Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Scholarships topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
University of Utah outlines Opportunity Scholars partnership; students cite financial and mentoring impacts
Summary
University of Utah staff described the Opportunity Scholars program with West Valley City (since 2017), reporting over 100 degrees conferred to West Valley students and an 85% retention/graduation rate; several student scholars gave personal testimonials about the program’s role in their success.
University of Utah representatives and students told the council that the Opportunity Scholars partnership with West Valley City provides scholarships, housing and mentorship to first‑generation college students and reported strong retention outcomes.
Erica Rojas, director of the Office of Transformative Student Experiences at the David Eccles School of Business, described the partnership that began in 2017 and highlighted services including tuition and housing scholarships, mentorship, networking and required community volunteer service. Rojas said the program has helped more than 100 West Valley students earn degrees and reported a retention/graduation statistic of about 85 percent for the cohort described, compared with a national six‑year graduation rate of roughly 24 percent for similar first‑generation students.
Several participating students gave short testimonials about their ability to focus on school instead of full‑time work, connections made through the program, and aspirations to give back to West Valley. One student said the scholarship allowed him to stop working full time and pursue leadership opportunities; another thanked city support for easing the financial burden that enables academic progress.
Council members and staff thanked the students and program staff; no formal action was required.
