Jenny Mayer-Glenn is Special Assistant to the President for Campus-Community Partnerships at the University of Utah and the Director of University Neighborhood Partners (UNP). Jenny’s leadership focuses on collaboration and agility. She strives to be an inclusive, democratic leader who exhibits openness to ideas and innovations. Much of her work at UNP centers diverse community voices in University of Utah impact initiatives including the creation of a comprehensive health center, workforce pathways, and innovative research opportunities and societal impact with diverse communities in the Salt Lake Valley. Previously, Jenny was a Salt Lake City School District teacher and administrator for 23 years. Through her community advocacy, Jenny has served on several boards, commissions and committees including Advisory Committee on Equity of Educational Services for Students at the Utah State Board of Education, the SLC Human Rights Commission, the Utah Governor’s Multicultural Commission and served as President of the Utah Coalition of La Raza. Jenny has deep roots in Utah. Her grandfather, Vicente Mayer, helped start Centro Civico Mexicano in 1939. Her father, Edward Heriberto Mayer, helped start the Ethnic Studies program at the University of Utah in the 1970’s.

Growing up in the Salt Lake Valley, with his grandparents immigrating from Mexico to Corrine City, Utah has always been home to Miguel. Due to the sacrifices of his family, he has had the privilege of attending public schools and later higher education in the state; Miguel has spent his career finding ways to promote access for others to do the same. From volunteering for after school programs, working in and with public schools, to conducting state level research, Miguel understands the various systems that impact a student’s education. During his MSW program with the University of Utah, Miguel spent time at UNP as a student, carrying the model of community partnership wherever he went. Community, and the impact of mutual empowerment, helped to inform his practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, program coordinator, and later researcher. While completing his PhD program at the University of Denver, he most recently worked with the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, helping to accomplish multiple projects and priorities with communities around the state. Miguel practices from the belief that everyone can learn and everyone has something to teach. He looks forward to working alongside the UNP staff, the community, faculty, and all those who want to see our communities thrive.

Alma is the Community Organizer and Assistant Partnership Manager for University Neighborhood Partners, and a resident of the Westside. She graduated from The University of Utah Parent Advocate Training where she learned how to become a leader in her own community and an advocate for her family within the school system. She is a graduate of The Venture Course in the Humanities through the Utah Humanities Council and is currently working on obtaining a Social Work degree and plans to further her education in Communications. At UNP, Alma spends most of her time working side by side with the community, more specifically parents of students who are involved in UNP’s partnerships; she supports Westside families in becoming involved in educational opportunities as well as their children’s school. Alma also works as a childcare provider at the Northwest Recreational Center. Alma was raised in Laredo, Texas and has been living in Utah for over twenty years. She is the mother of five beautiful children; four daughters and one son. She spends her free time with her family; she also enjoys the outdoors and camping.

Bruce is the Manager of Accounting and Finance for University Neighborhood Partners. He has a Master’s of accounting and has been with the U for over 18 years. Before coming to UNP he worked in the U of U’s Advancement Office as an accountant. Previously, he worked as a corporate accountant in property and nursing home management. He enjoys working with people and numbers to align organizational goals with budgeting and finances. He spends his free time volunteering for Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families (HC4YF), cooking from scratch, gardening, camping, hiking with family, playing with the kids, and rock climbing.

As the West Valley Initiative Fellow, Erick endeavours to expand UNP partnerships into West Valley City. Erick is the first of a new generation of partnership managers trained at UNP and is helping create a Community Partnership Handbook to teach current and future UNP staff the complexities of partnership management. He is also involved with Operation: My Hometown, a grassroots initiative that is focused on uniting communities across West Valley. His work is centered around racial equity, entrepreneurship, and reducing barriers to higher education for high school graduates on the west side. His efforts are setting the framework for future UNP expansions in Salt Lake County. Fresh from the University of Utah, Erick joined UNP in May of 2021. He brings new perspectives to the team with a BS in Information Systems. At the University of Utah, he was consistently involved in organizations on and off campus. He gained experience reaching out to students as a programming director with the Crimson Gaming Club and as a recruitment officer for TEK Club. He discovered his passion for partnership work through an internship with the University of Utah Hope Corps and the Ivory Foundation. Born in California, but raised in Utah, Erick likes to play video games, travel, and can be found looking for treasures at yard sales and the swap meet. He does not have children (yet!) but is driven to simplify the path to higher education for his four younger siblings who are in middle and high school.

Faduma is the Hartland Partnership Center Coordinator at UNP. She previously worked with UNP as a community resource navigator on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Working with community members who were struggling with rent payment and debt relief during the economic hardships of the pandemic. Working on the ERAP program aligned with her work with refugee communities here in Utah. She has worked with two non-profit humanitarian organizations, whose work revolved around providing displaced individuals from around the world a new home. She is a recent graduate from the University of Utah, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Biology. Faduma who is originally from Somaliland and Somalia, grew up in Egypt and moved with her family to Utah in 2006. She enjoys reading about current events, listening to the radio, and growing plants in hydroponics.

Gladyris Larsen, affectionately known as Glady, is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Development Director at University Neighborhood Partners (UNP). Her unwavering belief in the transformative power of philanthropy to uplift communities defines her approach. Glady's work is deeply rooted in understanding the societal barriers affecting Utah's residents, seeking to break cycles of interdependence. Glady believes in translating knowledge into actionable plans yielding measurable societal improvements. Her career path includes roles as a Regional Philanthropy Officer for the American Red Cross and Development Director at Utah's Safe Harbor Crisis Center, providing invaluable experience in fundraising and community support strategies. Beyond her professional commitments, Glady actively contributes to her local community by serving on various boards, championing prevention sciences initiatives tailored to community needs. Originally from Puerto Rico, she has called Utah home for 26 years. Outside of work, Glady enjoys cherished moments with her husband and three sons, relishing Utah's stunning natural landscapes. Her passions encompass an array of outdoor activities, from skiing, running, and biking to wakeboarding, paddleboarding, river rafting, hiking, and golfing, a testament to her love for the outdoors and dedication to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Hannah is a current graduate student at the University of Utah studying Education, Culture, and Society. Originally from a costal town in Oregon, she has adapted to living in a landlocked state over the past 10 years. She identifies as Japanese American and enjoys hiking, swimming, making soup, and going to concerts. At UNP, Hannah coordinates the New American Academic Network (NAAN, for short) working with immigrant and refugee adults to further their access and create pathways to higher education and the workforce. This role has led to an increased focus on health science pathways, especially for foreign-trained doctors seeking to practice in the US. Hannah hopes to elevate the experience of NAAN participants to continue paving pathways for future west side residents. Hannah brings to UNP her experience as an organizer for Salt Lake’s queer, trans, 2S POC community and former teaching experience both in Utah and abroad. In her role as a community leader Hannah seeks to create spaces that recognize and honor people’s lived experiences, knowledge, and intersecting identities to build safe and fun community spaces. Her main research interests at the U include Healing and Restorative Justice in Education, Critical Race Theory, Decolonizing Education, and Native American Studies.

Tacos are life! But so are the inspiring young people and school communities that Jarred has had the privilege to work with across the SLC valley for many years now. Homegrown in Kearns and SLC, a Chicanx, hip-hop head with family roots that spread throughout the southwest and northern Mexico, he comes from a family legacy of migrant farm work. Jarred spent two years in Chicago earning a Master’s degree in Youth Development, while also building a network of connections to many organizations and people dedicated to youth resistance and critical literacy. Now, as a partnership manager with the UNP familia since October 2018, he’s been able to continue working on building bridges between other people locally who have a passion for critical & creative youth work in schools and community. Sometimes he gets free by writing poems and performing, occasionally hosting open mics or doing workshops with the Truth Cypher collective, otherwise he is probably hanging out in the mountains or jamming out to cumbias. Did we mention, he also loves eating tacos?

Jasmine Montoya is the Youth Center Coordinator at the UNP Hartland Partnership Center. She is a passionate educator, dedicated to supporting the learning and growth of young Glendale residents. Jasmine grew up in Glendale, worked at Glendale Middle School and Mountain View Elementary School, and volunteered with the Glendale/Mountain View Community Learning Center. Jasmine is mom to a toddler and is waiting to continue her education in midwifery. She loves to run and practice weight lifting, a hobby she "picked up" while not in school.

In her role as Administrative Program Coordinator, Jewel is often the front line for communications with the board, residents, and community partners. She provides a broad range of support that also includes general office management for the UNP “House”, event coordination and support, social media management, and other administrative functions. Jewel has an Associate’s Degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Anthropology & Social Science, and completed the Venture Course in the Humanities through Utah Humanities and Westminster College. Outside of UNP Jewel enjoys spending time with family and friends. When she can, she loves hiking, travel, reading, and describes herself as a movie junkie.

Jorge is the Education Pathways Coordinator at UNP. He is passionate about community work, dedicated to supporting the neighborhood in any capacity he can. Jorge grew up in the Salt Lake valley, worked at Glendale Middle School, Glendale Community Learning Center, as well as Salt Lake County’s Centro de La Familia. Jorge is a father to a cat and a dog, and attended the university of Utah to study Political Science. He loves to hike and cook, as well as just about any other hobby he can get into.

Growing up in the mountains and desert of Utah, Julianne enjoys a deep connection with the land and community and is inspired by the resilience and adaptive capacity of the place and people. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and passionate about culturally responsive, community centered practice. Julianne has been the Clinical Director since 2014. She supports social work student field education, convenes health partners, and provides trauma informed mental health support to individuals and families in the community both through the Bridge Training Clinic and the Hartland Free Mental Health Clinic. An avid gardener, Julianne loves to grow, cook, and share her harvests, spend time with her family and continues to wander in the mountains and desert.

Kimberly considers herself a daughter of the plains of North Dakota, where a Ukrainian, historian grandmother and others helped her learn the value of knowing one’s roots, the power of asking good questions, and the many lessons the land can teach. After years as a dancer, choreographer, and dance company administrator, she moved into the field of alternative education, directing Higher Ground Learning, and starting Spy Hop Productions’ first all youth radio show, Loud and Clear. In 2004, while working on her master’s degree in Education, Culture & Society at the University of Utah, Kimberly joined UNP. Her initial focus was working with resident leaders to start the Hartland Partnership Center. Since then, she has held many UNP positions, helping her to better understand and apply the processes needed to create equitable partnerships that are rooted in authentic relationships and move towards systemic change. In 2017, asked by local immigrant leaders to help support their families and communities in their home countries, Kimberly worked with partners local and abroad to establish the international collective, Bridging Borders. She occasionally teaches for the U and she runs her own company, Olive Branch Community Partnerships, consulting for the Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, various departments at the U, and community groups living at the margins both locally and abroad. Kimberly lives in Salt Lake City with her daughter and partner, Ron. She loves the work she does with the UNP family and is honored to be on this shared journey.

Liliana believes in equitable health access, empowering community voices and the importance of bringing voices to spaces that have historically been inaccessible to many communities. Her interests in social justice, health disparities, and creating healthy communities led her to complete a bachelors in Health Society & Policy and one in International Studies in 2014. After seeing how lack of access affects preventive care, she decided to pursue a master’s in Public Health from the University of Utah, graduating in 2019. She has worked in multiple health settings including, Huntsman Cancer Institute, research analyst for the University of Utah, Primary Children’s, International Rescue Committee as a Health Intern, and volunteers her time to address barriers to access and care. Her interests include women’s reproductive health, health equity, and community participatory research methods. On her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, reading all kinds of books, being outdoors, and making sure her child doesn’t get too bored.

Melissa is joining UNP as our Grant Writer & Communications Specialist. She’s had experience with the Adult Education Program for the Provo City School District while she pursued her undergrad in Communications & Public Relations at UVU. She’s had the opportunity to conduct social media roles in a variety of industries, including: HR & higher ed software, beauty & wellness and sustainable fashion brands. She’s a Utah transplant from San Diego, California, so winters are always rough with the significant drop in temperature. You’ll find her bundled up in the winter for peak coziness. Dance has been a key role in her early childhood into adulthood through classes and performances that were offered by the local after school program. She now attends a technical ballet class to upkeep her progress and sustain a healthy routine.

Saolo Betham joined UNP in January 2018 as a Community Leadership Partnership Manager, and works to strengthen the skills and opportunities for west side resident leaders. She studied Urban, Rural, and City Planning from BYU as well as International Affairs at the University of Utah. Previously, she worked as an Academic Advisor for the College of Architecture + Planning, as well as the Coordinator for the Five Parks Community Action Center in West Valley. Her passion for community building comes from volunteering with Pacific Islander youth development programs in various academic, athletic, and religious spaces. Originally from Hawaii, Saolo now calls Utah home and enjoys Korean BBQ restaurants, playing volleyball, & traveling.

Tek is originally from a hilly village in Eastern Bhutan. He began schooling at 11 and had to cross a river and hills to attend. In grade 5 he became school captain, a student leadership position he’d been nominated for. After completing primary school he attended a senior high school three days from his home village. He attended for four years but had to leave before the final exams as his family was evicted from Bhutan when the Royal Government imposed an ethnic cleansing policy. They lived in a refugee camp in Jhapa, Nepal for years. In spite of this, Tek continued his education through National Open School, in India. He obtained a Master’s Degree from North Bengal University, a Bachelor’s Degree of Education from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, and privately studied Public Administration. He faced many challenges both financially and from the restrictions of the refugee camp. While in the camp, Tek married and had three children of his own. They resettled in Salt Lake City in 2013. He completed the Case Management Certificate program and Westside Leadership Institute – both partnership offerings that supplemented his studies here, where his has obtained his Master’s of Social Work and is pursuing his MBA. Through his life he has held many titles. Among these are translator, teacher, assistant headmaster, custodian, project coordinator, contact tracer, afterschool specialist, family outreach liaison, and more. He was a Community Resource Navigator at UNP. He has written news articles to advocate for long term solutions for.

Teresa works with west side Salt Lake residents in different capacities. Her research interests are community practice, mental health and substance use. The intersectionality of these fields gives her insights on the protective and risk factors for individuals and families in Utah. She has conducted impact and empowerment evaluation for the Westside Leadership Institute, and volunteered as an instructor for refugee and immigrant background community-based organizations. She helps grow local residents’ organization capacity to respond to their own cultural and linguistic strengths and needs. As Associate Director at University Neighborhood Partners, her mission is to nurture the development of UNP’s community capacity and wellbeing, education pathways, and community leadership supported-partnerships. Teresa has an appointment as assistant professor/lecturer at the College of Social Work and works closely on Community Capacity and Wellbeing partnerships, in conjunction with Latino Behavioral Health Services, NAMI, URLEND, University of Utah Health, and Hartland Community 4 Youth & Families. Teresa earned her PhD and MSW degrees from the University of Utah; her MBA degree from Lake Superior State University; and her BS in Economics at UNAM, Mexico.