the
Connecting
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Inspiration, insight, and experiences
from students and faculty like you
SPRING 2015
VOLUME ONE
|
ISSUE TWO
CONTENTS
You Are The Startup!
By Darin R. Eckton, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Utah Valley University
[email protected]
1 .......... “Y ou
2 ...........
A r e T h e S tartu p !”
M e ntor S p otlig ht
> T eam L eads & M e ntors F or 2015 - 2016 I was born and raised by two exemplary parents in Redlands, California
with two adopted brothers. I served an LDS mission in Argentina, and speak only Spanish to my five
children. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Teaching,
a master’s degree in Sociology, and earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership. I have served
16-plus years in higher education, and currently serve as an Assistant Professor in the Department
of Student Leadership and Success Studies at Utah Valley University (UVU). I am finishing up three
and a half amazing years as the Faculty Director of the UV Mentor Program at UVU. My areas of
research and expertise are in teaching, learning and motivation.
Since 2011 when I joined the faculty at UVU, my life has changed in very transformational ways.
Only recently did I come to realize how I have lived most of my life in fear. I have been afraid of
letting people down, failing, worrying about what others think of me, and many other things. I think
if we are honest with ourselves, most of us have felt, or feel these or other similar fears.
How do we overcome our fears? Your values. Do you value fear? I know I don’t. Yet for years I have
allowed fear to dictate what I do, or don’t do, as well as, what I say, or don’t say. I have learned that
when I feel fear, I can choose one of my values to mediate the very-real fear I am feeling, and can
overpower it. I am using a value that is inherent in me (Love) to overcome the fear that is not part
of me, but that still exists.
The power is in all of us. Who we are can overcome our fears, which in turn motivates us to
accomplish our goals. When we fail, we do not have to fear and lose our motivation. Most of the
greatest innovators frequently failed. Be your own startup! Use your values to overcome your fears!
Fail! Learn from it, move forward, and choose to be motivated by who you are, rather than your
fears!
A n nou nc e d
3 ...........
A lu m n i U p date
> F ar ew e ll & W e lcom e : F ac u lt y D i r ector
2
Mentor Spotlight
Trevor Harding
Service Team Lead - UV Mentor Program
Utah Valley University
When I was asked to write for this newsletter, I felt very excited and
privileged. Regarding this issue’s theme, it is ultimately up to me to
become successful. If I choose to become successful, the sky is the limit.
First, I’d like to share a little about myself. I grew up in a family of seven kids in Utah County. Although
both of my parents went to college, they did not pressure me to go unless I wanted to. I was very
lucky to have parents that supported me in my many hobbies (that changed often), including creative
writing, musical instruments, sports and many more. My current hobbies are reading, exercising, and
producing hip-hop music. This led me to my degree choice, Digital Media, with an emphasis in Audio
Engineering at Utah Valley University (UVU). I am currently a junior.
I have also served in the UV Mentor Program for three years. The UV Mentor Program has shown me
how rewarding it is to serve my peers and to help students. Attending college at UVU has shown me
how important diversity is in our world.
For me, it is all about finding your internal motivations. College is a long and challenging journey.
There are ups and downs. It is important for you to find personal reasons as to why you are in college
so that when the down times come, you can remind yourself why you started. When I am feeling
unmotivated, I look back at the promises I made to myself during my first semester in college: To get
a bachelor’s degree, to keep well above a 3.0 GPA, and most of all, to try my best in whatever I do.
Often I remind myself that it is up to me whether I do well in college or not. Knowing this keeps me
motivated to succeed.
2015 - 2106 TEAM LEADS & MENTORS
Marketing - Nancy Ortega
David Potts
Caleb Swallow
Brittany Frampton
Devin DeHart
Ty Morgan
Emma Martinelli
Juan Lopez
Activities - Trevor Harding
McKay Hatch
Wilkins Melgaard
Gloria James
Kelsey Troncale
Camron Robinson
Haleigh Maggard
Kenzie Ovard
Xavier Lopez
Service - Dylan Sovine
Taylor Robles
Hannah Nielsen
Angelica Gonzalez
Jared Nusink
Chase Reaveley
Bryce Harper
Elise Jensen
Tiara Thompson
Kirsten Adams
Mentoring - Ellie Parker
Isabella Abad
Kelsea Bennett
Delci Brown
Nathaniel Rasmussen
Candy Searle
Adrian Lopez
Taylor LeDuc
Brad Christensen
Cindy Lopez
Lena Robbins
Research & Development - Sarah Carbine
Audrey Barron
Dennison Coger
Kelly Greener
Lauren Bray
Shaun Christian
Naomi Flowers
Brennan Lindsey
ALUMNI UPDATE
Chelsea Kocherhans
Program Manager for Orientation
Utah Valley University
[email protected]
I am currently employed at Utah Valley University (UVU), and serve as the Program Manager for
Orientation. I am married to a wonderful husband who has always encouraged and motivated me to
accomplish many of my life goals. I was born and raised in Orem, Utah and love it here. I have had
the opportunity to travel to Oregon, California, Washington, New York, Florida, Canada and
Mexico. I thoroughly enjoy learning, and am currently making plans to earn a master’s degree
at either Southern Utah University, or Weber State University.
One of the best academic decisions I made was becoming a UV Mentor. I was a mentor for two
years, between April 2011 and April 2013. The UV Mentor Program helped me discover some of my
greatest strengths. This program helped me realize that when surrounded by great mentors and
positive influences, one can accomplish anything. The reason I am very determined and motivated
to achieve my goals is because of my family, friends, and the faculty and staff at UVU. They constantly
encourage me, and help me to understand that I am more powerful than I realize.
I am truly grateful to the mentors in the UV Mentor Program, and in my bachelor’s degree program
that have taught that if you stay motivated, determined, and persevere, you can achieve the
perceived impossible dream.
Farewell to Darin Eckton & Welcome to Mike Jensen
We would like to thank Darin Eckton for his service as Faculty Director. He has been working with the
program since January 2012. His influence and passion for student success will be felt for many years to
come and he will be greatly missed. Thank you for the lessons you have taught all of us and the love we
have felt from you.
We would like to welcome Mike Jensen as he steps into the roll of Faculty Director.
Mike worked with the program from 2005-2007 and we are excited to have him
back. We are looking forward to working and learning from you!
@ UVMentorProgram
# UVMentors
w ww. uvu .e d u /slss/m e n t o r in g
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