<span>Utah State University has launched an initiative along the Wasatch Front to compliment the school’s well-developed system of regional campuses. It is a new expansion of USU’s land grant mission. </span>
<span>USU’s Senior Vice Provost Ronda Menlove is overseeing development of the concept.</span>
<span>“In recent months President (Stan) Albrecht has been in conversations with President Cynthia Bioteau of Salt Lake Community College and President Dave Pershing at the University of Utah talking about how Utah State University could play a stronger role in providing access to four-year and graduate degree programs along the Wasatch Front,” said Menlove.</span>
<span>She said the result was a decision that a strategic partnership between SLCC and USU would facilitate greater opportunities for students to achieve Bachelors and Masters degree.</span>
<span>“We’re taking a very strategic approach,” said Menlove, “we won’t offer every degree that’s offered right now at our regional campuses. But we’re focusing on degree programs that will help students in that area, mostly non-traditional adults, achieve a degree that will lead to employment.”</span>
<span>She said the “launch degree” is in Business Administration.</span>
<span>“We’re also focusing on Aggies who may be leaving Logan and moving to Salt Lake City for employment or other reasons. We will also make available a ‘completion mission’ as we work along the Wasatch Front.”</span>
<span>With an already existing USU Salt Lake Center, the school in recent years has quietly gone about serving between 800 and 1000 students each semester. Utah State also has small centers in Orem and Heber City and the addition of the Swaner Center in the Park City area allows for the delivery of targeted programs.</span>
<span>“Also, we have a wonderful video conference system that allows us to bring these centers into our USU video network as well as providing online degree opportunities.</span>
<span>“We know that 90 percent of Utah’s population is focused along the Wasatch Front. There are a large number of students to be served in the Salt Lake Valley. The U and Salt Lake Community College understand they need other partnerships to meet that great need.”</span>