Month Year

Institutional Update

The 2026 legislative session concluded with several positive outcomes for Snow College and higher education in Utah. Most importantly, the proposed 5% institutional budget reduction was avoided. The college is also on track to receive $250,000 in one-time funding for skills-based general education, which could potentially be fully allocated to Snow College. In addition, we recovered approximately $92,000 in prior-year performance funding and earned more than $218,000 combined in degree and technical education performance funding. The state also approved a compensation package for employees that includes up to a 2.5% salary increase along with health and dental insurance adjustments.

Snow Day on the Hill was another highlight of the session. Our students, faculty, and staff represented Snow College exceptionally well, and I heard many compliments from legislators about the professionalism, enthusiasm, and quality of our attendees. Many legislators are parents of Snow students and alumni, and they agree that There’s No Place Like Snow!

I’m continually reminded how lucky I am to work with such outstanding colleagues. From faculty and coaching awards to student academic and athletic achievements, our campus is full of people doing remarkable things. Just as important are the everyday efforts to create meaningful experiences for our students. These experiences often become treasured lifelong memories. It’s a privilege to see that commitment in action and to work with all of you.

Stacee

Academic Affairs

Should medical students be required to vaccinate before clinical work? Who should be accountable for the environmental toll of the AI boom? These are examples of the complex moral dilemmas tackled by the Snow College Ethics Bowl Team at the 30th Annual Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition held in St. Louis on March 7–8.

Snow students stood toe-to-toe with elite institutions like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and UPenn, even securing a tie against UPenn and a win over West Point Military Academy. The Snow College legacy was apparent throughout the event, with former Snow Ethics Bowl students competing on UVU and USU teams, and another currently pursuing her PhD in bioethics serving as a competition judge.

None of this would be possible without the exceptional leadership of Dr. Greg Wright and Dr. Mike Salitrynski. In addition to teaching English and philosophy classes, running programs, and serving on college committees, these dedicated mentors spent 4–8 hours a week for two months preparing students for this national stage. And this follows their notable success coaching two teams last Fall to the 2025 2-Year College National Championship in Chicago, where Snow College took 1st and 2nd place.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their rigorous intellectual work and deeply grateful to Dr. Wright and Dr. Salitrynski for their tireless commitment to student success. Congratulations to the entire team!

Finance and Administrative Services

The Finance Department at Snow College plays a vital role in supporting students, employees, and daily campus operations. From purchasing and payroll to accounting, cashiering, controller functions, and auxiliary services, the team works diligently behind the scenes to ensure employees are paid on time, vendors are supported, and financial systems run smoothly. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and service mindset create stability across campus.

Under the leadership of Jake Dettinger, Finance Director/Controller, the department demonstrates collaboration, responsiveness, and strong stewardship of college resources. One important example of this stewardship is the team’s leadership in responsible asset management. By guiding employees through asset tracking requirements and maintaining accurate records, Finance helps ensure compliance with Utah State Board of Higher Education policies while protecting institutional investments.

Snow College must track capital assets valued over $5,000 with a useful life greater than one year, as well as certain noncapital assets valued between $3,000 and $4,999. Information Technology staff track qualifying technology equipment involving Personally Identifiable Information (PII), while the Controller’s Office tracks other applicable assets. Employees should use the Fixed Asset Reporting Form in Kuali to report new qualifying assets, transfers (changes in custodian or location), and disposals.

State-owned property cannot be sold, discarded, or transferred without prior Department Head authorization, and Campus Services coordinates surplus disposal.

Thank you for partnering with the Finance team to safeguard institutional resources and support Snow College’s mission.

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

The Financial Aid Department recently wrapped up another successful series of FAFSA Nights and was able to connect with students and families across all six counties. These events provided valuable one-on-one assistance and helped many students take an important step toward making college more affordable and accessible.

While the initial scholarship deadline passed on March 1, students still have opportunities available to them. Additional scholarships can be found and applied for at snow.scholarshipuniverse.com, and academic scholarship applications have been extended until June 1. We encourage students to continue exploring these opportunities and take advantage of the financial support that is still available.

2026–2027 Scholarship Universe by the Numbers

• More than 3,000 students have been matched with potential scholarship opportunities
• 2,423 external scholarship applications have been submitted by students
• 1,104 Snow College scholarship applications have been submitted

2026–2027 Financial Aid by the Numbers

• 4,186 FAFSAs received, helping students unlock grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities

Looking ahead, the Financial Aid Department is excited to begin hosting open houses next month as we continue our efforts to reach and support more Future Badgers. These events will give prospective students and their families the chance to learn more about the financial aid process, scholarships, and the many resources available to help them succeed.

We have also been fortunate to welcome a few new faces to our department over the past several months. Heidi Avery has joined us as our new Scholarship Coordinator, and Alayna Cornelson is serving as her assistant. They have both brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to the office and have quickly become wonderful additions to our team. We are thrilled to have them with us and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make for our students.

Technical Education and Industry Connections

The Ralph Okerlund School of Technical Education has strengthened its technical programs and leadership structure with the hiring of Alan Hart as Director of Technical Programs. Alan has 19 years of experience from Snow College, where he taught Machining and helped expand the Advanced Manufacturing Department by adding new technical programs. After spending the past two years working in industry, he returns to education with valuable industry connections and strong partnership experience.

In alignment with the mission of technical education—to prepare students for professional careers—the school has restructured its traditional department model into program groups. The department chair role has been renamed coordinator to better reflect this collaborative, industry-focused and professional career approach.

The program groups are as follows:

• Services and Transportation Professions – Amanda Wood, Coordinator
• Advanced Manufacturing and Building Trades Professions – Joe Western, Coordinator
• Health and Business Professions – Erica Sirrine, Coordinator

This reorganization positions Technical Education to respond more effectively to the evolving needs of Central Utah’s current and emerging industries. Because industry operates on timelines driven by workforce demands rather than academic calendars, this new structure allows the school to be more agile and better equipped to develop the professional skills that future, new, and incumbent employees need to support families, businesses and Central Utah’s economy.

Together, these changes strengthen our commitment to delivering responsive, industry-aligned technical education that supports both students and the regional workforce.

As we arrive at the halfway point in the semester, we want to recognize the performances of our student athletes including standout individuals, team wins, regional titles, and national championships!

Men’s and Women’s Basketball are both nearing the end of great seasons. The Men’s team spent a large part of the year ranked as the #1 team in the country and finished second in the Region 18 tournament with multiple Badgers named to the All-Tournament Team. They now await the chance of an at-large bid to the National Tournament. The Women’s Team capped the regular season with an upset win over 7th ranked CSI and will travel to play in the Region 18 Tournament.

Wrestling has just concluded their seasons with the Women’s Team capturing the Region 18 title and a 6th place finish at Nationals. Alicia Hansen, Kaylee Young, Emily Pasillas, Inaily Samaniego, Isabelle Morgan, Maeli Howard, and Brighton Wise were named All-Americans. The Men’s Team had multiple podium finishers at region and represented well at the National Tournament.

Snow College Cheer and the Badgerettes competed at the United Spirit Association Nationals in Anaheim, California, returning with a combined 3 National Titles! The Badgerettes claimed the title in both the Jazz and Hip-Hop divisions while the Cheer team won their 3rd straight National Title.

Softball has just entered the region play portion of their season, and our Cross-Country teams continue to compete in Indoor and Outdoor Track events.

Snow College Richfield Campus recently hosted a vibrant community night, organized in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Richfield Stake. The event was sparked by youth from the Richfield Stake expressing interest in Snow College and the Stake’s leadership working with Jacie Dyreng, Richfield Campus Admission Counselor, Amy Schmidt, Community Based Organization Coordinator, and Brandon Hawkins, Director of Student Services and Success collaborating to bring the idea to life.

Approximately 157 people attended, including 71 youth ages 11–18 and their leaders. Eleven programs were represented, and participants rotated through three 25-minute sessions, ensuring hands-on engagement rather than brief demonstrations. In each rotation, students interacted with real equipment and processes across welding, machining, automotive, HVACR, anatomy, math, cosmetology, composites, diesel, natural resources, and health professions.

The event also welcomed Education Specialists from other area stakes to observe opportunities for their communities; the response was overwhelmingly positive. We are appreciative for this community partnership and the future opportunities it sparks. Additionally, we are sincerely grateful to the faculty and Snow College student services teams whose dedication, time, and hospitality made the evening possible and truly meaningful. There really is no place like Snow!