Dear UVU Community,
What an extraordinary few months it has been for me as president of Utah Valley University!
Thank you for the kindness, warmth, and genuine friendship that you have extended
to me since I began my tenure in September. My family and I have had smooth and rough
spots in our transition to a new life, but not once have we doubted that UVU is exactly
the place where we want to be. We have been energized by the people here, and have
loved every musical, academic, art, and athletic event we’ve attended.
During these last few months, I have spoken to our faculty, staff, and students in
large and small settings, soliciting candid feedback in a still-continuing “listening
tour.” These conversations have helped me better understand the culture, needs, and
strengths of our university. I have also had the opportunity to speak to numerous
external stakeholders and now better appreciate UVU’s role as an economic engine for
our service region and state, as well as a critical player in Utah’s higher education
landscape.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past and pivot to meet the challenges of
the future, I would like us to focus on UVU as a place where we INCLUDEall who want
to receive a meaningful postsecondary education. We are in the business of preparing
people for work and life. We remain committed to open admissions and to the integrated
mission of a community college and university.
UVU is also a place where we ENGAGEin rigorous and meaningful academic preparation
and experiential learning. But our engagement does not stop there. Each of us engages
deeply by bringing our best selves to work every day; owning our responsibilities
as students, staff, faculty, and administration; and harnessing our resources for
the most impactful use.
Finally, UVU is a place where we help one another and our larger community to ACHIEVEdreams
and aspirations in education, employment, and a dignified life. We are focused on
student success. This means not only terminal degrees, but an overall positive university
experience that helps each member of our community move forward with hope and resilience.
To INCLUDE, ENGAGE, and ACHIEVE, we will focus on a culture of exceptional care, exceptional
accountability, and exceptional results. We will always aspire to be better than what
we are. Among other things, this means stretching ourselves to promote the well-being
of our students physically and mentally; improving student completion and retention
rates; helping our students develop character; behaving with the highest integrity
and ethics; using our resources wisely; achieving greater victories in athletics;
and setting new standards in the arts. As president of UVU, I am committed to reinforcing
and living our values and working with all of you so UVU can shine brighter.
As you read this edition of UVU Magazine, I hope that you will see the exceptional
culture that allows our students to thrive, and the efforts we make to include, engage,
and achieve. This is evident, for example, in the programmatic excellence of our Woodbury
School of Business and in the academic success of our student-athletes. You will also
see the strengths of UVU’s culture and mission as you read about our theater alumnus,
Chase Ramsey, now a star on Broadway. And I’m sure you will smile as you learn why,
according to The New York Times, “penguins are human too,” an insight from novel research
into penguin paternity done by students and faculty in our biology program. Finally,
articles on our aviation and forensics programs, as well as our Outdoor Adventure
Center, will underline that we are doing exceptional work in supporting student success.
Thank you for the support that you provide the nearly 40,000 students who call UVU
their academic home. We are proud of the institution and culture that we are building.
We are part of a story and a purpose truly greater than ourselves.
Warmest regards,
Astrid S. Tuminez
President
