Salt Lake Community College

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Skills that save lives. 🚑
Proud of our faculty, partners, staff, and students improving outcomes together. Salt Lake Community College Murray City, Utah

Salt Lake Community College is please to recognize Marylyn Diaz as the 2026 Provost’s Graduate of Excellence for Salt Lake Technical College


"My life has been full of many ups and downs. In 2025, I made the decision to attend SLCC, and shortly after, I lost my father to cancer, a loss that has been incredibly difficult to overcome. Despite my grief, I kept working toward my educational goals, as my father was a huge supporter of my return to school.

I am grateful to my peers and professors who supported me throughout this process. They helped with everything from making funeral arrangements to ensuring I didn’t fall behind in my studies. Without their assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain my 4.0 GPA.

Looking back on my SLCC experience, I feel immense gratitude for a college community that was willing to help me in every possible way. I will always remember the kindness that was shown to me during this challenging time."

Salt Lake Community College is please to recognize Carlos Salinas as the 2026 Provost’s Graduate of Excellence for The School of Science, Mathematics and Engineering

"In high school, I never thought about going to college because I believed I wasn’t as smart as my peers. My enrollment at SLCC happened by chance – I was allowed to skip class if I attended an SLCC presentation.

I went to the presentation, but for most of it, I wasn’t paying attention because I was dismissing the programs and opportunities, thinking I wasn’t good enough to take part. That all changed when they started talking about incentives, and suddenly, I became interested.

My time at SLCC has helped change my mindset, and I’ve become the person I always admired. SLCC led me to discover a passion for electrical engineering, even though I thought I was bad at math. I have proven myself wrong time and again.

As my journey at SLCC ends, I am thankful for how much I’ve personally grown. To my high school self, who felt unsure about college, I am doing this for you."

Salt Lake Community College is please to recognize Mariah Espinal as the 2026 Provost’s Graduate of Excellence for The School of Humanities and Social Sciences


"My higher education journey began with a deep sense of ambition, but it was soon interrupted by a chronic illness. This illness took control of my life, leading to instability, hospitalizations, and a gradual erosion of the dreams I once believed were attainable. For years, I carried guilt and shame from my academic failures that were due to this illness.

However, with a friend’s encouragement, I decided to return to college. SLCC welcomed me with compassion, challenged me with rigorous academics, and equipped me with the tools I needed to succeed.

In spring 2025, I participated in SLCC’s first-ever trip to the United Nations, an opportunity that profoundly shaped my academic direction. I now carry with me a commitment to excellence, service, and dignity that will guide every step of my future. SLCC has given me more than just a second chance; it has taught me to believe in my future again."

Salt Lake Community College is please to recognize Angela Mencl as the 2026 Provost’s Graduate of Excellence for The School of Health Sciences

"My life has two main parts: before September 2018 and after. Before that, I focused on supporting my family, helping my late husband in dental school, and raising our children.

In September 2018, I lost both my sister and husband just one day apart, making me the sole parent of four children under the age of seven. I had to adjust to this new reality and provide stability for them while grieving.

These experiences taught me that I don’t just have to be here; I get to be here. I approach my education and clinical work with gratitude and professionalism. I also volunteer at a grief support center for families. I could not have reached this point in my education without the support of my children and family and the faculty at SLCC."

Salt Lake Community College is please to recognize Wendy Memmott as the 2026 Provost’s Graduate of Excellence for The Gail Miller School of Business

"In high school, I always dreamed of becoming a paralegal, but life took me in a different direction. After getting married, I focused on raising my family and building a career with a job that, while stable, never fulfilled my passion. Now, more than 30 years later, I find myself at SLCC pursuing that very dream in paralegal studies, filled with the same passion as before.

As my time at SLCC comes to an end, I cannot help but reflect on my journey here. While part of me wishes I had attended the college sooner, I am grateful that I did because going back to school has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my academic experience is that a person is never too old to set a new goal or chase a dream."