Changes at UVU anticipate growth, and students staying in Utah

OREM, Utah — Utah’s population growth shapes the goals of many public institutions, including Utah’s colleges, and it was the impetus for the recent additions to the UVU campus.

Those additions include the new Young Living Alumni Center, built with an eye to the future and, unique to Utah, students who choose to stay in the state of their collegiate alma mater. 

“Eighty-six percent of our students remain in Utah,” Val Peterson said. “They’ve remained here to help build the economy.”

Peterson is UVU’s VP of Administration and Strategic Relations. The student population’s bloomed; consequently, he foresees UVU filling an important role.

“We work with work-ready graduates in nursing, accounting, engineers, hotel managers … all those people come together to help fill the needs we have in the state of Utah.”

 

UVU’s goal to help turn their alumni into Utah’s workers isn’t empty either, because the school brings receipts. The new alumni center is a $12 million project, and the next build is a $135 million engineering building. As a matter of fact, Peterson works from the sleek and naturally-lit Gateway building. It opened after a $5 million alum donation.

For Peterson, the growth of Utah County and UVU is intertwined.

“People need a place to go to school, they need a place to learn a skill or their profession, and that’s the goal Utah Valley University plays in Utah county.”

With such a direct connection between fresh graduates, professionals, and local issues, Utah’s outlook could range from ‘cautiously-optimistic’ to ‘not bad at all.’

Related reading:

• Census data: What was Utah’s fastest growing city in 2022?
• U of U projection: Utah population 5.4 million by 2060
• Can curbing Utah’s population growth address drought, Great Salt Lake?