First Ascent Scholars celebrated this year's graduates in red carpet style, complete with a formal dinner, unique stoles, and even a mini-gold statue. Surrounded by a community of peers, family, mentors, donors, and staff, each spoke words of gratitude and offered advice to their fellow scholars. Graduate Salmoon Masih offered the following advice to his fellow cohorts: Freshman "Welcome, you have been given a [...]
The David Eccles School of Business recently invited alumna Anfissa Silva Smith, CPA and former Senior Audit Manager of KPMG, to speak to First Ascent Scholars as part of their Alumni Dinner. This annual event allows students, faculty, and mentors to connect over dinner and shared experiences. Silva Smith shared her international journey — from Italy to Brazil to Utah — as she [...]
Fall Break was a busy time for our First Ascent Scholars program. First-year and sophomore scholars headed up to Moab and Arches National Park for camping, canyoneering, rock climbing, and hiking. They also engaged in curricular activities focusing on leadership, identity, citizenship, and team-building. Disconnected from their phones, social media, and texting, students were able to connect not only with nature but with [...]
Students in the First Ascent Scholars program gathered earlier this month for their annual family BBQ. This event allows scholars, families, and mentors to reconnect and celebrate the start of a new year. This year's event was held outside on the GARFF patio and featured southern barbeque, lawn and table games, and great conversation. “I enjoyed sitting with my friends and eating dinner [...]
The First Ascent Scholars program at the David Eccles School of Business recently held its annual Fall Celebration. Like many other events this year, their traditional feast transitioned to a virtual celebration. Scholars, mentors, and staff were able to share their gratitude and catch-up after a long semester. The online event was paired with a socially distanced outdoor meet-and-greet where students could say [...]
Recently, our First Ascent Sophomore Scholars held their annual Fall Retreat on campus. While this year’s socially distanced event may have looked a little different compared to the cozy cabin retreat in years past, students still were able to reconnect in person, learn more about each other, and expand their leadership development skills through the Social Change Model introduced to them Freshman year. [...]
With 51 current students and 14 alumni, the First Ascent Scholars Program has created a supportive, safe environment for 65 students at the David Eccles School of Business. Currently entering its sixth year, the program always has emphasized the important role that familial and community support plays in each student's academic journey. "The journey is not always easy," said Victoria Cabal, director of [...]
The Office for Student Inclusion at the David Eccles School of Business recently launched the first episode of its student podcast. The Office for Student Inclusion Podcast highlights First Ascent and Opportunity Scholars alumni and their stories. This episode features First Ascent Scholar Eric Jara as he sits down for a friendly discussion with recent alum James Mordue. In this 30-minute podcast, Mordue [...]
With convocations postponed until December, First Ascent Scholars created a new tradition to celebrate graduates. Several Eccles school staff, mentors, and directors visited the homes of the program's eight graduates with a surprise graduation parade. "It was so great to see our community gather to celebrate our graduates' achievements," said Victoria Cabal, Director of the Office for Student Inclusion and the First Ascent Scholar [...]
On Feb. 22, our First Ascent Scholars held their annual Cultural Celebration. This event fosters discussion and broader perspectives as students come together from different cultural backgrounds to learn and share. Using board games as a conduit, students discussed their favorite cultural traditions, the roles these traditions and gender roles played in their families, and how they helped them connect to their culture. "The [...]