Utah Valley University hosted its annual K-16 Alliance Leadership Summit on Friday, Dec. 7.

 

The alliance is a partnership between UVU, Mountainland Technical College (MTECH), area school districts, and charter schools focused on student success. Its priority is providing opportunities for students, and bringing educators together across schools, colleges, technical colleges, and universities.

 

This year, the summit focused on the educational pathways in four specific areas: advanced manufacturing, web technologies, health care, and automotive and diesel. In attendance at the conference were over 100 faculty, superintendents, administrators, advisers, and high school counselors. Speakers included UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez and MTECH President Clay Christensen.

 

During a portion of the event, attendees were split into groups and given guiding questions to discuss where they have places in the curriculum that intersect.

 

“It was inspiring to see so many faculty members from UVU and MTECH working together and exchanging ideas,” said Trish Baker, senior director of extended education. “Creating pathways for students is truly a faculty-driven process, where experts in the field come together to find intersections in the curriculum, then decide how they can provide seamless opportunities for students.”

 

According to Baker, the benefits of this are huge. “For students, it can decrease time and cost to completion; for faculty, it creates a pipeline of high-quality and engaged students; and for our region, it helps meet workforce and economic development needs. These agreements really do benefit everyone — and we are very excited to see this happen!”

 

The summit will be held again in December of 2019.

 

###

 

About Utah Valley University

 

At 39,931 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.

 

University Marketing & Communications:

Scott Trotter

801-863-6807 | [email protected]

Barb Smith

801-863-5274 | [email protected]