For more than 22 years, the Westside Leadership Institute, WLI, has supported residents in developing ideas, building leadership skills and shaping their communities. Through programs like fundamentals, workshops and startups, WLI has cultivated a strong network of leaders committed to community-driven change.

That impact can be seen in initiatives such as Comunidad Materna en Utah, Breathe 4 Trees, PreventHer, Bee Strong and many others that have grown through WLI’s support. Graduates and nonprofit organizations alike have benefited from the education, mentorship and sense of community fostered by the program.

Last summer, Stacy Harwood, professor in city and metropolitan planning at the University of Utah, began leading a research project to better understand and document this impact. Working alongside four research assistants from diverse academic backgrounds, the team set out to update WLI records and build a comprehensive alumni database.

The research team includes:

• Jennifer Aguilar Lopez, junior at the University of Utah, majoring in Honors Qualitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations
• Hayllen Menses Rosas, junior at the University of Utah, majoring in Honors Economics
• Rosa Pimentel, University of Utah graduate with double majors in Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies
• Riley Wolfgramm, senior at Utah Valley University, majoring in Psychology

Together, the team is collecting and organizing data to connect incoming WLI students with mentorship opportunities and strengthen engagement among alumni.

Building the research

The project grew out of conversations during a WLI Steering Committee meeting focused on updating the organization’s Strategic Plan. As a committee member, Harwood heard repeated stories about the impact WLI participants were making in their communities and recognized the need to document those stories in a more systematic and accessible way.

With support from a seed grant, the research began. Matias Pedreira of NeighborWorks Salt Lake City and Saolo Betham of UNP helped connect the research team with alumni participants.

At the start of summer 2025, the team conducted a literature review to assess existing data, including post-course surveys and focus group findings. While these materials provided valuable insights, they did not fully capture the long-term impact of WLI programming.

As a result, the project’s primary goal shifted toward understanding how WLI influences both individual participants and the broader communities they serve. Researchers found that capturing individual experiences required time and relationship-building, while community-level impacts were often easier to identify collectively.

During the pilot phase, the team developed and refined interview questions, ensuring they were accessible and inclusive. Interviews were translated into Spanish and participants were given the option to meet in person or via Zoom. Each interview lasted between 45 minutes and two hours.

Researchers found that alumni were eager to share their stories, making the process both insightful and deeply meaningful.

“This research experience has shown me how powerful education and leadership opportunities can be in shaping paths that support and serve underrepresented communities,” Menses Rosas said. “I’ve felt very fortunate to learn about the projects and nonprofit work led by incredible WLI alumni and it has helped me see how research and education can create real-world impact.”

Alumni stories and community leadership

As of May 2026, the research team has conducted 26 alumni interviews, with more scheduled throughout the summer. Participants range from recent graduates in the 2025 cohort to alumni who completed the program as early as 2014.

Word of mouth has played a significant role in recruitment, with more than 30 additional contacts emerging through alumni recommendations alone.

Over the past two decades, WLI has graduated more than 800 students across its three courses. During that time, alumni have launched more than 30 organizations and resident-led groups across Utah, many focused on community support and educational access. One example, Amigas Utah, has grown to include more than 8,000 members.

Many alumni initiatives focus on health care advocacy and systems change, particularly for communities facing barriers to accessing care or navigating complex systems. Others focus on strengthening community connections by sharing information, resources and cultural support networks.

What does leadership look like?

One of the most consistent themes emerging from the interviews is that leadership takes many forms. Several participants shared that they did not initially see themselves as leaders, even as they were actively creating change in their communities.

For many, traditional ideas of leadership can feel limiting. WLI helps expand that definition by recognizing leadership in everyday actions—whether that means organizing neighbors, advocating for policy change or simply supporting others through challenging circumstances.

“I’ve been learning a lot about the importance of community and connections, no matter how small,” Pimentel said. “Small changes are still changes and can still positively impact our world, particularly in light of the bigger issues we face.”

Alumni stories reflect this wide range of leadership. One participant described regularly checking on neighbors who feel unsafe in public spaces due to the current political climate, helping reduce isolation through care and companionship. Others are advocating for childcare legislation, improving access to health care or building support systems based on their own lived experiences.

Many students enter WLI with a desire to create resources or opportunities for their communities. Through the program, they expand their capacity to act. Cohorts often remain closely connected long after completing the program and some alumni return as instructors, continuing to invest in future leaders.

“In many of the interviews I have done, one consistent theme is the connection and networking aspects of leadership development. Many alumni build lasting relationships with others involved in nonprofits and community organizations,” Wolfgramm said. “These connections make their goals feel more achievable.”

Beyond individual growth, many alumni pursue careers rooted in service through organizations such as University Neighborhood Partners and NeighborWorks. Strong community ties continue to support collaboration and shared impact across projects.

What’s next?

The research team hopes to expand the project with additional funding, as current resources limit the scope of what can be accomplished through volunteer support. Interviews will continue through the end of the summer before findings are compiled and shared.

Future plans include developing short alumni biographies and incorporating alumni stories into WLI course materials. These stories will highlight the many forms leadership can take and reinforce the idea that leadership looks different for everyone.

WLI is also planning additional alumni events to strengthen networking and community connections. Throughout the research process, one theme has remained clear: Alumni deeply value the relationships they built through WLI.

Aguilar Lopez spoke about her experience as a research assistant:

“Working as a research assistant for WLI under Professor Stacy Harwood has exposed me to the impactful outcomes the program has created for westside residents. I’ve had the opportunity to collect, clean and organize alumni data to make information and outreach more accessible.”

She added:

“One of my favorite tasks has been creating a map of organizations founded by WLI alumni. These organizations focus on technology access for kids, mental health advocacy, sustainability, civic engagement and much more. The map is available on the WLI website and visually demonstrates what alumni have built. I’ve also really enjoyed interviewing alumni—hearing their stories has helped me grow personally while strengthening my understanding of community resources.”

As the project continues, these stories not only document WLI’s impact—they also help shape its future by inspiring the next generation of community leaders.

Learn more about WLI and explore project resources at westsideleadership.org.

This research is supported by the College of Architecture & Planning Research Incentive Seed Grant Program and the University Neighborhood Partners Community Scholar in Residence Program.