“I have always had an interest in Concurrent Enrollment because of the size of it and the part it plays in student success,” says David Connelly, Utah Valley University’s (UVU) Associate Provost for Student Success and Retention.

Although born in Utah, David moved frequently during his childhood, as his father was in the Force Services. David and his family went from Utah, to Oregon, to Virginia, and eventually back to Ogden, Utah where David graduated from high school. Following his high school graduation, he spent a year at Brigham Young University (BYU) before leaving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Guatemala.

Upon completion of his two-year church mission, David returned to BYU and graduated with a bachelor’s in history. After his four-year degree, David immediately began his master’s program and graduated with an M.A. in public administration. He didn’t stop there, however, and went right into his Ph.D. in organizational behavior at the University of Albany and graduated in 2005. Of his education, David said, “I always knew that an academic life was the right thing for me.”

David met his wife while serving his mission and married her while completing his bachelor’s degree. For the remainder of his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, David and his wife worked as dorm parents at Heritage Halls, a BYU dormitory. While completing his Ph.D. David worked for the Center for Technology and Government in Albany, New York.

With his education all received and completed, David and his family moved to Illinois when he accepted a position at Western University. There, David handled public affairs and taught rural economic development with an emphasis on the information technology side. This being a continuation of what he had been doing in Albany, New York. He was in this position for eight years before moving to UVU.

Fifteen years ago, when David first arrived at UVU, he focused on the history and political science undergraduate program. Five years ago, David filled the interim position for his current position before taking it on full-time as the Associate Provost for Student Success and Retention.

For a year and a half, David has been the one in charge of overseeing Concurrent Enrollment. When asked about Concurrent Enrollment, David said that he has always had an interest in it because of how it helps with student success.

“Concurrent Enrollment gives them [students] the opportunity to understand what a college curriculum looks like.” He added, “It changes the trajectory of lives. It gets me here; it keeps me here every day.”

We are grateful David chose to come to UVU and become a Wolverine and for all he has done to help change the trajectory of so many students’ lives!