UVU Center for Social Impact

We were honored to recognize this year’s Social Impact Award recipients at our Annual Showcase!
 
Student Impact Awards: Delaney Sell and Jared Cruikshank
UVU Employee Awards: Kindia du Plessis from ; Shannon Adison and Tenille Canyon from
Community Partner Awards: and Michael Ulibarri and Cambrie Ball from
 
Each of these individuals and partners has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to meaningful social impact. We are so grateful for the ways they continue to strengthen our community and inspire our students!

Celebrating another year of learning, leadership, and impact.
 
Our Annual Showcase brought together the work of our Impact Fellows and Associates, and we couldn’t be more proud of everything they’ve accomplished this year!

During this year’s Spring Alternative Break trip to Los Angeles, students spent the week learning about the realities facing the unhoused population and the many efforts underway to support housing access and dignity in the community.
 
Through conversations and site visits with partners like .club , , , , and , students explored the complex systems surrounding housing insecurity, tenant rights, and community advocacy in LA.
 
From direct outreach and supportive housing programs to policy and tenant organizing, students gained a deeper understanding of the challenges many communities face and the creative, compassionate work being done to address them.
 
We’re grateful to the community partners who welcomed our students, shared their expertise, and helped them see the many pathways to creating meaningful change!

Join us for the Center for Social Impact’s Annual Showcase! 🎉 Come celebrate a year of learning, leadership, and meaningful impact created by our incredible student fellows and associates. See what we’ve accomplished together as a Center, connect with our community, and help us recognize this year’s Impact Award recipients.
 
🗓 Tuesday, April 14
🤝 Meet & Greet: 5–6 PM
🎤 Program: 6–7 PM
 
We’d love to see you there as we reflect on a year of social impact and celebrate the students who make it possible✨

This year’s Spring Alternative Break trip to Moab invited students to slow down and learn from the land and the Indigenous communities connected to it.
 
Throughout the week, students engaged with local organizations including Moonflower Cooperative Market, the Moab Museum, the Moab Valley Multicultural Center, the Bears Ears Partnership, and the Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii Community Center. Through these visits, students explored the history of the region and heard Indigenous perspectives on land, displacement, stewardship, and community.
 
The experience encouraged students to think more deeply about whose stories are told, whose land we live on, and how respect, relationship, and responsibility can guide the way we move through the world.
 
Thank you to the community partners who welcomed our students and shared their time, knowledge, and experiences with us!

from tiny tots to big impact 🥹 swipe to see how some of our fellows are making a difference

Last month, students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work in our Design for Impact competition, tackling the challenge of political polarization. Teams were presented with a case study and then learned design thinking skills to present solutions.

The winning team, Diego Martinez, Yissella Bringhurst, and Mery Deilaire, focused on helping people see each other beyond political labels. We’re so proud of all the students who participated in this meaningful design competition!

Students spent their Alternative Spring Break in Seattle learning about migration, refuge, and resilience through conversations with local organizations and community leaders.
 
They met with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, visited Casa Latina to learn about their work supporting Latino immigrant communities through employment and education, and connected with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which provides legal services and advocacy for immigrants.
 
They also visited with Their Story Is Our Story, an organization that shares the personal stories of refugees to foster empathy, understanding, and action.
 
Opportunities like these help students learn directly from the people and organizations doing the work every day. We’re grateful to our Seattle partners for sharing their time, stories, and insight with our students!

Looking for something to do between classes next week? Stop by our Impact Market to explore handmade goods from local and Indigenous vendors, artisans, and craftspeople.
 
Support entrepreneurs creating positive impact right here in our community.
 
🗓 March 24 | 10–2 PM
📍 Science Building Atrium
 
Support local. Shop small. Build community.

If you came to our last Peace in Practice event and had fun, good news! We’re doing it again!
 
Join us for our next dinner event, The Art of Asking, a Clue-themed evening where we’ll practice asking curious questions and exploring different perspectives while enjoying dinner, dessert, and a mocktail bar.
 
📅 Thursday, March 26
⏰ 5:30–7 PM
📍 CB 510
 
RSVP at the link in our bio!