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Anthropology (8)


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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Michael Bird

BS Anthropology

National Consultant
National Policy Council for AARP

Michael E. Bird is a Santo-Domingo/KEWA Pueblo Indian from New Mexico. Mr. Bird has more than 30 years of public health experience with Native American populations in the areas of medical social work, substance abuse prevention, health promotion and disease prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, behavioral health, and healthcare administration.

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Caroline Gleich

BS Anthropology

Professional ski mountaineer, Adventure Athlete, and Environmental Activist
Big Mountain Dreams

Caroline Gleich moved west from the frozen hills of Minnesota age at 15 and began to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a professional skier. Now she is sponsored by the likes of Patagonia, Zeal Optics, Clif Bar, Atomic skis, Thule, Nemo, Glide stand up paddle boards, Quickblade paddles, among others, and shreds with the best nearly every day of the season.

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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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Economics (55)


Douglas W. Jamison

MS Economics

Chairman & CEO
Harris and Harris Group

Mr. Jamison has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Harris and Harris Group since January 2009; as President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2005 to December 2008; as Treasurer from March 2005 to May 2008; as a Managing Director since January 2004; as Chief Financial Officer from January 2005 to December 2007; and as Vice President from September 2002 to December 2004.

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Lester W. B. Moore

BS Economics

Managing Director
Kensington Capital Holdings (KCH)

Currently, Mr. Moore is the Managing Director of Kensington Capital Holdings (KCH) which oversees a portfolio of several corporations under the direction of Robert C. Gay, founder and Chairman of the Board. He is also a Senior Advisor for HGGC, a private equity firm.

Read more about Lester W. B. Moore

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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Jon Pierpont

BA Economics

Executive Director
Utah Department of Workforce Services

Jon Pierpont is the executive director of Utah's Department of Workforce Services and serves in the cabinet of Governor Gary R. Herbert. Appointed in December 2012, Jon oversees a department tasked with administering federal and state programs, including workforce development, eligibility services, public assistance programs and unemployment insurance, community development, and more.

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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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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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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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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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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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Melissa Freigang

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Executive Director
Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence

Melissa Freigang is the founding director of the Weber Prosperity Center of Excellence. The Center is unique, the first of its kind. It is a department of Weber County in partnership with the Weber-Morgan Health Department and Weber Human Services. Melissa blends her 25-years of experience in operational excellence with her expertise in human development, family resilience and intervention design to address the county’s most complex social challenges.

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Brooke Adams

MS Family and Consumer Studies

Communication Specialist
University of Utah

Brooke Adams is an award-winning veteran reporter who has covered everything from local government to technology and polygamy during the course of her career. She currently covers news for several departments and programs on campus as part of her role as communications specialist in the University Marketing and Communications Office. Brooke earned her master's degree in Human Development and Social Policy.

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Allie Teller

BS Family and Consumer Studies

Playworks Specialist
Canyons School District

Allie Teller received her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies in 2009. She went on to receive her master's in educational psychology in 2013.

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Geography (8)


Brian Haslam

BS Geography
MS Geography

President | CEO
Cityworks | Azteca Systems, Inc.

Brian Haslam earned his bachelor's degree from Geography in 1986, followed by his master's degree from Geography with a GIS emphasis in 1990 from the University of Utah. In 1986, he established Azteca Systems, Inc. to provide mapping update services for the US Forest Service Geometronics national mapping center located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Matthew Moffit

BS Geography

Vice President, Navy Systems
Boeing's National Security and Space Group

Matt Moffit is Vice President, Navy Systems for Boeing's National Security and Space Group. He brings numerous years of Navy operational experience plus military assessments, requirements and budgeting expertise with him.

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Teri Klug

BS Geography

President & Founder
Strategic Development LLC

Teri Klug is the community outreach director for Visit Salt Lake and is responsible for engaging with all constituents of Salt Lake County, with a learn, serve, grow together approach to the Visitor’s Economy. She also helps people better understand importance and value of visitors and define individual product offerings inside the fabric of each of 17 communities within Salt Lake County.

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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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Health, Society and Policy (6)


Maziar Nourian

BS Health, Society and Policy
Minor Psychology
Minor Chemistry

Mentor
LEAP College of Health Program

Maziar M. Nourian is a graduate from the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Society and Policy as well as minors in Psychology and Chemistry ('13). Nourian will continue his education to complete a Doctor of Medicine in 2019.

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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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Elaine Peterson

BS Health, Society and Policy

Academic Program Manager
John A Moran Eye Center - University of Utah

Elaine started with the University of Utah in 1994, as part of the Health Sciences Development Office, and has been the Program Manager in Ophthalmology for 15 years. She oversees one ACGME-accredited residency program with a complement of twelve trainees, and seven non-ACGME fellowships with a total of eleven fellows.

Read more about Elaine Peterson

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.

Read more about Marlowe Dazley


Master of Public Administration (23)


Rebecca Chavez-Houck

MS Master of Public Administration

Salt Lake City's District 24 Representative
Utah House of Representatives

A Utah native, Rebecca Chavez-Houck holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), both from the University of Utah. She has represented Salt Lake City's District 24 in the Utah House of Representatives since 2008 and focuses on public policy related to health and human services as well as voter engagement and access.

Read more about Rebecca Chavez-Houck

Dave Jones

Master of Public Administration

Co-Founder
Pathway Associates

Dave Jones is a co-founder of Pathway Associates, a regional fundraising consulting firm specializing in capital campaigns. With over twenty years of fund raising experience, and nearly forty capital and major gift campaigns to his credit, Jones brings a wealth of experience to his clients and a sincere passion for their causes.

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Jennifer Seelig

Master of Public Administration
Ph.D. Political Science

Community Empowerment Director
City of Salt Lake

Jennifer Maurine Seelig has been involved in politics and public service for more than decade at a policy-making and leadership level. She was a policy and research analyst for the Salt Lake City Council between 1995 and 2000, handling such sensitive and critical issues relating to crime control, budget compliance within the administrative office, community relations, and public meetings involving the City Council.

Read more about Jennifer Seelig

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


Master of Public Policy (3)


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.

Read more about Michael Parker

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.

Read more about Shawn Teigen


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.

Read more about Mark Pittman

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)


Ron Henriksen

BA Political Science

Co-Founder
Henriksen/Butler Design

Ron Henriksen received his bachelor's degree from the U in political science. He went on to co-found Henriksen/Butler Design, a contract furniture business, with Steve Butler in 1980, and the company became one of the leading distributors in the Intermountain West.

Read more about Ron Henriksen

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.

Read more about Dave Patton

Andrew L. Howell

BS Political Science

Managing Partner & Co-Founding Attorney
York Howell & Guymon

Andrew L. Howell is a Managing Partner with the Salt Lake City law firm of York Howell & Guymon. Mr. Howell represents clients with respect to estate planning, probate and estate administration matters, charitable giving, and sophisticated business and tax planning matters.

Read more about Andrew L. Howell

Renee Morita

BS Political Science
Master of Public Administration

Adjunt Professor
University of Utah

Renee Morita received a degree in Political Science and a graduate degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Human Resources and Labor Relations form the University of Utah. While attending college, Renee completed several Hinckley Institute of Politics internships at the American Educational Research Association (Washington, D.C.); the League of Women Voters (Salt Lake City); and the Winterim Symposium (Washington, D.C.).

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Psychology (31)


Charles L. Perschon

BS Psychology

Director of Business Development
North America, Kaspersky Lab

In law school, Mr. Perschon was a summer clerk for Presiding Judge Judith M. Billings of the Utah Court of Appeals and was a summer associate at Danaher, Lagnese & Neal in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating in 2006, Mr. Perschon joined Hill, Johnson & Schmutz in Provo, Utah where he practiced litigation and appellate work.

Read more about Charles L. Perschon

Christopher Fagundes

PhD Psychology

Associate Professor
Rice University

Working in the area of stress and health, Dr. Fagundes uses theories and methods from personality, clinical/health, and developmental psychology to examine how stress “gets under the skin” to impact diseases of older adulthood such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.

Read more about Christopher Fagundes

Sean Meegan

MS Psychology
Ph.D. Psychology

Adjunct Professor
University of Utah

Sean Meegan was born and spent his childhood in New York and moved around a good deal. He did a BS in Psychology at St. Louis University in 1993 and a PhD in Developmental Psychology at the U. in 1999.

Read more about Sean Meegan

Maziar Nourian

BS Health, Society and Policy
Minor Psychology
Minor Chemistry

Mentor
LEAP College of Health Program

Maziar M. Nourian is a graduate from the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Society and Policy as well as minors in Psychology and Chemistry ('13). Nourian will continue his education to complete a Doctor of Medicine in 2019.

Read more about Maziar Nourian


Sociology (23)


Matt Martinez

BS Sociology
BS Economics

Pioneer | Teacher Major Accounts Strategic Business Consultant
ADP

As a student Matt Martinez earned a degree in Sociology and a second in Economics while significantly contributing to the University of Utah Football team as a linebacker and team captain. Matt's success has continued post-graduation as he has excelled as a Regional Account Sales Executive for ADP Payroll and Business Solutions in Salt Lake City.

Read more about Matt Martinez

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

Mark Arego

BS Sociology

Case Manager
Salt Lake County Felony Drug Court

Mark graduated from the Master of Social Work program in 2013, after completing two undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Sociology. He now works for Salt Lake County Felony Drug Court as a case manager. His ultimate goal is to a therapist within drug court program.

Read more about Mark Arego

Joan Wasson Smith

BA Sociology

Licensed Psychotherapist; Executive Director
National Conference for Community and Justice, Utah Region

Joan Wasson Smith has worked for peace and justice, and against bias, bigotry, and racism in Utah. She received a B.A. in sociology with a concentration in political science from The University of Utah and a M.S.W. and D.S.W. from The University of Utah Graduate School of Social Work.

Read more about Joan Wasson Smith


Friend of CSBS (15)


Mickey Ibarra

Friend of CSBS

President
Ibarra Strategy Group

For Mickey Ibarra advocacy has always been a way of life. It was in that role he honed the leadership skills that led him to the White House senior staff of President Bill Clinton, the creation of his own business and the development of the Latino Leaders Network.

Read more about Mickey Ibarra

Randy C. Emery

Friend of CSBS

Senior Vice President & Surety Division Manager
The Buckner Company

Randy Emery has spent more than 25 years in the commercial insurance and surety industry with a specialization in the construction industry. Currently Senior Vice President and Surety Division Manager for The Buckner Company. Randy provides risk management and surety services to commercial and residential contractors.

Read more about Randy C. Emery

Irwin Altman

Friend of CSBS

Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science & VP for Academic Affairs
University of Utah

Irwin Altman earned a bachelor's from New York University in 1951. He continued to pursue his studies in psychology at the University of Maryland, where he earned a master's and a Ph.D. in 1957.

Read more about Irwin Altman

Stanley Mulaik

Friend of CSBS

Retired Professor
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

Stanley Allen Mulaik has had a long association with the U. In 1939, at age 4, he began his schooling at the University of Utah in the Nursery School in the Home Economics department. (His parents were students, then faculty in the biology department next door). He next attended kindergarten in 1940 in Stewart School diagonally across the street (which later became the Anthropology Department) and went on for the next 9 years there to 'graduate' in 9th grade In 1950.

Read more about Stanley Mulaik

Last Updated: 4/28/23