By Alumni Association, University of Utah

University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) at the University of Utah just celebrated its 15th year of Partners in the Park. UNP works to increase community engagement with the U with the long-term goal of increasing access to higher education for west side residents. Programs such as Partners in the Park connect potential students with the U and other institutions of higher education, raising their awareness of and access to the lifelong value of higher education. Partners in the Park also provides west side residents with access to local resources and organizations.

The Summer 2018 Partners in the Park kickoff event was held on June 19 at Jordan Park, where the Alumni Association granted five scholarships to well-deserving west-side Salt Lake City residents who will be attending the University of Utah in the fall. U President Ruth V. Watkins attended the event and introduced the new executive director of Alumni Relations, Todd Andrews, who then presented the awards to each of this year’s scholars.

Partners in the Park is a multi-week summer program designed to bring university faculty, staff, students, community partner organizations and west-side residents together in local neighborhood parks.

The remaining 2018 Partners in the Park program schedule is:

• July 17, Riverside Park, 739 N. 1400 West, 6-8 p.m.
• July 31, Constitution Park, 300 N. 1300 West, 6-8 p.m.

2018 Alumni Association UNP Scholarship recipients:

Krishna Dhakal

Growing up in a refugee camp, Krishna Dhakal’s education was limited by electricity—when the lanterns ran out, so did any homework time—and she saw how her entire community was held back by the struggle for food and lack of basic medical care. Originally from Nepal, Krishna will be a first-generation college student at the University of Utah, her plan is to get a bachelor’s degree in public health so that she can help those who don’t have access to proper health care and nutrition. She now spends many hours as a volunteer mentor and in organizing program activities helping students celebrate their culture and diversity. She writes, “My personal experience drives my passion and resolve to travel the world and work to change lives and give hope.”

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