Graduates of Integrated Studies: January 2011

Dylan Witt "Greetings From Guaman, Volta Region, Ghana!"

Dylan Witt
Graduated 2009
B.S. Integrated Studies with Emphases in Environmental Studies & Earth Science

Dear Scott,

I hope that your semester went well. I have to admit that I am a bit
envious of you; it feels strange not to be on a college campus 80
hours a week anymore. I miss the atmosphere that existed in the
classroom, but I have learned to create one- person classrooms inside
my bedroom here in Ghana. I've started at- home GRE and LSAT prep
courses, which have served the dual purpose of keeping my mind sharp,
while simultaneously keeping my post- Ghana options open.

I am about six months into my Peace Corps service, and it is going
incredibly well. Obviously, it has been a very hectic six months, and
there have been hundreds of minor and major adjustments I have had to
make. With that said, I feel so at home in my town and job, that I
cannot think of a time in my life that I have been happier than I am
right here right now.

The purpose of this email is really just to thank you for how well
your courses prepared me for my work here. Not only did my senior
thesis give me a lot of focus and direction in my goals and
aspirations, but working with you in the topics courses helped me
learn to communicate more clearly, and understand the underlying
complexity of issues that I had previously tended to examine
superficially. The skills you taught me will continue to aid me in my
work here and elsewhere.

If you want to get a little glimpse into my life right now, feel free
to watch a few of the short videos I have posted on my YouTube account
(youtube.com/user/nillad1000). I can only post videos when I am in
Accra, so I have gotten behind in that department, but I will be
updating it again soon.

Once again, thank you for your support in my education. You really
helped make my experience at UVU a positive one. Send my regards to
your fellow faculty, the students in the major, as well as Lynn.

Sincerely,
Dylan

Corom Hughes

Corom Hughes
Graduated 2006
B.S. in Integrated Studies with Emphases in Analytic Communication and Multimedia Communication

"I am writing to let you know what I am doing now. I finished my Masters of Social Work and I currently work for the Utah County Division of Substance as a clinical therapist. I work at the Utah County Jail as the program manager of the On Unit Treatment (OUT) program. The program is for inmates with substance abuse problems and the majority are court ordered to complete the program before their release. I am attaching a study of the effectiveness of the program. This has truly been a rewarding career change that feels right. Let me know if I can do anything to help out with the Integrated Studies program and Thank you.

Corom Hughes"

John Calder

Graduated 2008

Emphases in Earth Science / Philosophy

Graduate School: Brigham Young University

Program: Master's in Biology

http://biology.byu.edu/home

I am studying the physiological mechanisms in aspen that facilitate decline as conifers invade the aspen stands. It is great research and working hard on my senior thesis helped me to know how to gather and evaluate the literature relative to my study.

Ruth Galvez

Graduated 2007

Emphases in Behavioral Science / Spanish

Graduate School: Brigham Young University

Graduated with Master of Public Administration, 2010

Ruth's Integrated Studies thesis

Ruth completed her thesis on Latino Youth finding self actualization. She received the UVU outstanding alumni award from Latinos Unidos. In 2010, Ruth graduated with and MPA from Brigham Young University.

Wendi Prince Bulkley

Wendi Prince Bulkley

Graduated 2007

Emphases in Outdoor Leadership / Business Leadership

Organization : Washington City

Position: Recreation Coordinator

Wendy's thesis

Wendy says: "I have found a perfect career that encompasses both of my areas of study. I oversee all recreation programming for the city and I have the opportunity to work outdoors most of the time. I also get to use my business skills and organize all of our youth and adult league sports. I am getting great experience designing and organizing our new Community Center where I will be able to teach rock-climbing and leadership programs to people of all ages. I don't have a single day that is repetitious at my job. I have a blast working and recreating with my current job position. The integrated studies program was absolutely wonderful. It customized two areas that I wanted to work in and now I have the opportunity to use both on a daily basis. This is the ideal field and dream job I have always wanted. I am so grateful for the education I received at UVU. I will forever remember the skills, education and leadership opportunities I had there, all of which have helped me achieve who and where I am today. Thank you UVU Faculty!"

Kelly Stowell

Graduated 2007

Emphases in Business Management / Psychology

Organization : Utah Student Association

Position: Director / Coordinator

Kelly Stowell tells us:" I am the Director / Coordinator of the Utah Student Association with plans to attend graduate school at the University of Utah in the fall of 2008. As part of my job I represent the Utah Student Association on behalf of the Utah Council of Student Body Presidents to represent the interests and preserve the rights of the students of higher education.

I work with the Utah State Board of Regents, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Utah State Legislature, the Presidents of institutions of the Utah System of Higher Education, and other community and governmental agencies to initiate positive changes and be a voice for the students of Utah.

As a result of my undergraduate training through the Integrated Studies program I was able to study a wide range of subjects and incorporate real-life applications into my educational experience. This in turn has prepared me for a career that involves working on a large variety of topics and issues with many different individuals and organizations. The Integrated Studies program at UVU is extraordinary and I highly recommend it to anyone as a course of college study.