Utah Valley University President Matthew S. Holland emphasized that “the core of our core is student success” as he delivered his final State of the University address on January 19.

 

In his address, Holland shared the observation of the Northwest Accreditation Comission which had just finished its audit. They commended Utah Valley University for its focus on and culture of student success in every area.   

 

Holland gave examples of student success areas that the university has specifically focused efforts on. Diversity and inclusion was just one of the categories. The university was recently recognized with Rose Duhon-Sells Award for Program of the Year from the National Association of Multicultural Education. 

 

Some statistics shared to support the emphasis on inclusion and diversity were that 38 percent of UVU students are first-generation students. Holland spoke of the “I AM FIRST^” campaign that was created to attract first-generation students.

 

Students of color attending UVU have increased from 8.9 to 18.1 percent in the past nine years since Holland has been with the university. He attributed this to a proactive approach for attracting not only students, but faculty of color as well.

 

Nearly 30 percent of students enrolled at UVU are more than 25 years old and 49 percent are part-time students. Washington Monthly has recognized UVU as the second best college for adult learners, Holland said. The university’s dual mission as a community college and a teaching university attracts a large number of non-traditional students who are able to succeed in this environment.

 

The university has also been able to be responsive to the needs of the community. Some of the new programs and resources available at UVU based on these needs are: a business resource center, five new master’s degree programs, engineering degrees, Career Technology Education programs with industry advisory boards, entrepreneurship programs, social media education added, cybersecurity learning resources, and a new autism center.

 

Holland then shared a story from one of his favorite panels from the Roots of Knowledge stained glass mural. This particular panel shows the Founding Fathers gathered around a table putting the final touches on the Declaration of Independence. Also shown in the panel is a chair with a half sunburst on it, which George Washington sat in during the Constitutional Convention. Holland said Benjamin Franklin told George Washington that during the Convention, he had wondered if the sun was rising or setting. At the end of the Convention, Franklin answered that he was sure that it was a rising sun.

 

Holland finished by sharing his version of Franklin’s sentiment, “For UVU, I see a rising sun. It’s never been more exciting to be a part of UVU than right now. Our very best days are ahead of us.”

 

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About Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University is home to more than 35,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community college, state college, and, finally, a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees.