President Astrid S. Tuminez

Accreditation is important for any university. It ensures that our degrees remain relevant and valuable and keeps us accountable to our mission while seeking improvement. UVU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), reaffirming our commitment to our values of exceptional care, accountability, and results!     We love our students at UVU! It’s why we will continue to improve and innovate. UVU’s dedication to accreditation is rooted in our mission to provide students with an accessible, relevant, and high-quality education that drives their futures forward.     Learn more about the importance of accreditation here:     https://lnkd.in/e_B2tKa2

There are eleven hospitals in UVU’s service region, and we are proud to help meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals. UVU just cut the ribbon on our new building in Lehi that houses dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, EMT, and our police academy. The specialized, state-of-the-art labs, with brand new equipment, were dazzling! They will enhance student learning and outcomes. Thank you to our Utah County Commissioners, who helped make this building possible with a $2 million grant. Thank you to all my colleagues, especially the leadership of UVU’s College of Health and Public Service (CHPS). With 82% of our CHPS alumni staying in Utah ten years after graduation, we're proud to say that we are truly delivering the state's healthcare workforce. #AtUVU #APlaceForYou #UVUHealthcare #BuildingUtahsFuture 

As a first-generation college student, I faced many challenges. Resources and support for students like me were sparse. Today, many first-generation students face the same barriers I did, but like me, they are achieving academic success despite their challenges. Research from the Pell Institute shows that 43% of potential first-generation students earn mostly A’s, and 40% receive mostly B’s. More inspiring yet, 73% of these students express a desire to continue their education! This fall, 41% of our student body consists of resilient first-generation students, a demographic that continues to rise. We also are celebrating the highest percentage of completion and retention rates among these students since 2018! Through investing in initiatives like the First Steps Mentoring program, First-Gen Summit, and the First-Generation Student Success Center, UVU not only enhances academic outcomes but also empowers first-generation students to dream big and realize their full potential! Learn more about how first-generation students are persisting despite the challenges here: https://lnkd.in/gBwbAXzY 

 “Going green” at UVU doesn’t just mean showing your school pride! Utah Business Magazine recently awarded UVU the Green Business award for the strides we’ve made to become more sustainable.  A report from Higher-Ed Climate Action states that “universities’ largest source of carbon pollution comes from purchasing electricity.” This summer, UVU reduced its carbon footprint by helping “flip the switch” on Rocky Mountain Power’s new Elektron Solar Farm, which now provides over 90% of UVU’s power needs through renewable energy! For students, the shift toward sustainability also means new educational and career opportunities. As universities like UVU educate students and engage communities, we prepare tomorrow's leaders for a cleaner and greener world!  Find out more about how UVU is helping its campus and students “go green” here:  https://lnkd.in/gHmiZYN2     https://lnkd.in/grzpzHap  

UVU values the role of higher education as a place where students can learn to build bridges, work with those they may disagree with, and find ways to strengthen American civil society and democracy.   The upcoming 2024 Presidential Elections polled a large number of young voters and found that more than 50% of people aged 18 to 29 said they will “definitely be voting” (Institute of Politics: Harvard University, 2024). While many students are eager to exercise their right to vote they may encounter obstacles in doing so. UVU took action to improve voting accessibility for students this September by installing a ballot box on campus. This step is one of many at UVU meant to foster an on-campus environment where participating in democracy is not seen just as a right, but a powerful privilege!  Find out more about what UVU is doing to make voting accessible and easy for its students here:   https://lnkd.in/gGwJyNKW Take a deep dive into how other campuses are promoting civic engagement here:   https://lnkd.in/gNqYC9RT  

I had the opportunity to represent Carnegie Corporation of New York, on whose board I proudly serve, in my own state at the launch of the One Utah Service Fellowship. This fellowship is the first of its kind in the nation to combine state, federal, and philanthropic funding into an AmeriCorps program. I love the Americorps pledge that urges its members not to yield to apathy, conflict, or adversity, but to serve with hope and get things done to make America safer, smarter, and healthier. Students, if you are interested in making an impact in our state, take advantage of this opportunity! Service is the Utah Way. One Utah Service Fellowship: a program that offers service opportunities for recent high school graduates and higher education students in Utah, providing them with valuable experience, a stipend, and a scholarship in exchange for their commitment to community service. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gjBdM4-4 

Closing the chapter of my sixth year at UVU and embracing the thrill of the beginning of my seventh. Seven is known as a lucky number so I trust that the BEST things are to come this year for UVU. I’m proud to be a Wolverine! #AtUVU #APlaceForYou

Thank you for having me on your podcast, Casey Baugh!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a sweeping concern coming into the new school year, particularly among students. A recent report from Inside Higher Ed notes that 55% of students believe that the overuse of AI in teaching has devalued education, and 52% feel it has negatively impacted their academic performance. It seems that despite student’s opinions of AI, some 86% have reported that they regularly use it! So, what do we do? My life experiences, especially as a former Microsoft executive, have taught me not to fear technology but to recognize its value when used responsibly. UVU is a teaching institution, and we are teaching our students how to APPLY AI. We recently created an AI Institute, utilize an AI teaching assistant in larger classes, and instilled an AI Task Force to support faculty and staff in learning how to use AI. This prepares our students with a relevant education, making them workforce-ready! It is important to remember that AI will never be a substitute for human creativity because while people can dream, AI cannot. So, get inspired, dare to dream, and stay human. If you know how to use AI effectively and responsibly, you will always have a job! KSL Interview: https://lnkd.in/db8ph4yN Inside Higher Ed Article: https://lnkd.in/d8Zn5UYg

When invited as a guest lecturer for the Executive Lecture Series course, what do you teach Utah Valley University Woodbury School of Business students? How about “The Business of Life!” Thank you, students, for sharing your insights, energy, and questions with me! #UVU #APlaceForYou Utah Valley University https://lnkd.in/guphbeae Astrid S. Tuminez This week, Utah Valley University’s President, Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, spoke at the Reed and Christine Halladay Lecture Series, sharing profound lessons from her life and career. Since 2018, Dr. Tum...