5 Utah Valley University Rotaractors including the author of this piece attended the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club's weekly meeting on August 26th, 2026. The event was hosted at the Orem Golden Coral and was a meeting of the Rotary members discussing upcoming events and service projects. This meeting was important because it was where the UVU Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), which includes the UVU Rotaract, presented its experiences on their Geneva-New York study abroad to the United Nations (UN). The Rotary talked about many of its upcoming events, and members of the UVU UIMF and Rotaract spoke on their study abroad.
The Orem-Lindon Rotary presenting weekly information to the UIMF and fellow Rotarians
The Rotary spoke on various events that were upcoming in the next few weeks of the club’s agenda. Topics that were addressed included acknowledgement of a magazine entry in the Shawnee County jail in Topeka, Kansas, highlighting efforts by their local Rotary club to assist the local female prison population in rehabilitation and reintegration into the local community. The Rotary also highlighted various upcoming service projects such as one immediately following the meeting to donate clothes to elementary schoolers, an event on the 16th of September to assemble hygiene kits, and a big event on September 26th to fundraise for a community member named Brandon Barrowman.
After the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club’s announcements on these projects, the UVU UIMF presented on their time spent in Geneva and New York, detailing interactions with organizations like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), representatives from countries like Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, and charities associated with the LDS church. They also shared the students' involvement with other Rotary Clubs abroad. During their study abroad, they met with Mr. Oliver Rosenbauer, who is a spokesperson for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the World Health Organization (WHO) and a fellow Rotarian. During their day with Mr. Rosenbauer, the UIMF had the opportunity to have dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel with Rotarians part of the International Rotary Club, the only women-and-men mixed club in Geneva. During the dinner, students were able to interact with Rotarians who work at the United Nations bodies and NGOs, and learn about opportunities within the international Rotary community.
Members of the UIMF ( L to R): Aemish Brock, Megan Ashcraft, and Natalia Figueroa detailing their experiences in Geneva and New York
The Rotary and UIMF’s presentations connect to the student-engaged learning model through various means, but mainly through the UIMF’s experiences in Geneva and New York. The UIMF stands as the only university organization in the United States that participates in events as high-level as the UN, with students directly engaging diplomats and representatives and learning from experience. Students were able to learn skills like problem-solving, self-sufficiency, diplomacy, and great leadership with faculty mentorship during their time at the study abroad. This is also reflected in the Rotary organization’s involvement with the UIMF, as one of the clubs the UIMF represents is the UVU Rotaract, a branching arm of the organization led by university students directly. Overall, the entire structure of the UIMF and its involvement with the Orem-Lindon Rotary is a shining example of how the student-engaged learning model can be used to great effect to empower students.
Megan Ashcraft’s induction as UVU’s Rotaract president by Orem-Lindon Rotary president Sheryl Merkley
This experience was meaningful to me because it represented the potential impacts my work and my colleagues can have in the field of social work and political science. The UIMF’s ability to travel to Geneva and New York and participate in high-level discussions with professionals in the field shows me that the ceiling of my potential at UVU is vastly higher than at other universities. As a fledgling member of this organization, my excitement to participate has only grown seeing how organizations like the Rotary and UIMF are so interested in student involvement. The Rotary is an organization that highlights key humanitarian aspects that should be valued across the globe, and their efforts show me that positive change and impact can be made in the world, and that a better future is possible. Overall, the experience of observing and documenting this event has helped me to understand the importance of the student-engaged learning model, service organizations like the Rotary, and student-led organizations like the UIMF and how their impact can be felt across various professional and organizational domains that I have the potential to participate in. Events like this prove that my future is bright in the UIMF and Utah political ecosystem, and that great people are putting in effort to change the world for the better.
Group photo of the Orem-Lindon Rotary and UIMF members after the meeting
Thank you to the Orem-Lindon Rotary for hosting the event, and to the UIMF for sharing their experiences in Geneva and New York. An extra thank you to Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev, advisor for the UIMF; Aemish Brock, President of the Foreign Affairs club under the UIMF; Natalia Figueroa, President of the UIMF; and Megan Ashcraft, President of the UVU Rotaract, for their help integrating me into this program and detailed presentations at the event. Their efforts have spearheaded student-engaged learning and accessibility for students in the field of political science.
Jackson Weech, Vice President - Foreign Affairs Club, BA Political Science at UVU
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Utah District Newsletter About UVU Rotaractors Presentation
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