February 2023
Institutional Update
President McIff
February is the month of love, and Snow College has received lots of love over the past couple of weeks! Earlier this month, we hosted our first-ever Snow Day on the Hill in Salt Lake at the Capitol. Each academic division, our Athletic Department, and the GRIT Center shared displays representative of their areas. Faculty, staff, and students talked with legislators, state leaders, and other influencers. Students wore t-shirts highlighting our goals of helping them graduate debt-free, gain work experience, and develop a plan for the future. That message caught the attention of legislators and created a very positive energy in the Rotunda. Speaking of love, I couldn’t believe how many people at the event shared their own family’s Snow stories with great affection. We can be incredibly proud of our reach and the way we have impacted so many individuals and families across the state.
With the help of Senator Derrin Owens, Representative Carl Albrecht, and Representative Steve Lund, Snow College was introduced on the Senate and House floors and given the chance to present to the Majority and Minority Caucuses. Each legislator also received a Snow College Badger and handout summarizing our priorities for the session. If you see Senator Owens, Representative Albrecht, Representative Lund, or any other legislator, please thank them for their service and advocacy. They genuinely care about us and are doing all they can to help Snow College.
Our task is to tell our story, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and provide others with the information they need to help move the college forward. Our students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and partners expertly told that story at Snow Day on the Hill. They all came together to make a memorable impression, and we felt the support of our state’s legislators for the unique and important role Snow College plays in Utah higher ed. We’re getting positive attention like we’ve never had before, and this momentum will help us serve more students and focus on our high standards of student success. It’s been an honor to represent our college, give presentations to various committees, which can be viewed here, and tell our story multiple times this month to our legislators. Thank you for making this an exceptional story to tell!
We appreciate those who planned and participated in Snow Day on the Hill and look forward to returning next year. Special thanks goes to Marci Larsen, Rob Nielson, Lynsi Wade, Donna Birk, Heidi Strigham, and TaraLee Cook. Because of this all-star planning team and the creative work of our communications and marketing team, Snow College made its mark on the Capitol.
If you’re interested in tracking current legislative happenings that impact higher education, subscribe to USHE’s Newsletter here. You can also read posted articles in their Newsroom. We will give a recap and summary of the legislative session during our next Town Hall meeting. I hope you’re excited about what we are doing and where we are headed! Thank you for making Snow such a special place. Because of you, thousands of people all over the world loved their Snow College experience and hold Snow close to their hearts.
Stacee
Finance and Administrative Services
Hello Badgers! Last month in the newsletter, I indicated that if you need help with something, please reach out to the team. This month I wanted to let you all know about resources that are available through the Finance and Administrative Services teams.
If you have questions about computer hardware or software, please reach out to the IT helpdesk. The helpdesk can be reached by dialing 7777 from your phone. You can also submit a ticket on the IT webpage www.snow.edu/it under "contact."
Title IX/Risk Management is available if you have any concerns related to safety or discrimination. If you see something that concerns you, please bring it up. Any discussions are confidential and we really just want to make Snow College a safe environment for everyone!
Public Safety is available to help with immediate safety situations. Do not hesitate to call if there is an emergency. They can be reached by dialing 7171. If there is an immediate emergency, dial 911.
Human Resources is here to support you. If there are employment concerns or questions, please stop by. Someone is always there and discussions are confidential.
There are other resources available to you. Please speak up if you need something. We are here to support you.
Technical Education and Industry Connections
February Technical Education news highlights the work of Snow’s CTE Director, Becky Callister, and CTE Directors from school districts in the Six-County area and their coordinated work with our technical education faculty.
On February 8th Snow College’s Ralph Okerlund School of Technical Education hosted the second annual CTE Pathway Completer Recognition day. One hundred and fifty-one seniors were recognized for their high school coursework in one of twenty career and technical education pathways. Students from twelve high schools participated. The students were recognized for their concentrated effort in a CTE pathway that connects to Snow’s technical education programs. Students were recognized at lunch and received a $500 scholarship certificate. The scholarship will be applied when they register for one of Snow’s technical education programs. Thanks to Gary Chidester and his video team for videoing the event for parents to watch on Snow TV’s youtube channel.
Snow’s technical education programs that align with Utah CTE pathways include Auto, Diesel, Machining, Composites, Industrial Mechanics, Construction, Agriculture Technology, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assisting, Digital Marketing, and Networking/Cybersecurity. Follow-up effort includes the admissions team and faculty visiting each high school and meeting with each student that was recognized to register them for classes.
Academic Affairs
As part of the celebration of Snow at the Capitol, our five academic divisions displayed some of the highlights of their programs. For example, Business and Technology showcased many of their hands-on programs; Fine Arts and Communication displayed costumes, music, and art produced by students; Humanities celebrated the diversity of our student body as represented by home-country flags of our international students; Natural Science and Math created a bridge to the future to illustrate the value of education; Social Science highlighted the broad range of the programs included in their division.
Students from each division were also present to share their experiences at Snow. Our students really shine, and their love of the institution is evident as they talk about their remarkable professors and their supportive staff. They are our best ambassadors.
Who's New?
We welcome the following individuals to the Snow College Team:
| Cameron Brooks | Executive Director of Advancement/Government Relations |
| Chris Snyder | Student Success Coach |
| Davis Kunzler | Student Success Coach |
| Emerson Steele | Records Assistant |
| Brandon Davis | Theatre Shop Foreman |
| Hunter Batten | Football Assistant Coach |
| Clifton Taylor | Adjunct |
| Traiton Beaumont | General Maintenance Worker, Ephraim Campus |
| Matthew Singletary | Adjunct |
| Jenna Prestwich | Administrative Assistant, Natural Sciences and Mathematic Division |
| David Barker | Instructor Construction Management |
| Erin Thompson | Deputy Head Student Activities |
| Laura Obray | Instructor Clinical Nursing |
Staff Report
Staff Association has been doing some great things! In December our Wellness Committee
put together a Christmas tree decorating contest. The response was wonderful. Campus
was beautiful with all the Christmas trees.
On February 8, our Professional Development Committee hosted a Lunch and Learn activity
with fun games and lunch vouchers. It was great to have some fun with all of our work
friends. Studies show that up to 80% of people in the workplace don't have friends.
Let's make that a goal this year to make more friends on campus! Stop by different
offices and say hello. Check on those that you know may be struggling. Let's build
upon that family feel at Snow and take care of each other!
Watch for some surveys from our friends from the Wellness Committee. They need your
input on what wellness activities and events would be fun and helpful to the staff.
We are still looking for members on various committees. Namely the Legislative Committee.
You can volunteer online at Snow.edu/Staff Association.
Speaking of Legislature. I would like to encourage you all to follow the legislative
session since there are a few bills that directly affect higher education.
Faculty Report
Lunch Bunch is held this semester once a month on the Ephraim Campus the First Tuesday and on the Richfield campus on the Thursday after the first Tuesday at 12:30 in GSC. Justin Thorpe includes a Canvas tip and various topics are discussed relating to faculty interests. And Free Lunch, who doesn’t love that. Come and bring a faculty friend.
Senate President Matt Gowans and Faculty Association President Heidi Johnson express
a sincere thanks to all who have expressed their opinions about the ongoing search
for a permanent president for Snow. Keep the ideas coming through discussions, emails,
etc. as the process continues. Both of them serve on the search committee and appreciate
your input.
Faculty Offices in the Sevier Valley Center have been slated to get ceilings this
coming summer/fall. After many years of trying not to disturb our neighbors by talking
too loud or inadvertently hearing conversations over the walls, we are glad to know
the solution is nigh.
The Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division continues to hold weekly Science Seminars
on Thursdays at 4:30 in the GrSC room 154. All are welcome to attend. Treats are usually
doled out too.
Athletics Update
The Snow College winter sports are winding down and pushing toward postseason play.
Men’s and women’s basketball have four more regular season games in the month of
February before potentially participating in the Scenic West Athletic Conference Tournament.
Men’s Basketball is coming off a thrilling victory over No. 5 Salt Lake Community
College winning 84-83. They currently sit in third place within the SWAC standings
and would face SLCC in the first round of the tournament if it started today.
Women’s basketball also defeated SLCC and improve to 10-13 overall and 7-7 within
the SWAC, which slots them comfortably in fourth place in the standings and they would
play the College of Southern Idaho in the first round of the SWAC tournament.
Men’s wrestling had its final tune-up before the Region 18 Tournament taking on Air
Force and Utah Valley University. They have won five duals and have had a ton of success
in their first season.
Women’s wrestling had five placers at the Grand View Open last week and is currently
ranked seventh in the NJCAA Women’s Wrestling Rankings. They will participate in the
National Tournament beginning March 3.
Richfield Update
The New Year ignites new energy and excitement as the Richfield Campus fully staffs their innovative Student Services and Success Team. Brandon Hawkins, the recently appointed Director of Student Services and Success leads the team that includes the Richfield campus’ academic advising, admissions, and student life offices as well as the facilitation and collaboration of off-campus student housing.
This new task-force style team of professionals has the primary objective to grow and support the Richfield student populations and is designed for maximum collaboration and student support. In addition to reporting directly to the Director for Student Services and Success, team members will continue to work in partnership with the offices and professions from their respective fields.
The team is already partnering on multiple events and projects such as the scheduling and coordination of tutoring service with a study hall, partnering with community organizations to host a regional expo to highlight Snow College programs, and creating new opportunities to develop student clubs and larger student activities for students from both campuses. Expect great things from this group of professionals!
Picture from left to right: Erin Thompson, Keira Huntsman, Kylee Boyter, Cynthia Avery, Amy Lund, Ross Taylor, and Kimball Bastian.
Social Media
By The Numbers
Legislative Handout