Higher Ed Utah

New website, media encourages underrepresented populations to explore options

SALT LAKE CITY – Starting today, Utahns of all ages are being encouraged to “Step Up” through a new federally funded social awareness campaign targeted at promoting higher education options to underrepresented populations throughout the state.

StepUP to Higher Education looks to overcome barriers sometimes associated with higher education by encouraging students to dream big about their futures and provides the tools for students to act on those dreams. The campaign also urges parents, educators, mentors and community leaders to encourage and inspire the dreams of Utah’s future college students.

The campaign centers on a comprehensive website, stepuputah.com, which informs groups under 12, 12- to 18-years-old and adults (parents, educators, etc.) that “college” can include anything from a one-year certificate to a four-year degree. To align with the Utah System of Higher Education’s goal of having 66% of Utah’s workforce with postsecondary degrees by 2020, it is essential to reach out to student populations who may have never considered higher education.

“In order for us to achieve our ‘big goal,’ we need to speak out to students, parents and adults and let them know that they can overcome any roadblocks throughout their lives which would lead to not attending, and finishing, college,” Commissioner of Higher Education Bill Sederburg said. “We look forward to this campaign and see it as a new way to reach Utah students, and their parents, who may have never before heard this message.”

“A key component of this campaign will be taking the message that college is possible directly to the students,” said Assistant Commissioner for Access and Outreach Melissa Miller Kincart. “We will be in Utah communities, reaching out to students of all ages where they live and play, to help them understand that higher education is critical to their future success.” Additional components of StepUP to Higher Education include social media, television and radio advertising, and other grassroots initiatives.

Funding for this initiative is made possible through the College Access Challenge Grant, a federal grant from the United States Department of Education. For more information or to see and hear radio and television spots for the “StepUP” campaign, visit stepuputah.com, facebook.com/stepuputah or on Twitter at @StepUpUtah.

About The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit our website at http://www.higheredutah.org.

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To download a .pdf of this news release, click here.