A Successful Year for Prosperity Scholars

Right before the bustle of final exams got underway in late April, Prosperity Scholars wrapped up the 2022-2023 academic year with an end-of-year celebration at the Utah Fine Arts Museum on April 18. The group gathered to celebrate all that was accomplished during the year and get a glimpse of what the 2023-2024 academic year has in store.

This year’s Prosperity Scholars’ activities included hosting guest speakers such as Cameron Wright, the West Valley Project Director, and Erick Garcia, West Valley Partnership Manager from University Neighborhood Partners, to discuss the future of the University’s West Valley Community and Health Center. They also learned from Professor Milad Mozari from the Multi-disciplinary Design program, who shared his research project using virtual reality technology to support the orientation process for newly arrived refugees. Throughout the course of the semester, students had the opportunity to learn about systems analysis and its impact on decision-making in social and development issues. They were able to apply this learning and create a real-world systems map of life expectancy disparities in West Valley, Utah. In addition to hosting speakers, the group also put together a team to compete in Map the System, a global competition hosted by the University of Oxford.

The Scholars also offered feedback on what they feel may be important from a programming standpoint for the new Impact and Prosperity Epicenter. It was not all work for the group, multiple meetings and a special event hosted at the Union building provided social and networking opportunities. These social events served the important role of building community for students while at the University, allowing them to form connections for the future.

The evening at the museum also included a preview of the new branding for Prosperity Scholars. The Prosperity Scholars will be rebranded under the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity’s new launch of Prosperity U Consortium. Prosperity U Consortium will include Prosperity U Student Experiences, Prosperity Society, Prosperity U Interns, Prosperity U Map the System, and other student-led initiatives.

Professor Stephen Alder hopes this rebranding gives a full picture of what the Center has to offer students in getting involved on campus and not just going to class. Alder shared, “We are committed to creating world-class experiential opportunities for students that will enhance their education at the University of Utah and will create pathways for careers that will grow prosperity.  Our evolution from Prosperity Scholars to the multi-faceted Prosperity U Student Experiences suite of programs is responding to the array of interests and aspirations reflected in our remarkable students.”

Laurel Peacock, this year’s graduate student coordinator for Prosperity Scholars, noted the program offered an engaging and warm environment for students to think beyond the demands of everyday coursework. Peacock says, “As the program expands, it hopes to offer more leadership opportunities for students, ways for students to meaningfully engage in research. It will create a more holistic community with resources for students including financial support for global experiences. Students should get involved now, this is a great opportunity to help shape what this program will be like for future students.”

The program is open to all students university-wide regardless of major. Interested should visit the website. It is a place to apply what you are learning outside the classroom and have an impact on the community.

Further Reading:

• Prosperity Scholars Update: Consultation Project Launch with the West Valley Community Health Center Team