The following 50 individuals were nominated by students, faculty and staff on campus, then selected by our editorial staff to be featured in our first-ever 50 Most Influential People. The Utah Statesman staff is privileged to honor these people for their contributions to Utah State University.
The Top 10
Kenneth Laursen
Larsen works for the Teaching and Learning Technologies department. He develops tools to help instructors quickly develop their Canvas courses. When a teacher wants to do something special with their course, whether it is a strictly online course or a traditional course, Larsen helps develop that.
Larsen allows teachers and faculty to add elements to their courses they may not know how to do. This includes things like styles or interactive elements. He works closely with instructional designers to do so.
Larsen initially came to USU to get a master’s degree, but he stayed for his current job.
“I got hired to work as a grad student and then began creating things and eventually they created a job for me so they could continue doing it,” he said. “I never knew I could love a job as much as I love working at Utah State.”
Travis Thurston
Travis Thurston is an instructional designer for the Center for Innovative Design and Instruction. He works with professors to structure their classes online in a way that is conducive to learning. Because of the nature of his job dealing with online courses, Thurston also gets to work frequently with the regional campuses as well.
Thurston is also in a PhD program through the School of Teacher Education and Leadership and helps run the Empowering Teaching Excellence conferences at USU.
Thurston said he likes being at USU for the environment and the people he gets to work with.
“I get to work with a great team at the center for innovative design and instruction, and we love going around campus. It’s just a great place,” he said. “There is an amazing vibe here.”
Courtney Stewart
Stewart is an assistant professor in the Teacher Education and Leadership Department. He teaches teachers how to be principals all over the state. When teachers come to USU for a master’s or a doctorate, he helps them prepare to be a principal and helps them get their principal’s license.
He works with teachers all over the state as well as in Logan. He has students in places like Manti, Vernal and St. George as well as doctoral students in Cache Valley. He said he enjoys helping people prepare to step into a new role in their careers.
“My favorite part of my job is maybe reinvigorating these teachers as they step into a new role as a school leader and giving them maybe tools and techniques or new things to consider as they enter a new paradigm as they think of new ways to approaching schooling,” Stewart said.
Stan Albrecht
Albrecht is the president of Utah State University. On any given day Albrecht said he is working on 25-30 different things which lets him work with a variety of different people both at USU and not. He works with students, parents, staff, faculty, donors and state legislators.
Albrecht appreciates the Land Grant Mission, which was designed to create access and opportunity in 1862. A first generation college student himself, Albrecht values the opportunity that USU provides for students who might not otherwise have the chance to get a higher education.
“I love the students here, they come here with a strong work ethic,” Albrecht said. “You take a strong work ethic and provide a quality education and you have a great product, so I always enjoy the quality of students that come to Utah State and the things they do with their lives.”
Casey Saxton
Saxton is the digital marketing coordinator for USU Extension and the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The USU Extension works to fulfill the land-grant mission partially by having an office in every county in Utah. Saxton helps get Extension’s mission out there.
Saxton is also a part-time MBA student at the Huntsman School on top of his full-time job with the university. He finished his undergrad in the spring at USU when he was also the USUSA student advocate vice president and the Government Relations Council chair. He said the experiences you can get as an undergrad are one of his favorite aspects of USU.
“Certainly as an undergrad the involvement opportunities are amazing,” he said. “There are so many opportunities for people to get involved, meet friends and to really find a sense of community here.”
Ann Austin
Austin is a professor of family consumer and human development, and her research area is child development. She specializes in development from infancy to age 12 and brings in about $2 million a year in grants for her research. She also oversees six graduate students in the process of that.
Austin is also the founding director of the Center for Women and Gender. The center covers women and gender studies, research and educational outreach.
Austin said that one of her favorite parts about working at USU is the students.
“I love the students. The students are so hard working and so sincere about their education,” she said.
Sarah Brasiel
Brasiel is an adjunct professor and a senior researcher at USU. She does research in the Department of Instructional Technology and teaches in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.
Brasiel is conducting a state-wide research project with the STEM Action Center. The STEM Action Center is trying to get more people into the STEM careers. It has grants for schools and Brasiel evaluates whether or not they are working.
Brasiel also teaches which she says is one of her favorite parts of being at USU.
She said that the students she works with are “caring people, people that work really hard at the work that they are doing and have a passion in the area that they are studying. So it’s been really enjoyable working with those students here too.”
Beth Foley
Foley is the dean of the college of education and human services, the largest college at USU’s campus. The college also generates more external funding than any other college.
Foley said the college also does a lot of interdisciplinary work on how to solve problems like childhood obesity, autism and Alzheimer’s disease. She said that the type of work she does is very rewarding.
“I came here in 1993 planning to stay one year and just fell in love with it,” Foley said. “I think it’s a great work environment. The students are fantastic. People here work really well together and work really hard to provide high-quality education to students.”
Trevor Sean Olsen
Olsen is the USUSA president this year. As part of his position he was elected to represent all of the students at Utah State and is the head of the USUSA executive council, which acts as the liaison to University staff, faculty and administration.
Olsen was also recently appointed to president of the Utah Student Association. USA consists of the student body presidents of the respective universities in Utah who represent the interests of students of those universities.
Olsen said he enjoys representing such a friendly student body at USU.
“My favorite part of USU is the friendly atmosphere that comes with the Aggie Family culture. I walk to class and at least once every day, someone I don’t know says hi to me,” he said.
Oakman Kennedy
Kennedy is the president of the Student Alumni Association, where he oversees traditions, student giving and networking opportunities of students. This school year he is bridging the position into the USUSA executive council because next year that position will be part of the executive council.
Kennedy was a founding father for the Alpha Tau Omega in fraternity in 2012 and he is currently the vice president of recruitment of the inter-fraternity council. Kennedy said there are a lot of ways to get involved at USU, which is what makes it special.
“I don’t think there is any other university that gives you the experience that USU gives you,” Kennedy said.
Joyce Albrecht is the First Lady of the university, as well as the development officer for the Caine College of the Arts. She not only hosts events all year to welcome people from everywhere to the university, and feels it has been a privilege to work with alumni and donors who have been willing to invest in the students of USU.
Ty Aller is this year’s Graduate Studies Senator on USUSA Academic Senate and is an involved graduate student in the marriage and family therapy program. With his mental health initiative he has organized events all over campus to raise awareness of mental illness, since last year.
Cathy Bullock is a professor in the journalism department at USU. An honored researcher and professor, Bullock has had multiple publications, including coverage for the Elizabeth Smart abduction. She is also an advisor for the Aggie BluePrint magazine.
Bicycle Brent is a friend to all on campus and an important member of the Logan community, as he rides his bike everywhere to pass around newspapers, magazines and fliers for university and community events. He is always smiling, wearing his helmet and willing to give a high-five to cheer up anyone’s day.
Corey Christiansen works in the Music Department as the director of Guitar Studies. He earned his bachelor’s degree at USU, and almost two decades later returned to USU as a music professor. He has also recorded multiple CDs with Origin Records.
Noelle Cockett is Utah State University’s provost. Prior to her appointment to the position in 2013, she was the first woman to be dean of the College of Agriculture and Business.
Sara Crandall is a resident assistant at Utah State University, and is described by a friend as “all around the coolest person ever.”
James Davis, or Doc Davis, is the director of the Health and Wellness Services at USU and provides healthcare services to students, as well as their spouses and children. Davis develops and recommends policy ideas for health services at the university, participated in the renovation of the current Health and Wellness Center, and is a presence on campus as a faculty adviser and guest lecturer.
Krystin Deschamps has arguably the most difficult job on campus. As student conduct coordinator, Deschamps handles hundreds of cases every year. She said it’s difficult but rewarding because gets to see students realize their own bravery.
Melanie Domenech-Rodriguez has been a psychology professor at USU since 2000. She is involved in research on family processes in Spanish-speaking Latino families and is involved in research programs in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Michigan.
Carl Ellsworth is a technical administrator for Information Technology at Utah State University, overseeing much of what happens in the IT department. His employees — staff and students — speak highly of him, including one who said, “The university would come to a screeching halt without his expertise, leadership, and loyalty to USU.”
Chris Fawson is the executive director of Partners in Business and the Dr. Vernon Maughan Buehler and MaRee C. Buehler Endowed professor. He has been at USU since 1990 and was the International Professor of the Year in 2012.
John Ferguson is a senior lecturer at Utah State University in the Huntsman School of Business. His classes aren’t easy, students say, but his teaching shapes the way they think and helps student lead ethical, moral lives.
Richard Gordin is a professor emeritus in the Health, Physical Education & Recreation department and an adjunct professor in the psychology department. He has been at USU for 34 years, and works as a sports psychologist for Olympic and international sports teams.
Kent Harris has been a patrol officer with USU Campus Police since 2010. Students say he helps them feel especially safe and protected on campus.
Sawyer Hemsley is the programming vice president for USUSA. He has the vision behind many of USU’s exciting events that keep students engaged on campus and bring new students to the university.
Rachel Hilton was crowned Miss USU last spring, and — as an A-team peer mentor — she introduces many students to campus.
Brenton Hull is the administrative assistant for USUSA, meaning he is involved in the day-to-day operations of the executive council and academic senate. He does a lot of work as the “behind-the-scenes” person for the organizations.
John Hartwell has made a personal impact on students in his first year at Utah State. Whether it’s tweeting to get people to games or giving food to those who camp out for tickets, it’s easy to tell Hartwell loves being an Aggie.
Douglas Jackson-Smith is a professor and the director of the graduate studies in sociology program. He is known for leading or co-investing major grants on water issues including the iUtah initiative.
Maegan Kasteler is involved in many facets of Utah State University, including the Student Alumni Association and President’s Cabinet. Kasteler embodies what it means to be part of the Aggie Family.
Utah State Football
Chuckie Keeton has been at Utah State for five years and everyone knows who he is. However, Keeton has maintained humility and a good attitude, on and off the field, through many injuries. He sticks up for good morals and positivity, and is friendly to everyone on campus.
Matthew LaPlante has been an assistant professor in the department of journalism and communication at USU since 2011. He is known for pushing students to write like real-world, professional journalists and is a recognized foreign correspondent.
Olivia Leonhardt is the vice president of outreach for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is “a very outgoing person who makes friends easily.”
Randy Lewis is a biology professor at USU. His spider silk research to create a material stronger than steel and more elastic than nylon is world-renown and has been featured in National Geographic and Time magazine.
Sonia Manuel-Dupont has been teaching for over 25 years and works in three different departments — communicative disorders, English, and civil and environmental engineering. In addition to being a professor, she is also a graduate student adviser in the Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education department.
James Morales has been the vice president for student services at USU since 2009 and was one of the administrators to push for the new Aggie Recreation Center. Dr. Morales highly values educational opportunities for all people and enjoys meeting and getting to know students and being involved in their various activities.
Yusuf Mumin engages over 1,000 students on social media between Facebook and twitter alone. He gives insight on student life, but he also just adds humor to his followers’ news feeds.
Kent Myers has been known to turn football games around for the Aggies. Not only did he step up when he was needed, but he played an integral role in scoring USU a bowl game.
Michael Scott Peters, known to many simply as “Michael Scott,” loves college. He has a goal of meeting five new people every day, and he rarely walks to class alone. He is also a Huntsman Scholar.
Shannon Peterson received her master’s degree from USU in 1992 and then attended Ohio State to earn her PhD. Now an economics and finance professor at Utah State, Shannon Peterson is also a codirector of the Huntsman Scholars Program.
Thomas Rogers has more to do with the excitement of game day than any other student. As USUSA athletics vice president, he also makes decisions with the executive council regarding campus and students.
Matthew Sanders is an associate professor of communication studies at USU. He was the undergraduate research mentor of the year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in April 2013.
Jason Spelbring teaches acting and directs six productions every year for his students. As an active member in his profession outside of USU, he has brought Broadway actors into his classroom as part of a series, “The Road to Broadway.”
Edwin Stafford is a professor and the associate department head of the management department at USU. He is a professor who “strives for student learning” and “makes class exciting and one to look forward to,” said one of his students.
Tim Vitale is the executive director of public relations and marketing at USU. As the primary spokesperson for the university, he has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post and publications all over Utah.
Ryan Wallentine is the president of RHA and is willing to approach anyone and everyone to make friends. According to his nomination, he has an inspiring past and bright future.
Steve Wilcox is a senior studying international business and marketing, has been the Relay for Life president and is currently a national Relay for Life Vice President for western universities, including USU. He is president of Business Council at USU and was awarded achievement of the year at the Robins Awards for the 2014-2015 school year.
Robert Winward is an associate professor in the department of Art and Design in the Caine College of the Arts at USU. His work has been recognized by Print Magazine, the Annual of American Corporate Identity, the University and College Designers Association and the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Linda Zimmerman has been the director of student involvement since 2010, but she has been involved in the office for almost 28 years. She directly impacts hundreds of students and cares deeply about their success.
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