February 2025

Institutional Update

Happy February! Time keeps moving forward, and I know all of your schedules are full! With the legislature in session, trips to Capitol Hill and other key meetings have kept things especially busy. Even with all the activity, important progress continues on many fronts. Team Snow is made up of incredible individuals, and it’s inspiring to see so much dedication in action. Here’s a quick snapshot and update:

• The legislative session wraps up on March 7. You can still read weekly updates in USHE’s newsroom. Thanks to our Staff Association leaders and Academic Affairs leadership for helping keep everyone informed on all legislative matters.
• We welcomed Garett and Natalie Bolles back to campus. While the social media posts (with over 53,000 views!) are impressive and gave us a lot of exposure, the best part of the day was hearing Garett share his love of Snow College and seeing his happiness as he reconnected with former faculty members and advisors. It was a very nice day; thanks to all who made the experience so meaningful to the Bolles family.
• Our athletic teams continue to excel. Wrestlers leave next week for their national championship, and – because we are the Conference champions – we will host the Region 18 men’s basketball tournament next week. Follow all of the action at snowbadgers.com.
• Our students are often our best ambassadors, and that’s because of their experience with you. We recently had an alumna share her academic journey on Studio 5. You can watch it and other segments we have done here. Thank you for sharing positive stories like this one on your own social networks when you see them!
• We continue to watch national news and be proactive about potential implications for new laws and direction at a Federal level. If needed, you can refer to our access to space and records page.
• Plans for the new Social Science Building are underway. The steering committee is doing a great job considering all of the options and helping create a facility that will serve students for many years to come. The committee is reviewing initial architectural renderings and would be happy to show anyone interested.
• We completed the search for our new vice president. I look forward to having Tim join us in April. He is excited as well and will likely make a few trips to our campuses between now and then. Tim brings significant management experience to the role. In addition to being very capable and skilled, he is a people person and values relationships.

We plan to have a Town Hall meeting when the legislative session ends and will share updates that apply to Snow. Watch for an email and calendar invitation and join us if you can. Until then, please continue to share your feedback, support each other and our students, and find time to enjoy this beautiful February weather!

Stacee

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

The Student Connection Center, an essential hub for student engagement and support, is expanding its services to foster a stronger sense of community for first-year students. As part of its efforts, the center has introduced a Peer Mentor Outreach program, aimed at easing the transition for new students into campus life. Currently, the First Year Experience is home to 15 amazing students who are passionate about the success of others. We host Wednesday Study Breaks, anything from cookie decorating and escape rooms to Esport nights. This initiative pairs first-year students with experienced students who serve as mentors, offering guidance on academics, social life, and navigating the various resources available at the university. Peer mentors provide a crucial support network for students, helping them feel connected, informed, and empowered as they embark on their college journey.

In addition to the Peer Mentor Outreach, the Greenwood Student Center is undergoing an exciting remodel. The renovation aims to create a more welcoming space that better serves the needs of the student body. The updated design will include more study areas and social spaces. These improvements are intended to provide students with a comfortable and inspiring environment where they can engage with peers, attend events, or simply relax between classes.

Finance and Administrative Services

This update comes like a voice beyond the grave. I wanted to share with you all some of the great work that is on the horizon from the Finance and Administrative Services team.

Social Science Building

There has been a lot of work from the steering committee on the new building. We are looking into different design ideas for the exterior and interior. What I am confident in saying is that this new building will be a beautiful addition to the Ephraim campus and is intended to attract not only students, but community members and other external partners.

Washburn Building

Things are continuing to move forward with the Washburn building remodel. The legislative committee seemed pleased with the design. This will be a project that will improve the inside space and give students and employees an outside gathering space. As we continue to grow Richfield, this will be a great improvement for our campus there.

Administrative Processes

We are always looking for ways to improve the experience for employees and the many tasks that we all must do. Snow College is a $60 million operation that is funded with public money. There are a lot of hoops and processes where we must comply to ensure that we are good stewards of public funds. Our goal is to make those easy and accurate. We are looking to roll out an improved travel module that will make supervisor approvals easier and budgeting more accurate.

Lastly, I want to give a final goodbye to all of you that I have had the pleasure to work with these last five years. I have met some of the greatest, most dedicated faculty and staff. You have the biggest hearts, and you care about the students and this great college. Thank you for the lessons that I will carry with me. Go Badgers!

Academic Affairs

The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce that Dr. Anthony Beal has been named the Dean of the Division of Business and Technical Education, beginning in the Fall of 2025. Dr. Beal currently serves as the interim co-dean of the division, along with Nursing Department Chair, Professor Amber Epling. We are grateful for Professor Epling's extraordinary service this year, and we are excited that Dr. Beal will be staying on in an expanded role in the Fall.

Technical Education and Industry Connections

Health Professions – Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant

In the continuation of spreading the news of Snow’s Technical Education programs this month the Health Profession Department program offerings of Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant will be showcased.

The 3-credit CNA program at Snow College is offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Coursework is completed online, and skill pass-offs are completed at eight lab sites across our service area. Nursing Assistant students are introduced to the healthcare field and patient care. Upon successful completion, students earn their CNA Certificate and are prepared to take the Utah Nursing Assistant State Exams and enter the workforce in a variety of options from care facilities to doctors’ offices, with a wage range of $30,000 to $45,000. CNA is also a prerequisite to the Associate of Science Nursing program.

Medical Assistant is a 28-credit certificate that is offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Like CNA coursework is completed online and skill pass-offs are completed at the labs in Richfield or the Nephi Learning Center. Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry, combining patient care and administrative duties. Medical assistants work primarily in doctors’ offices and clinics to make life easier for patients and physicians. A wage range of $34,000 to $49,000 awaits the student as they enter this high demand career field.

Erica Sirrine as Health Professions Department chair and CNA instructor along with Kaylee Barton, MA instructor, successfully deliver Competency Based Education (CBE) courses to meet the needs of their students. Many of the students are wives and mothers who are looking for skills to re-enter the workforce as a CNA or MA.