Ken Brown ~ Sociology ~ 1975

I started at the U in September 1971. I transferred and started as a Junior in pursue of BS in Sociology. My goal in choosing Utah was to enter the Social Work School. I received the BS in 1973 and the MSW in 1975. Since 1975 I have been employed and now at 72 year old I am still working as Clinical Social Worker at Whiteriver Indian Hospital, Whiteriver, Arizona. My education at Utah has been great and prepared me for a great career.

Nancy Fagley ~ 1975, 1983 ~ Psychology

CSBS was only two yrs old when I started in 1972. I thought I wanted to major in philosophy, but then I read Walden Two. I immediately changed my major to psych. I did an honors thesis under the direction of David Raskin on biofeedback vs meditation. Later, although I did my PhD in Ed Psych, I took my stat courses from the Psych dept with Tom Malloy, Don Hartmann, & Charles Turner. In fact, I took 4 courses from Hartmann; his exceptional teaching was extremely influential in my subsequent career as faculty at Rutgers U. Best education ever! I recall one yr the Psych dept didn’t fill a position and instead spent the money on a seminar--each week a famous psychologist (e.g., Neisser, Mischel) was brought in to teach the class. What a wonderful experience that broadened our horizons! I was also influenced by a colloquium by Daniel Kahneman, future Nobel Prize winner. CSBS has been a terrific resource for students. I truly appreciate the education so many great faculty provided. Thank-you!

Katherine Forth ~ Political Science/Economics

I am an incoming freshman to the University of Utah this year, and the pandemic seemed like a massive obstacle on the road to success for me. Additionally, my high school senior prom, cotillion, and graduation were all cancelled, which left me feeling depressed, and hopeless about the future. However, with time and self-care, I have come to realize that the only thing consistent about life is its inconsistency, and learning to adapt can help everyone cope with this time of seemingly never-ending change. As Charles Darwin said: "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change". I have come to be responsive and adaptable to this change, by signing up for clubs even though most meetings will be online, registering for hybrid online and in-person classes, and by trying to make friends through social media. Despite these changes, I know that my first year at the U of U will be incredible, and will teach me adaptability.

Amberley Gregg ~ 1995 ~ Psychology

I graduated from CSBS in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree. I went back to the U of U for graduate school, finishing in 2005 with a Master of Education degree in Special Education. My career has included teaching, social service work, family and community partnership work, and administration/leadership. I currently live and work in Washington state, making waves at the state and local level for birth to five early intervention and special education. My focus is on building community partnerships, increasing inclusive preschool opportunities for children with and without disabilities, outreach to underserved and at-risk populations, and innovative systems to improve services for young children with developmental delays.

Mark Hardy ~ Economics/Political Science ~ 1988

Upon graduating in Economics and Political Science from the University of Utah in 1988, I took a position with Bain & Company, a strategic consulting group headquartered in Boston, MA. I worked in the Boston Office of Bain & Company for three years, spending my final six months at Bain working on Bain Capital projects. This introduction to the Private Equity sector had an enormous impact on my employment post going to business school. From Bain & Company I went to business school at Harvard. I graduated from Harvard Business School in 1993 and took a position with a west coast-based Private Equity Firm, Aurora Capital Group. I became a partner at Aurora Capital Group and worked there for 25 years. My family and I recently relocated back to Salt Lake City, Utah where I am working on projects with privately held companies. I believe my undergraduate education at the University of Utah to be the most important professional accomplishment of my career.

Debra Sorenson Ma ~ Psychology ~ 1994

When I graduated, I immediately went to work on a cancer genetics project at the U of U Department of Human Genetics in which my honors thesis advisor (Dr. Bob Croyle) was involved. This project was looking at the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of genetic testing for a breast cancer gene. Thanks to my undergraduate thesis which gave me experience in statistics and collecting data, I set up the database for the project and learned to program computer-assisted surveys. I had many amazing mentors in the psychology department. I also learned a lot about leadership, as the President of Psi Chi and as a supplemental instructor for Psych 101. Twenty six years later, I'm still at the University of Utah, managing a team and working on projects within Huntsman Cancer Institute's population sciences department, which conducts many studies of health behaviors and interventions. My undergraduate degree, with a focus in health psychology, helped me find my passion. I love my job today.

M. Scott Mietchen ~ Political Science ~ 1984

I entered the University of Utah in the Fall of 1980 having graduated from Granger High School. I started as a Business major and at the time a student had to take one or two years of pre-business classes before applying for admission to the Business School. As I started taking the calculus and accounting classes I found that I hated them. I could do the work, but they just weren’t very satisfying to me. At the same time, I started taking some of my general education requirements, including Political Science 101 – U.S. Government, from Professor J.D. Williams. His class changed the course of my undergraduate education. I still remember his lecture entitled “Miracle at Philadelphia” which told the story of the Constitutional Convention. The 100+ students in the Orson Spencer Hall lecture hall were rapt with attention as he enthusiastically told of the writing of the U.S. Constitution.

Matt Moffit ~ Geography ~ 1974

I'm a 74 graduate and was a NROTC member as well as a member of Phi Delta Theta and the U of U Lacrosse team. I was commissioned in the Navy upon graduation and served 34 years. I also worked for The Boeing Co. for nearly 10 years. I took full advantage of the great opportunities the U provided as well as the other U activities (hiking, skiing, etc) I engaged in. The education I received at the U served me very well throughout my professional life as I traveled throughout the world getting to personally experience the 'things' I learned while at the U. A number of specific classes served me extremely well...Dr. Lee's Cartography course and Dr. King's Geomorphology course, as well as a host of other courses which made me appreciate the world I was able to fly above and visit through my life. I was blessed to have been able to attend the U and further blessed by education I received and the experiences I have had. My wife is a 77 grad and our daughter is a 17 grad... Go Utes!

William Bradley Parsons lll ~ Political Science ~ 1971

In the summer before my senior year I married the beautiful Robin Picket whom I meet on campus. Graduating from the “U” law school in 1974 I began practicing Law and I have been a sole practitioner now for 46 years. The “U” gave me a foundation for life.

Marcela Sanchez ~ Sociology ~ 2020

I have loved my time in the CSBS; I have learned a lot from my professors and fellow students, not only about the field of Sociology, but also about life. I am a first generation college student and the road to school wasn’t always easy, but I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to study in a compelling and fascinating field. It has given me the opportunity to learn about how change can be brought about in society and how I as an individual can play a role in causing that change. I have acquired a grounded, contextual understanding that allows me to, among many things, explore the most pressing problems of our time and understand the societal, historical forces at work behind these social issues. To me, this perspective is invaluable if we are to come up with compassionate solutions that take into account our shared humanity and get to the root of these issues. My time in the CSBS has given the tools I need to confront these issues on a personal and professional level.

Andrea Schmutz ~ International Affairs & Global Enterprise ~ 2017

I moved from the Philippines to study in the states. I am grateful to graduate with my Masters in International Affairs & Global Enterprise program in 2017. With many scholarships and assistantships I received, I will not be able to graduate without them- so thankful for it! I had the highlight of my graduate years when I interned with the British Parliament sponsored by Hinckley Institute of Politics. I will never forget that experience! I am currently working at the International Admissions in the University of Utah.

Krisha Shakya ~ International Affairs & Global Enterprise ~ 2020

I was invited to both the CSBS Scholarship Celebration Dinners in 2018 and 2019 because I had received scholarships. It was such an honor to receive the scholarships as well as to meet my donors. The CSBS fellowships and scholarships have provided the financial support that I need and helped me concentrate on my academics without having to constantly worry about the tuition fees. Because of CSBS's support and generosity, I can pursue my Master’s degree with the thought that I can complete it on time without the financial burden. Thank you so much, College of Social and Behavioral Science!

Chris Shapard ~ Sociology ~ 2013

I had declared my major in marketing, but after taking a Sociology of Religion class from Frank Page, considered switching majors. I ultimately decided to keep my marketing major and minor in sociology - but I knew sociology was my true passion, and post-graduation I regretted not making it my primary focus. I often left Professor Page's lectures with a profoundly different perspective on social issues and ideas. Another class I credit with profoundly shaping my college experience and general direction post-graduation was Environmental Sociology with Brett Clark. The class ignited a passion in me and engaged me more than any other class I had taken. One of the most valuable aspects of the class was how much Professor Clark presented himself as a mentor, and made an effort to connect with students on an individual level. I'm grateful to have kept a relationship with both professors even to this day.

Eric Thompson ~ Economics ~ 1994

A few years ago, I was making a proposal to a company that they hire our firm. I made my standard proposal with accounting, personnel and operational plans for this job. My meeting was proceeding fine. Near the end of our meeting, my contact asked me to describe the "marginal propensity to consume." He'd heard that I had a degree in statistics or something. I proceeded to describe to him the calculus of a consumption function graphically. I told him to calculate the derivative of the function at any point along its curve to arrive at an actual number. I gave him an example of marginal consumption to be like how much we want each additional bite of cake. Often, we enjoy the first bite very much and each additional less and less. It was a curve-ball question and had little to do with our proposal, but we got the job. Thanks to my professors in both undergraduate and graduate school.

Lauren Weitzman ~ Psychology ~ 1984

I received my B.S. degree in Psychology in 1984 as a commuter student living in Park City. When I left Salt Lake for graduate school in counseling psychology, I never dreamed I would return to my alma mater to work in the University Counseling Center, where I am now director! Pivotal experiences as an undergraduate that positively affected my career path included mentorship from Fred Rhodewalt and Juan Mejia. Now, I have the opportunity to work with clinical psychology graduate students when they train in the Counseling Center, and I still smile when I walk past the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building on campus. I feel so fortunate to have this ongoing reminder of my fond memories of time as a psychology undergraduate at the U!

Austin Westly ~ Public Administration ~ 2018

One of the greatest things I think I gained from my time in the MPA program here at CSBS was my newfound love of other people and their ideas. Before this program I was in a place where I did not accept others views or opinions, and would defend only what I thought was right. The issue was I wasn't even thinking for myself, it was simply me taking what other people said and applying it to my life. The program enabled me to research, study and begin to more fully understand public issues, other people's views and in turn my own perspective. Since the program I have been more open to all views of political parties, understanding things from an objective point of view and finding ways to ensure consistency and compromise when it comes to solving problems.

Lisa Wilson ~ Psychology ~ 2018

In my short two years at the U, I felt new to everything as I was the first person in my family to pursue college and I also came from a small rural Indian reservation. I was not use to the city and it was difficult for me to navigate myself into a different environment that was majority white and urban. On top of that, there were not many Native American students or staff on campus for me to talk to. As a Navajo woman, I have always kept in mind that the place and people I come from is resilient and beautiful. Even though I felt alone and had to do everything on my own - I was just grateful to be in college knowing I was rising out of the cycle of disparity that has been placed on Native youth. There has been many obstacles to overcome, but I know I would like to become a future psychologist for Native youth. As of now, I am currently employed with the Psychiatry department and I am apart of a wonderful research team. Go and climb that ladder shiyazhis! Ahe'hee!