Utah Tech University

Chandler Jones, a second-year master's student in Utah Tech's athletic training program, experienced the opportunity of a lifetime interning for the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars this summer. Jones spent much of his internship at the field making sure things ran smoothly. He set up the practice fields, stocked the athletic training room and helped the staff wherever needed.

Five Dixie State University students have been selected for Johns Hopkins and Stanford summer undergraduate research programs where they will work alongside world-class scientists. DSU students will have the opportunity to participate in breakthrough discoveries advancing the understanding of the human body through their research of biomedical, biochemical and bioinformatics. "This program really allows our students to set themselves apart and compete at the highest level," shared DSU faculty member and Biotech Program Coordinator Douglas Sainsbury. "Students in the past have gone on to top tier medical schools, research programs, and a couple are working in the industry right now."

Snow Canyon High School seniors and Dixie State University concurrent enrollment students Aurianna Dunn and Gracie Newby attended the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Conference and student academy in Seattle, Washington. Dunn and Newby are part of the Washington County School District's K12 Internship Program, which provides work-based opportunities for high school students. Throughout the course of their internship, Dunn and Newby participated in an open house exhibition for the DSU Crime Lab, networked with industry professionals, and attended the AAFS Annual Conference and one-day academy event.

Natural Science major Brady Iverson is truly embodying Dixie State University's polytechnic mission through his internship with the Southern Utah Science Cafe live events and podcast. As an intern, Iverson has had the opportunity to interview and record for his own podcast episode, "All About the Bees: Utah's Favorite Insect" as well as create the podcast opening theme music, manage the Science Cafe's social media account, and conduct research on a variety of topics. Interviewing local bee expert Dr. Joan Meiners for the podcast was a dream for Iverson, who shares a passion with Dr. Meiners for bees. "It was really neat to interview Dr. Meiners, Iverson shared. "I went through her whole body of research and then, right there in front of me, I was able to ask her every question that popped into my head. Getting that firsthand experience was really cool."

Sixteen DSU students and five faculty members participated in the ultimate hands-on learning opportunity this summer filming a television series pilot in the green rolling hills of Ireland. Students took on the roles of a professional film crew, working with professional actors, deadlines, budgets, weather challenges and more. They lived together, bonded, played games and were able to explore their new surroundings for a month. Dixie State University is committed to an "active learning. active life" approach to education, providing students with hands-on opportunities both in the classroom and in the community. This approach equips students with the skills needed to be successful while attending DSU, in the local community and in their future careers.