Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
About Kayson Scott Christensen
Kayson Scott Christensen is from Payson, Utah, and attended Salem Hills High School. He is receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Christensen is proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA in the mechanical engineering program, and he has enjoyed working closely on research with his professors. Christensen has accepted a position in mechanical engineering at Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah. His hobbies include woodworking and working on his 1970 Honda Scrambler motorcycle.
Associate of Applied Science
Mechatronics Engineering Technology
About Isaac Joshua Allen
A native of Eagle Mountain, Utah, Isaac Joshua Allen attended Westlake High School. He is receiving an associate degree in applied science in mechatronics engineering technology. Allen has maintained a 4.0 GPA and made the dean’s list every semester at UVU. He says the hands-on experience he received at UVU has helped him gain the technical education and experience needed to make his ideas a reality. Allen and his wife, Lundyn, have a daughter, Martie, born in 2022. He enjoys weightlifting, fishing, hunting, snowboarding, and playing guitar.
Bachelor of Science
Public Health
About Abigail Hall
Abigail Hall is originally from Clinton, Utah, and attended Syracuse High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in December 2022 in public health. Hall has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been included on the dean’s list every semester at UVU. After graduation, she began working as a wellness specialist for the UVU Wellness Program, where she also worked as an intern for 18 months. She will start her master’s program at Brigham Young University in the fall. Hall enjoys running, hiking, playing and watching sports, baking, and playing the piano.
Associate of Applied Science
Emergency Services
About Thomas Dymond
Thomas Dymond is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended Olympus High School. He is receiving an Associate of Applied Science in firefighting. Dymond is on track to finish his bachelor’s degree in emergency management by the end of this year. Prior to coming to UVU, Dymond began a career in aerospace but decided to switch to a field he’d wanted to work in since he was young. He says UVU has been foundational in helping him build a base of skills and connections that can lead to a long and successful career. He is an avid camper, hiker, and motorcycle traveler.
Bachelor of Science
Political Science
About Natalie Williams
Natalie Williams is from Moab, Utah, and graduated from Landmark High School. They are graduating with honors with a B.S. in political science with an emphasis in peace and justice studies and a minor in business management. While attending UVU, Williams received the Presidential Scholarship, was a member of the UVU Honors Program, and spoke at the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters. They want to thank their family and partner for their love and support. Outside of academia, Williams enjoys reading, crocheting, and rock climbing.
Bachelor of Science
Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation
About Chloe Victoria Weight
Chloe Victoria Weight is from Provo, Utah, and attended Timpview High School before studying at UVU. She is receiving a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Weight says UVU was always her first-choice university because of its accepting nature, hands-on learning, small class sizes, and dynamic learning environment. She is proud of scoring over 100 on her anatomy midterm and final exams and of working throughout her degree and graduating debt-free. Weight is an avid traveler and has visited 17 countries since starting at UVU. She enjoys all outdoor activities, including snowboarding, rock climbing, and bungee jumping.
Bachelor of Science
Music, Commercial Music
About Joseph Eric Osterstock
Joseph Eric Osterstock is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended Olympus High School. He chose to attend UVU because of its unique degree offering in commercial music. He enjoys composing original pieces; one of his symphonic works was selected to be performed at UVU’s Concerto Night, and he established his own music studio in Salt Lake City. Osterstock most valued the private music lessons he received from his many outstanding educators and getting to play famous orchestral works with his classmates. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in composition and continue writing concert works and pieces for media.
Associate of Arts
Art and Design, Entertainment Design
About Faith Nielson
Faith Nielson is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended Granger High School. Prior to attending UVU, she served nine years in the United States Army Reserves, where she developed a dedication to duty that helped her in her studies. She is proud of how much her art has improved since being able to learn from her artistic peers and knowledgeable professors, and several of her art pieces have been featured in recent art showings. Nielson plans to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in entertainment design and hopes to put her artistic skills to use in a larger studio.
Bachelor of Science
Elementary Education
About Lessa Harding
Lessa Harding is from Springville, Utah, and graduated from Eastlake High School in Sammamish, Washington, in 2002. While at UVU, she maintained a 4.0 GPA and made the dean’s list every semester she attended school full time. Her favorite part about attending UVU was working with a cohort who became family and mentors who truly cared about her well-being and success. Harding plans to continue teaching third grade and pursue a Master of Education. She enjoys traveling the world both in print and life, walking her dog in the mountains, and raising her four children, Liliana, Owen, Evan, and Molly.
Associate of Science
University Studies
About Joshua Jumper
Joshua Jumper is from Bluffdale, Utah, and attended Jordan High School. As an aspiring medical professional, he chose to attend UVU because of its strong curriculum in the sciences and its commitment to preparing students for successful careers in healthcare. While at UVU, he worked as an anatomy student volunteer and physiology teaching assistant for several semesters. He also conducted research with several professors. Halfway through his studies, Jumper completed a military deployment and successfully transitioned back into an online learning environment due to COVID-19. He plans on completing his undergraduate degree and preparing for medical school.
Bachelor of Science
Business Management
About MaKel McCracken
MaKel McCracken is from West Jordan, Utah, and attended Copper Hills High School. She is receiving a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in Russian studies. McCracken has maintained a 4.0 GPA and was a speaker nominee for the 2021 UVU President’s Ball. Following graduation, she is looking forward to a summer internship in Moldova and pursuing an MBA in the fall. McCracken loves to explore the world with her family and has had the chance to volunteer in places including Mali, Samoa, and Mexico.
Associate of Applied Science
Business Management
About Kennedi Creer
Kennedi Creer is from Cedar Hills, Utah, and attended Lone Peak High School. She is receiving an associate degree in business management. Creer has been included on the dean’s list every semester and has already set her sights on an MBA after she receives her bachelor’s degree. Creer says UVU has given her the tools and skills necessary to be confident in her future career. She has also enjoyed getting to know people with similar aspirations as her. Creer hopes to someday open her own event venue.
