UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 03, 2025

Month: August 2025

Utah Tech finds stability in Big Sky Conference, departs WAC in 2026

by Mackenzie RobbPosted on

Utah Tech University will officially be part of the Big Sky Conference summer 2026 — with the exception of baseball and men’s soccer — leaving the Western Athletic Conference after being members for four years.

The Big Sky includes 11 schools across the western United States, with schools like Northern Arizona University and Montana State University. The WAC has seen multiple membership changes throughout recent years and will be rebranded summer 2026. 

Ken Beazer, executive director of intercollegiate athletics, said this move will give UT “a clear vision as we align ourselves with institutions that not only geographically fit within a footprint, but also with similar missions.”

Having institutions that the students are familiar with could increase the number of attendees at the games, with not only the students, but also within the community, Beazer said. With travel distances becoming more manageable, there could be a boost in attendance from opponents, along with the community recognizing familiar schools. This move better supports the student athletes.

“We always look at ways to improve the institution and the student athletes. This was one of the ways it was so obvious and made so much sense,” Beazer said.

Men’s basketball coach Jon Judkins said the move was a good decision because “playing everyone [teams] three times is not a good fit, so when they made that announcement it made sense.”

Judkins said having all the teams together in one conference is a good move.

Beazer said the major difference between the WAC and Big Sky conferences is stability. They still have five of the six original schools in their conference. The stability of the conference will help the teams grow even more.

“That’s what I am excited about,” Judkins said. “I think the Big Sky is pretty solid and is going to stay that way.”

Chance Trujillo, guard and a sophomore management major from Kaysville, said the conference will provide more opportunities.

“Playing against that competition is a good fit for Utah Tech. The teams there will not only give us the opportunity to win it, but to get better every single game,” he said.  

Utah Tech has played most of the schools in the conference, so they are familiar with the teams. Judkins said we can expect the same rivalries with schools like Southern Utah University and Northern Arizona University.

“With football now joining us, we will start to get those rivalries,” he said.  

Grand Canyon University has been running the WAC, and this move will provide Utah Tech the opportunity to win the Big Sky, Trujillo said.

Judkins said he is not preparing his teams for the conference move and is focused on winning the WAC and making history. 

Utah Tech sports will officially be playing in the Big Sky summer 2026, becoming the 11th full member of the league.

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Utah Tech welcomes President Shane Smeed

by Annie MuirbrookPosted on

With over 25 years of experience in higher education, President Shane Smeed is dedicated to providing quality growth and commitment to Utah Tech University.

On Feb. 26, Shane Smeed was elected the new president of Utah Tech.

Smeed said, “For this particular position, after spending 27 years in the private sector, I really felt a desire to come to the state of Utah.”

It wasn’t just the red rocks that brought him to Utah — it was the sense of community at Utah Tech. Smeed has seen the opportunities open enrollment has for students to grow. The university’s mission for open access, comprehensive and open enrollment is what he was also ultimately drawn to.

Community engagement

Smeed’s goal is to build a strong connection with the community because he sees the importance of community in St. George.

Starting his position when commencement was happening gave him the opportunity to see what the community looked like. With the majority of faculty and students gone for the summer, he got to engage with the community and was able to devote time to talking with community members and alumn.

“It has been so rewarding. I don’t think I could have picked a better time to start,” he said.

Smeed wants to make Utah Tech the place to be. He encourages St. George residents and alumn to come to sporting games, events and visit campus.

“What I learned there is just how deeply important this university is to our community and how committed I am to bridge and build relationships back,” Smeed said.

Students

As he begins his first semester at Utah Tech, Smeed emphasizes the importance of strengthening and growing academic support services.

Andy Hunter, a senior biomedical science major from Ridgefield, Washington, and student body president, said he is optimistic about working with Smeed.

“He [Smeed] does care about us [students] and everything he is doing right now is to benefit students in the future,” Hunter said.

Hunter noted Smeed’s commitment to the university’s growth and said the Utah Tech Student Association had the chance to meet with him before the semester began. Students, Hunter said, were most curious about Smeed’s character and who he is as a person.

“I don’t think students right now… aren’t super aware of a change of presidents and how it affects them,” Hunter said.

Hunter added that one of his goals is to introduce Smeed to clubs and organizations across campus so students can connect with him directly.

Faculty

From the beginning of his term, another focus has been on supporting faculty and recognizing potential issues that may arise on campus. Smeed said in order to have quality growth, supporting faculty is a priority.

Curt Walker, professor of biology and member of Faculty Senate, said: “So far, my impression of President Smeed is that he’s very friendly and gregarious. He’s very appreciative of the faculty, staff and students here.”

Smeed will continue to evaluate resources that have proven successful while also expanding opportunities through the addition of new faculty members. Smeed said that building a successful faculty all ties back to ensuring that all students can thrive at Utah Tech.

“We have to invest in our most valuable resources, which [are] our people,” Smeed said.

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University of Utah expands medical training to southern Utah

by Mackenzie RobbPosted on

Utah Tech University is partnering with the University of Utah to create a new medical campus in St. George to address the state’s shortage of rural doctors.

The campus will be established by the University of Utah with support from Utah Tech in facilities and student support services. The campus will open in St. George fall 2027 and will start with 10 students a year, with the hope of increasing it over the years.

U of U associate professor Michelle Hofmann said, “We’re really hoping to train what we are calling ‘rural primary care doctors’ in this campus.”

They are looking for students who know that this is the pathway they want to pursue when applying to medical school.

There are three phases to the program. The first phase is in Salt Lake City, where the students will be enrolled at the U of U in a larger class. In phases two and three, which overlap, students will move to St. George and do hands-on and simulation training along with lectures.

Hofmann said, “It’s a really cool opportunity for local students in the region to be supported on a pathway that will eventually address future employment in the region that is in high need.” 

Larissa Thomas, a sophomore general studies major from Spanish Fork, said, “St. George specifically has a lot of residents for only having one hospital. I believe it is vital to be training people for all the circumstances for being in such an active environment.” 

McKaydee Lindwall, a freshman general studies major from Riverton, said the program will open more pathways and opportunities for students.

The program is intended for students who know that they would like to go back to a community they grew up in and want to be primary care doctors with a knowledge of multiple specialties.

“We are looking for people who want to wear many different hats and do many different things,” Hofmann said. “If we are successful in finding them early, our goal is to put them on a pathway to get them into practice and align incentives that help support them in reducing their debt.”

This program should grow with the demand. It will be built upon itself, as it seeks to recruit, train and retain the physicians locally, creating a base of doctors that will be able to train more physicians in the future.

“But until we get to that point of building that base, we have to be careful about growing too quickly and diminishing the students’ training experience because we don’t have enough doctors to train them,” Hofmann said.

The U of U currently has two graduate health sciences education programs in partnership with Utah Tech. The physician assistant program was established in 2018, and the doctor of physical therapy program was established in 2022.

The medical doctor program is the newest program that the U of U is bringing to Utah Tech. The program will include four years of training, and then students will need to do additional training for the field they choose.

Hofmann said, “We are doing something unique in southern Utah for this cohort of 10 students, where we are establishing an additional curriculum for them targeted towards rural primary care and population health.” 

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Trailblazers start semester strong with high-energy Foam Dance

by Yasia OleksiukPosted on

The Foam Dance at Utah Tech University launched the new semester by engaging students. The event took place Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. near the Campus View II parking lot and lasted until midnight.

Brett Coleman, student engagement coordinator for Utah Tech Student Association, said about 3,000 students attended the Foam Dance.

The first dance of the semester is an opportunity for students to meet new people and have a fun time before the hardworking year.

“It [the event] is important because it is an awesome experience for them [students] to have a ton of fun, to make new friends, and rebuild connections with their friends,” Coleman said.

The party helps students feel welcome among the Trailblazer family and encourages them to be close to each other.

“I could see how this dance could be important, because it brings students together,” said Emma Hardy, a junior medical technology major from Layton. “When you think about Trailblazers, you think that we are just a huge family, and we all support each other. This dance shows the spirit of Trailblazers.”

The Foam Dance plays a key role not only for freshmen, but also for upperclassmen, allowing them an opportunity to rebuild their social connections on campus.

“A lot of upperclassmen look forward to this [event] every year, so it is something for them to return to,” Coleman said. “It is a tradition for them.”

For some students, this event serves as a source of relief before the busy semester. One of those students is Erin McKinnon, a junior marketing major from Redding, California, who helped organize the event.

“It is a chance to relax and have fun before the school year really starts,” McKinnon said. “That is why it is the first week, so you do not get bogged down already.”

The music took an important role in creating a high-energy atmosphere at the event, keeping students excited and interested. 

McKinnon said, “All sorts of music, lots of pop, lots of hip hop, lots of, I would say, nostalgic music for our generation. Music everyone knows, that gets you dancing.”

This year, the organizers of the event changed the foam color to white due to issues with the color of foam during previous years. The pink and blue foams dyed students’ skin and clothes. 

“This year, we have learned from the past years that foam actually dyed students’ skin color,” Hardy said. “So here, there is going to be no dye in the foam, just white soap.”

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OPINION | College students deserve paychecks — not empty promises, financial stress

by Curtis KeddingtonPosted on

Approximately half of all internships in the United States are unpaid despite the majority of college students facing financial stress, according to a 2022 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Although unpaid internships can provide experience for students looking to enter the career field, internships have become unrealistic due to the financial strain they put students under.

The benefits that come from unpaid internships do not outweigh the downsides. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the cost of college rose 31% between 2008 and 2018. The rise in tuition has also caused more financial strain on students. A study from the National College Health Assessment in 2018 found 75% of college students faced moderate to high financial stress in the past year. 

Students working toward graduation have to balance both school and being able to afford everything financially. Unpaid internships add unnecessary stress to the equation as they put pressure on students to gain experience toward their career field while holding additional jobs to make ends meet. 

The added financial burden that unpaid internships cause for students also favors students who come from higher income families, as they are more likely to be able to work for free. Paid internships give opportunities to students from all backgrounds while still providing them with the same work experience that an unpaid internship promises. 

As a senior preparing to graduate in the spring, I have felt financial stress to pay tuition, housing and everyday expenses. I also plan on attending law school in the future, which adds another financial element.

Along with increasing the financial strain on students, unpaid internships also are not as effective at helping students secure jobs as paid internships. A study by Zippia found that paid internships are 32% more likely to result in a full-time job opportunity than an unpaid internship.

Employers can also reap benefits from paying interns, as they can give interns more responsibilities, which allows them to find full-time employees for the future from their internship programs. A 2022 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found 80% of employers who have internship programs have the greatest return on investment when finding future full-time employees. 

Paid internships don’t have to pay as much as a full-time position — it is still an internship after all — but it allows students to get valuable experience while still getting a paycheck. They also incentivize students to work and learn more from their internships as people are often more productive when they are compensated for their work. While us college students are still honing our skills, we still deserve to be compensated for the skills and ideas we bring to the table.

While unpaid internships may have had their place in the past, they are now extremely outdated due to the financial situation that students face, along with the increased competition in the workplace.

I am grateful for companies that do provide paid internships for students, as they recognize the skills that students have been learning in the classroom and the financial struggles that many college students face.

Including more paid internships on campus and focusing on paid internship programs would promote a better campus environment, as students could be involved with active learning and be compensated for their work and ideas. For employers, it would provide them with interns who are honing their skills and have incentive to do their best. 

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OPINION | Why Stephen Colbert’s cancellation, PBS cuts threaten the First Amendment

by Ireland SalvoPosted on

Some of the strongest voices in the media are being taken away. Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” was canceled, and PBS and NPR were defunded. Is this a coincidence or a way of silencing public voices?

The question isn’t whether the media is changing, but who are the ones being left behind. 

The First Amendment was written for the American people to express their opinions, learn new information and challenge authority. It was not written to hide politicians from embarrassment. The First Amendment seems to be used for trying to protect politicians and corporations from whatever predicament they get themselves in. Instead of wanting the people’s voices to be heard, politicians chose to cut some of the most informative programs and voices. We as a nation need to protect our free speech. 

CBS made it clear that the cancellation of “The Late Show” was due to financial reasons and low viewership. While streaming these shows can cost a significant amount of money, the timing of the cancellation makes me wonder how intentional it was. This was presented weeks after the network had a settlement of $16 million with President Donald Trump over a defamation related lawsuit.

Colbert is known for his satirical remarks, especially against President Trump. His jokes were there to give the audience something to laugh and think about. President Trump even made a comment about Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon being next. We are not just going to sit here and act like these events are unrelated.

The massive cuts to PBS and NPR are already angering the American people. PBS has been a learning platform for six decades, and Congress thought it would be a good idea to silence one of the most informative networks of our time. Growing up, PBS taught me to always stick up for yourself, and that being your true, authentic self was important. Now I’m ready to stick up for PBS and NPR after the ridiculous defunding of the network.

Silencing these platforms might make other media outlets scared to speak their truth. When people in the entertainment industry see what is happening to these networks and entertainers, it might make them think twice about speaking up. We are now living in a society where people feel like they have to be scared of power, when in reality, a good democracy is formed by citizens fighting for their truth.

Being a digital media major, I wonder how silenced I will feel once in the workforce. If some of the biggest platforms are easily being silenced, I question what will happen when I want to speak my truth. Being online, I already see how social media platforms are shadow banning valued opinions. Instagram has even been known to shadow ban major political events that have been occurring.

We could argue that these platforms aren’t what they use to be, but that does not erase the value they have. Viewership has dropped due to other streaming devices that have emerged in the last 10 years. Many tax payers also believe that they don’t need to be relied on to keep these networks funded. Shouldn’t that mean PBS and NPR should be fine on relying on private donations? In reality, the short answer is no. Private donations alone aren’t enough, especially for rural stations that depend on federal support.

Nothing could replace the educational aspect of PBS. No private network is going to be at the same capacity as a public one. No YouTube reel or video could replace the endless years of “Sesame Street” that taught children the importance of kindness. That also goes for “The Late Show.” Colbert’s YouTube clips don’t compare to him being able to speak his truth in front of millions of viewers live. 

This isn’t just about canceling a couple of platforms; it’s now about whether or not the American people should be scared to speak their truth. Politicians are so big on being true to the Constitution until it affects them. If we keep allowing public broadcasting to be suppressed, what does that mean for the voices of everyone else?

What it really means is that we need to fight for our voices to be heard.

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New cybersecurity degree expands opportunities at Utah Tech

by Miguel BalksaterPosted on

Utah Tech University has recently expanded its possibilities for students to specialize in digital security. The new cybersecurity bachelor’s degree has opened for all students interested.

New certificates in cybersecurity, and cyber supervisory control and data acquisition (cyber-SCADA) are also available.

Aaron Davis, interim dean for the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, said cybersecurity became a full career path due to the intense demand and the shortage of faculty to offer more specialized, extensive courses.

They now have the support to distribute classes and teach a full program. This enables the university to satisfy that demand.

Davis said, “Talking to employers and trying to figure out what skills [students] need, they could find what areas are in demand where students could graduate with Utah Tech and get a job.”

To help students understand what kinds of jobs they can pursue after graduation, Syed Ali, acting assistant professor of cybersecurity, gave examples of a few related to this program:

Ali said the best method to learn in this field is not by textbooks but by putting students in real-time cybersecurity scenarios and enterprise-level environments so they graduate ready to contribute from day one.

Ali said, “We connect classroom learning directly to industry standards, including SOC operations, compliance frameworks and enterprise network defense.”

This method of teaching is based on the experience all the professors have had. They use their knowledge to ask students what they would do in situations they themselves have been in before. Acting with what they have been taught, students can either implement it, or the teachers will give them minimal instructions, and they will have to perform the operation from start to finish.

Another skill that helps students be prepared for workplace situations is the use of ethical hacking, so that in the future they know what they are fighting against and know how to mitigate it.

Ali said students get different perspectives on cybersecurity around the world. Aside from his experience in other countries, he said two exchange faculty members from Romania are also coming this semester to teach students what they can learn in various parts of the globe.

The cyber-SCADA certificate is important in today’s market, and students are at an advantage in the job market by building a portfolio with the help of publishing research papers here.

The main idea behind SCADA stems from a system that remotely manages industrial processes such as industrial manufacturing, automation, power plants or energy facilities and collects data from it. Then, it learns and enables the system to automate processes. The risk is that this system can be put in jeopardy by a virtual attack, which would cause a great loss in the production line.

Joe Francom, department chair and professor of computer science, talked about the skills students will learn beyond the technical ones. Problem-solving is the first one students are going to notice. He said that although technology evolves and changes throughout the years, you have to learn how to problem solve, learn how to think outside the box, and learn how to learn.

“The technology is always going to change. It’s changed a lot since I started,” Francom said.

These skills are often needed in jobs where knowledge has advanced since an employee earned their degree, thus their training becomes outdated. This program ensures students can adapt to what the workforce requires.

An advantage of the program is that students learn from faculty with years of hands-on experience and gain insight into the career paths the field offers.

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Big Screen Verdict: ‘Freakier Friday’

by Lexy BorgognoPosted on

I’m no stranger when it comes to falling victim to nostalgia — and “Freakier Friday” is no exception. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is my FAVORITE Disney sequel to exist, even amongst the plethora of ’90s and 2000s comebacks.

“Freakier Friday” revives the original body-swap film, bringing back Anna and Tess Coleman (played by Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis), while adding new characters, Harper Coleman and Lily Reyes (played by Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons). Anna is engaged to Lily’s dad, therefore making Harper and Lily soon-to-be stepsisters.

Lily and her dad are from London, and Lily is eager to return, BUT because of this engagement, Anna and her fiancé have to decide whether to stay in Los Angeles—Harper’s home—or move to London—Lily’s home.

After meeting a janky psychic on the night of Anna’s bachelorette party, we find out Anna switches bodies with her daughter Harper, and Tess with her soon-to-be granddaughter Lily.

What I liked

The reason why this movie works so well 22 years later is that ALL the original actors reprised their roles. So not only do we have my childhood icons Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, we also have Chad Michael Murray as Jake, Mark Harmon as Ryan (Tess’ husband), Ryan Malgarini as Harry Coleman, and the band Pink Slip.

I mean, come on… who wouldn’t want to see Chad’s gorgeous face as Jake? And one of the funniest parts of the movie is that he’s still obsessed with Tess Coleman.

And with the return of Pink Slip, we get to hear the most iconic guitar riff of my childhood and listen to “Take Me Away” AGAIN on the big screen.

There was also a cameo of Elaine Hendrix — Meredith Blake from “The Parent Trap.” Seeing Hendrix and Lohan act together on screen as adults made me tear up a little, thinking about how the last time they acted together, Lohan was only 11 years old.

The plot made sense, and while some characters felt underdeveloped, seeing Anna Coleman succeed in life when we knew her as an angry teenager comforted me. Seeing her be a successful music manager and mom made me feel like I can accomplish my goals. 

The emotional elements when the characters come to an understanding of one another (and switch back to their own bodies) felt natural. Because of the chemistry between actresses, it didn’t feel forced or awkward like how some sequels can feel — and I even shed a tear or two.

Obviously, this film isn’t revolutionary, but that’s not the purpose it serves. The hunger for memory, this thirst for nostalgia, is the driving force in this film — and it succeeded in that. 

This film feels like a reunion with your childhood friends that you haven’t seen in years. That peaceful feeling of “look how far we’ve come” is what makes me adore this film. 

What I didn’t like

I’m not going to lie… throughout the movie, I would get confused about who was in whose body. With two people, it’s not difficult to keep track, but with four people, it was at times too much.

Even though there were four individuals swapping bodies and learning their lessons, the emphasis was on Anna and Harper’s mother/daughter relationship. Because of this, Tess and Lily’s importance took the backseat. 

Yes, they were the main characters, but it’s difficult to fully form four individual plots that don’t overshadow each other. I would’ve liked to see more of Lily because she is a crucial character, and we weren’t given the time necessary to understand her. 

Her storyline had the potential to add another layer of emotional depth, but we simply weren’t given enough time to see her growth. If the film had balanced the four swaps more evenly, it might have felt more cohesive.

The verdict

While this film may seem like it’s not life changing to some, for those of us who grew up watching “Freaky Friday,” we understand the importance of feeling nostalgia. 

Seeing familiar characters flourish and grow means we can have success in our own lives, and that ultimately, everything has a way of working out. 

I’m rating “Freakier Friday” a 4 ½ out of five stars, and if you’re anything like me, wanting to reminisce on childhood favorites, this is the “ULTIMATE” option to “TAKE YOU AWAY.”

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‘Become immortal’: Utah Tech volleyball seeks legacy in WAC farewell tour

by Rylee HjorthPosted on

The lights in the Burns Arena are shining once again as the season opens for the Utah Tech women’s volleyball team, who are looking to claim their first Western Athletic Conference title.

This season marks their WAC farewell tour as they and other teams at UT prepare to move to the Big Sky Conference in 2026. 

In 2024, the team went 15-12 and landed in fourth place in the WAC standings, with their season ending on a five-game losing streak that was capped by a 0-3 loss to California Baptist University in the first game of the WAC tournament.

Despite the slide, the team entered the offseason with their heads high and won their three spring scrimmages against Brigham Young University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Southern Utah University.

With August officially here, the team can focus on their goals for this season. 

“I feel like our big focus is just to become immortal,” team captain Kennedi Knudsen, a senior graphic design major from Gunnison, said. “We want to be the first program to make an impact on the school, and we are really trying to prove something here. We have a really good shot at [winning] the WAC.”

Knudsen spoke personally about how important it is to her to leave something at UT and be remembered during her final season on the team. 

This year, the team has 14 players returning from the 2024 season, which head coach Camilla Hafoka said will help bring the momentum of last year’s success into this one.

“We carried [the momentum] into the spring and implemented new things instead of being remedial and going backwards, because they all understood our system,” Hafoka said. 

She is entering her fifth season and not only has her sights fixed on the title, but on the National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament in December.

“It’s a goal,” she said. “It’s not an easy goal. So [the team] understands there’s a lot of work that needs to be put into it, even with all the returners. That’s what our focus is. Just take it one day at a time.”

Part of that included creating strong connections and friendships, which has helped everyone improve and hold one another accountable.

“A big focus was connecting on and off the court,” said setter Tehanie Waters, a freshman general studies major from St. George. “We’re all best friends, and it helps so much when you’re on the court playing.”

Waters has been with the team since the spring and said those connections with her new teammates have helped her feel welcome as she’s made the adjustment from high school to college volleyball. 

They kick off the season Aug. 29 at a tournament in Las Vegas against California State University, Bakersfield, and they’ll return to St. George for their first home game against Weber State University Sept. 4.

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