Access to education no matter where you are

The first statewide campus of Utah State University was established in Roosevelt, Utah in 1967. There are now 30 campuses and a variety of centers throughout the state of Utah, including three residential campuses — Logan, Price and Blanding. Statewide campuses offer over 150 certificates, degrees and licenses.  

Dana Rhoades, marketing director for statewide campuses, said they “serve community needs.” 

“I think the statewide campus mission is really important, because we provide access to students to higher education no matter where they are,” Rhoades said. “They have the opportunity to better their lives and also stay in places they love. And one of the things I think is really unique about statewide campuses is they are strong in their partnerships with their local community.” 

Statewide campuses across 85,000 square miles provide students with opportunities, wherever they live in Utah. 

“The state really is our classroom,” Rhoades said.  

In a report provided by Rhoades, fall 2022 enrollment counted 5,826 undergraduate and 841 graduate students at various statewide campuses — where students have access to almost all the same services as students in Logan.  

Rhoades said students are also matched with a student success coordinator, which is unique to statewide campus locations.  

“They are there to help support them in career decisions, preparing for classes — anything a student might have a question about with their student experience, but it’s primarily preparing them for job opportunities, connecting them with internships and preparing them in their career decision-making skills,” she said. 

Each campus has counselors, therapists, testing services, money management centers, veterans affairs and financial aid offices, disability resource centers and career design centers. 

“A statewide campus student really has a team of support,” she said. “They have their academic adviser to make sure they are in the right classes, and they have a success coordinator that’s located on their campus. They really help to facilitate whatever that student needs, whether it’s tutoring or counseling and psychological services. This team is like their liaison to how statewide campuses can support them.” 

Among the services provided at statewide campuses is the USU Extension program.  

“What’s important to note about is that both of those two entities embody Utah State’s land-grant mission,” she said. “It’s two-pronged, where we have statewide campuses where you can go earn a certificate, and we facilitate the same access to higher education as anywhere. What’s different about Extension is that their primary focus is community education.”  

Founded in 1914, USU Extension’s primary charge and focus is community based, including programs for 4-H, agriculture and natural resources, business and community, gardening, finance and wellness.   

The Extension website states, “Utah State University Extension provides research-based programs and resources with the goal of improving the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout Utah. USU Extension operates through a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture, Utah State University, and county governments.” 

Kelsey Braithwaite, nutrition ambassador for Create Better Health, has been working for USU Extension for a year and a half.  

Create Better Health is run through every USU Extension office throughout the state. Their goal is to teach low-income individuals and families how to eat healthy, and live a healthier lifestyle in simple and affordable ways.  

“The USU Extension has so many resources for the community. This is super important because a lot of the people I work with couldn’t afford to go to classes like this otherwise,” Braithwaite said.