University of Utah President Ruth Watkins has appointed Jennifer Mayer-Glenn as the new director of University Neighborhood Partners and special assistant to the president for campus-community partnerships.

Mayer-Glenn will assume the position on July 1, 2019. She follows Sarah Munro, who has served as director of University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) since 2015 and has been deeply engaged with the program for more than a decade.

“Jennifer’s commitment to building genuine, sustainable partnerships, her vision for what can be achieved when all perspectives are heard, and her record as an educator and community member make her an ideal leader for University Neighborhood Partners and special assistant,” Watkins said. “UNP’s goals, which include increasing access to college for west-side communities and strengthening the U and other higher education institutions, will be advanced through Jennifer’s talents, experience and strong leadership.”

UNP was created in 2001 to foster greater civic engagement through mutual empowerment, discovery and learning rooted in diverse life experiences. It specifically brings together the university and Salt Lake City’s west-side community for reciprocal learning, action and benefit, including increased access to higher education for community members.

Mayer-Glenn has worked in the pre-K to 12th-grade education system for more than 20 years, building partnerships that enhance success in education. Her work has centered on strengthening links between families, teachers and school leaders; schools and higher education entities; and schools and community-based organizations.

Mayer-Glenn is currently director of Family School Collaboration for the Salt Lake City School District, where she leads schools in building their capacity to create welcoming and inviting cultures, connect family engagement to student learning and provide development and mentorship opportunities for school staff.

Previously, Mayer-Glenn was administrator of the Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center, assistant principal at both Mountain View Elementary and Glendale Middle School, alternative language services coordinator and a special education teacher.

“I am deeply honored to be selected to lead UNP and build on the groundbreaking work of Irene Fisher, Rosey Hunter, Sarah Munro and the UNP staff,” Mayer-Glenn said. “I look forward to continuing to connect Salt Lake City’s brilliant and vibrant west-side community to the U while also increasing community-engaged research for the benefit of all of us. There is much we can learn from each other and time for us to be on this journey together.”

Mayer-Glenn has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in education from Westminster College.