A few weeks ago, I was leaving campus early in the morning just as students were arriving. Watching them make their way to class was a simple reminder of why we are here and how much this work matters. For many students in rural Central Utah, there is no other nearby option. What we do here creates access and opportunity that would otherwise be unavailable.
This time of year brings our purpose into sharper focus as we see what our students have accomplished, many of whom would not be in college if this institution were not here. We are seeing the results of a full year of effort, persistence, and care. Our students are finishing strong, and that only happens because of the excellent, professional, and steady work of faculty and staff across campus.
In recent weeks, I have had the great privilege to see that work up close. I joined a field trip to Topaz, spent time in art exhibits and performances, attended the International Food Festival, and saw entrepreneurship projects, competitions, and games. I have also attended ceremonies and gatherings that recognize student achievement, including the Student Support Services banquet, the Weeds publication party, technical education scholarship night, student leadership events, and more! Each event reflects not just student talent, but your mentorship and support behind it.
As we move through these final weeks of the semester, I know these are full and demanding days. Thank you for the consistency, flexibility, and commitment you have shown all year, especially in getting to this point.
Commencement is just ahead! It is a meaningful milestone for our students, and it also reflects everything you have invested in them. I am grateful to those working on Commencement events, and I look forward to being there with you to celebrate what our students have accomplished through your efforts.
Stacee
Prof. Dmitri Peskov and the Snow College Dance Company recently returned from the American College Dance Association Conference in Las Vegas where one of their pieces was selected for the Gala Concert Performance. This is Snow’s tenth Gala selection over the past ten years! BRAVO!!!
Prof. Brad Taggart was recently honored as Utah’s 2026 Higher Education Art Educator of the Year.
Snow College Bachelor of Music graduate, Clara Campbell recently won the Blues Alley Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition. Snow Music grad, Abby Huff will make her debut this month at the famous NYC venue, 54 Below. And Snow Music grad, Charity Cooper is about to complete her second Masters Degree, first at Baylor now at the Yale School of Music. These singers, and so many more of our graduates, are truly making their mark in the music world!
In January, the Theatre and Dance Departments merged, and are now led by Chair Prof. Dmitri Peskov, with assistance from Production Manager, Jess Wallace.
Prof. Scott Allred took over this year as Art Department Chair, succeeding Prof. Amy Jorgensen. And Art Professor, Adam Larsen was awarded Sabbatical Leave.
Dr. Madeline LeBaron will step down at year’s end as Chair of the School of Music. She has served with distinction, managing the challenges of transition. Dr. Brent Smith (Chair) and Prof. Brian Stucki (Asst. Chair) will lead the school in the coming year.
And Prof. Brad Taggart is to be appointed Dean of the School of Fine Arts, succeeding Dr. Michael Huff who has served in this capacity for the past six years.
Finally, Dr. Vance Larsen will retire at year’s end after 37 years at Snow College. His long service at Snow was marked by notable performances including two appearances at the College Band Directors Association Conference (it’s like making the NCAA Final Four); formation of The Horne School of Music; building The Eccles Center for the Performing Arts; and initiation of Snow’s first Bachelors Degree, the Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial Music. He leaves a legacy of excellence, and a School of Music that performs at the highest imaginable level.
Snow College recently reached an important milestone with the approval of the institution’s 2026–2027 tuition and student fee proposal. President Stacee McIff, Student Body President Carson Hadley, and I presented to the Utah Board of Higher Education on March 27th. The proposal was well received, with no questions or concerns raised, and the Commissioner’s recommendation aligned fully with Snow College’s approach.
The approved proposal includes a 4% tuition increase. This adjustment is driven primarily by state-mandated compensation and benefit increases, with Snow College responsible for funding 25% of these costs, as well as rank and advancement considerations. The proposal also includes a shift of $2.75 from student fees to General Education tuition. There were no proposed changes to Technical Education tuition amounts.
For students, the impact remains modest. With the 4% increase, resident tuition will rise to $4,192 annually, or approximately $2,096 per semester (up from $2,015). Non-resident tuition will increase to $14,800 annually, or about $7,400 per semester (up from $7,115). This outcome reflects thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to balancing affordability with the need to support Snow College’s faculty, staff, and students.
The Student Life Office has had an exciting and impactful semester filled with growth, collaboration, and vibrant student engagement.
We are thrilled to welcome Kyle Lund as our new Assistant Director. Kyle joins us with several years of experience supporting high school students as they prepare for and connect with higher education opportunities. His background in recruitment and event planning makes him a fantastic addition to our team. He steps into this role following Caden Birch, who recently accepted a position as Director of Student Involvement at Southern Utah University. We are grateful for Caden’s contributions and are excited for Kyle to continue building on that strong foundation.
This semester, Student Life has remained committed to supporting student clubs, developing student leaders, and providing a wide range of engaging activities. Our collaboration with Athletics has helped generate strong school spirit, including energetic, rowdy crowds at our basketball games. We were also excited to see more than 400 students attend the rodeo at the Blackhawk Arena in Salina, and we look forward to continuing that momentum with a Pink Out theme for an upcoming softball game.
One of the highlights of the semester was the Badger Ball, our largest event, which brought together over 600 students for an unforgettable evening. Students dressed to impress and fill the GSC with energy. We are especially proud to feature our own music students as DJs, who always do an amazing job!
We also want to recognize the outstanding leadership of our outgoing Student Body President, Carson Hadley. Carson has represented the institution with exceptional professionalism and pride, and we are excited for his next chapter as he heads to Utah State University to serve as an Ambassador. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Talon Rasmussen of Ephraim as our incoming Student Body President. We are confident in the positive impact he will make in this leadership role.
We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our campus community. The success of Student Life initiatives would not be possible without it. Thank you for being part of what makes this such a special place.
Here’s to a great rest of the year—and continued progress in the next!
This month’s Technical Education update highlights how Snow College ensures its programs remain relevant, in demand, and aligned with current workforce needs.
Accreditation standards and USHE Technical Education policy require every program to maintain an active Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). To strengthen this process, the Okerlund School of Technical Education adopted the BILT (Business & Industry Leadership Team) model last year.
Unlike traditional advisory groups, the BILT model places industry in the lead. Employers don’t just advise, they define the skills students need, and faculty implement those expectations into the curriculum. This approach ensures programs continuously teach the most current and in-demand skills.
Through BILT IAC meetings, industry partners:
This work is organized through a structured review of program Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Industry members evaluate and rank each KSA—identifying what is essential, what is supplemental, and what no longer applies—using formal voting methods.
The result is a dynamic, employer-driven process that keeps Snow College’s technical programs aligned with real-world needs.
Over the past four weeks, the Okerlund School has been actively conducting spring BILT IAC meetings. Five programs completed meetings this week alone, with additional sessions scheduled in the coming weeks.
Snow College’s technical programs are supported by more than 150 reginal and state industry confirmed partners across 21 programs, with 4–8 representatives typically participating in each advisory meeting. Their direct input ensures that curriculum stays current, relevant, and responsive to workforce demand.
We welcome the following individuals to our Snow College family:
| Aubrey Squire | Administrative Assistant, Student Connection Center |
| Isaac Beck | Assistant Director of Admissions/Recruitment |
| Atley Kidder | Front Desk Library Assistant |
| Robert Lohman | OIT Helpdesk |
| Sierra Taylor | Executive Assistant, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management |
| Tiffany Evans | Executive Director of Access & Outreach |
| Samuel Lanier | Custodian, Housing |
| Bree Nielson | IVC Manager |
| Lewis Wilson | Head Men’s Soccer Coach |
| Trey Herrmann | Assistant Football Coach |
The Staff Association is excited to share a few important updates and opportunities for involvement this spring.
First, you may notice a small but meaningful change; our association is now going by “Staff at Snow.” This updated nickname reflects our shared identity and connection across campus, and we hope it will assist in differentiating our communications from the Student Association.
We also encourage all staff to mark your calendars for Professional Development Day on May 14. This event is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside colleagues from across the college. We are currently seeking proposals for breakout sessions. If you have an idea or would like to lead a session, please submit your proposal as soon as possible.
Finally, a reminder that elections for the President-Elect position are currently underway. This is an important opportunity to help shape the future of Staff at Snow. We encourage everyone to participate by voting and making your voice heard.
Thank you for all you do to support Snow College. We appreciate your continued engagement and involvement!
On Friday, April 10, the annual Richfield Light Festival returned to the Sevier County Fairgrounds with a refreshed look. In a proactive collaboration with local and state fire officials, the planning committee withdrew the lantern launch a few days before the event and replaced it with a fireworks display. The unusually dry spring highlighted dry brush and parched water canals across the Sevier Valley, and officials noted an unusual response to agricultural burns. Fire officials emphasized that fireworks offer a more controlled experience with short bursts that can be timed and managed by professionals, helping keep attendees safe while delivering a memorable show.
Despite the change, hundreds of attendees celebrated a vibrant night of family fun. The evening featured a live DJ, line dancing, lawn activities, laser tag, and inflatables. The highlight for many was Mike Rowley and the Snowmobile, offering an impressive hands-on experience for guests of all ages. More than 60 volunteers from Snow College helped make the night possible. The standout moment was the cross-generational energy on the dance floor—ranging from toddlers to those in their sixties—producing a lively atmosphere unlike any other venue.
Cheers to everyone involved for a safe, exceptionally fun evening—made possible through the partnership of Snow College, Richfield City, Sevier County, and the Richfield Area Chamber. We look forward to future lantern launches as conditions permit.
This contribution from the Office of Analytics and Institutional Research (AIR) is part of a series about understanding the data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data system (IPEDS). This contribution focuses on the Outcome Measures report.
The following chart and table provide an overview of the most recent Outcome Measures report for Snow College that is available to the public. They show that 8 years after entry for full-time, first-time freshmen, 81% of the students have either graduated, transferred to another institution, or were still enrolled at Snow College.
This and more can be found at the Snow College profile on the IPEDS website.
Thank you for all the work you do to maintain and use Snow College data to improve our services for our students and employees. As always, we encourage you to reach out to us in AIR to share any questions, concerns, or ideas you have about the data at Snow College.
