Higher Ed Utah

Howdy Neighbor?

As any good writer will tell you, when you are providing readers with information, it is important to always answer the five W’s. For those of you, who were distracted by the unusual feeling of the new shiny metal brackets freshly soldered on your teeth, the pretty girl two rows in front of you, or the urgent text about the new kid you saw in the hall, and happened to miss your seventh grade English teacher’s explanation of the writing process, do not fear! I’ll try to give you a brief recap of the highlights through my first blog attempt.

The first “W” is the all important “who.” Sounds easy enough, right? Just supply him, her, or it with a name and you’re done. For example, I could tell you my name is Mr. Rogers, and just like that I’ve answered the question. However, does that get you interested in or even help you trust that what I have to say is worthwhile? If I want you to treat my advice as “neighborly,” I need to supply you with more than just a name or title. Were I to mention that I work for the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA), the financial branch of Utah’s system of higher education that assists individuals in planning, preparing, and paying for college, and that I have helped many people access some of the wonderful information and resources available to assist them in the process of going to college, you might be more inclined to “be my neighbor.”

The next “W” is for “what.” As in “what” in the world am I writing? Mr. Rogers’ Bloggerhood is intended to be a means of providing individuals with a “speedy delivery” of information, resources, and a healthy dose of opinion that will keep you in touch with higher education in Utah.

Fortunately, if you are reading this, you’ve already discovered the third “W” which is “where.” Mr. Rogers Bloggerhood will always be accessible through the Higher Ed Utah website, in addition to the hearts and minds of its followers.

“When” is the penultimate (I looked it up and am pretty sure it is a fancy way of saying “next to last”) “W.” It is my hope that I will be able to provide readers with fresh and interesting content on a weekly basis. I also recognize that additional voices and perspective add value, so I won’t be bashful about inviting guest bloggers to post about their experiences both from the precollege and college environments.

And finally, the last “W” is “Why.” There are several reasons why I believe a blog of this kind is needed. Perhaps foremost of these is the need for greater access. It is imperative that people recognize not only the value of higher education but how attainable it can be. Too many talented individuals are lost to higher education every year because they are unaware, intimidated, or just don’t see its value. I believe that dialogue is an excellent way to address these issues and to encourage reflection and innovation. By discussing topics in education and engaging in feedback from readership, more efficient and ultimately better ways of doing things may be unearthed. It is my hope that this small piece of electronic real estate may assist in this process.