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<title>CHaSS charters a new building</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/chass-charters-a-new-building/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Brewster]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[CHaSS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Department of World Languages and Cultures]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22130577</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>On Oct. 11 at 2 p.m., the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center will open at Utah State University’s…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/chass-charters-a-new-building/">CHaSS charters a new building</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On Oct. 11 at 2 p.m., the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center will open at</p>
<p>Utah State University’s Logan Campus, on the Quad. After its opening, a party will occur.</p>
<p>The festivities includes multiple speakers, a blessing ceremony, food and music, as well as thanking the various donors of the building.</p>
<p>The building is planned to house the Department of World Languages and Cultures.</p>
<p>Among its amenities and resources, are what are dubbed cultural hubs, areas that are associated with the different languages offered at USU.</p>
<p><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“These cultural hubs are rooms that have lots of different resources to support students in engaging in their languages and learning about their culture associated with this language,” said Rebecca Walton, the executive associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Each of the cultural hubs will have a mini fridge, because food is such an important part of culture. They’ll have big monitors that can be used for lots of different things, like for example, watching movies or other sorts of media in that language. Perhaps for Zooming with groups of other students who are heritage speakers in a country that speaks the language that students here are studying.”</p>
<p>These hubs are also designed to be comfortable settings, where the aim is for students to be able to practice with fellow students in the language they are studying, as well as for being storage areas for a variety of resources for those learning that hub’s language. In addition, the language clubs are also strongly encouraged to use these hubs as well according to Walton.</p>
<p>“They’re designed to support several different kinds of engagement amongst students,” said Walton. However, the cultural hubs aren’t the only amenity offered. “Along with this is going to be a translation center, and interpretation,” said assistant professor Elsa Perez, who also works as a translator and interpreter for the department of World Languages and cultures. “The purpose of this translation center will be to be a place for students to practice their translation skills. The interpretation lab will serve to reinforce the skills as far as medical interpreting and court interpreting.”</p>
<p>A specialized area for translating and interpreting is being created as well, complete with a translation booth. Here, translation and interpreting services are offered to students and faculty At the moment now, the only language being providedis Spanish, but there are plans to expand to other languages.</p>
<p>Furthermore, proficiency certificates can be acquired through the translation center. At the moment, there are two certificates available, medical interpreting and translation, and business and legal translation and interpretation. Both certificates are 16 credits.These certificates are also open for the broader Logan community.</p>
<p>“We are offering those classes to the community for free, which is usually a certificate that willcost around $700,” Perez said. “Right now, we have around 100 individuals that have been trained.”</p>
<p>This program already has plans for expansion to other campuses, as well as offering courses in other areas. These include Navajo at Blanding, Spanish at Moab, and a Russian course in the Salt Lake Area due to Ukrainian immigration. “With these two certificates, we believe it’s going to better equip the students to have a more practical way of using the language to just to have a minor,” Perez said.</p>
<p>In addition, there are plans in motion for the creation of a degree in translation and interpreting, which at the time of writing is in the final stages of getting approval. This decision was made in part because there has been a demand for translators and interpreters. “The Bachelor’s itself kind of has two different tracks,” said Jared Colton, the associate dean of the CHaSS. “You can either go down the legal route or you could go down the healthcare route.”</p>
<p>A reflection room, a quiet place for meditation, prayer or just for reduced stimulation, will also be available. This reflection room will be open for all.</p>
<p>A major reason for the new building is to give better opportunities for students learning foreign languages. “Utah is a major leader in our nation in language study,” Walton said. “So it’s really important for the land-grant university of the state to offer top- quality resources to students who want to study other languages and cultures.”</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/chass-charters-a-new-building/">CHaSS charters a new building</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>How educators are integrating AI into classrooms</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/how-educators-are-integrating-ai-into-classrooms/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lacey Cintron]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:01:06 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[AI in classrooms]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Artificial Intelligence]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ChatGPT]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[education]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Generative AI]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Higher Education]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[teaching]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[universities]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22129754</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>From writing detailed research papers to conducting large scale data analysis, AI has taken on an unprecedented role in the…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/how-educators-are-integrating-ai-into-classrooms/">How educators are integrating AI into classrooms</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From writing detailed research papers to conducting large scale data analysis, AI has taken on an unprecedented role in the past decade.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>AI has completely altered the field of digital ethics, sparking new conversation and fierce debate. What will remain constant, however, is the presence of AI. Educators at Utah State University are well aware of this fact and are taking steps to adapt AI into a tool — students and professors can learn exactly how to do this via USU’s AI in Teaching workshops. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Neal Legler is the director of the Center for Instructional Design and Innovation and a presenter for the workshops. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We’re trying to help faculty become comfortable and familiar with the technology themselves and also become better at helping students use it appropriately and effectively,” Legler said. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>These hour-long workshops will take place throughout the school year, accessible via Zoom. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Most faculty are coming to grips with the fact AI isn’t going away,” Legler said. “They’re wanting to understand how they can work effectively with students — to help students be prepared for the future while still having a good learning experience.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Three different topics are currently being covered in these workshops, starting with Basics and Opportunities on Aug. 19. This first workshop aims to introduce Generative AI and instruct attendees on how it works, its benefits and its drawbacks. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We introduce them to some of the many different AI-oriented tools available to them and to students,” Legler said. “Then we spend some time talking about the importance of defining their expectations regarding AI for their classes.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Legler urges educators to place the objectives of their class against the usage of AI and weigh the benefits and risks of students utilizing it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We want them to think about their objectives and understand what it is they’re trying to accomplish,” Legler said. “Then take a look at their assignments, and say, ‘What is it that I can do now? What do I need to do with my assignments, acknowledging the existence of AI, to maximize student contribution?’” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>According to a survey conducted by Intelligent.com, nearly a third of college students are using ChatGPT as of Feb. 2024. 96% of those surveyed reported using the program for schoolwork, with some using it to write entire essays. As more and more programs like ChatGPT become widely available, it’s become apparent to educators that Generative AI is something they’ll have to seriously consider when creating assignments. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Maybe, instead of just turning in a single essay, they really focus their assignments on the writing process and then grade students on the writing process,” Legler said. “We also encourage them to try doing their assignment with AI, see if they can do it and what happens.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Faculty will then format their AI policies based on what they’ve learned during the workshop. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Some faculty want to say AI use is strictly prohibited,” Legler said. “There are also others who say AI use is permitted as directed within specific assignments. Then there are some who say to go ahead and use it — just be sure to use it responsibly.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Faculty are also taught how to spot unauthorized AI use and the following actions to take once AI has been detected. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“It’s tricky — this is a hard thing for faculty to work through,” Legler said. “It’s not a fun conversation if you think maybe your student is being dishonest, so we talk through defining your syllabus, the university processes you would need to go through and some things you can do before going through these processes, like talking to the student.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The workshop begins to look towards opportunities for enhancing a class through different AI tools. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We start to get into how you can enhance and build up your course using AI,” Legler said. “What are some ways that you can use it to give students a more personalized experience?” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The next workshop focused on application, where attendees delved into prompt engineering and ways educators can leverage its use in perfecting lesson plans and activities. This workshop took place on Aug. 20. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We pull up a couple different examples of things you could do with AI,” Legler said. “With ChatGPT, for example, you could create better content or create interactive activities.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The workshop provides attendees with the chance to ask questions about their own class and come up with ways in which AI could suit their specific objectives. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We’ll go back and forth asking about their class and just try some things,” Legler said. “We’ll pull up ChatGPT, set up some scenarios and work through them.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Attendees will work through several specific examples, step by step, to better understand AI and how they can apply it in a realistic setting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We’ll take five specific tasks or things you would do as a teacher, plug in some prompts and use AI to do these tasks,” Legler said. “Maybe we’re using it to create a lesson, create variations of test questions or create an instructional image.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>As AI becomes further entrenched in the education and the professional world, new questions about ethical usage are inevitable. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Sharad Jones is an Assistant Professor of Data Analytics and Information Systems and has done research into ethical AI. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“AI, or machine learning, is trying to find patterns and data and use that to make predictions about the future,” Jones said. “There’s now a fundamental statistics question of, ‘Where did you get that data from? How is that data sampled?’” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Sampling bias is one of the biggest issues when it comes to AI, made widely known after online retailer Amazon’s discriminatory AI recruitment tool came to light. This tool prioritized male candidates and would penalize resumes of female applicants, and it was quickly discontinued after extreme bias was uncovered within the system. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Say, for example, I’m working for Utah State University, and I want to find the best professors I can,” Jones said. “Maybe I base my search on how many publications they’ve had and the amount of grant funding they’ve brought in. I run into a risk — maybe these professors I find have had prior advantages or their parents were professors so they knew the channels to go through.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Jones emphasizes bias as a statistics problem more than it is a fault within AI. As AI is traditionally used to organize large data sets, an age-old statistics problem becomes aggravated. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“This is the core of what ethical AI is discussing,” Jones said. “How can we ethically source, use and leverage data to still do all the things we need to do but in a more ethical and fair way?” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When it comes to mitigating bias, Jones said the resolution is dependent on the situation. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“In the context of building a model to find the best professors, the answer might be concretely defining what it means to be a good professor,” Jones said. “Maybe I need to collect a richer data set or not cast my net as widely.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">To utilize AI in a way that is both productive and ethical, Jones emphasizes keeping humans heavily involved in the creation and output of AI. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The best thing you can do is keep a human in the loop,” Jones said. “It’s not to say humans aren’t biased, but at least we know who is taking ownership for these decisions and can seek to make a fairer decision.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">As AI continues to evolve from rudimentary to machine learning capable of a million different things, more and more educators are realizing the potential of AI in the classroom. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“It is a tool in the learning process,” Jones said. “It’s a question of understanding what we’re actually trying to teach in these classes. Is my goal to teach them how to write code, or is my goal to teach them how the algorithm is used to construct a statistical model? It should serve to assist in the parts of the process that were not directly trying to teach.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">According to Jones, students may need to develop new skills as a consequence of AI, its proper usage and its integration within academics.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“You’re going to see a lot of information now, and you’re going to need to become an exceptional discerner of truth,” Jones said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Jones said AI is the next step in a long line of technological evolution. From the invention of the printing press, to calculators and the internet and now machine learning, educators inevitably must adapt. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Where it differs from the past is this happened faster than any previous technologies,” Jones said. “Basically overnight, all of a sudden everybody saw the dramatic number of possibilities that increased from this one tool.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The topic of AI stirs up a lot of debate and fear, especially in relation to education. Legler sees a brighter future for AI and aims to help other educators realize these possibilities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto"> “The holy grail of education is apprenticeship at scale,” Legler said. “Some of the capabilities of AI facilitate that and make that easier. We’re going to see more solutions and more things coming around to help us do that.”</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/how-educators-are-integrating-ai-into-classrooms/">How educators are integrating AI into classrooms</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>CEHS graduate Kiernan Callister committed to research</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/college-of-education-and-human-services-graduate-kiernan-callister-committed-to-research/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sam Goodman]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:02:35 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[CEHS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[criminal justice]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[criminal justice club]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[drugs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[e-cigarettes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Graduate feature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[graduation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Psychology]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[rat lab experiments]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU grad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22129608</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Kiernan Callister is set to graduate from Utah State University this spring, and her passion for psychology will continue to…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/college-of-education-and-human-services-graduate-kiernan-callister-committed-to-research/">CEHS graduate Kiernan Callister committed to research</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kiernan Callister is set to graduate from Utah State University this spring, and her passion for psychology will continue to advance her education. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I am graduating with a bachelor of science in psychology and a minor in criminal justice,” Callister said. “What I plan to do is eventually become a professor and do research. I also just committed to a Ph.D. program here as well.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Callister grew up in West Jordan, and her decision to attend USU ran in the family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I had a bunch of family that had gone up here before,” Callister said. “I always saw my cool older cousins going to Utah State and thought it would be fun.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Like many college students, Callister found starting school meant not completely knowing what to study. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I wanted to go into nursing, and this was when the nursing program just barely got up and started so I kind of wanted to get in on it getting off the ground,” Callister said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Callister eventually found her calling in psychology and is excited to explore the field further.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I honestly remember taking classes leading up to the nursing ones, and I took a psych class and really liked it,” Callister said. “Then I took behavior analysis, it was right after that one, and I fell in love with the behavior analysis stuff, so then I switched.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Since 2022, Callister has been working in a lab, and she has worked closely on rat lab experiments and studies.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I started in Dr. Amy Odum’s behavior analysis lab in January of 2022 and started a project,” Callister said. “My lab has developed a brand new study on vaping in rats. So I have been on that project for the past two years and had kind of helped run those projects. Through my involvement with that project, I was able to get a second one and evaluated the inclusion of female subjects in our behavior research.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Amy Odum has been at USU for 20 years, and along with her research work, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“We have been developing a model where rats can vape completely voluntarily, with their nose,” Odum said. “We are getting the data that rats will use this, and they have nicotine in their blood. The part that makes humans and rats vulnerable to vaping is similar. Our goal is to help the Food and Drug Administration regulate e-cigarettes.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Odum is thrilled to have Callister back and had high praise for her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Kiernan has been working here for two years, and she is really essential to our grant,” Odum said. “She’s an amazing collaborator, with a lot of energy and vision — very critical to this project and getting this one off the ground. Grateful to have her working with us, always enthusiastic, willing to work. So happy she chose to stay here.”</p>
<p>To Callister and her team, the work they do now is more important than ever for future science.</p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The rate of e-cigarettes use has skyrocketed recently and it’s scary because it’s in the youth, like middle school and high schoolers,” Callister said. “That negatively impacts brain development, and a bunch of other health-related aspects of the body.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students reported e-cigarette use in 2022. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When she isn’t studying or working with rodents, Callister loves the outdoors and living in Logan.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We’re big boaters so we went water skiing and went surfing,” Callister said. “I really love going up the canyon and doing hikes — Crimson Trail is my favorite. I love going up to Tony Grove and hiking White Pine or Naomi’s Peak or going and swimming in the lakes or reservoirs around here.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">As a four-year resident of Cache Valley, Callister has had the full USU experience and credits the student culture for bringing a welcoming environment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I feel like the students here are super kind,” Callister said. “I’ll just run into random people and we’ll sit there and have a random conversation, anywhere on campus. Walking by people, and everybody smiling and happy. I’ve been involved with the criminal justice club and they are also super positive and do cool things; overall, USU has a really good vibe.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">While she has had a successful four years at USU, Callister also leaves behind some advice for future students to enjoy their time in college.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I was just so stressed and anxious about wanting to finish on time, and that is a piece of advice — everyone is on their own timeline,” Callister said. “I was so nervous, trying to get things done that I didn’t take any super fun electives. Not everyone knows what they’re doing — we are all figuring it out and learning as we go.”</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/college-of-education-and-human-services-graduate-kiernan-callister-committed-to-research/">CEHS graduate Kiernan Callister committed to research</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Aggie Air reaches new heights with COA</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/aggie-air-reaches-new-heights-with-coa/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Meilani Muir]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Aggie Air]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[airspace]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[certifications]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Drones]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[science]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22127399</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>To protect them from collision with manned aircraft, consumer drones are not legally allowed to fly above 400 feet. However,…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggie-air-reaches-new-heights-with-coa/">Aggie Air reaches new heights with COA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">To protect them from collision with manned aircraft, consumer drones are not legally allowed to fly above 400 feet. However, AggieAir has recently applied for and been granted a Certificate of Authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">AggieAir does contract work to fly drones over places, taking pictures and collecting all sorts of different data to research an area.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“AggieAir is a remote sensing sort of platform that allows us to go capture high resolution imagery relatively quickly,” said Ian Gowing, the service center manager.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The COA allows AggieAir to fly in Class G airspace within the state of Utah. Class G airspace is anywhere up to 1,199 feet that is not in restricted airspace.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_22127402" style="width: 565px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22127402" class="size-medium wp-image-22127402" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-555x600.jpg" alt="" width="555" height="600" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-555x600.jpg 555w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-926x1000.jpg 926w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-278x300.jpg 278w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-1422x1536.jpg 1422w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-335x362.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4-1050x1134.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-4.jpg 1896w" sizes="(max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22127402" class="wp-caption-text">The control panel used to operate one of two drones owned by USU as seen during a flight on Dec. 5.</p></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The new boundaries set by the COA open up opportunities for AggieAir. Because their drones can fly higher, they can now get pictures of even larger areas, making it simpler and faster to get their contracts finished.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“Prior to this approval, AggieAir would be required to submit a COA request to the FAA and wait up to 90 days for a response. If denied, the time would restart,” Aaron Whittle, an assistant professor in the aviation program, wrote in an email to The Utah Statesman. “It is very difficult to plan/schedule operations when it may take up to six months or more to get an operation approved.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Now that AggieAir is able to fly operations more rapidly, they can take on contracts more often. As more operations are flown, it allows more students to gain experiences and opportunities that will help launch them into their careers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">AggieAir was established in 2006 by Mac McKee, director of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. According to its website, the program “focuses on the development and deployment of new technologies for use in remote sensing research and resource management applications.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_22127401" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22127401" class="size-medium wp-image-22127401" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-600x447.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="447" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-600x447.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-1000x745.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-300x224.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-1536x1145.jpg 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-72x54.jpg 72w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-335x250.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2-1050x782.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231205_waterlabdrone-2.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22127401" class="wp-caption-text">One of the two drones that is owned by USU in it’s case after being disassembled.</p></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">One company from California hired AggieAir to gather information on water consumption in their orchard. Based on the data collected, the company was able to use their water supply more efficiently during a drought. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">There still are some restricted airspaces AggieAir’s drones can’t fly over for the safety of manned aircraft pilots. Most of these are places that have lots of planes, including Salt Lake City International Airport, Provo Airport, and Hill Air Force Base. These airports are categorized in their own air space. Most larger airports are Class B or C, while the height that airplanes normally fly at is in Class A. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The COA was put into effect Nov. 15 and will be valid until Nov. 14, 2025.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aggie-air-reaches-new-heights-with-coa/">Aggie Air reaches new heights with COA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>USU presidential search down to three candidates</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-presidential-search-down-to-three-candidates/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Ellis]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 19:28:50 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Campus News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU Presidential search]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State president]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124600</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>LOGAN — The search for a new Utah State University President has been narrowed down to three candidates. Rodney D.…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-presidential-search-down-to-three-candidates/">USU presidential search down to three candidates</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<p class="textLayer"><span id="page3R_mcid2" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">LOGAN</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">—</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">The search for a new Utah State University President has been narrowed down to </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">three candidates. Rodney D. Bennett, Elizabeth “Betsy” R. Cantwell and Kenneth “Ken” L. </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">White will be interviewed for the job by the Utah Board of Higher Education.</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page3R_mcid4" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">In</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">a USU press release, Lisa Michele Church, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education, said </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">the process of selecting a new president has been focused on “engagement, impartiality and </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">diligence.” </span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page3R_mcid4" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Church praised the Utah State University Presidential Search</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Committee for its work </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">in recommending the candidates.</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page3R_mcid6" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">“The Utah Board of Higher Education is so grateful to the USU Presidential Search Committee </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">for its meticulous and independent examination of candidates and their qualifications to lead this </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">top</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">–</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">tier</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">research university,” Church said. “They considered all feedback received from USU </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">faculty, staff, students and community members. Our Board is looking forward to interviewing </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">the three presidential finalists.”</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page3R_mcid8" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Among other qualities, applicants are evalu</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">ated on their academic and research credentials, </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">leadership experience, community engagement and vision for the institution they hope to lead, </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">per the press release.</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bennett, who holds a doctorate of education, recently served as the University of Southe</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">rn </span>Mississippi president from April 2013 to July 2022. He was the first African American of a predominantly white higher education institution in Mississippi. Under Bennett’s leadership, <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">USM reached R1 status, met fundraising milestones and invested in ne</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">w faculty positions and </span>institution initiatives during his tenure. Bennet also showed a strong commitment to collegiate athletics, representing Conference USA as a founding member of the College Football Playoff Board of Managers.</p>
<p class="textLayer"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cantwell, who holds a P</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">h.D., is currently the senior vice president for research & innovation at </span>the University of Arizona. In Tuscon, Cantwell is responsible for an $825 million annual <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">research portfolio and the 1,268</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">–</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">acre UA Tech Park. The park contributes $1.7 billion annuall</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">y </span>to the regional economy.</p>
</div>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page16R_mcid5" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cantwell came to UA from Arizona State University, where she served as vice president for </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">research and development and as CEO of the ASU Research Enterprise. Before that, she worked </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">as its director for economic development and </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">director for engineering mission strategy.</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer"><span id="page16R_mcid7" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">White, who holds a Ph.D., serves as USU’s vice president of extension, dean of the College of </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Agriculture and Applied Sciences and director of the Utah Agricultural</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Experiment Station. </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">While at USU, White has generated over $17.2 million in extramural funding for research in </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">animal reproduction and embryonic development.</span></span></p>
<p class="textLayer">White is a Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology honoree. He has published over <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">100 p</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">eer</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">–</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">reviewed scientific articles, and he led the nuclear transfer team that produced the </span>world’s first cloned equines, three identical mule foals. He also served as the USU Faculty <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Athletics Representative for 15 years in national NCAA leadership positions</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">focused on student</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">– </span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">athlete well</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">–</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">being, education, and rules compliance.</span></p>
<p class="textLayer">Bennett, Cantwell and White will all participate in public meetings on May 17 in the Eccles <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Conference Center starting at 2 p.m. The Utah Board of Higher Education will conduct close</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">d </span>interviews with the candidates on Friday, May 19 and may announce the new president that day at 4:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center ballroom if a decision has been made. If not, the meeting will convene at another time.</p>
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<p><em>Featured image courtesy of Utah State Today. </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-presidential-search-down-to-three-candidates/">USU presidential search down to three candidates</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Darcy Ritchie]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 15:56:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Aviation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[girls in aviation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[graduation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jet program]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tommi Abbott]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124582</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Tommi Abbott decided she wanted to be a pilot when she was 17 years old. Her cousins went through the…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/">Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tommi Abbott decided she wanted to be a pilot when she was 17 years old. Her cousins went through the aviation program at Utah State University and pushed her to pursue it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My cousins had gone here, so I already had a pretty good idea of the professors and what classes I was going to take,” she said. “Then I came here, and then I just fell in love with it.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott is from Pleasant View, Utah, and she will graduate this year with a professional pilot degree with a fixed wing emphasis and an aviation technology – aviation management degree, which she decided to add last semester.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a total whim,” she said. “I was like, ‘Well, why not? I’m already paying for tuition.’”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This has been an intense semester for Abbot after adding the second degree and working on getting her instructor license, which was delayed because of the weather.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was supposed to finish the instructor thing months ago, and the weather was just so bad,” she said. “It just kept getting pushed and pushed.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott said the classes to become a flight instructor aren’t hard, but the extra work is “insane.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can’t even tell you how much I studied, but I could show you my binder in my car,” Abbott said. “16.6 pounds of all my lessons.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the instructor license, she had to complete a minimum of 15 hours of flying, including multiple spin flights, during which a pilot stalls the plane and spins towards the ground. After being endorsed, Abbott completed an intense government-mandated test called a checkride, which can take between three and eight hours on the ground followed by one to three hours in the air.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott now has her private, instrument, commercial and instructor licenses. She has spent over 330 hours in the air since she started the program. After graduation, she hopes to be a flight instructor at USU or do tours of the Grand Canyon, but her eventual goal is to work for an airline, which would require her to hit 1,000 hours. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott said she is someone who focuses a lot more on school than going to activities or getting involved. She advises new students to have fun at college, and for students in the pilot program to also put in the work and study.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You definitely need to know your profession because it’s not so much ‘just take a class to pass it’ as much as ‘you need this because someday you’re going to be flying people’s kids,’” she said. “You need to know how the plane works, and can you safely handle it if something goes bad?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott’s biggest mentor at USU has been her instructor Parry “Pee Wee” Winder, who she said took her in as one of his own. He’s helped her meet important people in the aviation industry and increase her own influence on the aviation program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott is involved with the jet training program at USU, which is the only program of its kind in the state. She taught the jet ground school last semester.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We teach our students how to actually fly a jet for 48 hours before they even ever touch one, so that they’re that much, much more ahead when they go to training,” she said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruce Miller, the department head of Aviation Technology, said Abbott’s work in the jet program sets her apart as an outstanding student and role model.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She works at our jet training program as basically a mentor for other students,” Miller said. “She is always willing to provide that help, but she’s also a non-traditional role model for others.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last fall, Abbott also got involved with the Girls in Aviation project at USU, which works with young girls interested in aviation. She was encouraged to join by her sister, Maizy Abbott, who is also in the pilot program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s really cool to help these little girls and show them, ‘Hey, you can do this,’” Abbott said, “because it’s so easy for women especially to not feel confident in a male-dominant field.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maizy said being in the same program as her sister has been “absolutely incredible.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not only is she such an amazing sister, but she’s such an amazing teacher,” Maizy said. “I’ve truly been so blessed to have her through it, especially with not very many women in the program.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said her sister is one of the most determined people she has ever met. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There is nothing that stands in her way, and every goal that she sets for herself, she goes above and beyond,” Maizy said. “Not only that, she’s so humble and kind and will literally help anybody in need and stop everything to do that for them.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Miller also recognized Abbott’s willingness to help others — both fellow students and the department as a whole. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will miss seeing her,” Miller said. “We’re happy to see her go out and be a successful professional.”</span></p>
<p><em>— darcy.ritchie@usu.edu</em></p>
<p><em>Featured photo by Bailey Rigby</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/">Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>USU senior Emma Watts studies stats and snow</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/a-modern-day-bill-nye-usu-senior-emma-watts/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alivia Hadfield]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 15:00:51 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[College of Science]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Emma Watts]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Nevada Department of Transportation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124563</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Emma Watts is a Utah State University senior who has been involved in the College of Science and has taken…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/a-modern-day-bill-nye-usu-senior-emma-watts/">USU senior Emma Watts studies stats and snow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none">Emma Watts is a Utah State University senior who has been involved in the College of Science and has taken advantage of all snow-related research opportunities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I’m super interested in climate application because that’s what my research is in right now,” Watts said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A highlight of her schooling includes writing a proposal with Dr. Brennan Bean to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study rain-on-snow events.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts is also involved in a project for the Nevada Department of Transportation collecting stream flow data with statistical programming. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts’ work will directly impact how the Nevada Department of Transportation designs culverts and other flood mitigation strategies.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“These rain-on-snow events are really dangerous when you’re not prepped, and if your infrastructure design and any other vulnerable areas are not ready to handle that kind of moisture. It’s pretty destructive,” Watts said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">On top of Watts’ research projects, she is currently ending this semester with a 20-credit workload.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts is involved in a lot of community service and leads an organization of young women in weekly activities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“She’s wonderful. She’s really dedicated to understanding her field and how she can benefit the world and people around her,” Mckay Anderson, her husband, said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts’ love for math and statistics started in grade school.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts was the math club president at her high school for multiple years and competed in competitions like SkillsUSA. However, it wouldn’t be until her senior year in high school that she decided statistics was what she wanted to do. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I had a really bad AP statistics teacher who had no idea what he was talking about,” Watts laughed. “I put a lot of effort into that class, like on my own time, and I ended up loving it. When I found out there was a joint degree up here, so you could study both simultaneously, I was like, ‘I’m doing that.’” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts was also involved in a start-up rock band playing the keyboard and sync backup. Watts and her band would perform at places like the Velour in Provo. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“It was so fun, but that’s since been disbanded,” Watts said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts comes from a big family. She has seven siblings, including her younger sister, who has a rare disease called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“Some of the defining characteristics is that she’s super short — 4 feet, 7 inches — and nonverbal,” Watts said. “She has her own little language that she speaks.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts and her sister became super close when Watts participated in respite care before her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, when Watts left for her mission, her little sister didn’t know where she went.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“To her, I was just gone. My sister probably thought I was dead,” Watts said. “When I could call for Christmas, and she saw my face, she freaked out. It’s just super awesome. She is the coolest person ever — she is just so sweet.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts shared that her sister’s role in her personal growth and education is special. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“She’s going to be a very successful person, not only in her career, but with her family and helping to raise her kids,” Anderson said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Watts is starting graduate school next semester and is starting her thesis this summer. Watts plans to further her research on climate application with Dr. Bean. She hopes to one day work for the National Security Agency doing data analysis. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Alivia.Hadfield@usu.edu</p>
<p>Featured photo by Paige Johnson</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/a-modern-day-bill-nye-usu-senior-emma-watts/">USU senior Emma Watts studies stats and snow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Yogi, nonprofit volunteer, Coloradan Jacqueline Johnson</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/yogi-non-profit-volunteer-coloradan-jacqueline-johnson/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kate Stewart]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 14:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[CEHS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[human development and family studies]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jacqueline Johnson]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[yoga minor]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124552</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State University student Jacqueline Johnson is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. She is…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/yogi-non-profit-volunteer-coloradan-jacqueline-johnson/">Yogi, nonprofit volunteer, Coloradan Jacqueline Johnson</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none">Utah State University student Jacqueline Johnson is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She is also graduating with a double minor in yoga studies and mental health advocacy and awareness.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“How is this actually happening? Like, I’m in shock,” Johnson said in reference to her feelings surrounding graduating. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson said other emotions she has felt include excitement, accomplishment and pride. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson is from Parker, Colorado and has been attending USU since 2017. She decided to go to Utah State because she wanted to live in Utah and her grandpa graduated from USU.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson started her college experience feeling undecided on her major. She was thinking about elementary education, but after she took a bunch of random classes, she ultimately landed on the HDFS major. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She said her favorite part of her major is how applicable the material is. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“You go to class and you learn about something, and then you see it in your everyday life,” Johnson said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson said she wants to be a marriage and family therapist after her schooling. She plans to attend USU for marriage and family therapy grad school in the fall.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She is married and said she would eventually love to be a mom and try to balance it all. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“This summer I’m going to New Hampshire with my husband, who has an internship — New Hampshire for two months and then going back to Utah State,” Johnson said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson said her marriage and family therapy grad school will be two years long and there will be 16 total students in the program. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I always did want to do grad school because I really do love school,” Johnson said. “But, I didn’t know if I wanted to do a PhD or a master’s.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson said she has prepared for her post-graduation plans by being an undergraduate teaching fellow, and being involved with research within her department.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She said her professor, Dr. Diana Meter, has helped get her involved with various outside-of-class research opportunities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Within her department, Johnson is a member of the council for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion group. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I’d say at Utah State, we have less diversity than other places, and so it’s been really cool to think about those issues and be proactive about trying to make an inclusive place for people,” Johnson said. </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Outside of her major, she is involved with a local nonprofit organization called Avenues of Hope.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“Their mission, or goal, is to help prevent suicide and to support family members who have had loved ones died by suicide,” </span><span data-contrast="none">Johnson </span><span data-contrast="none">said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She has been a board member for the last two years, where she plans and runs events for the nonprofit.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“They use yoga classes for people as a support, and so it was kind of like, all these intersectionality of all the things I love,” </span><span data-contrast="none">Johnson</span><span data-contrast="none"> said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson </span><span data-contrast="none">has enjoyed being a part of these programs, as it has provided her a sense of belonging and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger where she can help others.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I love the idea of helping people, but sometimes the idea is a lot harder to actually implement. When someone says, ‘Plan this,’ or, ‘Let’s talk about a survey to help students,’ or whatever, it’s like, ‘Oh, something actionable that I can actually do,’” </span><span data-contrast="none">Johnson</span><span data-contrast="none"> said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson</span><span data-contrast="none"> said she loves Utah State for the non-judgement sense of community it has.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Her favorite memory at USU is from her first year when USU beat Brigham Young University, and the students rushed the field. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">She loves spending time outdoors with her friends; her favorite outdoor activities in Logan are rock climbing and doing bonfires. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Her love for yoga comes from her friends encouraging her to sign up for a yoga class during her first year at USU.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I took a yoga class and then I kind of just kept taking classes, and I think the teachers in the department are really inspiring,” </span><span data-contrast="none">Johnson </span><span data-contrast="none">said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Her favorite spot to study on campus is the Sorenson Center. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“It’s like all windows basically, it’s really bright and light,” she said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson said her professors are all really cool people who have contributed to her positive experience at Utah State. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“Talk to professors and get involved within the department,” she said, giving advice for other HDFS students. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Johnson gave specific mention to her professors Dr. Diana Meter, Darcy Keady and Kevin Barlow.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“They’ve cared about me as an individual,” Johnson said. “They’ve also helped me with my career goals, and getting into grad school, what to expect, and helping me out with setting up my practicum. They just helped me all round as a person, as a student, as someone who wants to keep going to school.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Kate.Stewart@usu.edu</p>
<p>Featured photo by Bailey Rigby</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/yogi-non-profit-volunteer-coloradan-jacqueline-johnson/">Yogi, nonprofit volunteer, Coloradan Jacqueline Johnson</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Katie Siesel combining work, play through natural resources</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/katie-siesel-combining-work-play-through-natural-resources/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Savannah Burnard]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 14:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Alpha Chi Omega]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[College of Natural Resources]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Katie Siesel]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Leann Siesel]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[natural resources]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[QCNR]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124572</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Sitting in her office in the Natural Resources Building, Katie Siesel beamed from ear to ear as she talked about…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/katie-siesel-combining-work-play-through-natural-resources/">Katie Siesel combining work, play through natural resources</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none">Sitting in her office in the Natural Resources Building, Katie Siesel beamed from ear to ear as she talked about her avid love for skiing, bicycling and an excursion as a rafting leader down Cataract Canyon. Surrounded by potted trees and plants, Siesel laughed as she recalled her memories of outdoor recreation as a child. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Raised in San Diego, California, Siesel said apart from day hikes and trips to the beach, she didn’t grow up doing a lot of outdoor recreation.</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“We would always play outside with bikes and stuff, but we never went camping or anything like that</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> so no one really knows where her desire for all this outdoorsy stuff came from,” said Leeann Siesel, her older sister </span><span data-contrast="none">by </span><span data-contrast="none">two years. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Katie said she was a very high-achieving child</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> and so most of her weeks were filled with soccer competitions or homework. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I think I was so focused on wanting to be an engineer, and I had all these grand plans for myself. I wanted to go to a very prestigious college. Then I kind of realized that I wasn’t really happy,” Katie said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">After taking and loving an advanced placement environmental science class in high school, Katie realized she always wanted to be outside and do outdoor recreation — she just never had the chance. With encouragement from her teacher, she started to look at natural resources.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I kind of found like, ‘Oh, natural resources is a really great combination of work and play where you work outside,’ and I wanted to make the world a better place,” Katie said. “I love science and ecology and people</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> and it’s a lovely intersection of all those things.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">After graduating from high school, she decided to move to Logan to pursue a degree in conservation and restoration ecology with a minor in watershed sciences. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Siesel attributes her ability to move to an entirely new state to her personality and her habit of stepping out of her comfort zone. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I do things that scare me, whether it’s like, becoming a raft guide</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> which I had never done before and it scared the living daylights out of me,” Katie said. “Even just moving out of state to college or jumping into things kind of headfirst.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-contrast="none">Katie said she thinks of herself as a brave, ambitious person and said those traits have helped put her in spaces where she has been able to grow.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Leeann said Katie has always gone after what she wants, and even from a young age, she wasn’t afraid to be herself and stand out. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“When we were in elementary school, she would always wear these crazy knee-high socks. Some would be rainbow colored, others had soccer balls on them,” Leeann said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Leeann said she thinks Katie’s authenticity has carried over into adulthood and helped her as an adult in pursuing her own passions and accomplishing goals.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One accomplishment Katie is proud of is helping run the internship program within the Quinney College of Natural Resources. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-contrast="none">After the previous advis</span><span data-contrast="none">e</span><span data-contrast="none">r holding the position left, Katie took over. Katie said the role isn’t typically taken on by a student, but the previous advis</span><span data-contrast="none">e</span><span data-contrast="none">r felt like it would be a good challenge for her.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“It’s really cool to be like, ‘Oh, because of all the work I did, all these people now can have these really cool opportunities over the summer,’” Katie said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Not only has Katie been a mentor and advis</span><span data-contrast="none">e</span><span data-contrast="none">r to students in the QCNR, but she has also held leadership positions as a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“It’s unexpected, I know,” Katie said. “But I think that because I’m like, slightly above average in a lot of different ways, it has really aided me in some of the work that I’ve been doing, so I appreciate my flexibility and being able to navigate a lot of different kinds of situations.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Katie said she works a lot with the executive board of Alpha Chi on their philanthropy, domestic abuse prevention. She said she participates in bonding activities like paint nights with other sorority members.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Another challenge Katie took on was to help plan the QCNR camp in</span><span data-contrast="none"> the</span><span data-contrast="none"> fall </span><span data-contrast="none">of </span><span data-contrast="none">2022. She said during the pandemic</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> students were struggling to find opportunities because they weren’t able to take any </span><span data-contrast="none">field-based</span><span data-contrast="none"> courses. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Katie said she wanted to help students gain experience they could put on their resumes</span><span data-contrast="none">,</span><span data-contrast="none"> so she worked with others in the college to plan a fully-funded trip for students to spend a weekend in the canyon and learn field skills. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Not only did Katie help plan the QCNR camp, but Nate Crawford, a friend and fellow QCNR student council member, said she volunteered to be the chef for the trip.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“She was an amazing cook with a kickass attitude and not even the rain could bring her down,” Crawford wrote in an email to the Statesman.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Katie said cooking is one of her favorite things to do and her favorite dish to make is homemade pasta and sauce. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“If I have a free day on the weekend, I love to just make a really stupidly complicated recipe for no reason. Because I really like it and I love sharing that with people,” Katie said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Katie said her true passion in life is human connection. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“What makes me happy is not necessarily like my career or my achievements, it’s the people that I’m around and it’s the cool things I get to do with people I love,” she said. “It’s really cool watching people’s growth, and I’m just glad I get to be part of their journey.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Savannah.Burnard@usu.edu</p>
<p>Featured photo by Sam Warner</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/katie-siesel-combining-work-play-through-natural-resources/">Katie Siesel combining work, play through natural resources</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>USU provides free financial coaching for students</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-provides-free-financial-coaching-for-students/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Savannah Burnard]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Darrell Harris]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[financial coaching]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Free financial coaching]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Hyrum Teasdale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Student finances]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[student money management center]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124465</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The Student Money Management Center provides free one-on-one coaching sessions for students to help them budget and create financial plans. …</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-provides-free-financial-coaching-for-students/">USU provides free financial coaching for students</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none">The Student Money Management Center provides free one-on-one coaching sessions for students to help them budget and create financial plans.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Their office is located in the Taggart Student Center at Utah State University. Darrell Harris, the director of the center, said students have the opportunity to meet with one of the six financial coaches in person for an hour-long session. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“There’s a broad spectrum of students who need help right now, and there are some students who really just want to plan for the future, and others who are actually getting ahead financially,” Harris said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Harris said that in a session, students will fill out a spreadsheet that breaks down their earnings and expenses throughout the year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Harris said the spreadsheet is formatted to take out taxes based on the standard deduction, and students can enter their scholarships and student loan information. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“Every time I do this with students, they’re like, ‘Oh, that is so relieving. I know how much money I’ll have 18 months from now, if I stick to this plan.’ So it takes the stress off because we just help students do math over time, and the spreadsheet helps them do that,” Harris said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">USU junior Hyrum Teasdale met with a financial coach at the Student Money Management Center in November 2022.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Teasdale said because he saw a breakdown of his monthly expenses, he was able to look at his phone bill and change his plan to a cheaper option. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“The most beneficial thing for me was just finding those areas where I did not need to spend that much money,” he said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Harris said when it comes to making a budget, students can either look at their spending in the past to see how much they spend, or they can map their expenses going forward. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">He said once students have a plan of what they want to budget, it’s important to find a method or system to help them stick to their plan. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">One system Harris said he likes to show students is multiple checking accounts. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“You could have all your paychecks coming to your one main checking account, and you use that to pay your monthly and periodic bills,” Harris said. “Then you set up two other checking accounts with an automated monthly transfer to give yourself $200 a month for groceries and automate that, and then give yourself whatever you feel comfortable with for your fun, and automate that.”</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">By doing this, Harris said students are giving themselves an allowance, and when the money is gone, they should wait until the next month to spend more. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Harris said the Student Money Management Center is a part of USU’s financial support group which also includes the financial aid office and the scholarship office. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“What we’re starting as of the past year or so is that we’re really asking students to do three things each year: complete FAFSA, apply for scholarships, and then meet with a financial coach to help you create a budget and brainstorm ways to reduce spending and increase your income,” Harris said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Teasdale said when he budgets, it helps him realize he spends money on extra things he doesn’t need to buy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I think the whole thing with budgeting and what it really does is it makes you conscious and aware,” Teasdale said.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Savannah.Burnard@usu.edu</p>
<p>Featured photo by Paige Johnson</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-provides-free-financial-coaching-for-students/">USU provides free financial coaching for students</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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