First Scholars Faculty and Staff are voluntary, self-identified first-generation college graduates and professionals who serve as USU faculty, advisors, staff, and administrators who want to support first-generation college student success.
Many current and potential first-generation college students can better relate, converse, and receive feedback from a person in a position of leadership who has experienced similar feelings, challenges, and triumphs to get to where they are.
What They Do
- Self-identify as a first-generation college graduate and accept the invitation to support first-generation college students at USU.
- Attend an annual USU first-generation college student celebration.
- Connect, mentor, and refer first-generation college students to resources both proactively and when approached throughout the year.
Graduation Cap
Become a First Scholars Faculty or Staff Today!
First Scholars Faculty & Staff
| Name | Department | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Bates | Psychology | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Ty B. Aller | Human Development & Family Studies | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Polly Conrad | Data Analytics & Information Systems | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Julie Gast | Kinesiology & Health Science | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Tami Curtis | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Jason J. Leiker | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Joe LaSure | Library Collections and Discovery | University Libraries |
| Jennyfer Mora Mitchell | Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Zachariah Gompert | Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Yvette Rea | Home & Community | Extension |
| Russell Winn | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Grazia Xiong | School of Accountancy | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Amita Kaundal | Plants Soils & Climate | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Sidi Becar Meyara, Ph.D | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Emilie Demard | Biology | College of Art & Sciences |
| Paula Scott | Nutrition Dietetics & Food Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Janice Brahney | Watershed Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Susie Tibbitts | Art & Design | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Travis Franks | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Anthony R. Lowry | Geosciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Dr. Joshua J. Thoms | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Colin Flint | School of Social Sciences (Political Science) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Zak Konakis | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Becky Varndell | Nursing | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| David Jones | Office of the Dean | College of Engineering |
| Cory Farnsworth | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Extension |
| Glen A. Haas | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Steve Scheiner | Chemistry & Biochemistry | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Denise Rice-Prior | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Cara Murray | Home & Community | Extension |
| Rosa Thornley | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Mollie Murphy | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Mehmet Soyer | School of Social Sciences (Sociology) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Amanda Lilly | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Alfonso Torres | CIvil & Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Sofia Monzon Rodriguez | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Juhyeong Lee | Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Alvaro Ibarra | Art & Design | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Cheryl Cannell Burgess | Data Analytics & Information Systems | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Sydney O'Shay | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Frank Shuman | School of Accountancy | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Becky Hermann | Nursing | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Ryan Seedall | Human Development & Family Studies | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Andreas 'Baron' Wesemann | Aviation Technology | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Ran Sun | Civil and Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Kathy Cabe Trundle | School of Teacher Education & Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Tim Keady | Home & Community | Extension |
| Clayton Palmer | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Doris McGonagill, PhD | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Eric Reither | School of Social Sciences (Sociology) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Aysel Erey | Mathematics and Statistics | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Matthew D. Meng | Marketing & Strategy | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Maureen Hearns, PhD | Music | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Caroline Lavoie | Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Scott Hexum | Veterinary Clinical & Life Sciences | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Jennifer Truschka | School of Social Sciences (Political Science) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Thai Ray Williams | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Sophia Martínez Abbud | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Betsy Brunner | Communication Studies | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Lezlie Christensen Branum | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Veronica Timbers | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Amanda Katz | History Cultures & Ideas | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Tammy Proctor | History Cultures & Ideas | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Melissa Clark | Applied Sciences Technology & Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Sarah Erwin | Agriculture & Natural Resources (Water Quality) | Extension |
| Jen Kirk | Collections & Discovery | University Libraries |
| Cassandra McCall, PhD | Engineering Education | College of Engineering |
| Charles Waugh | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Chad Simon | School of Accountancy | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Ashley Yaugher, PhD | Home & Community | Extension |
| Lacee Wilkey | School of Accountancy | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Kristen Rolf | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Casey Hinkins | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Amanda Ford | Social Work | Peace Institute (HPI) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Timothy Shahan | Psychology | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Sara Freeman | Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Beth Buyserie | English | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Nicole Pyle | School of Teacher Education and Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Dr Jayne Gold | Theatre Arts | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Yin Liu, PhD | Human Development & Family Studies | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Dr. Virginie Reali | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Dale Wagner | Kinesiology & Health Science | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Angela Montague | School of Social Sciences (Anthropology) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Kimberly Horsley | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Chad Page | Animal Dairy & Veterinary Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Amanda Ramos | Human Development & Family Studies | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Ronen Sebag | School of Teacher Education and Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Nick Roberts | Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Logan Greene | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Vonda Jump Norman | Social Work | College of Arts & Science |
| Stacia Ryder | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Science |
| Abbie Pilling | Athletics | Athletics |
| Ammarie Buenaventura | Statewide Campuses RES-Blanding | Statewide Campuses |
| Dr. Caden Howlett | Geosciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Larry Martin | Music | College of Arts & Science |
| Lacy Susman | Utah Water Research Laboratory, Civil & Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Emmy Ruff, MS | Psychology (School Psychology) | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Alyssa Ahmann | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Science |
| Pooja Potdar | College of Veterinary Medicine | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Khanh Tran | School of Teacher Education and Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Amy Carpenter | Center for Instructional Design and Innovation | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Utsav Bhandari | Applied Sciences Technology & Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Skyler Toledo | Nursing | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Kelsey Koga | Theatre Arts | College of Arts & Science |
| Dr. Breanne Litts | Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Randall Haws | Math & Statistics | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Joan Hevel | Chemistry & Biochemistry | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Samuel Rassi | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Brandy Reeves | Office of the Registrar | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Heather Thomas | Nursing | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Sherif Olasoji | Nutrition Dietetics & Food Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| James D. Keyes | Animal Dairy & Veterinary Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Taylor Peltier | Environment & Society | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Dr. Michelle Frierson | School of Teacher Education and Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Lindsay Ozburn | Collections & Discovery | University Libraries |
| Julia Sluiter | Watershed Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Junjie Tang | Civil & Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Idris Solola | Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Jon Carey | Kinesiology & Health Science | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Albert Hlorpey | Biological Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Kellie Miles | CEHS, Tooele Campus | Statewide Campuses |
| Dr. Trisha Atwood | Watershed Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Jorge Villalobos | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Cassidy Nemelka | Advancement | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Melinda Toledo | Student Services, Blanding Campus | Statewide Campuses |
| Jennifer Caines | School of Teacher Education & Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Dr. Andrew Stonerock | Music | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Michelle Burrows | Applied Sciences Technology & Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Nelda Ault-Dyslin | Center for Community Engagement, Student Affairs | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Alexy X. Maldonado | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art |
| Lesley Estrada | Home & Community | Extension |
| Jen Snyder | Office of the Dean | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Hailee Horton | Information Technology | Operational Strategy |
| Andy Gongora | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Pamela Anderson | Nursing | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Antonio Cly | Blanding | Statewide Campuses |
| Merdan Durdyyev | Data Analytics & Information Systems | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Pia Bergholtz | Exploratory Advising | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Shireen Keyl | School of Teacher Education & Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Jason Smith | Economics & Finance | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Garrett Hendrickson | Human Resources | Operational Strategy |
| Abigail Lazier | Plants Soils & Climate | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Cruz Rodriguez | Student Affairs (Eastern) | USU Eastern |
| Andre Moraes, PhD | Watershed Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| JP Amado | Civil Rights and Title IX Office | Operational Strategy |
| Tarique Aziz | Civil & Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Chelsey Spears | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Micah Hernandez | Geosciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Shajjadur Rahman Shajid | Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Madi Butler | Technology Design & Technical Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Bethany Barnes | Aviation Technology | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Alex Schiwal | Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Mareena Luna-Llanes | School of Social Sciences (Sociology) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Drake Fresh | Sponsored Programs | Office of Research |
| Beatriz Jarvis | Home & Community | Extension |
| Cache Pitt | Speech & Hearing Sciences | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| René Hernandez | Psychology | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Todd Hugie | University Libraries | University Libraries |
| Aaron Olsen | Veterinary Clinical & Life Sciences | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Miriam Montoya Gomez | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Sarah McCann-Hardwick | Office of the Registrar | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Lindi Brown | Information Technology | Operational Strategy |
| Alexis Orr | School of Social Sciences (Sociology) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Trisha Hedin | Environment and Society | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Eugene Schupp | Wildland Resources | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Melissa Scheaffer | Engineering Education | College of Engineering |
| Tressa M. Haderlie | Psychology | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Ellie Hansen | Human Development & Family Studies | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Ronald C. Sims | Biological Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Francisco Javier Lopez Frias | Kinesiology & Health Science | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| MaKena Christiansen | Event Services | Finance and Administrative Services |
| London McBride | School of Social Sciences (Criminal Justice) | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Sean Camp | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Vincenza Vicari-Bentley | Home & Community | Extension |
| Mike Booth | Strategic Enrollment Management | Statewide |
| Don Cripps | Electrical and Computer Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Essence Perry | Animal Dairy & Veterinary Services | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Pamela George | Plants Soils & Climate | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Brooke Lister | Campus Recreation | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Wynter Varner | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Alison Fabricius | University Libraries | University Libraries |
| Oakley Ransom | Office of the Dean | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Andrea Pior | Moab | Statewide Campuses |
| Robert Schaeffer | Chemistry & Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Jonathon Walters | Nutrition Dietetics & Food Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Hser Nay Kree | Dining Services | Finance and Administrative Services |
| Tonya Davis | Office of the Dean | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Dawna Webb | School of Teacher & Education Leadership | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Jennifer Loveland | Mathematics & Statistics | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Troy Leven | Student Financial Support | Strategic Enrollment Management |
| Htoo Poe Sar | Computer Science | College of Engineering |
| Alana Ward | Alumni Engagement | University Advancement |
| Justice Saxby | Geoscience | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Ryan Jensen | Enrollment Strategy & Innovation | Strategic Enrollment Management |
| Ryan McLane | Central Development | University Advancement |
| Rachel Stenta | Sponsored Programs | Office of Research |
| Tyson Sorensen | Applied Sciences Technology & Education | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Matt Jensen | Office of the Dean | College of Engineering |
| Saydee DeMille | Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Shaylee Nicholson | Statewide Campuses RES-Eastern-Athletics | Statewide Campuses |
| Richmond Boamah | Electrical & Computer Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Jason Leiker | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Mariusz Smolij | Music | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Lisa Lundgren | Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Peter Crosby | Office of the Dean | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Leslie Greenwell | School of Social Sciences | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Jesse Hansen | Kinesiology & Health Science | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Kurt Adison | Office of the Registrar | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Danyel Weaver | Exploratory Advising | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Dalin Dawson | Academic Belonging & Learning Excellence | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Catrin Edgeley | Environment & Society | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Sidi Becar Meyara | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Meggan Callister | Youth Programs | Extension |
| Sharon Montecino | Wildland Resources | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Amanda Barrandey | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Madonna Bortle | Information Technology | Operational Strategy |
| Shalyn Drake | Aviation Technology | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| David E Brown | Mathematics & Statistics | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Tabitha Lockhart | Dining Services | Finance and Administrative Services |
| Gordon Collins | Facilities Support Services | Facilities |
| SharLynn Mueller | Statewide Campuses NR-Tooele | Statewide Campuses |
| Monica Borghi | Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Michael Gerald | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Amy Hiatt | Special Education & Rehabilitation Counseling | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Benedict Okorie | Plants Soils & Climate | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Abdulganiyu Jimoh | Civil & Environmental Engineering | College of Engineering |
| Christina Lee | Human Resources | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Cris Meier | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Brenda Smith | Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Branden Blanchard | Business Services-Finance & Administrative Services/Auxiliaries | Finance & Administrative Services |
| Cassandra McCall, PhD | Engineering Education | College of Engineering |
| Andy Layne | Economics & Finance | Jon M. Huntsman School of Business |
| Wesley Smith | Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Kristen Perez-Rickels | Institute for Disability Research Policy & Practice | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Megan Kast | Biology | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Clinton Behunin | Communication & Media | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Joshua Lively, PhD | SW Campuses RES-Eastern-Admin | Statewide Campuses |
| Ethan Gilliam | Agriculture & Natural Resources | Extension |
| Eric Hansen | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Macy Gustavus | Campus Recreation | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Jonathan Young | Annual Giving | Advancement |
| Emily Davies | Statewide Campuses NR-Brigham City | Statewide Campuses |
| Sam Farley | Collections & Resource Sharing | University Libraries |
| Drew Swartz | Animal Dairy & Veterinary Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| Kevin Webb | Student Involvement & Leadership Center | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Bonnie Schenk-Darrington | Office of the Dean | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Dr. Nichelle Frank | History Cultures & Ideas | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Jennifer Cortez | Honors Program | Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President |
| Jeffrey Mason | Veterinary Clinical & Life Sciences | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Chad Bingham | Speech & Hearing Sciences | Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services |
| Megan Hall | Youth Programs | Extension |
| Felicia Gallegos | Social Work | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Kara Thornton-Kurth | Animal Dairy & Veterinary Sciences | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| Amy Monson | Aviation Technology | S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources |
| JP Spicer-Escalante | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |
| Maria de Jesus Cordero | World Languages & Cultures | College of Arts & Sciences |