Forever Wolverines Podcast

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Nate as he interviews Lacey Cherrington. From UVU rodeo athlete to lawyer, Lacey’s story proves that you can pursue many passions at once, striving for zero regrets. She believes if you’re the smartest person in the room, find a new one because intentional growth happens when you're surrounded by people who help you move forward.

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Mohamed as he interviews Salifou Fofana. Salifou highlights how he navigates change by owning mistakes, staying intentional, and building backup plans. He shares insight on résumés, AI in finance, and placing yourself in successful environments. His core message: it’s never too late to change direction and create impact.

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Mohamed as he interviews UVU alum Matthew Bryson. In this episode, Matt reflects on the power of intentionally stepping into situations where opportunity can emerge bringing clarity, confidence, and contentment along the way. A future is shaped by the opportunities you are willing to pursue, especially when they come wrapped in uncertainty or rejection.  

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Brooke as she interviews UVU alumna, Amanda Kimball. As a first-generation student from a rural community, for Amanda, home meant safety and support while college meant cultural shifts and a shaky sense of belonging. Encouraged to give it one more try before moving home, she discovered leadership opportunities and newfound community through the music program, which changed her trajectory. She found that you should trust yourself and know you have something meaningful to offer. That purposeful growth comes from simply showing up and having the courage to intentionally move forward. 

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Larissa as she sits down with Myrna June Rodriguez Whittington, Senior Program Manager in Customer Success at NetDocuments. A first‑generation, multicultural, and non‑traditional student, Myrna reflects on how navigating college as a working parent helped her build the confidence to step into the tech industry. She shares how creativity and strategy shape the customer journeys she designs, the power of belonging, and why “failing fast” matters—whether you’re in the office or deep in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. 

Student Alumni Ambassador Nate connects with UVU alum and program manager of UVU’s Wellness Programs Kelly Henderson. She shares how a single internship launched her five‑year journey into UVU’s wellness world. From navigating stress management to building a network one small step at a time, Kelly reveals what it really takes to move from student to professional, and why staying curious can change everything.

Student Alumni Ambassador Mohamed sits down with UVU alum Oumar Traore for a look at the world of cybersecurity. From learning English through determination (and a little help from The Vampire Diaries) and finding his footing within UVU’s welcoming community, his story highlights perseverance. He also discusses the importance of taking opportunities and the impact of kindness—both received and given. His gratitude for scholarships and donors shaped his drive to keep moving forward and create opportunities for others, such as the nonprofit Seeds of Kati.    

Student Alumni Ambassador Shelby sits down with Maddie Heywood, Director of Event Operations at Thanksgiving Point, for an inside look at life in the events industry. Maddie, who proudly calls herself a “Manager of Chaos,” shares the mindset and skills that help her thrive in a fast‑paced field. After graduating during the uncertainty of 2020, she found her footing in hospitality by staying optimistic, embracing new opportunities, and leaning into her creativity. Her journey is a testament to resilience and resourcefulness in an ever‑changing industry. 

Meet the students from the 2025-2026 academic year. Each is on scholarship as a Student Alumni Ambassador, working with UVU's Office of Alumni Relations. They are the ones who found alumni to interview and decided what questions to ask and how the interviews should go. We are so proud of our Utah Valley University students!Join us in January 2026 for our new season!

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Kaleah as she sits down with Kara H. North, personal injury attorney and partner at Moxie Law Group. Explore her unique UVU story and lessons learned as she opens up about the idea of evolving your definition of success through consistently setting goals. Kara advises alumni to stay authentically engaged with their alma mater to create beneficial experiences for the entire Wolverine community.

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Savannah as she interviews Emilee Henriquez, a 2019 Family Science graduate. Emilee is a passionate mental health advocate and founder of Therapy Friends. A former student-athlete turned transfer student, she made the bold decision to pivot and pursue new paths, leading her to Utah Valley University, where she was welcomed with open arms.  As a first-generation college student, she found strength in the support of empathetic professors and the power of community. Her joy in helping others led her to become an active mentor on Wolverine Connect, where she helps students blaze trails in their own educational and professional journeys.

In this episode of the Forever Wolverines Podcast, Student Alumni Ambassador Vagner meets with UVU alum David Dekker '18. From switching majors to stepping into unexpected roles, David shares how mentorship, flexibility, and a willingness to fail shaped his journey from student to backend developer. He reminds listeners that you can do anything hard for two minutes. Tune in for real talk about career growth. 

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Callie as she interviews a 2015 alum who graduated in biotechnology: Dr. Brandon Davies. Dr. Davies discusses his love of research and teaching and the importance of mentorship. His UVU story is enhanced by professors, coaches, and peers who challenged him to think in new ways. This journey led him to his philosophy of ask "stupid" questions so that you can be true to yourself.#UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Brooke as she sits down with UVU alum Colton Simons, who graduated in communications in 2016. As a first-generation college student, Colton shares his journey of learning to be patient in selecting a major and through career transitions. Working in higher education, he reflects on the joy of mentoring students. #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassadors Mandy and Savannah as they interview UVU alum Wendy Wright '17, community health. As a non-traditional student, Wendy relied heavily on networking, volunteering, and capitalizing on her internship. These skills opened doors for her and created the confidence she utilizes each day as a health educator at the Utah County Health Department.#UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Mohamed as he interviews UVU alum Bakary Camara '15, accounting and '17 MBA. Bakary gives credit to those at UVU who listened to him and helped him along his educational path as an international student. He has become a lifelong learner with a passion for problem solving and building relationships. His advice is to intentionally network with the future in mind and to do your part to build teams with safety and respect at their core. #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Mohamed as he interviews UVU alum Andre Jones. Andre graduated in political science in 2018 with a minor in national security studies. Based in the Washington, DC area, he now works as a federal employee in the Department of Homeland Security.   His time at UVU was heavily influenced by his leadership opportunities. As a transfer student, he leveraged these engaged learning moments to grow his network. His experiences with student government and presidential internships built his desire to pay it forward now, acting as a key influencer promoting the alumni spirit in DC and assisting in creating opportunity for students and alumni interested in landing in the area for their careers.   #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines  

Join Student Alumni Ambassador Savannah as she interviews UVU alum Melanie Wolfe, a 2022 graduate with a bachelor’s in family science and a 2024 graduate with a master's in social work. As a first-generation student, Melanie relied heavily on campus resources to overcome fear, create community, and take advantage of opportunity. She now serves as a bilingual therapist, helping others find resources and continuing the mission of creating a community where all feel a sense of belonging.   #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines 

Join Student Alumni Ambassador, Kaleah, as she interviews Kim Hopkins, a 2021 UVU grad from the Animation and Game Development program. As a 3D Environment Artist at FatalFox Studios, Kim shares excellent advice in redefining failure, finding inspiration, seeking feedback, and becoming a lifelong learner through mentorship.#UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassadors, Mandy and Savannah, as they speak with UVU alum, Megan Johnson, President and CEO of the Intermountain Spanish Fork Hospital. As a 2008 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate, she recounts the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Leaning on mentors, education, and the power of listening, she has been able to positively influence her community through healthcare. Being kind and assuming good intent has opened doors in leadership and fostered a growth mindset that continues her success.   #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Join Student Alumni Ambassador, Callie, as she delves into the life of a crime scene investigator with Chelsea Gipson, a 2018 UVU alum of the Criminal Justice program. Insight into her preferred learning style influenced what she pursued after graduation. Self-advocating for long-term goals and surrounding herself with a supportive community has landed her into a dream job that calls upon her greatest strengths.  This episode does mention elements of crimes scenes. Those sensitive to these topics, please be advised.  #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines  

Join Student Alumni Ambassador, Mohamed, as he talks with Tiana Wynn, a 2024 UVU graduate of the Criminal Justice program. As a new alumna, she speaks about her student journey from dropping out of her first semester of college to being on the Dean’s List and how what was learned aids her now as she explores a career path not considered until after graduation.

Meet the students from our 2024-2025 academic year. Each is on scholarship as a Student Alumni Ambassador, working with UVU's Office of Alumni Relations. They are the ones who found alumni through Wolverine Connect to interview and decided what questions to ask and how the interviews should go. We are so proud of our Utah Valley University students! #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines engage.uvu.edu/wolverineconnect

Join Student Alumni Ambassador, Vagner, as he speaks with JC Arauz, a UVU alum working in the cybersecurity industry. JC's journey as a non-traditional student provided him the opportunity to master the art of communicating well and often. Effective networking and leveraging the power of a great interview are a just few of the key topics covered in the story of his career. #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines

Utah Valley University legend, Linda Makin, graduated in 2002, retired from UVU in 2023, and now shares her story with us! Join Brooke, a Student Alumni Ambassador, in discovering Linda's journey from experiences as a first-generation and non-traditional student to the accomplishment of helping UVU receive university status. #UVUAlumni #ForeverWolverines