USU Moab Provides Hub for Community Engagement, Events

As the hometown university for Grand County, Utah State University Moab prioritizes community engagement. Since the beginning of the year, the campus has hosted more than 160 events, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to learn, connect, and experience what USU Moab has to offer.

Community events are an important part of USU Moab’s role. The campus aims to be more than a place where people take classes; instead, it serves as a resource for the entire community. These events allow the university faculty and staff to build relationships, better understand community needs, and help people see the many ways USU Moab can serve them.

“Community events are important to USU Moab because we want to be more than a place people come to take classes — we want to be an active and accessible part of the community,” said Samantha Campbell, associate vice president for USU Moab. “Our goal is for the campus to be a resource for everyone, whether they are pursuing a degree, earning a certificate, participating in non-degree programming, or simply engaging with us through a community event.”

Through these events, USU Moab has connected with community members ranging from young children to older adults.

“We've welcomed participants ranging from kindergarten-aged children to adults in their 80s, bringing together people from all walks of life and a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Crystal Fletcher, technical coordinator. “One of the most rewarding aspects of these events has been seeing community members connect, learn, and engage with one another regardless of age, experience, or circumstance.”

School field trips have been one example of how USU Moab brings young people onto campus to explore different opportunities. During one fourth-grade field trip, students received an interactive introduction to the plumbing trade from a local professional.

“From learning about the profession to trying their hand at plunging toilets, the students were fully engaged and having a blast,” Fletcher said.

For Campbell, welcoming grade school students to campus is particularly meaningful.

“I love the energy the students bring and having the opportunity to welcome them to campus and let them experience some of the different things we have to offer,” she said. “It’s especially rewarding to help kids see USU Moab as a place that is part of their community and somewhere they can picture themselves in the future.”

Located in the outdoor recreation paradise of Moab and boasting one of the greenest buildings on any USU campus, Utah State University Moab offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With programs such as Nursing, Elementary Education, Recreation Resource Management and Social Work, technical education in Health Professions, Automotive and Business, and degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, USU Moab offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at moab.usu.edu.