As part of Veterans Week celebrations, the Women's Success Center partnered with UVU's Veteran Center to host a panel of female veterans in the Ballroom on November 8. Four women who served in different branches of the military discussed their experiences. Sheldon Holgreen, senior director of the Veteran Center, welcomed participants, and Marci Hehnly served as the panel moderator.

Hehnly, assistant professor of criminal justice at UVU, is a veteran who served in the United States Army as a military police officer.

The panelists included Lena Sansom, U.S. Army, who is seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice; Leslie Zimmerman, U.S. Army, seeking a bachelor's degree in community health; Mallory Cochran, U.S. Army Reserves and military policy, seeking a bachelor's degree in behavioral studies; and Sara Snyder, U.S. Air Force Reserves, currently seeking a bachelor's degree in aviation with the goal of becoming a professional pilot.

Each of the panelists gave an account of their military service, providing insightful perspective of what it means to be part of the military family and how it changed their lives. Questions from members of the audience were answered thoughtfully and frankly, revealing common themes of steadfast loyalty and opportunities for leadership rarely available to women in realms of academia or business. 

Nearly three years after founding the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation Wee Care Center, Barbara came back for a visit! She was accompanied by President Matthew S. Holland; Paige Holland; Michelle Taylor, vice president of student affairs; and Scott Cooksey, vice president of development and alumni affairs. The children were thrilled to meet Barbara and sang two songs prepared especially for her. They also presented Barbara with a gift basket including a book filled with thank-you letters and children's art.

Kellie Davis is a current MBA student at UVU and is a graduate assistant to Susan Madsen. Kellie graduated spring 2016 with her bachelor's degree in business management and associate degree in drafting technology. She has always believed in education from a young age; this was something her grandma instilled in her. While Kellie has faced several difficult struggles in her life, she took on any challenges with the view that nothing was impossible. Her top values in life are relationships and education, and she believes that everything revolves around these things. She earned her associate degree in applied accounting in December 2000 as a single mom.

In 2008, she married her amazing and supportive husband, and her family grew from three to five children. Kellie loves the outdoors and spending time with her children. The first year of marriage, she learned what it was like to be a military wife. The experience taught her many things, but most of all, she learned what it is like to sacrifice something for your country. She is proud to be an American and grateful for all the opportunities she is able to have because of her freedom. Kellie has done a lot of volunteer work with the youth in the community and church, including tutoring students, coaching sports, and working with the scouts.

Eventually, Kellie wants to come back to UVU and teach because she believes in the University's mission of engaged learning and loves the culture of family at UVU.

The Women of UVU Association is participating in the Festival of Trees and has dedicated its tree to Susan Cox Powel and her children. The festival will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, through Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day at the South Town Expo Center. Every penny raised is used to give "A Gift of Love" to children at Primary Children's Hospital.

On Dec. 7, 2009, Susan Cox Powell was reported missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah. Detectives working on the case characterized her disappearance as suspicious and having criminal overtones. Susan has never been found, and her disappearance remains unsolved. The Susan Cox Powell Foundation was established in 2010 by Susan's parents, with the help of friends and after an overwhelming response from people around the world.

Although the end of Susan's story is not known at this time, and Susan's sons, Charlie and Braden, were not protected from their abusive father, in part because of the weaknesses of the system that was supposed to protect them, much can be learned. The Foundation and partners are working to prevent and fight domestic violence and the abuse of children, and to help families facing related issues. The goal is to ensure that the tragedy of Susan, Charlie, and Braden will be remembered so that others experiencing similar ongoing situations will wake up and get all the help possible. This unspeakable tragedy leaves a legacy of hope and love.

For more information about the festival, go to https://goo.gl/GnMytT

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UVU's Women's Success Center was established in 2011 with the mission to help women enter and graduate from UVU. Recent studies show that Utah has the lowest graduation rates for women in the nation. The WSC helps women overcome barriers that can stop them from furthering their college education. They offer many services including- support, advocacy, individual success coaching, scholarship assistance, leadership opportunities and more. The Women's Success Center is dedicated to helping women see themselves as confident and capable of achieving their educational goals. To learn more visit the Women's Success Center Web site at http://www.uvu.edu/wsc