As a department of the University of Utah, University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) have several student interns and graduate assistants who engage with UNP staff and the west side community through university conducted programs. In this post, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the amazing interns currently working with UNP and the many programs that brought them here.
Justice Advocacy Fellows (JAF)
The Justice Advocacy Fellowship is a program in the Tanner Center for Human Rights at the University of Utah. Every year, a small and assorted cohort of students are admitted to the program. Each student admitted has shown their dedication to advocating for social justice within their community. The program partners each student with a local social justice organization where the students intern for the year. Students receive a scholarship, undergraduate credits, a cohort of like-minded students, and social justice experience.
Meet Lessly!
Lessly is a Justice Advocacy Fellow at UNP. She grew up in West Valley City and is excited to contribute to her local community. A Scorpio and proud Mexican-Peruvian, she dreams of visiting her parents’ hometowns and reconnecting with family. While she’s not fond of typical Utah activities like hiking, she enjoys ice skating and learning Peruvian folklore dance in her community. Her eclectic musical tastes range from Peruvian and Mexican genres to pop and metal, with a particular appreciation for socially conscious metal lyrics. Despite her shyness, she values connecting with people and family and finds comfort in Mexican food, which feels like home wherever she is.
Currently studying Sociology (the study of human society and behavior) and Ethnic Studies (the interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and power) at the University of Utah, Lessly’s interest was sparked by a sociology class on race in media, which deepened her understanding of ethnicity’s impact on shaping people’s experiences. Her connection to UNP’s mission is personal as she grew up in Salt Lake County’s west side. She is committed to educational justice and dedicated to giving back to her community by leveraging her higher education to create opportunities for others. In the future, she hopes to become a sociology professor and possibly live by the ocean for a while, though she loves Utah’s mountains. Lessly envisions a society where restorative justice replaces punitive systems and she values impactful research. Guided by the philosophy of “you only live once” (“YOLO”), Lessly approaches life with adventure and purpose.
Meet Mary!
Mary is a Justice Advocacy Fellow at UNP, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences and a deep commitment to social change. Though born in Utah, her travels have shaped her perspective in profound ways, with standout moments including living in Hawaii for school, exploring the Swiss Alps, and doing meaningful humanitarian work at the Standing Rock Reservation. Mary enjoys outdoor activities like rock climbing, roller skating, hiking, and camping, and values the quiet moments spent reading, sipping coffee, and connecting with family and friends.
Her passion for people and culture led her to major in Anthropology, a field that allows her to connect with others through their traditions and advocate for the issues that matter most to them. Her time with the Lakota tribe deeply influenced her understanding of community and the power of collective action. Mary believes that real change can only happen when communities work together, and she is driven to amplify diverse voices. At UNP, she hopes to be a catalyst for connection and a platform for important conversations. Guided by the words of Henry David Thoreau, “To live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,” Mary approaches life with intention, seeking to make a meaningful impact wherever she can.
U Service Corps
The U Service Corps is an internship program through the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah. Interns are placed with local nonprofits organizations to fulfill service roles. Students receive wages, a scholarship, undergraduate credits, and incredible professional experiences.
Meet Grant!
He’s a sophomore at the University of Utah, juggling the exciting decision of whether to study Business, Finance, or Accounting. Inspired by his dad, an accountant, Grant hopes one of these majors will open doors to a bright future. Originally from sunny Southern California, Grant chose to study in Utah to be closer to his extended family. He loves sushi, and enjoys spending time with friends.
Grant is involved with UNP through the U Service Corps. He enjoys connecting with the west side community in the Welcome Center and Youth Center. He believes that community is a great tool for finding belonging and making connections. In high school, he helped with service projects in the Catholic community and helped install furnaces in houses. Grant is passionate about accessible housing and is excited to be tackling this issue with UNP. He lives by the motto, “Be grateful for what you have,” which helps him stay present and content.
Meet David!
Originally from Salt Lake City, David reflects on the powerful encouragement he received from a high school teacher who reminded him, “You can do hard things,” a simple phrase that inspired him to pursue higher education. Now a sophomore majoring in business at the University of Utah, David is determined to create positive change.
David’s connection to UNP began through AmeriCorps at the Hinckley Institute, and he was drawn to UNP’s deep commitment to community service. At UNP, he works in the Welcome Center, assisting community members with housing and heating assistance applications, and also helps lead the Youth Center’s after-school soccer program. David emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the community, believing that involvement helps keep him grounded in what truly matters. Looking ahead, David hopes to be part of something that contributes to the greater good, and he is passionate about expanding access to education, knowing its power to transform the world.
MSW Practicum College of Social Work
The College of Social Work and UNP have a strong partnership. Students working on their practicum for their Master of Social Work have the opportunity to intern for UNP. The practicum brings classroom learning into the real world to give students hands-on experience.
Meet Jordan!
Originally from Southern California, she moved to Utah two years ago, drawn by the opportunity for incredible outdoor adventures like rock climbing, skiing, and mountain biking. She hopes to go on more canyoneering adventures in Southern Utah and is planning an epic “bikepacking” trip where she’ll bike along the West Coast, from Canada to Mexico!
She’s currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Utah, aiming to become a school social worker. Her journey began in intercultural studies, where she discovered her passion for supporting immigrants and refugees. After discovering this, she tried to teach high school for a bit but realized she wanted to tackle deeper issues than math, although she thinks education is important. She hopes to help people access basic necessities and improve their well-being.
At the UNP Welcome Center, Jordan connects people with rental assistance and local nonprofits. She recently revived a partnership with the Bike Collective to bring bike resources to the community! Jordan values community because she believes that to truly understand someone, you need to know their environment. If she could change one thing in the world, it would be making accessible childcare a universal right—especially for single mothers, helping them engage more fully in their communities. Living by the motto, “I’m going to mess around and find out,” Jordan embraces the spirit of exploration and learning. She’s eager to get involved in politics and soak up all the knowledge she can about the world around her.
Meet Becca!
She has spent most of her life in Salt Lake City but had a little adventure in Mississippi for college, where she dove into the fascinating world of psychology. Now, she’s back in Utah, working on her master’s in social work at the University of Utah. Becca is a big fan of hiking, especially in the fall when the mountains are bursting with color. She also loves art, particularly painting.
Her journey into psychology started with a curiosity about people, but when she discovered social work and justice advocacy, she realized she wanted to focus on communities, not just individuals. From the moment she heard about UNP, Becca knew she wanted to be a part of it. The mission to break down barriers to higher education really spoke to her. Right now, she’s actively building connections with community members and is excited to work with the Hartland resident committee. One thing Becca loves about communities is how they create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to be themselves. If she could change one social issue right now, it would be to revamp the education system to meet everyone’s needs. Becca believes in embracing life’s chaos with style, saying, “If you’re going to be a mess, be a hot mess!”
Meet Katie!
Katie is a Social Work intern at UNP, and she’s excited to share her journey and the impact she hopes to make through her work. Originally from Salt Lake City, Katie has always enjoyed reading and drawing, but it was her experience as a para/aide working alongside social workers that sparked her interest in the field. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work, eager to deepen her knowledge and skills.
Katie connected with UNP after attending a presentation at the College of Social Work led by Julie, where she was inspired by the organization’s mission and felt a strong pull to get involved. Through her internship, Katie hopes to gain valuable experience working with communities and navigating social justice systems. At UNP, she divides her time between Mountain View Elementary School and the Youth Center, where she focuses on supporting young people in safe, meaningful ways. Katie is passionate about community involvement and sees it as an essential way to provide people with the resources and care they need. Guided by her favorite book’s quote, “I am Kathryn, and I will not be afraid,” Katie approaches her work with courage and a commitment to making a difference.
The New American Academic Network (NAAN) and Communications
NAAN collaborates with various people and organizations to establish a network that supports individuals from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, focusing on language skills and credential recognition to enhance access to professional employment and higher education opportunities.
Meet Ellie!
Ellie is a third-year PhD student in Communications, focusing on Chicana feminism and critical rhetoric. She loves community and food, especially butter chicken, and sees meals as a way to connect with others and feel at home. Ellie wishes she had more free time to enjoy journaling, practicing calligraphy, and spending quality moments with her partner and dog. One of her main goals is to write theory pieces that elevate the significance of gossip and highlight women’s voices in academia.
Drawing from her own experiences with gentrification and her identity as a queer Latinx individual, Ellie advocates for inclusive practices in research, emphasizing the importance of humanizing participants and working toward social change. She actively collaborates with organizations like MECHA at the University of Utah, raising awareness on critical social issues such as anti-DEI legislation and the rights of marginalized communities. She would love to see more power returned to local communities. Ellie found UNP because she was searching for an organization focused on community-centered approaches. She is involved in several projects including the New American Academic Network (NAAN), which supports refugees and undocumented individuals. She hopes to create a safe space for others and build a welcoming community. Ellie believes community is crucial for everyone’s safety and well-being, especially for marginalized people, like those in the LGBTQ+ community. Ellie lives by the mantra, “Whatever will happen will happen,” embracing resilience in the face of societal challenges. She also believes that personality should shine through in writing not be hidden behind neutrality. Ellie says, “My oppression is not a buffet,” meaning that you can’t pick and choose which parts of her story to acknowledge—all of it makes her who she is.
Westside Leadership Institute (WLI) and City and Metropolitan Planning
WLI is a community-university partnership that supports the creation of startups that support the West Side community. It includes several classes and opportunities that allow community members to bring their visions for change to life.
Meet Juliana!
Juliana is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but she’s been loving life in Salt Lake City for the past four years. She enjoys the friendly community and the easy access to beautiful mountains. Currently, she’s a student at the University of Utah, working on her master’s degree in city and metropolitan planning. Juliana started her college journey studying environmental science, but a class about race and economics opened her eyes to city planning. She specifically became interested in the distribution of resources within city zones and the connection to climate change. She was drawn to UNP because she could see the physical divide between the east side and west side of SLC and thought it was cool that UNP has physical locations and programs throughout the west side to connect the university and community. As a graduate assistant for the Westside Leadership Institute (WLI), Juliana helps with the fundamentals classes. She loves learning about the community, connecting with students and their projects, and being able to connect people to resources at the university. She thinks the most important part of community is the empowerment it provides by combining each individual voice to create a more powerful force for change. A big goal Juliana has is to be a person who looks at others with compassion and curiosity. She believes listening and being open to others can help solve and prevent conflicts.
A cool organization Juliana worked with called “Green Urban Lunch Box” connects homeowners to volunteer gardeners to make the most of their gardens and share fresh food with the community. Juliana wishes people had more free time in life to do the things they enjoy so the good from that could trickle into the rest of life. If Juliana had more free time, she would design and develop an environmentally sustainable garden in her yard to nourish herself and the environment. A saying Juliana lives by is “You can do it.” This motto helps her tackle life’s challenges one at a time.
Thank you interns for all you are doing to contribute to the UNP and the westside community!