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Anthropology (8)


Earl Skidmore

BS Sociology
BS Anthropology

President (retired)
Northern California Chemical Association & Esbro Chemical

Earl S. Skidmore earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah where he majored in Sociology and Anthropology and earned minors in Zoology and Chemistry. Earl's studies at the University were interrupted by two years of service in the U.S. Navy. Later in his career, Earl returned to higher education earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University.

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Edward R. Christensen

BS Anthropology
MS Anthropology
Ph.D. Anthropology

Docent
Utah Museum of Natural History

Edward R. Christensen has achieved wide intellectual, accomplishments in a variety of academic and professional fields, and is devoted to civic and social service. He graduated from the, University of Utah in 1948 with a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in, Chemistry in 1949. Edward then completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology, in 2009.

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Terri Fain

BS Anthropology
MS Sociology

Artist

Terri "T. C." Fain trained at the Skinner Museum of Art, Palo Alto Artist's League and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She has also benefited from working with local artists and their styles including the abstraction of John Grillo, spare eastern beauty of Q Holmes, classical style of Barbara Johnson and spontanaiety of Louise Minks.

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Misty Frost

BS Anthropology

CEO
CareerStep

Misty’s passion is for building company value though building consumer value. As CEO of CareerStep, Misty drives the vision and strategy behind building learning experiences that allow individuals to enter and then grow their careers in healthcare.

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Economics (55)


Don Yacktman

BS Economics

Partner & Portfolio Manager
Yacktman Asset Management

Don Yacktman holds a B. S. Magna Cum Laude in economics from The University of Utah and an MBA with distinction from Harvard University. Don began his career at Yacktman founding the company as its President, Portfolio Manager, and Chief Investment Officer.

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Luis Garza

BS Economics
Master of Public Administration

Executive Director
Comunidades Unidas

Luis Garza has been involved in community affairs for the past 10 years. Prior to working at Comunidades Unidas, he worked for the SLC Mayor's Office of Diversity & Human Rights, The State Office of Ethnic Affairs, and the University of Utah Hospital.

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L.E. Simmons

BS Economics

President
SCF Partners

L.E. Simmons, President of SCF Partners, founded the firm in 1989. He is responsible for guidance over the firm's investment program and strategy. L.E. began his focus on finance at the University of Utah, where he studied Economics and at the London School of Economics. He subsequently earned an MBA from Harvard University.

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Dave Patton

BS Political Science
Economics
Ph.D. Political Science

Executive Director
Utah Department of Health (UDOH)

Dr. W. David Patton has served as executive director of the Utah Department of Health(UDOH) since March 2011. As director, Patton oversees nearly 1, 000 health department employees with the goal of helping Utah become the healthiest state in the nation.

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Environmental and Sustainability Studies (4)


Kelsey Howard

BS Geography
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Research Consultant
Boulder Mountain Consulting, LLC

Kelsey Howard is currently attending graduate school at the University of Utah in the geography department. Her Master's research is focused on studying paleoecology and spring productivity in Utah's west desert by reconstructing past fire and vegetation histories, as well as past climates through the use of pollen and charcoal from wetland sediments.

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Jason Robison

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Fellow
Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard College

Professor Robison's research and teaching interests generally revolve around water law and related areas of environmental and natural resources law and policy. He began his work in this field while earning a B.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Utah and subsequently completed a J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law, as well as an LL.M. and S.J.D. at Harvard Law School.

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Brandon Lee

BA Political Science
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Principal
ABS Consulting

Director, Environmental and Economic Policy and Regulation, Lee leads and manages projects related to environmental, regulatory, economic, and security risk-related issues for ABS Consulting, a maritime risk firm. He has led projects analyzing environmental impacts in the Western U.S., regional, national, and international air emissions and climate change, air and water regulations.

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Sara Baldwin Auck

BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Regulatory Program Director
Interstate Renewable Energy Council

As IREC's Regulatory Program Director, Sara is responsible for managing the development of IREC's regulatory strategy, establishing priorities for engagement, and assisting with the strategy implementation.

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Family and Consumer Studies (14)


Ron Dichter

BS Family and Consumer Studies

CEO
BlueDog Business Services, FortisPay, SIX PAC OTG

Ron Eliot Dichter is a serial entrepreneur who got his start while still attending the University of Utah. His first venture, Eliot Management Group, was sold by Dichter in 2010 and still operates in 15 states today. Dichter then started a national leading credit card processing company, BLUEDOG, which was later merged into FortisPay where Dichter currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer.

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Steve Alder

BS Family and Consumer Studies
MS Family Ecology

Chief, Division of Public Health
University of Utah

Stephen C. Alder, Ph.D., is a two time graduate of the College of Social and Behavior Sciences at the University of Utah through the Department of Family and Consumer Studies. He received a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Behavior 1992 and a Master of Science in Family Ecology 1996.

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Barbara Vance

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Professor
Brigham Young University

Barbara Vance earned a bachelor's in family and consumer studies from the University of Utah in 1956. She received a master's in human development from Brigham Young University in 1959 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in counseling from Stanford University.

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Mary Chase Tommaney

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Advertising

Mary Chase Tommaney grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. She graduated from the University with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics and went on to the University of Southern California for a Masters in Merchandising. Returning to Salt Lake, she became Assistant Advertising Manager in a large fashion department store, later leaving for summer in Europe with school friends.

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Geography (8)


Charles Sensiba

BS Geography

Partner
Troutman Sanders LLP

Charles Sensiba is a partner in the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, LLP, in Washington, DC. He provides strategic counsel and legal representation to public utility districts, state governmental entities, investor-owned utilities, water districts, independent power producers, and developers on the full spectrum of complex licensing, natural resources, and environmental issues related to hydropower development.

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Kelsey Howard

BS Geography
BS Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Research Consultant
Boulder Mountain Consulting, LLC

Kelsey Howard is currently attending graduate school at the University of Utah in the geography department. Her Master's research is focused on studying paleoecology and spring productivity in Utah's west desert by reconstructing past fire and vegetation histories, as well as past climates through the use of pollen and charcoal from wetland sediments.

Read more about Kelsey Howard

Merrill K. Ridd

BS Geography
MS Geography

Emeritus Professor
University of Utah

Merrill K. Ridd is an emeritus professor of geography. He graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in 1954 and MS in 1960. Ridd earned his PhD from Northwestern University in 1963. He is a Korean War veteran 1950-1956.

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Don Lewon

BS Geography

Owner
Dixie Metal Recycling

Don Lewon has been an exemplary leader in and supporter of the University, the College, and the community. He received a B.S. in Geography from The University of Utah.

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Health, Society and Policy (6)


Nathan Vassiliades

BS Health, Society and Policy

Dentist & Owner
Queen Creek Smiles

Nathan Vassiliades completed a BS in Behavioral Science and Health and then went on to complete dental school at the Marquette University School of Dentistry. Nathan has volunteered for Give Kids a Smile, Sealants for Smiles, the American Red Cross, and Cancer Wellness House.

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Frank Ulibarri

BS Health, Society and Policy

Market President
Aetna - Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi

As President of Aetna, Mr. Ulibarri is responsible for leading local markets in Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi overseeing sales, network development, and operations for commercial group, individual and government businesses. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Coventry Health Care of Florida, and was later named Aetna Market Executive Director in 2013.

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Alexis Lee

BA Health, Society and Policy

Programs Manager
University of Utah

Alexis Lee is a Programs Manager in Wellness and Integrative Health at the University of Utah. On the WIH Team, Alexis primarily helps to manage department finances, Wellness Outreach events, and ongoing program development. Alexis is a proud University of Utah graduate with a BA in Health, Society, and Policy and a BS in Exercise and Sport Science.

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Marlowe Dazley

BS Health, Society and Policy

Senior Vice President, Managing Director
Health Catalyst

Marlowe Dazley is senior vice president and managing director at Health Catalyst, a leading provider of data and analytics technology and services to healthcare organizations, committed to being the catalyst for massive, measurable, data-informed healthcare improvement.

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Master of Public Administration (23)


Mike Zuhl

BS Political Science
Master of Public Administration

Director, Public Affairs
R&R Partners & Government Relations Consultant

Mike Zuhl's vast background in government and public affairs, combined with the relationships he has cultivated over three decades, make him an invaluable asset to clients who are scrutinized by regulatory and legislative bodies.

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Luis Garza

BS Economics
Master of Public Administration

Executive Director
Comunidades Unidas

Luis Garza has been involved in community affairs for the past 10 years. Prior to working at Comunidades Unidas, he worked for the SLC Mayor's Office of Diversity & Human Rights, The State Office of Ethnic Affairs, and the University of Utah Hospital.

Read more about Luis Garza

Leonidas Ralph Mecham

BS Political Science
Master of Public Administration

Director
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

Leonidas Mecham graduated from the University of Utah with highest honors,receiving a B.S. in Political Science in 1951, a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University in 1963, and a J.D. from George Washington University.

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Janine Donald

Master of Public Administration

Executive Director
Elements Traverse

Janine is the Executive Director at Splore, a nonprofit adventure company which specializes in providing life-changing outdoor adventures for people of all abilities. Donald is an alumna of Pacific University in Oregon and in 2012, received her Master in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

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Master of Public Policy (3)


Florian Hernandez

Master of Public Policy

Executive Director
Philippines Humanitarian

Florian Hernandez is the Executive Director for Philippines Humanitarian, a non-profit organization, providing funding for the education of impoverished children in the Philippines. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Utah State University.

Read more about Florian Hernandez

Shawn Teigen

MS Master of Public Policy

Research Director
Utah Foundation

Shawn Teigen is the Lumina Foundation Strategy Labs State Policy Adviser for Utah. Lumina is the largest foundation in the United States that focuses solely on increasing Americans?? success in higher education. It works to increase the proportion of Americans with postsecondary credentials to 60% by 2025. Shawn is utilizing the resources of Lumina??s Strategy Labs with Utah leaders and influencers in an effort to help the state reach its attainment goals.

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Michael Parker

BS Political Science
Master of Public Policy

Vice President of Public Affairs, Marketing and Senior Economist
Ivory Homes

Michael P. Parker earned both his bachelor's in political science and master's degree in public policy with an emphasis in regional economic policy from the University of Utah. He currently serves as the Director of Public Policy for the Salt Lake Chamber.

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International Affairs and Global Enterprise (3)


Kyle Gray

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Storyteller, Professional Speaker and Bestselling Author

Right after graduation Kyle was adjunct faculty teaching an entrepreneurship class called The Foundry, helping local Utah entrepreneurs. It was his experience during his degree program and later teaching that helped him get a job with a startup, whose business he helped to grow with annual recurring revenue using just online marketing.

Read more about Kyle Gray

Mark Pittman

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise
BS Political Science
BS Economics

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Blyncsy

Prior to starting Blyncsy, Mark worked in areas as diverse as political campaigns, start-ups, and even a Fortune 500 Company. Mark was Director of the Lassonde New Venture Development Program at the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah.

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Jeremy Lindsey

MS International Affairs and Global Enterprise

Chief Operating Officer
Alpha Warranty Services

Jeremy Lindsey is a winner of the 2017 Utah Business Magazine CXO of the Year award and AE Magazine's Top 40 Under 40.

Read more about Jeremy Lindsey


Political Science (84)


Jerilyn Oldroyd Stowe

BA Political Science

Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer
United Way of Salt Lake

Jerilyn Stowe is currently the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for United Way of Salt Lake. She provides creative leadership and vision for United Way of Salt Lake's communication strategies in order to advance the mission and organizational objectives. Stowe develops and implements local brand strategies to increase visibility of the organization and create a positive brand experience for United Way's stakeholders and the broader community.

Read more about Jerilyn Oldroyd Stowe

Matthew Wilson

BS Political Science

Dean, Temple University Japan Campus
President, Temple Educational Support Services Ltd.

Matthew Wilson was recently appointed by Temple University as head of its campus in Tokyo. Temple University, Japan Campus serves approximately 4,000 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and non-degree students in Tokyo. Before accepting this post, Wilson served as President of the University of Akron and Missouri Western State University.

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Jonathan West

BS Political Science

Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate MPA and MPP programs
University of Miami

Jonathan P. West earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University and his B.S. in Political Science from the University of Utah. He is professor of Political Science and Director of the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and Masters of Public Policy (MPP) programs at the University of Miami.

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Senator Bob Bennett

BS Political Science

Senator
United States Senate

Senator Bennett graduated from the University of Utah in 1957 with a bachelor's in political science and served as the student body president. In 2005, Bennett was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University's commencement.

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Psychology (31)


Christine A. Currey

BS Psychology

Clinical Psychologist
Juvenile Court, Primary Children's Medical Center and the University Neuropsychiatric Institute

Christine Currey (7/24/50 - 12/22/14) grew up in Lewiston, New York. She graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she was Phi Beta Kappa. She studied clinical psychology at the University of Vermont and then at the University of Utah where she received a master's degree and a Ph.D.

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Afesa Adams

MS Psychology
Ph.D. Psychology

Senior Research Associate, Emeritus
University of North Florida

Here at the University of Utah, Dr. Adams was known as an inspirational educator and leader. She helped pioneer the transition of Home Economics to the contemporary Family and Consumer Studies Department. As Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, she initiated the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Days of Remembrance activities.

Read more about Afesa Adams

Lace Padilla

PhD Psychology

Assistant Professor
University of California Merced

Dr. Lace Padilla is an assistant professor in the Cognitive and Information Sciences department at the University of California Merced. She received a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Sciences and an MFA in Design from the University of Utah. Padilla and collaborators were recently awarded an NSF RAPID award to study uncertainty in COVID-19 data visualizations.

Read more about Lace Padilla

D. Brent Scott

BS Psychology

Past President of the Alumni Association
University of Utah

D. Brent Scott had a remarkable history of leadership throughout his life. After a short stint in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46, Mr. Scott earned his B.S. in psychology from The University of Utah. He founded Scott Machinery Company, where he served as its president for many years. He served as chair of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Utah, as a member of the Board of Governors of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Utah House of Representatives.

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Sociology (23)


Shawn Newell

BS Sociology

Vice President of Business Development
Industrial Supply Company

Shawn is the Vice President of Business Development at Industrial Supply Company where he has worked for the past 35 years. He serves as a community integrator working as the vice president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP, a former Commissioner on the Governor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission and is on the executive Board of the Utah Black Round Table.

Read more about Shawn Newell

Sydnie Simmons

BS Psychology
BS Sociology

Clinical Psychologist
OB/GYN Psychcare, PLLC

Sydnie Simmons is a licensed clinical psychologist currently specializing in maternal-infant health through a program I developed called OB/Gyn Psychcare. Her program has a focus in bringing awareness of the obstacles women, their partners, and their families face regarding emotional struggles during pregnancy and postpartum adjustment.

Read more about Sydnie Simmons

James (Jim) Brass

BS Sociology

City Council Member
City of Murray

Jim Brass has more tenure on the city council than any other elected official in Murray. He is serving his fourth term as District 3 council member, taking his first oath-of-office in 2004. Prior to election Jim was a commissioner on the Murray City Planning Commission providing a wealth of land use experience.

Read more about James (Jim) Brass

Terri Fain

BS Anthropology
MS Sociology

Artist

Terri "T. C." Fain trained at the Skinner Museum of Art, Palo Alto Artist's League and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She has also benefited from working with local artists and their styles including the abstraction of John Grillo, spare eastern beauty of Q Holmes, classical style of Barbara Johnson and spontanaiety of Louise Minks.

Read more about Terri Fain


Friend of CSBS (15)


April Northstrom

Friend of CSBS

Grant Writing & Prospect Research Associate
Pathway Team

April Northstrom is a Grant Writing and Prospect Research Associate with the Utah Nonprofit Consultants Pathway team. She began her nonprofit career as an intern with the Make-A-Wish Foundation?? of Utah and has since worked as a development professional with nonprofits across the United States, including the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Read more about April Northstrom

R. Christian Sonne

Friend of CSBS

Practice Leader
Self Storage Valuation Group at CBRE

R. Christian Sonne is a Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and the Specialty Group Manager of the Self Storage Industry Group. An appraiser and real estate economist by training, Chris started Self Storage Economics in 2002 because of the growing sophistication of the self storage asset class and market demand for quantified self storage data and conclusions.

Read more about R. Christian Sonne

Theresa Martinez

Friend of CSBS

Associate Professor of Sociology
University of Utah

Theresa Martinez completed her Ph.D. in Sociology in 1990 at the University of New Mexico and is currently Associate Professor of Sociology and former Assistant Vice President for Academic Outreach at the University of Utah. Her teaching and research deal with issues of race, class and gender, deviant behavior, juvenile delinquency, and popular culture.

Read more about Theresa Martinez

Ibi Guevara

Friend of CSBS

Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Hunt Electric

Ibi has been active in the Utah business community. She is a member of the Salt Lake Chamber, EDCUtah, Corporate Alliance, and the Society of Marketing Professional Services, and currently serves on the board of Urban Land Institute and serves on several NAIOP committees.

Read more about Ibi Guevara

Last Updated: 4/28/23