill. When her brother-in-law returned from his military deployment, Ann returned to Reno and began work at TMCC once again.

Due to Reno’s small size and large population, the job market is very competitive, and it was hard to find full-time work. Ann worked at TMCC part-time before moving to Utah and accepting a position at UVU. Ann worked as an administrative assistant in Distance Education until its dissolution, when she took the same role in UVU’s Extended Studies Program. In this position, Ann was responsible for handling reports, talking to facilitators, helping students, proctoring tests, handling live interactive, and making sure things ran smoothly overall.

When Extended Studies was also dissolved, Ann joined Concurrent Enrollment as Enrollment Counselor. In this capacity, she helps students with scheduling and registering; as well as admissions and live interactive.

When asked why Ann believes high school students should do concurrent enrollment classes she talked about what a great opportunity it is and how many resources are available to them at a young age. “They will have so much support and resources; it’s best to take advantage of that.”

Education is important to Ann, which is why she is currently going to school at UVU to receive her bachelor’s in integrated studies. “Be tenacious, don’t be afraid.” Receiving her bachelor’s degree and furthering her education is just another way Ann is putting this philosophy into play.

We are grateful to have Ann’s tenacity here at UVU Concurrent Enrollment and for all she has done in her time as a Wolverine