Peni was born in Hawaii and raised in Kearns, Utah, where he graduated from high school. After graduation, Peni attended the University of Utah for one semester before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honolulu, Hawaii. Serving his mission in Hawaii gave Peni the opportunity to return to his roots. Upon returning from his mission, Peni attended Snow College, playing football as a linebacker. While there, he earned his associate degree in general studies, served as the academic vice president, and met his wife while attending a Polynesian club event.

After Peni and his wife got married and graduated with their associate degrees, Peni was recruited to Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to continue his education and football career. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in secondary education with an emphasis in social studies. Immediately after completing his undergraduate degree, Peni began his graduate degree in guidance and counseling. While pursuing his master’s degree, Peni had the chance to be a graduate assistant in the Multicultural Affairs program, getting a feel for the different student services offered.

Once Peni graduated with his master’s degree, he became the director of the Multicultural Affairs program. This position accounted for the majority of time Peni and his family spent in South Dakota. While in this position, Peni had many different professional opportunities and had a hand in many different realms, including creating a rugby team that won a national championship.

Peni then served as the director of Trio Upward Bound, covering Trio’s high school component. Trio is a federal program and there are several programs under their umbrella. Though Peni and his family always planned to move back to Utah, they benefited from numerous prosperous opportunities that kept them in South Dakota.

Eventually, his family did make the move back to Utah, and Peni accepted a position at UVU in the First-Year Advising Center, where his main responsibility was to be the representative for the Woodbury School of Business.

“It was good to take that time to really observe and learn about UVU,” Peni said of his time in the center. “A lot of awesome things are going on here!”

Peni then moved to Concurrent Enrollment, becoming Director of Advising. In this position Peni helps lead the advising team in their work in the high schools and representing Concurrent Enrollment. Peni said he was so excited to move to Concurrent Enrollment because it had “a history of success.”

Peni said students should do Concurrent Enrollment classes in high school because it can help them develop the confidence and ability to do hard things. “I can do this! This was a college class, it was hard, and I did it!” He also focused on how much Concurrent Enrollment can help students plan their future. “If you can come into college with an idea of what you want to do, your focus will help lead to your success.”

Peni expressed gratitude for the students, teachers, advisors, and staff in Concurrent Enrollment. “I love my job, love the people I work with, love the people I report to, and love the people I sit at the table with. It’s nice to work with people who put students first.”

We at Concurrent Enrollment are so happy we get to sit at the same table as Peni and for all he has done in his time as a Wolverine!